The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure

A truly fantastic game that ties up loose ends from the previous titles whilst setting up for future storylines. A must-play for every JRPG fan!

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In "The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure," Lloyd Bannings and the Special Support Section face new challenges as they protect Crossbell from rising tensions and encroaching political powers. With their home and team at risk, they must gear up to face multiple organizations and maintain peace in Crossbell. This thrilling sequel to "Trails from Zero" continues the story of aspiring hero Lloyd Bannings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 594 reviews

story113 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

The story is brilliantly written with numerous plot twists that keep players engaged and invested in the characters' journeys.
The addition of Master Quartz and Burst mechanics enhances the combat system, providing more strategic depth and customization options.
The game features a rich world with well-developed NPCs, making the setting feel alive and immersive.

The pacing can be slow at times, especially in the early chapters, which may deter some players.
Some boss battles feel unfair or are designed as 'forced losses,' which can be frustrating for players seeking a challenge.
The final chapter can feel bloated and overly long, with some players wishing for a more concise conclusion.

story
336 mentions
34 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The story in "Trails to Azure" is widely praised for its intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists and deep character development, making it a standout entry in the Trails series. Reviewers highlight the emotional weight of the narrative, the effective world-building, and the seamless continuation of storylines from its predecessor, "Trails from Zero." While some mention pacing issues and the need for familiarity with earlier games to fully appreciate the plot, the overall consensus is that it delivers a compelling and engaging experience that resonates with players.
- “The crossbell series delivers an amazing story, both political and supernatural, while having some of the most memorable and interesting characters.”
- “Betrayals I never saw coming, alliances I would have never guessed I'd make in 1000 years, and a plot that goes back 2000 years; Trails to Azure astonished and amazed me from beginning to end.”
- “The story is absolutely fabulous.”
- “On the storytelling side, it tries to deal with too many things and people at once, so it kind of lacks a satisfying focus and even main characters that feel like they should be central really only get a handful of appearances.”
- “Although I think my only negative things I have to say about Azure are several writing issues that happened in the final chapter, plus one of the explanations for a major plot twist in the story is hidden behind some optional side quests/NPC dialogue that is easy to miss if you either aren't using a guide or don't really pay much attention to it.”
- “This game's story falls apart when I never cared about Kea at any point in either game.”
gameplay
81 mentions
22 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Trails to Azure" largely retains the familiar mechanics from its predecessor, "Trails from Zero," with the notable introduction of the master quartz and burst systems, which enhance character customization and combat strategy. While some players appreciate the added depth and challenge these mechanics bring, others feel that the core gameplay loop remains unchanged and can become repetitive. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging combat and polished mechanics, though it may not satisfy those seeking significant innovation.
- “The gameplay also includes two entirely new systems: burst and master quartz.”
- “Master quartz is by far one of the best mechanics they have ever made, and it shows because they haven't dropped it for a single game since.”
- “The gameplay is highly polished and engaging, delivering an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep players engaged for hours on end.”
- “It keeps interrupting the gameplay, taking away control at the wrong points, and generally making the dungeoning unfun.”
- “While they might be straightforward to navigate at least, they’re also playing it safe to the point of just being boring – mostly consisting out of a few hallways, treasure chests and stairs, with almost no gameplay differences between the dungeons such as puzzle solving for example.”
- “However, trails to azure might prove less satisfactory if you’re either hoping for significant innovations in terms of gameplay or graphics or just want it to be another good drop-off point for the series.”
music
73 mentions
60 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and emotional impact, particularly during key story moments and boss battles. The soundtrack features a diverse range of tracks, from epic orchestral pieces to catchy J-pop, enhancing the overall gaming experience. While some players noted that certain battle themes were less memorable compared to previous entries, the overall consensus is that the music remains a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its storytelling and atmosphere.
- “The amount of instant bangers in this game is outstanding, and this includes not only the battle music but also the various casual daily life and cutscene tracks.”
- “The characters are fantastic, the OST is top-tier, and the story is so engaging, all in one of the best-built worlds ever known.”
- “The music is also top-notch, with a diverse soundtrack that includes everything from epic orchestral pieces to catchy J-pop tracks.”
- “I always feel kind of disappointed while playing Trails to Zero and Azure with how music is used.”
- “The music is pretty hit or miss for me; either half the soundtrack was on par or better than From Zero, or I found it easy to forget.”
- “The battle music is underwhelming overall: while the battle themes in Trails to Azure weren't 'bad' by any means, they pale in comparison to the battle themes in Trails From Zero.”
graphics
25 mentions
40 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Trails to Azure" are praised for their smooth animations and charming 2D art style, showcasing a blend of 2D and 3D elements that enhance the game's visual appeal. While some players note minor graphical glitches and a dated appearance, the overall aesthetic and attention to detail in environments are considered impressive, contributing to an engaging gaming experience. The game successfully balances nostalgic visuals with modern graphical settings, making it visually appealing despite its age.
- “The graphics, mechanics, and story are the best the Trails series has offered yet, being further refined from Zero and reaching new heights.”
- “The art style is beautiful, and the attention to detail in the environments is nothing short of impressive.”
- “The graphics and sound design in 'Trails to Azure' are impressive, with stunning visuals that bring the game's world to life.”
- “If I had to grumble about the port, there are some minor audio hiccups and graphical glitches in certain areas and story scenes, and some of those things may get patched down the road.”
- “The only downsides I can think of are that the game is graphically very dated and the dialogue/storytelling is often very dense.”
- “The graphical fidelity isn't off the charts; however, the game has a distinct art style which makes the game enjoyable to look at.”
emotional
16 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its powerful soundtrack and an engaging storyline that delivers significant emotional impact, particularly towards the end. Many reviewers express that the game is an emotional rollercoaster filled with heartfelt moments that elicited tears, making it a memorable experience. While some critique certain pacing issues and writing choices, the overall sentiment is that the game successfully evokes a wide range of emotions, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “It has an insane soundtrack, the storyline is amazing especially near the end, and it has some real emotional gut punches that hit hard.”
- “I rarely break down in tears whenever I experience emotional and rich stories, but Trails to Azure is the second game to actually make me cry ever; not second game in the series, I mean second game ever, the first being Mother 3!”
- “There were some extremely touching moments in this game and I don't think you'll regret playing it.”
grinding
8 mentions
13 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find the combat and exploration enjoyable, others feel it becomes tedious over time. The game offers a more balanced combat system that can reduce the need for grinding, focusing instead on party and equipment optimization, but many still find the overall experience grind-heavy without the aid of third-party tools. Engaging with NPCs adds depth, though it can also contribute to the feeling of tedium.
- “+ fun turn-based battle system: no grinding needed.”
- “Each game is very long and combat, while initially fun the first couple of games, is now very tedious and annoying.”
- “This game is also insanely grindy unless you use 3rd party tools to trivialize all the fights.”
- “A lot of thinking to the point you're gonna be sitting thinking about how long and tedious this gets sometimes.”
character development
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and focus, with significant improvements noted over previous titles. Players highlight the rich storytelling and well-crafted character arcs, particularly for characters like Lloyd, Randy, and Rixia, which contribute to an emotionally impactful experience. The attention to detail in character design and the vibrant world further enhance the sense of realism and connection to the characters.
- “The character development in Azure is a huge improvement over Zero, and some character arcs are simply amazing, with my favorites being Lloyd, the ever-lovable cheesy shonen protagonist, Randy, the best bro, and Rixia, the best girl.”
- “From its rich storytelling to its deep character development, this game excels in every aspect.”
- “Much more focused character development and less padding.”
- “The character development on show is extraordinary, and Falcom's attention to detail is truly unmatched, creating a city and nearby communities that feel as alive as in any other game I've played, culminating in a finale that had me in tears.”
- “This method offers a particularly creative and experimental approach to character development.”
optimization
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, with reliable performance on both the Steam Deck and higher-end PCs, allowing for smooth gameplay at high resolutions and frame rates. Users noted minimal issues, primarily related to frame drops in fast-paced moments, but overall, the experience is satisfying and well-optimized across platforms.
- “Very well optimized.”
- “The port is also good, as usual, with reliable performance on the Steam Deck without any tweaking. On my higher-end PC, I didn't have any issues playing this game at 144fps at 1440p, save for a few moments when the game would skip a frame or two because it's faster than how it was originally designed.”
- “When we’re talking about the Steam Deck – I just tested it and the performance is similar to Zero (which shouldn’t be a surprise – those games technically are the same), and it runs flawlessly with smooth performance.”
- “The optimization carried over to the sequel is disappointing.”
- “It's more about party and equipment optimization than grinding, as the amount of XP gained is significantly reduced at higher levels.”
- “The game's optimization feels lacking, making it hard to progress efficiently.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to tears. The witty dialogue and well-crafted characters contribute to a compelling narrative that balances serious moments with comedic relief, making it a standout experience in the genre. Overall, the writing is considered exceptional, enhancing both the story and gameplay.
- “The overall narrative, the quality of the characters, the humor, the serious moments, it's all top-notch.”
- “The writers truly outdid themselves with Trails to Azure, as this game has been able to make me both cry, laugh, and cry laughing, a feat not done by any other game I have played.”
- “I don't know why the dialogue in Zero and Azure is so funny, but it is.”
replayability
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the addition of more playable characters and the improved combat mechanics, particularly the burst system, significantly enhance the game's replayability and variety, encouraging players to explore different character combinations and strategies.
- “The addition of more playable characters enhances the replayability and variety of the game.”
- “Combat feels like a minor step up, but the burst system and larger cast of usable characters contribute to increased replayability.”
- “The game offers great content and replay value.”
- “Combat feels like a minor step up, but a step up nonetheless thanks to the addition of the burst system. The larger cast of usable characters also allows for more replayability and variety.”
- “The content and replay value are lacking.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability with no major bugs, glitches, or crashes reported by users. However, some minor audio hiccups and graphical glitches have been noted in specific areas, which may be addressed in future patches.
- “If I had to grumble about the port, there are some minor audio hiccups and graphical glitches in certain areas and story scenes, and some of those things may get patched down the road.”