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

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,634 reviews

story357 positive mentions

grinding62 negative mentions

The game provides a satisfying conclusion to the Trails in the Sky trilogy, tying up loose ends and expanding on character backstories.
The combat system is refined and offers a diverse cast of characters, allowing for varied playstyles and strategies.
The soundtrack is exceptional, featuring memorable tracks that enhance the emotional impact of the story.

The game shifts to a dungeon crawler format, which may disappoint fans expecting the exploration and NPC interactions of the previous titles.
The pacing can feel slow due to lengthy cutscenes and the structure of the story being more fragmented.
Some side stories can be tedious and lengthy, leading to a feeling of repetitiveness throughout the game.

story
1,533 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
73%
4%
The story of "Trails in the Sky the 3rd" serves as an epilogue to the previous two 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 ties to the larger Trails universe, making it a significant, albeit different, entry in the series.
- “If you like mature story and character writing, it's presented here better than anywhere else in the series up to this point.”
- “Many consider the third game to be 'unnecessary' and less interesting than the first two games, but in my opinion, it is a fantastic opportunity to deep dive on some of the important characters that may have had less time to develop versus the primary case, flushes out many of the relationships in a meaningful way, allows for fun banter between different characters that I found both compelling and illustrative of each individual character's growth, concludes the story in a meaningful and heartfelt way, and sets up the next entries plot very well.”
- “The story is a banger, the combat is still just as good as the first two, and all the bonus lore/side stories and mini games are completely optional.”
- “The events of it are mostly sealed, and its main story more or less covers the backstory of a side character from the previous games, instead of building up on the events of Sky 1 and 2.”
- “The main story is very sparse and you literally get minuscule crumbs until about 3/4 of the way through where the mcs actually start talking about their past.”
- “The story is dwarfed by the complexity and depth of previous games.”
gameplay
353 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
68%
1%
The gameplay in "Trails in the Sky the 3rd" is primarily dungeon-crawling focused, offering a mix of familiar mechanics from previous entries while introducing new features like support characters and a fast travel system. While some players appreciate the strategic depth and character customization, others find the repetitive dungeon designs and pacing issues detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and enjoyable, particularly for fans of the series, but it may feel less innovative compared to its predecessors.
- “The gameplay is also just as addictive and fun as previous entries, even more so as you get a much larger party allowing for more tactical options and fun. I loved how the combination of characters you bring with you provides a slightly different narrative in certain boss battles and other parts of the game.”
- “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 improvements made, such as the improved party systems, the quick travel through the cube, and the doors were all very cool and neat additions.”
- “Instant death mechanics up the wazoo, 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.”
- “The gameplay is largely the same as in the second chapter, with the addition of a 'support' party member - a fifth person that won't tag along with you, but will give you a combination of bonuses (and sometimes a malus) as long as you have them in a support role.”
music
264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
46%
1%
The music in "Trails in the Sky the 3rd" has been universally praised, with many reviewers calling it the best soundtrack in the series. The game features a mix of returning tracks and new compositions that enhance the emotional depth of the story and gameplay, making it a standout element that resonates with players long after they finish the game. Overall, the soundtrack is described as phenomenal, with memorable melodies and powerful themes that elevate the entire gaming experience.
- “The music in this game has become some of my favorite video game music ever, and I continue to listen to them after finishing this game.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing as well, with beautiful arrangements that perfectly capture the mood and tone of the game.”
- “The music adds to the emotional impact of the story, and will leave you humming its memorable melodies long after the game is over.”
- “There just isn't a lot of actual story or high-flying action in which to use music to really drive a scene forward.”
- “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 quite okay.”
emotional
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players reporting intense feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. Reviewers highlight the depth of character development and the impactful storytelling, particularly in the finale, which serves as a heartfelt conclusion to the trilogy. The combination of well-crafted dialogue, memorable music, and mature themes contributes to a powerful emotional experience that resonates deeply with players.
- “This game made me cry uncontrollably twice, which to me is a sign of a great piece of media.”
- “The finale left me pretty speechless with how emotionally captivated I was by the conclusion.”
- “The emotional moments hit like a freight train, and the ending to the game is absolutely perfect.”
character development
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The character development in "Trails in the Sky The 3rd" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, offering players a rich exploration of both returning and new characters. While the game may not advance the overarching plot significantly, it compensates with extensive backstories and nuanced interactions that enhance the overall narrative experience. Many reviewers highlight that the game excels in fleshing out its large cast, making it a must-play for fans invested in character-driven storytelling.
- “Not only do you get to explore the darker side of his story, but you get a ton of character development for the rest of the cast from the FC/SC, along with a few new appearances.”
- “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.”
- “The character development given to the main characters is amazing, but I'm not sure if we needed an entire game just for that.”
- “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 1st and 2nd.”
grinding
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with some players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the large cast of characters that require leveling and gear management. However, many also appreciate the inclusion of mechanics like fast-forward options and catch-up XP, which help alleviate the grind. Overall, while grinding is present and can be frustrating, it is often deemed manageable and less burdensome compared to previous titles in the series.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's just tedious.”
- “The combat is still fun and everything, but the story doesn't pull you in like the first two games, and the side quests and backstory missions for the characters are insanely long, tedious, and very boring.”
- “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.”
graphics
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
75%
6%
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, with many reviewers noting a nostalgic charm in its old-school art style and character designs. While some appreciate the slight improvements and new visual effects, others find the overall aesthetic lacking compared to modern titles, with occasional graphical glitches reported. Despite these shortcomings, the visuals are often described as robust enough to enhance the gameplay experience, especially for fans of the genre.
- “Also, this game has the perfect art style.”
- “Visuals that are refreshingly old school and well executed.”
- “Despite the old style graphics, they are some of my favorite games.”
- “The game is clearly dated, especially with its graphics alongside its lack of voice overs, and can easily be a turn-off for most.”
- “This game's graphics did not age well throughout the years.”
- “Graphics are nothing to boast about, but there are some pretty locations.”
humor
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
5%
5%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying a mix of lighthearted moments and darker, more emotional undertones. Character interactions are frequently described as funny and engaging, contributing to the overall charm of the narrative, though some side stories may disrupt the main gameplay flow. Overall, the blend of comedic and poignant elements creates a rich experience that resonates with fans of the series.
- “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.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
Overall, the game's replayability is enhanced by a diverse roster of 16 playable characters, allowing for various strategic combinations and character interactions. While some players feel that the shift to a dungeon crawler format limits exploration and replay value compared to previous entries, others appreciate the quick gameplay and the addition of features like turbo mode to facilitate faster runs. The mix of compelling stories and character dynamics contributes to a satisfying replay experience, despite some criticisms regarding the depth of exploration.
- “The game is perfectly fine; I'd even argue it's got a lot of replayability in how many combinations of character dialogues you can trigger too.”
- “It also helps that this game is super replayable and super short.”
- “This game has the most playable characters compared to other JRPGs, because almost every important character from the previous games is playable, so the total is 16 playable characters!”
- “That alone killed any replayability I felt for the game.”
- “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. For me, it feels like a spin-off rather than a sequel, but it's a wonderful closure for the series.”
- “I do care about story and characters, but gameplay and replay value are core aspects of video games.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The atmosphere in the game is praised for its powerful music and emotional depth, which enhances the overall experience and complements the story's progression. While some reviewers noted a slowdown in pacing due to fewer side characters, the darker and more immersive atmosphere, along with memorable soundtracks, creates a compelling backdrop for the narrative and character development. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its emotional impact.
- “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!”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with several users reporting significant performance issues such as extreme lags, FPS drops, and random freezes, which were not present in the earlier titles of the series. While some players noted that combat and party optimization are integral to the gameplay, the overall experience has been marred by noticeable stuttering and crashes.
- “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.”
- “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 experienced some very noticeable stuttering which I didn't have in the first 2 games.”
- “I also had some performance issues where the game would freeze at random points, but that was more likely a hardware issue.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report a smooth experience without major bugs, some encounter graphical glitches and freezing issues, particularly during extended play sessions. The third installment appears to be more prone to bugs than its predecessors, with additional concerns regarding visual glitches and localization errors affecting immersion.
- “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.”

87%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

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

130h Median play time

142h Average play time

60-250h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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