The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,951 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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In "The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III," Rean Schwarzer returns as an instructor to lead a new group of heroes in a refined combat system. As threats emerge, Rean and his students must uncover a dark plot and protect their homeland. With an immersive story spanning three titles, players can enjoy an epic saga and interactive introduction, making it accessible for new and returning fans alike. Nearly a year and a half has passed since the Erebonian civil war, bringing about significant changes in the region.

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

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,951 reviews
story407 positive mentions
grinding30 negative mentions
  • The game features an engaging and intricate storyline that builds upon previous entries in the series, rewarding long-time fans with character and plot development.
  • The new Class VII characters are well-developed and provide a fresh dynamic, allowing for deeper character interactions and growth.
  • The combat system has been refined with new mechanics like Brave Orders and the Break gauge, adding strategic depth to battles.
  • The pacing of the story can be slow, with a significant amount of dialogue that may feel tedious and drawn out, especially in the early chapters.
  • The reliance on returning characters and plot points from previous games may leave newcomers feeling lost and disconnected from the story.
  • The game ends on a cliffhanger, which can be frustrating for players who want closure after investing a long playtime.
  • story1,313 mentions

    The story of "Trails of Cold Steel III" is a complex and engaging continuation of the series, weaving together numerous character arcs and plotlines from previous games. While it excels in character development and world-building, many players note that the pacing can be slow, with significant plot developments often reserved for the latter parts of the game. Newcomers are advised to play earlier titles in the series to fully appreciate the intricate narrative and character relationships, as the story heavily relies on prior knowledge for context and emotional impact.

    • “It's the story that drags you in.”
    • “The story continues to weave a bunch of plot lines together while keeping you glued to your seat wondering what will happen next.”
    • “This is where the story of the continent of Zemuria really starts to interconnect with the older arcs, and it will give you the context that you need to fully understand what is going on with the characters and the world.”
    • “I'm pretty tired of getting plot development that ends in 'back to the status quo'.”
    • “The story is weaker somehow (but still way better than Xenoblade Saga as a whole).”
    • “The plot suffers a fair bit from the need to simultaneously flesh out its new characters and remind you that all the other characters still exist and are doing important things, bloating the story with way more than was really needed.”
  • gameplay397 mentions

    The gameplay in "Trails of Cold Steel III" has seen significant improvements, introducing new mechanics like "brave orders" and a "break" system that enhance strategic depth, though some players find these features can make battles too easy. While the core turn-based combat remains familiar, the game offers a more polished experience with better graphics and a variety of character-building options, appealing to both veterans and newcomers. However, some reviewers noted that the balance of difficulty can be inconsistent, with certain mechanics allowing for easy exploitation in combat.

    • “The gameplay and graphics improved a lot and there are many things to try.”
    • “The addition of brave orders and sub master quartz were great additions which added layers of gameplay complexity and strategy.”
    • “Overall outstanding game, as far as gameplay and mechanics they really just keep improving the system!”
    • “CS3 feels largely like a filler arc with braindead easy combat, thanks to the 'break' mechanic, which allows you to stun-lock end game bosses without their turns even starting.”
    • “New fight mechanics have been introduced, but I think they took it a bit too far... it's now at a point that arts have become useless, you can just dump all points in speed and overpower everyone.”
    • “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.”
  • music271 mentions

    The music in "Trails of Cold Steel III" is generally praised for its quality and emotional impact, with many tracks being memorable and fitting well within the game's context. However, some players feel that the soundtrack does not reach the heights of previous entries in the series, citing a lack of standout tracks and occasional poor placement in scenes. Overall, while the music remains a strong aspect of the game, opinions vary on its memorability and effectiveness compared to earlier titles.

    • “The soundtrack in Cold Steel III for me has been the best of the Cold Steel games.”
    • “The music is also peak for even Falcom standards with so many memorable tracks and moments.”
    • “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.”
    • “Only gripe is sometimes the music placement in some scenes can feel lazy; at least in my humble opinion, when I listen to the OST in isolation, they're all great, but again some placements felt off vibe-wise.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics257 mentions

    The graphics in "Trails of Cold Steel III" have received significant improvements compared to its predecessors, showcasing a major graphical overhaul that enhances character models, animations, and environmental details. While some users noted that the visuals may not reach the standards of high-budget titles, the overall aesthetic is praised for its beauty and fluidity, making it a standout in the series. However, minor issues such as frame drops and basic animations were mentioned, indicating room for further refinement.

    • “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.”
    • “The graphics have vastly improved over the first two games.”
    • “The game is gorgeous, no more Vita, no more pseudo PS1 visuals.”
    • “The other issue is of course this isn't a big budget title; these games are using indie game levels of low budget, so you can see that in general animations, graphics, and lack of voice acting in a lot of areas.”
    • “The graphics seem dated to me, and the port to PC is low effort and barely passable.”
    • “Even on maxed graphical settings, the scenery feels empty and forced, with lots of anime tropes to sour the pot.”
  • character development82 mentions

    Character development in "Trails of Cold Steel III" is widely praised for its depth and focus, particularly with the new Class VII, which allows for more individualized attention compared to previous installments. While some reviewers noted that the large cast can dilute character arcs, many appreciated the well-crafted narratives and emotional payoffs that enhance the overall experience. The game continues to showcase Nihon Falcom's strength in storytelling and character development, making it a standout entry in the series.

    • “The new Class 7 is smaller than the previous one, which is a strong point because all of the characters in the new Class 7 get their spotlight and character development.”
    • “The story is amazing, the characters from the new Class 7 are very likable and get nice character development throughout the game.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional37 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is deeply impactful, with players expressing that the story evokes a wide range of feelings, from heartwarming moments to profound sadness. Many reviewers emphasize the importance of prior game knowledge to fully appreciate the emotional weight of character developments and plot twists, suggesting that the series' rich lore enhances the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create authentic emotional connections through character interactions, storytelling, and a compelling soundtrack, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “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.”
    • “A game centered around story with such boring storytelling is unfortunate.”
    • “The emotional moments felt forced and lacked genuine impact.”
    • “I expected to feel more connected to the characters, but their development was shallow.”
  • grinding37 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to progress, especially for players not keen on grinding for experience points and resources. However, some players appreciate the quality-of-life improvements that streamline the process, such as marked quests and the option to adjust difficulty mid-game, which can alleviate some of the grind. Overall, while the game offers strategic depth in combat, many find the grinding aspect to be a major drawback, leading to a mixed reception.

    • “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.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I couldn't finish it; there is simply too much tedious, boring BS you have to get through to advance the fairly ridiculous story at a snail's pace.”
    • “It appears they made it grindy to try to con people into buying DLC materials to speed up the boring.”
    • “Grinding guaranteed..”
  • optimization33 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and good stability on high-end PCs, some experience significant frame drops and stuttering in specific areas, particularly towards the endgame. The game is generally well-optimized for a range of systems, but issues with controls and graphical performance have been noted, especially on lower-end hardware. Despite these concerns, the majority of players find the performance satisfactory, with some praising the improvements over previous titles.

    • “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.”
    • “Nothing happens for 70 hours, then you encounter some serious performance issues in the last 20 or so, and the ending is disappointing.”
    • “The game has some really serious optimization problems right now.”
    • “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.”
  • humor19 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charming and lovable characters, with many players highlighting the funny interactions and jokes that elicit genuine laughter. While some humor is nostalgic, the game balances cheesy moments with clever writing and dry humor, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate lighthearted storytelling. Overall, the combination of comedic elements and engaging character dynamics contributes significantly to the game's appeal, especially for fans of JRPGs.

    • “The new Class VII is very charismatic; lovable characters with actually funny jokes (Ash's comments always make me laugh hard).”
    • “If you love a good story with funny little moments, then this is the game for you.”
    • “Easily the most hilarious and best part of gameplay, this one attack is over the top in terms of humor, and you'll continue to use it for the entire game just to hear the dulcet tones of Machias saying 'you've failed your inspection' over and over.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, featuring a vast amount of content and multiple playable characters, including both new and returning favorites from the series. Fans of the Trails series and JRPGs will find plenty to explore, making it a worthwhile pick for those seeking a rich gaming experience.

    • “If you enjoyed any of the previous games and want a good chunky JRPG with some replayability, pick this up.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with fewer bugs compared to previous installments, others have encountered significant glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly after completing certain tasks. The PC port is generally praised for its performance, but issues like unresponsive elements can lead to frustration.

    • “Runs great on PC.”
    • “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.”
    • “The game glitches after you finish everything, and the icon for checking on students remains on the map with no way to find it. I asked all the students three times, but nothing worked. The game glitched with no luck, so I deleted it.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, with players noting that it effectively captures the intended setting, especially as the story progresses. 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.”
    • “It really fits the game atmosphere, and as you go onward towards the final chapter, you really feel the setting they were trying to portray.”
    • “Bring back the wholesome atmosphere from the Sky and Ao/Zero series.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Users suggest that improved promotion and advertising strategies could enhance the monetization aspect of the game, indicating a need for more effective marketing to boost revenue.

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

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

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Play time

100hMedian play time
107hAverage play time
63-135hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 17 analyzed playthroughs

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