The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,564 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III Game Cover
Absolutely essential if you're a fan. If you've never played a Trails game before, you might want to consider starting at the beginning. Or reading a lot of plot summaries.
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Welcome to the new class VII - Explore the newly annexed lands of the Empire with a brand new squad, and catch up with familiar faces from the past. an immersive story - Experience an epic story developed across three titles, and crafted for new and old fans alike. Also includes an interactive introduction to catch up new players to the ongoing story so anyone can dive right in to the world of tra…

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
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  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,564 reviews
story324 positive mentions
grinding26 negative mentions
  • The game features an engaging story that builds on the previous entries in the series, with many plot twists and character developments.
  • The new combat mechanics, including the Brave Order and Break systems, add depth and strategy to battles, making them more enjoyable.
  • The graphics and presentation have significantly improved compared to the previous games, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The pacing can be slow, especially in the early chapters, leading to a feeling of dragging out the story.
  • Some characters feel underdeveloped or overshadowed by the returning cast, making it hard to connect with the new Class VII.
  • The game ends on a major cliffhanger, which may leave players feeling unsatisfied until the next installment is released.
  • story1,012 mentions

    The story of "Trails of Cold Steel III" is a continuation of the intricate narrative established in the previous games, featuring a blend of new and returning characters that enrich the overarching plot. While many players appreciate the depth and emotional weight of the story, some criticize its pacing and reliance on prior knowledge from earlier titles, suggesting that newcomers may struggle to fully grasp the narrative without playing the earlier installments. Overall, the game is praised for its character development, world-building, and the way it ties together various plot threads from the expansive "Legend of Heroes" series.

    • “This story is heartwarming, heart-wrenching, and filled with lore that you won't find in any other Legend of Heroes game so far.”
    • “The unique and insane story is slowly taking a major turn, and you definitely want to play this game to finally get the answers you've been slowly looking for.”
    • “The story is unmistakably well-written, with vast rich lore serving its side, heavily real-life inspired political incidents planting across the story, it surely makes your nerve on edge at all times and never lets you lose interest to continue.”
    • “The first half of the game is really boring; it feels like I've read the same story multiple times, Rean and new Class VII fight enemies > they won but struggled, enemy not fully defeated > enemies defeated by old Class VII effortlessly.”
    • “The story is convoluted and filled with wasted potential that could've been so much better if they were better explored and characters were more defined like the previous games.”
    • “The pacing was so bad; the game gives you two (arguably three) character backstory dumps in one in-game night.”
  • gameplay299 mentions

    The gameplay in "Trails of Cold Steel III" has been praised for its significant improvements over previous entries, featuring refined mechanics such as the new "break" and "battle orders" systems that enhance strategic depth. While some players find the combat too easy due to these mechanics, others appreciate the engaging turn-based combat and the balance of familiar elements with fresh innovations. Overall, the game maintains a solid gameplay loop that combines character development, exploration, and tactical battles, making it a satisfying experience for both newcomers and series veterans.

    • “The series still manages to retain what makes the series great while gradually refining its gameplay expertly.”
    • “The addition of break and battle order mechanics took some getting used to but can shred end game bosses even on nightmare if taken full advantage of.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, they changed a little bit of the battle mechanics.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, almost identical to the predecessors.”
    • “Those moments, however, are way too few and far between to earn its 100 hours of sped-up gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit wacky with how nightmare is a decent challenge for the first half of the game and being too easy in the second half.”
  • music221 mentions

    The music in "Trails of Cold Steel III" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and emotional impact, while others feel it doesn't quite reach the heights of previous entries in the series. Some standout tracks, like "Spiral of Erebos," are highlighted as exceptional, but there are complaints about a perceived lack of memorable new compositions and issues with sound mixing, particularly regarding voice volume. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received, it is often viewed as a step down from earlier titles, with a blend of familiar themes and new pieces that may not resonate as strongly with all players.

    • “Cities have wonderful music, the environment has calming themes, everything that this game has done continues to improve with each game.”
    • “The whole OST is extremely well made and uses some of the tracks you're familiar with from previous Cold Steel games along with introducing new songs as well.”
    • “The music ends up being perfectly timed to the current scene going on and generally enhances the mood, either making you cry/tear up or feeling excited for whatever battle you are getting into.”
    • “There isn't a ton of new music original to this game (that I noticed) and nothing stood out to me.”
    • “For some reason, the music this time feels generic and unmemorable.”
    • “My biggest gripe with this game was the awful sound design and, in my opinion, having the weakest soundtrack within the entire series so far.”
  • graphics196 mentions

    The graphics in "Trails of Cold Steel III" have received significant praise for their substantial improvements over the previous entries in the series, showcasing sharper animations, enhanced character designs, and a more vibrant art style. Many reviewers noted that the game features a complete graphical overhaul, resulting in a visually stunning experience that captures intricate landscapes and character details, although some still feel it doesn't quite match the standards of top-tier AAA titles. Overall, the graphical enhancements contribute to a more immersive gameplay experience, making it a standout in the franchise.

    • “The graphics and art style of Trails of Cold Steel 3 are nothing short of stunning, with a beautiful aesthetic that perfectly captures the game's sweeping landscapes and intricate character designs.”
    • “To start with, this game is a massive leap in graphics and visual flair, probably the largest in the series.”
    • “The graphics have vastly improved over the first two games.”
    • “The original graphics style moved to 3D in Cold Steel 1 and 2, but both of those games had genuinely terrible looking graphics and low quality UI, even for a handheld title.”
    • “The graphics are still subpar compared to other triple-A games this current gen, but no doubt this is the most beautiful game released to the west by Nihon Falcom so far.”
    • “However, the graphical limitations do not do justice for the scene at all (stiff animations, limited set of facial expressions, etc.).”
  • character development62 mentions

    Character development in "Trails of Cold Steel III" is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and complexity of individual characters, particularly within the new Class VII, while others criticize the overwhelming number of characters that can dilute focus and hinder meaningful growth. The game continues to build on the strong character arcs established in previous titles, but some feel that the narrative occasionally prioritizes certain characters, like Rean, at the expense of others. Overall, while the series is lauded for its world-building and character development, opinions vary on the execution in this installment, with some finding it a significant improvement and others noting a decline in depth compared to earlier games.

    • “The character development of every student is making it so worth talking to them every time the story progresses.”
    • “As a series (all 3 arcs with a total of 10 games and still ongoing), there are times where the pacing is slow, but this allows the masterfully done world building and character development to make a phenomenal journey.”
    • “Nihon Falcom continues to amaze me with the sheer scope of world building and character development that they have thrust into this series.”
    • “There are so many characters that at some points you have to manage three different groups in dungeons; it might sound like a treat but it gets tiring after a while as the presence of too many people dilutes focus and character development and story.”
    • “For a series whose cast has bloated into absurd territory, and with that, terrible character development, I did enjoy the new Class VII.”
    • “Looking back, the first three chapters’ major happenings don’t really connect with the final part of the game aside from some foreshadowing and character developments here and there.”
  • grinding34 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to progress. While some appreciate the quality-of-life improvements that streamline certain tasks, others feel that the game is designed to encourage additional purchases for faster advancement. Overall, the experience can vary greatly depending on the player's approach to grinding and their tolerance for repetitive gameplay.

    • “The series avoids a lot of common complaints of the genre; no grinding needed, no random encounters, no nonsensical plot.”
    • “And for this title specifically, while trying to rush the story on easy mode (with the side content completed too, but no grinding), I still spent about 120 hours to complete.”
    • “Too grindy for a single player game.”
    • “It appears they made it grindy to try to con people into buying DLC materials to speed up the boring.”
    • “I couldn't finish it; there is simply too much tedious, boring content you have to get through to advance the fairly ridiculous story at a snail's pace.”
  • emotional32 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is deeply impactful, with players highlighting its heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments that resonate strongly due to the rich lore and character development built over previous titles. Many reviewers emphasize the necessity of experiencing earlier entries to fully appreciate the emotional weight of the story, as it enhances connections to characters and events. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke genuine feelings, making it a standout in the genre despite some criticisms regarding pacing and emotional consistency.

    • “This story is heartwarming, heart-wrenching, and filled with lore that you won't find in any other Legend of Heroes game so far.”
    • “I love the characters and their development, the detailed world-building, lore and storytelling, the rich voice acting, the epic and emotional soundtrack, and of course the gameplay.”
    • “This is a story of kinship and bonding that was only possible to cultivate through several games worth of preparation and emotional investment.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players noting good performance across a range of PC specifications, including lower-end systems. However, some users reported occasional frame drops and stuttering in specific areas, indicating that while the game is stable and well-optimized for the most part, there are still minor issues that could affect gameplay experience.

    • “Works great on high-performance PCs to low-tier gaming laptops.”
    • “Performance and optimization in this game are very good.”
    • “Also the port is really good as well, and it's well optimized, no crashes, no bugs, no fps drops, and thanks to that I could get to enjoy it with max graphics, and no fps drops.”
    • “By the endgame, I hated juggling orbments (there is a moment in these games where you have too many orbs, so finding a specific one is a pain), and didn’t care for optimization; too bad that the story was even worse.”
    • “Graphical performance in this game is subpar.”
    • “The game has some really serious optimization problems right now.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of nostalgic jokes, cute interactions, and moments of dry wit that resonate well with players, especially those familiar with previous installments. Many reviews highlight the amusing character exchanges and the comedic elements that arise during combat, particularly when strategies lead to unexpectedly funny outcomes. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its deeper narrative and character development, making it enjoyable for fans of JRPGs.

    • “If you love a good story with funny little moments, then this is the game for you.”
    • “Overall, pick this game up if you like JRPGs with fleshed-out lore, hilarious well-developed characters, a deep story with plenty of politics, great soundtracks, good voice acting, and fun combat.”
    • “Combat begins to turn ludicrously funny towards the end as Rean essentially becomes the divine blade of speed once he is perfectly min-maxed and will cut through everything so fast that bosses will just pretty much flop over and die.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, effectively capturing the intended setting as players progress. Improvements in graphics and character design enhance the overall experience, while the presence of NPCs contributes to a pleasant and engaging environment. Fans of traditional JRPGs will likely appreciate the nostalgic and wholesome atmosphere reminiscent of earlier titles in the series.

    • “It really fits the game atmosphere and as you go onward towards the final chapter, you really feel the setting that they were trying to portray.”
    • “I have found that the NPCs give the game a very pleasant and immersive atmosphere, much more than in any other game I have played.”
    • “For those of you who loved Cold Steel 1's atmosphere, you're going to possibly love this even more.”
    • “Bring back the wholesome atmosphere from the Sky and Ao/Zero series.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability due to its vast content and the inclusion of multiple playable characters, including both new and returning favorites from the series. Fans of the Cold Steel and Trails series will find plenty to explore, making it a strong recommendation for those who enjoy JRPGs with extensive replay value.

    • “For fans of Cold Steel and the Trails series, I would definitely recommend this. For those who love JRPG games with huge replay value and loads of content, this is the game for you.”
    • “+ has replay value”
    • “The old Class VII makes appearances and all are playable at several points in the game, but the new characters are where the focus is.”
    • “This game also has a lot of replay value as the content for it is vast and huge, similar to that of CS1 and CS2.”
    • “For fans of Cold Steel and the Trails series, I would definitely recommend this, and for those who love JRPG games with huge replay value and loads of content, this is the game for you.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability has received positive feedback, with users noting a significant reduction in bugs and glitches compared to previous installments. The PC port is reported to run smoothly, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

    • “The port runs great; new and changed systems are a nice change of pace.”
    • “From what I've read and played in the demo, the PC port runs great.”
    • “There are also substantially fewer bugs and glitches in this game's graphics than in CS I and II.”
    • “+ No weird 19-minute battle glitches this time.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

Buy The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III

Play time

100hMedian play time
104hAverage play time
63-130hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 17 analyzed playthroughs

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