The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,299 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd Game Cover
There are a great amount of choices for JRPG's, is Trails in the Sky the 3rd a game that sticks out form the rest?
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"The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd" is the exciting conclusion to the Trails in the Sky trilogy. This RPG focuses on Kevin Graham, a special agent, as he uncovers a mysterious artifact and confronts his past. With new gameplay systems and a captivating story, players will experience closure to the beloved characters and their adventures.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • PSP
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,299 reviews
story301 positive mentions
grinding56 negative mentions
  • The game provides deep character development and backstories for beloved characters from the previous games.
  • The combat system is refined and offers a variety of strategies with a large cast of playable characters.
  • The soundtrack is exceptional, featuring memorable tracks that enhance the emotional impact of the story.
  • The game is more of a dungeon crawler with a linear structure, lacking the exploration and NPC interactions of the previous titles.
  • The main story feels less engaging and is often overshadowed by the optional side stories.
  • Some players may find the pacing slow and tedious, especially with lengthy cutscenes and text-heavy segments.
  • story1,260 mentions

    The story of "Trails in the Sky the 3rd" serves as an epilogue to the previous games, focusing on Kevin Graham and his backstory while providing closure for many beloved characters. While the main narrative is less expansive and more linear than its predecessors, it compensates with rich character development and optional side stories accessed through "doors," which delve into the lore and personal histories of various characters. Overall, the game is praised for its emotional depth and connections to the broader Trails series, though some players may find the shift in structure and focus on dungeon crawling less satisfying compared to the more traditional storytelling of the earlier titles.

    • “This game demonstrates the prominent role that the church has in Zemuria and explains the backstory behind several characters and events from FC/SC.”
    • “Kevin's backstory hit like a truck.”
    • “It's a story about loss, guilt, and forgiveness of not only others but yourself, and it is beautifully told.”
    • “The story is very weak, with essentially all progress in it happening along the borders of the game's chapters.”
    • “The main story that you actually play through is basically a side story about Kevin's background with some more information about the Aureole, and all of the other character and world building is more like a passive visual novel in the Trails engine, and as such I didn't really feel like I was part of the story in a meaningful way.”
    • “The pacing and ending of the second chapter were also fixed in this game, as the final boss fight, while long, was not easy and did not feel like it was being dragged out for the purpose of needlessly lengthening the story.”
  • gameplay299 mentions

    The gameplay in "Trails in the Sky the 3rd" is characterized by a shift towards a more dungeon-crawling experience, maintaining the series' turn-based combat mechanics while introducing new elements like support characters and enhanced orbment systems. While some players appreciate the balance and strategic depth, others find the gameplay repetitive and less engaging compared to its predecessors, with a notable increase in instant-death mechanics. Overall, the game is seen as a solid continuation of the series, offering enjoyable combat and character development, albeit with a more focused approach on gameplay over narrative.

    • “The gameplay of this entry in the series is much more balanced, and the strategy continues to be more fleshed out in a satisfying way.”
    • “The gameplay loop is different from the prior games and series as a whole but is still very enjoyable, if not more so due to the refreshing change of pace.”
    • “The gameplay is at its finest here and the character-exploration and worldbuilding set-up already has me salivating for Crossbell and Cold Steel.”
    • “The flashback scenes distributed throughout the game have some very interesting stories to tell, but they are the only highlight of the game, outside of slight additions to the gameplay strategy.”
    • “Instant death mechanics are overwhelming, and combat feels like the worst chore in comparison to the other two games.”
    • “The gameplay loop does have most of the elements of the first two games, although the combat-to-story ratio has shifted.”
  • music223 mentions

    The music in "Trails in the Sky the 3rd" has been universally praised, with many reviewers calling it the best soundtrack in the trilogy. The game features a mix of returning tracks and new compositions that enhance the emotional depth and atmosphere of the story, making it a standout element of the overall experience. Fans of the series appreciate the high-quality arrangements and memorable melodies that continue to resonate long after gameplay.

    • “The music in this game has become some of my favorite video game music ever, and I continue to listen to it after finishing this game.”
    • “With its powerful and emotional narrative, exceptional writing, refined combat system, and outstanding soundtrack, this game is a worthy finale to one of the greatest JRPG trilogies of all time.”
    • “In addition to using music from the prequels, it has its own set of soundtracks, which can be a little bit on the mellow side compared to that found in SC.”
    • “The music in this game is, in my opinion, my favorite in the whole series.”
    • “The soundtrack is, as expected from Falcom Sound Team JDK, absolutely godlike.”
  • emotional74 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players highlighting its ability to evoke deep feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak. Key moments, particularly in the final chapters and specific "memory doors," deliver powerful narratives that resonate with players, often leading to tears and a profound connection to the characters. The exceptional writing, character development, and evocative soundtrack further enhance the emotional experience, making it a standout conclusion to the trilogy.

    • “The writing in the game is simply exceptional, with some of the most emotional and impactful scenes in the entire series.”
    • “The emotional moments hit like a freight train, and the ending to the game is absolutely perfect.”
    • “A heartbreaking and beautiful end to my favorite JRPG trilogy.”
  • character development66 mentions

    The character development in this game is widely praised for its depth and nuance, offering rich backstories and insights into both returning and new characters. While it may not advance the main plot significantly, it compensates with extensive worldbuilding and character exploration, making it a standout experience for fans of the series. Many players appreciate the optional content that enhances character arcs, though some feel that the focus on character development may overshadow the overarching narrative.

    • “The main gripe many fans have with this game is that the world and NPCs whose stories have been built over the past two games are not found here, but instead you get an incredible amount of character development that really fleshes this cast out and makes them the most memorable cast of any JRPG.”
    • “Not knowing that put me off a bit early on, but it legit has some of the best nuanced character development in the series, both in the main game and the side content, as well as additional character backstories and world lore.”
    • “The events of this game may not directly connect to the overall story of Zemuria, but the smaller character-focused stories do a phenomenal job of connecting to larger conflicts, providing more character development, and leading into future games.”
    • “The only saving grace for this game is the character development.”
    • “Some parts of the character development are locked behind the unique additions of 'moon & star doors' as optionals, instead of being integrated mostly in the main story.”
    • “I feel like the dialogues and character developments are a bit inferior to the first and second.”
  • grinding57 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the reduced tedium compared to previous entries, many find the necessity to level up a large cast of characters and manage extensive inventories to be tedious and time-consuming. The combat remains engaging, but the repetitive nature of grinding, especially in the final stages, can detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of exhaustion for some players. Overall, those who are accustomed to JRPG grinding may find it manageable, but it can be a significant barrier for others.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
    • “The final boss sequence is insanely tedious for this reason.”
    • “It's stupid, tedious and makes the game boring and unfun.”
    • “Only the 4 members in your current party gain experience, and when you have such an enormous cast to choose from, and the game throws several sections where you need to make use of 8, 12, even 16 members at once, the grind rears its ugly head again and you spend hours wastefully grinding all these characters up for whatever the next chapter's challenge is.”
  • graphics43 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, with many reviewers noting that they do not meet modern standards and can be a turn-off for some players. Despite this, there are improvements in certain areas, such as new graphical effects for spells and character artwork, which some players find charming and nostalgic. Overall, while the visuals may lack polish, they are often overshadowed by the game's rich storytelling and engaging gameplay.

    • “Don't let the dated graphics or chibi art style fool you: this game goes places with its characters and treads waters that many do not.”
    • “The visuals of enemies are also new, with some very strange encounters at first meeting, including one of the hardest bosses I have faced so far.”
    • “The dungeons in this game are very eerie and have a mystical aesthetic to them (for reasons I cannot spoil).”
    • “The game is clearly dated, especially with its graphics alongside its lack of voice overs, and can easily be a turn-off to most.”
    • “Being a budget title compared with the previous two, don't expect much in terms of new animation or graphics.”
    • “This game's graphics look dated, so it may not appeal to some people.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in the game is a blend of lighthearted moments and darker, more emotional undertones, often resulting in a mix of laughter and heartbreak. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and character interactions, which range from hilarious to disturbing, enhancing the narrative depth. Overall, the series is recognized for its ability to evoke genuine laughter while also tackling serious themes, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven RPGs.

    • “The whole series is a must play for narrative RPG fans and the third is fun, funny, and well worth your investment.”
    • “They're excellent JRPGs, good combat, lovable cast of characters, twisty plot, bountiful world building and every game in the series has made me laugh out loud at least once.”
    • “The characters are beautifully well-rounded and their interactions with each other are downright hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking.”
    • “While the previous two games told the stories of liberals fighting aliens and quasi-dimensional beings with the power of orb mints, 3ird takes a different approach, focusing much more on the side characters, which is a damn shame because they are so much better than the main cast; it's almost not funny.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    The game's replayability is enhanced by the introduction of numerous playable characters, allowing for diverse strategies and character interactions. While some players find the dungeon-crawling format limits exploration and reduces replay value, others appreciate the variety of character combinations and dialogue options available. Overall, the game offers a mix of replayability through character diversity and gameplay mechanics, though opinions vary on its depth compared to previous entries in the series.

    • “They add a bunch of new playable characters, allowing for a mix and match of different strategies and enhancing replay value.”
    • “The game is perfectly fine; I'd even argue it has a lot of replayability in how many combinations of character dialogues you can trigger.”
    • “This game has the most playable characters compared to other JRPGs, as almost every important character from the previous games is playable, totaling 16 playable characters!”
    • “That alone killed any replayability I felt for the game.”
    • “I do care about story and characters, but gameplay and replay value are core aspects of video games.”
    • “This is a little different from the previous two games; they made this one a dungeon crawler with little exploration outside it, but it still has compelling main and side stories. However, it feels more like a spin-off rather than a sequel, which affects its replayability.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is praised for its powerful music and emotional depth, which enhances the storytelling and character development. While some reviewers noted a slowdown in pacing due to fewer background characters compared to earlier installments, the overall ambiance—marked by a darker tone and memorable soundtracks—remains a standout feature that captivates players throughout their journey.

    • “Just absolutely godlike gameplay, music, and atmosphere.”
    • “You will find memorable music that suits the atmosphere almost perfectly at every scene, every battle, and every locale.”
    • “The music does an excellent job at setting the tone and atmosphere of the locales you explore throughout the game, as well as being quite powerful during the story's most emotional parts.”
    • “The more dark and foreboding atmosphere is at the center of attention this time and not more in the background like we've been accustomed to with the other games in the series; it's certainly another highlight of the third.”
    • “There's a point in the game where they do something they didn't have to, which ends up enhancing the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Overall a great soundtrack that really lends itself to the game's atmosphere!”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as extreme lags, FPS drops, and crashes. While combat and party optimization are emphasized, these technical problems detract from the overall experience for some users. However, others attribute certain performance issues to their own hardware rather than the game itself.

    • “The material and the motifs are outlined in the 'Cry for Me' performance.”
    • “Related to series continuity, dear god is the OST doing its strongest performance yet.”
    • “I had quite a lot of performance issues with this one (extreme lags, fps drops, crashes, etc.)”
    • “I also had some performance issues where the game would freeze at random points, but that was more likely a hardware issue.”
    • “There is a significant amount of the game that is dedicated to combat, as well as party optimization, and some amount of grinding at the endgame as well.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by various issues, including graphical glitches that appear after extended play sessions, particularly in the third installment, which is noted to be buggier than its predecessors. Players also report visual and resolution glitches, localization problems, and occasional freezing, which detract from the overall experience.

    • “I would start seeing graphical glitches if I played for more than a few hours straight, and have to restart the game.”
    • “For unknown reasons, the third game is a little more buggy compared to the other two.”
    • “The game also experiences some visual/resolution glitches as well as localization (translation) problems.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

Buy The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd

Play time

120hMedian play time
120hAverage play time
60-200hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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