The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,377 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel Game Cover
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
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In "The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel," players navigate Rean Schwarzer's journey at Thors Military Academy, where he and his classmates of unique backgrounds become Class VII. Amidst the rising conflicts between Noble and Reformist Factions in the Erebonian Empire, Rean and his class must navigate political tensions, social class struggles, and military training. This RPG features strategic turn-based combat and rich storytelling within the expansive Zemurian continent.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,377 reviews
story1,909 positive mentions
grinding236 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with rich world-building and character development.
  • Fun and strategic turn-based combat system with a variety of customization options.
  • Memorable characters that grow on you throughout the game.
  • Slow pacing, especially in the first half of the game, with a lot of filler dialogue.
  • Some characters feel clichéd and lack depth, making it hard to connect with them.
  • The game ends on a cliffhanger, requiring players to continue to the sequels for resolution.
  • story5,453 mentions

    The story of "Trails of Cold Steel" is widely praised for its intricate world-building and character development, though it is noted for a slow start that can feel tedious. Many players appreciate the depth of the narrative, which intertwines personal and political conflicts, while others criticize its pacing and reliance on typical anime tropes. Overall, the game is seen as a compelling introduction to a larger saga, with engaging characters and plot twists that keep players invested throughout its lengthy runtime.

    • “What an amazing start to what I can only imagine is an even more amazing story...”
    • “What stood out to me most of all about the story was its extraordinary focus on worldbuilding and roleplay.”
    • “Fantastic story with a lot of world building!”
    • “As mentioned by many other reviewers, the pace of the story is a lot slower than one would be used to from most other games.”
    • “The main problem here is that every story chapter apart from the final ones are structurally identical.”
    • “The story is a bit cliché riding a cliché through cliché field, but it's still fun to watch most of the time.”
  • gameplay1,332 mentions

    The gameplay of "Trails of Cold Steel" is characterized by its engaging turn-based combat system, which incorporates new mechanics like combat linking and a simplified orbment system, enhancing strategic depth. Players appreciate the absence of grinding, the variety of character interactions, and the balance between story and gameplay, although some find the gameplay loop repetitive and the pacing slow. Overall, the game is praised for its solid mechanics, character development, and immersive world-building, making it a worthwhile experience for JRPG fans.

    • “The gameplay changes are a huge improvement that I am pretty happy with.”
    • “The big new gameplay feature here is 'combat linking', which allows for follow-up attacks once enemies have been unbalanced through appropriate attacks (similar to 'break' bars in other JRPGs like the later Final Fantasy titles).”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are top-notch, offering a traditional RPG experience with turn-based battles, a robust leveling system, and a variety of customization options.”
    • “It’s especially disappointing to see that the dungeons are still incredibly boring despite the move to full-3D, with uninteresting visual designs and a lack of unique mechanics (only very light puzzles, if even).”
    • “The gameplay loop is extremely repetitive and boring.”
    • “The minimal amount of gameplay is absolutely broken to the point that you can one shot every single fight in the game without even being over leveled, even the bosses if you figure out how broken some of the quartz and master quartz are, even on the hardest difficulty.”
  • music1,012 mentions

    The music in "Trails of Cold Steel" is widely praised for its quality and emotional resonance, with many reviewers highlighting the orchestral soundtrack that enhances both the gameplay and narrative experience. While some tracks are considered exceptional and memorable, others are noted for becoming repetitive over extended playtime. Overall, the soundtrack is regarded as a strong point of the game, consistent with the high standards set by previous entries in the series, though some fans express a preference for the music from earlier titles like "Trails in the Sky."

    • “The orchestral soundtrack perfectly complements the game's emotional moments and epic battles, further enhancing the immersive experience.”
    • “The music is absolutely banging as always and the 3D perspective coming right off the old 2D-ish perspective of Trails to Azure is a nice change.”
    • “The soundtrack is equally impressive, with a sweeping orchestral score that perfectly complements the game's epic scope and grand themes.”
    • “I remember it otherwise the Trails in the Sky series is a lot better in terms of music.”
    • “The music is probably the worst part of this game.”
    • “Now about the music and voices (at least English ones), I had to usually mute the game and play my own music or have some YouTube videos as white noise to play this game as it is horrible!”
  • graphics808 mentions

    The graphics of "Trails of Cold Steel" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the transition to fully 3D visuals marks a significant change from the previous 2D and 2.5D styles, the overall quality remains somewhat dated, especially considering its origins on the PS Vita and PS3. Some appreciate the anime art style and the improvements made in the PC port, which offers enhanced graphics and customization options, while others criticize the animations and lighting effects as subpar. Overall, the graphics are seen as serviceable but not a focal point, with many players emphasizing that the game's strong narrative and character development outweigh its visual shortcomings.

    • “The graphics and art style of Trails of Cold Steel are beautiful, with a unique aesthetic that perfectly captures the game's sweeping landscapes and intricate character designs.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, story is good, music excellent, and combat muchly improved over the Trails in the Sky series.”
    • “The graphics are spectacular (bear in mind this game came out in 2013), the control schemes are intact, and you're given many options to tweak the settings to your liking.”
    • “The graphics in this game suck ass and the animations look terrible, and don't get me started on the lighting and the engine randomly breaking during some cutscenes.”
    • “Absolutely terrible implementation of 3D graphics versus the old graphics system which had at least a modicum of charm to it.”
    • “Even when it was released back in 2013, its graphics were considered ugly to look at.”
  • character development307 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, allowing players to form strong connections with the characters as they navigate personal struggles and growth. While some reviews note a slow pacing and occasional forced elements, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to create believable arcs for both main and secondary characters, making it a standout feature of the experience. The intricate world-building further enhances character development, providing a rich backdrop for the narrative and character interactions.

    • “The character development is superb, and players will find themselves fully invested in the lives of these students as they face personal struggles and work together to uncover the truth behind the empire's conflicts.”
    • “The character development in Trails of Cold Steel is unparalleled.”
    • “Just like previous chapters, Trails of Cold Steel has outstanding character development, probably the best so far; you really feel like you're part of a group of students, and the connections they form with each other are organic.”
    • “Cold Steel's large cast and focus on social mechanics makes it almost impossible for the main plot to push character development in a meaningful way.”
    • “Character development is forced and shoved into your face with poor writing.”
    • “There is no character development, there are only characters who refuse to talk about themselves until they can refuse no longer.”
  • grinding254 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed experience with grinding in the game. While some players appreciate that grinding is generally not necessary to progress through the story, others find certain aspects, like side quests and equipment upgrades, to be tedious and time-consuming. The inclusion of a turbo mode is frequently praised for alleviating the grind, making the overall experience more enjoyable, though some still feel that grinding can be a significant part of gameplay, especially at higher levels or for completionists.

    • “Gameplay is fun too, no grinding unless aiming for achievements.”
    • “Gameplay is not too tedious nor complicated.”
    • “[*] no grinding required (even on highest difficulties)”
    • “There has always been a small money-grinding issue with the Trails series, but it's horrific in Trails of Cold Steel.”
    • “Grinding each chapter is a must, unfortunately, but one of the mid-game bosses was quite a bit harder than the final boss for me even with grinding.”
    • “It's grindy and repetitive from beginning to end.”
  • humor108 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, appealing primarily to fans of classic anime tropes, with many players finding the character interactions and dialogue genuinely funny and engaging. While some moments are praised for their wit and charm, others are criticized for being clichéd or tasteless, particularly in their use of fan service. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with more serious themes, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its quirky character dynamics and comedic scenarios.

    • “I love the characters and dialogue in this game; it can be hilarious at times and very poignant at others.”
    • “There is a surprising amount of really funny humor in the game.”
    • “I spent a lot of time laughing at the character interactions (lots of humor).”
    • “These tropes tend to be pointed out by the story and played for laughs, but I found a lot of these moments to be somewhat tasteless and unfunny.”
  • emotional90 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players expressing deep attachments to the characters and their journeys, often leading to heartfelt moments and even tears. The rich storytelling, character development, and immersive soundtrack contribute significantly to the emotional experience, making players feel genuinely invested in the narrative and the world. Many reviewers note that the game excels in creating a profound emotional connection, rivaling some of the best in the JRPG genre.

    • “The bonds you form with these characters are genuinely heartfelt, and their growth and interactions throughout the game are incredibly satisfying to witness.”
    • “It's a rare thing, to find a game that touches you on an emotional level while simultaneously satisfying you on a mechanical level.”
    • “This game made me cry emotionally as I was feeling I'm part of Class VII.”
  • optimization86 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players praising its smooth performance and stability on various systems, particularly after the involvement of modder Durante. However, some users reported occasional frame rate drops and crashes, indicating that while the game is generally well-optimized, it may not perform flawlessly on all hardware configurations. Overall, the PC port is considered a significant improvement over the original versions, offering a range of graphical options and features.

    • “This game is well optimized; during my two playthroughs of 180 hours overall, I encountered two crashes, and the FPS was stable and consistent at all times. This game was optimized by Durante, mind you.”
    • “They really did an incredible job with this game; the PC port is one of the best that I have seen, with a lot of custom options and very well optimized.”
    • “The port is very good in terms of performance and graphical settings and launcher, thanks to Durante.”
    • “Unfortunately, I also had some performance issues that seemed to be related to the fact that running the game in fullscreen puts it in borderless fullscreen.”
    • “- Occasional stuttering, big FPS drops (i7 8700k / RTX 2070 / SSD / 16 GB of RAM shouldn't have a problem), or even playing the wrong sound clip during dialogue.”
    • “- Optimization and performance on the game isn't crystal perfect as even on a 1070 + i7 6700k on max settings I get hiccups here and there on 144Hz.”
  • atmosphere51 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and detailed world-building that reflects the cultural nuances of its setting. While some critiques mention that certain elements, like mechs, detract from the overall ambiance, the combination of storytelling, art design, and music creates a memorable and engaging experience. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of adventure and emotional depth, making it a standout aspect of the title.

    • “I wanted to delve further into the deep atmospheric world of the Zemuria continent.”
    • “The atmosphere in the game is immersive due to the music and artwork, and I didn't even play on the best graphics.”
    • “Apart from the fascinating story and fulfilling character development, Trails of Cold Steel also offers a vibrant atmosphere and a great soundtrack.”
    • “The mechs spoil the atmosphere, the plot, and the mechanics of the game.”
    • “It doesn't fit the game's atmosphere at all.”
    • “While there are better looking games out there, in this particular one it serves more as a stylistic choice than enhances the atmosphere than a sign of its age.”
  • replayability46 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its New Game Plus mode, which allows players to carry over progress and unlock new items and story elements. Additionally, the class bonding system and various customization options enhance replay value, encouraging multiple playthroughs for completionists and those seeking different experiences. However, some players noted the lack of cutscene skipping as a drawback to replaying the game.

    • “The games are distinguished by a relatable, well-drawn cast of characters, a challenging and deep turn-based battle system, a gripping story, and excellent replayability through new game plus and a save game transfer function between titles.”
    • “There is a ton of replayability in this game and you can bet that I will be replaying this and reliving the days with Class VII and playing the second part of the series on the PS3 and maybe someday play it on Steam as well when it comes out on PC.”
    • “It's a game with decent replayability but no way to skip cutscenes.”
    • “- no real replayability other than for achievements.”
    • “Given my current enjoyment of the game, this definitely will add lots of replay value to the game as well.”
  • stability30 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting occasional glitches, audio sync issues, and random crashes, particularly on PC ports. While it runs well on various hardware configurations, including older PCs, some users experienced significant bugs that hindered gameplay. Despite these issues, some players still recommend the game, especially for those using NVIDIA GPUs.

    • “Technically, it runs great at a solid 60 fps at 4k resolution (3840x2160) on my GTX 1070.”
    • “For what it is, it runs great on high settings, and my PC is middle-grade at best.”
    • “"High" preset graphic options run great on older PCs.”
    • “To top it all off, it's so laden with bugs and glitches, it can be downright impossible to even finish it, so if you want quality gaming, try one of the Tales or Atelier games or wait for a big sale.”
    • “The game occasionally had freezes and crashes in the PS3 version, including on startup.”
    • “Apart from the previously mentioned slight repetitiveness of combat, the only real problems that the game has are the glitches on the PC ports. The main problems I've had have been audio issues, like dialogue not syncing up with the text as it pops up, or the actual voices being completely different from the text. The worst I had was with the third game when at one point the audio cut completely.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    Players express a neutral stance on monetization, finding enjoyment in both ad-supported and boss scenarios. The integration of ads is seen as beneficial, providing features like cover for party members and auto-healing as players rank up.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

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Play time

75hMedian play time
96hAverage play time
50-150hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 56 analyzed playthroughs

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