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!

Starting at $29.70Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Epic Games Store

The Special Support Section is back with more members and more cases to solve! How will this rag-tag group deal with the oncoming threats to Crossbell's political stability while maintaining their team's foundation?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 506 reviews

story100 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Trails to Azure features an incredible story with numerous twists and turns, making it one of the best entries in the Trails series.
The game introduces new mechanics like Master Quartz and Burst, enhancing the combat system and providing more strategic depth.
The character development and world-building are exceptional, with a rich cast that players grow to love throughout the journey.

The pacing can be slow at times, especially in the early chapters, which may deter some players.
Some boss battles are frustratingly difficult, particularly the final boss, which can feel unfair and detract from the overall experience.
New characters introduced in this installment may not feel as integral to the story, leading to a sense of disconnect for some players.

story
255 mentions
39 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story in "Trails to Azure" is widely praised for its depth, emotional impact, and intricate world-building, effectively building upon the narrative established in "Trails from Zero." Players appreciate the engaging character arcs, unexpected plot twists, and the seamless integration of side quests that enrich the lore. However, many reviewers recommend playing the previous titles in the series to fully grasp the complex narrative connections and character developments.
- “The story is absolutely fabulous.”
- “The storytelling is actually some of the best writing I've ever seen in a video game, and the amount of twists and turns it takes you on is such a treat.”
- “The legend of heroes: trails to azure is the peak of storytelling, character writing, and worldbuilding.”
- “I only recommend this game as part of the overall Kiseki storyline because otherwise you have all these gaps and holes if you are starting your Kiseki adventures.”
- “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.”
- “The only downsides I can think of are that the game is graphically very dated and the dialogue/storytelling is often very dense.”
music
58 mentions
62 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in "Trails to Azure" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising it as the best in the series, featuring a mix of emotional and epic tracks that enhance the storytelling and gameplay experience. While some noted that certain battle themes were less memorable compared to previous entries, the overall soundtrack is described as superb, with high-quality compositions typical of Falcom's sound team. The integration of features like on-screen music titles further enriches the player's experience, making the music a standout aspect of the game.
- “The story, music, and setting come together beautifully.”
- “The characters are deep, the music exquisite, the worldbuilding rich, and the attention to detail unsurpassed.”
- “With amazing soundtracks, dialogues & characters, Trails to Azure delivers a truly unforgettable story experience.”
- “Whoever did the music for this game was absolutely cooking.”
- “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 great battle music from 'Trails from Zero'.”
- “The music is pretty hit or miss for me; either half the soundtrack was on par or better than 'Trails from Zero', or I found it easy to forget.”
gameplay
54 mentions
28 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this installment of the Trails series is praised for its refinement and depth, featuring tactical combat and dungeon exploration that builds upon previous entries. New mechanics like the burst system and master quartz enhance strategic options, while the overall balance of difficulty is well-received, providing a satisfying challenge. While some reviewers note a lack of significant innovation, the engaging combat and rich world-building continue to captivate fans of the series.
- “Gameplay is fairly simple dungeon exploration with tactical combat.”
- “The gameplay has been slightly refined from the previous entry, Trails from Zero, with some of the ridiculously overpowered crafts receiving a nerf to make the overall combat more balanced.”
- “The gameplay and combat system is more refined in Azure, with several new features like the master quartz introduced here, allowing for unique builds.”
- “From a gameplay standpoint, though, this can turn people off for obvious reasons.”
- “Both additions are nice to have in my opinion, but both don't change the game and its mechanics, so it feels more like the desire to put new mechanics into the game at any cost.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it is very similar to Zero but with more party members, mini-games, and the introduction of master quartz, which adds more depth to your quartz setup.”
graphics
23 mentions
30 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics in the latest entries of the Trails series have been praised for their charming art style and impressive attention to detail, particularly in the hybrid 3D cities with 2D sprites. While some players note that the visuals are somewhat dated, they appreciate the enhancements and quality-of-life improvements in the PC port, which help maintain the game's aesthetic appeal. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the immersive storytelling and world-building, despite minor glitches and a high entry barrier for newcomers.
- “The graphics, mechanics, and story are the best the Trails series has offered yet, being further refined from Zero and reaching new heights.”
- “Graphics-wise, I think the hybrid 3D cities with 2D sprites is probably the best looking of the series.”
- “The art style is beautiful, and the attention to detail in the environments is nothing short of impressive.”
- “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.”
- “However, dated visuals and a high entry barrier for newcomers are minor drawbacks.”
emotional
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings, including tears during poignant moments. The narrative is described as a compelling journey filled with heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes, enhanced by excellent character development and world-building. While some felt the ending was overly drawn out, the overall experience is regarded as a memorable emotional roller-coaster that resonates deeply with players.
- “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, first being Mother 3!”
- “There were some extremely touching moments in this game and I don't think you'll regret playing it.”
- “From Zero to Azure, it has been an amazing journey full of great moments, emotional roller-coasters, memorable characters, and of course, superb soundtracks.”
character development
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and focus, with significant improvements noted over previous installments. Players appreciate 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.”
- “The character designs are also top-notch, with each character having their own unique style and personality that makes them feel like real people.”
grinding
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding, particularly if players do not utilize third-party tools to ease the process. While some players find the turn-based battle system enjoyable and emphasize party and equipment optimization over grinding, others note that the need for extensive grinding can lead to a tedious experience. Engaging with NPCs adds depth, but the overall sentiment suggests that grinding remains a prominent aspect of gameplay.
- “This game is also insanely grindy unless you use third-party tools to trivialize all the fights.”
- “A lot of thinking to the point you're going to be sitting and contemplating how long and tedious this gets sometimes.”
- “Every time something happens, you have to talk to every NPC. While tedious, they always have something to say to compliment the situation in general.”
optimization
5 mentions
80 % positive mentions
-40 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game is highly optimized, delivering reliable performance on both the Steam Deck and higher-end PCs, with users reporting smooth gameplay at high resolutions and frame rates. While there are minor frame skips in fast-paced moments, overall performance remains satisfying, emphasizing party and equipment optimization over grinding.
- “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 story is similar to Zero (which shouldn’t be a surprise – those games technically are the same), and it runs flawlessly with smooth performance.”
- “It's more about party and equipment optimization than grinding, since the amount of XP gained is reduced at higher levels.”
- “The game feels unbalanced due to poor optimization, making it frustrating to progress.”
- “Optimization is lacking, leading to performance issues that detract from the overall experience.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Trails to Azure" is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears. The witty dialogue and well-crafted characters contribute to a comedic experience that stands out among other games. Overall, the game's writing is considered exceptional, blending humor seamlessly with serious moments.
- “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
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the addition of more playable characters and the new burst system enhances combat, contributing to increased replayability and variety in gameplay.
- “The addition of more playable characters significantly enhances the replayability of the game!”
- “Combat feels like a minor step up, but a step up nonetheless, thanks to the burst system. The larger cast of usable characters also allows for more replayability and variety.”
- “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.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a stable experience with minimal issues, noting no significant bugs, glitches, or crashes. However, some minor audio hiccups and graphical glitches have been observed 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.”