The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel
At Thors Military Academy, Erebonia’s best learn everything from the art of war to liberal arts. First year Rean Schwarzer learns he’s been selected to join the controversial Class VII, and they’ll need to deal with more than just class warfare--they’ll need to safeguard their country from chaos.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is a jrpg, anime and rpg game
developed by Nihon Falcom
and published by XSEED Games, Marvelous USA and Inc..
Released on August 02nd 2017 is available only on Windows
in 2 languages: English and Japanese.
It has received 5,265 reviews of which 4,997 were positive and 268 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. 😍
The game is currently priced at 19.99€ on Steam and has a 50% discount.
The Steam community has classified The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
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Requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows 7 or later
- Processor: Intel Atom x7-Z8700 2.4 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Shader Model 5 (GeForce 400 / Radeon HD 5000 / Intel post-2012 series)
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 17 GB available space
- Additional Notes: 1280x720 / 30 FPS with portable settings
Reviews
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
The start of another incredible arc for Trails. And a good starting point for those new to the series. If you like great narrative and exceptional turn based combat, which evolves even further in the later games, start here.
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While it is certainly visible that Falcom had bigger ambitions than what they could do in one game, they did deliver yet another good entry in the Trails series with this one. Very excited to play Cold Steel 2 later down the road. Some people call this game "too anime" compared to other entries, which is just weird. Just like the other Trails games it reflects current trends in anime/LN/manga from the time it came out in. Definitely give this game a try if you like intricate world building and want to be drawn into one of the longest ongoing JRPG stories.
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Trails of Cold Steel does not only manage to transfer the long-running series into full-3D for the first time but also successfully starts off the long-teased Erebonia arc with a great new cast of characters. Even though it doesn’t manage to shake off all the usual problems of the series, Cold Steel I is another great kick-off that leaves you excited for what’s next Trails of Cold Steel (or Cold Steel I ) marks a new chapter in the long-running Trails series for many reasons: It was the first game to release on the PlayStation Vita/PlayStation 3, which also resulted in a switch to full-3D for the first time. Additionally, it was also the beginning of a new Trails story arc, set the large nation of Erebonia, with the entire (!) Class VII of Thors Military Academy introduced as the new main characters. Also, despite the events taking place concurrently to the previous Crossbell arc (consisting of the [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/dreamylotus/recommended/1668510/]great Trails from Zero and [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/dreamylotus/recommended/1668520/]even better Trails to Azure ), Cold Steel I actually makes for the second-best entry point of the Trails franchise – besides starting from the beginning with Trails in the Sky that is. While losing out on the occasional reference, Cold Steel I should be perfectly enjoyable for newcomers to the series as well thanks to its stand-alone plot – just keep in mind that this isn’t the case for the later Cold Steel games as well. In short, if you want to delve into the entire Trails series and its interconnected story, I still recommend starting with Trails in the Sky . However, Cold Steel I is a great, more modern representation of the series, which makes it a great pick if you just want to test the waters and find out if this type of JRPG suits your taste. Since it shares most of the components that made its predecessors so successful, it makes for an excellent first look into the acclaimed series. Just remember using [url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/538680/discussions/0/2579854400755735260/]this HD texture pack for the best visual experience In fact, it’s quicker to list what actually changed in Cold Steel I compared the previous game in the series, Trails to Azure , than what remained the same. The positional 2D turn-based battle system returns alongside (Master) Quartz – but as the orbment system has been simplified (e.g. getting rid of elemental values) it’s easier than ever to equip your characters with the spells/effects you want. The big new gameplay feature here is “Combat Linking” however, 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 highlight: Depending on how deep the bonds between characters are, these follow-up attacks might be even stronger. But how to improve then besides fighting together? Cold Steel I features a different gameplay structure compared to the previous Trails games - each story chapter takes place during one in-game month, which means the gameplay sections (free days, practical exams, field studies, etc.) are split across different days. This also gives protagonist Rean Schwarzer of Class VII quite a few opportunities to bond with his fellow classmates (& others). However, even if you’re following a guide [url=https://www.neoseeker.com/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-of-cold-steel/walkthrough]such as this NeoSeeker one (I highly recommend it due to the large amount of missables), you won’t be able to max all bonds like in Trails to Azure - Cold Steel I is designed to require (at least) two playthroughs if you’re going for a 100% run. A bold choice, to say the least, since even one playthrough this game can last between 50 and 100 hours depending on your side content completion, use of the turbo-mode, reading speed, etc. Anyway, for the most part, Cold Steel I plays like its predecessor – offering decent turn-based combat that’s definitely entertaining but nothing too outstanding. 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). Cold Steel I is also the first Trails game to feature DLC on Steam, with the questionable decision to sell consumable items (Shining Pom bait) that spawn special enemies which raise your level once defeated. Moving on to the plot, Cold Steel I is very similar to Trails in the Sky and Trails from Zero - kicking off a new story arc by slowly introducing players to its world and characters. Compared to those two games, Cold Steel I features a much more character-driven plot however, with each story chapter mostly being about exploring one or two Class VII members as well as their home region. As such, your enjoyment of Cold Steel I is very much dependent on how you feel about the main characters. Personally speaking, I found that Cold Steel I does a great job at not only introducing its large character casts but also making sure that all of them receive their own time in the spotlight. The game does not play any favourites here, with all characters having their own motivations, problems and bonds to stay in Class VII. Even characters I thought to be annoying at the beginning ended up growing on me, which is quite an achievement. Not all is well when it comes to the writing of Cold Steel I however, with the two biggest problems being the pacing and the steadily increasing use of anime tropes. Pacing problems are unfortunately nothing new for the Trails series, they’ve been part of the series since the very first game. Thanks to their focus on world-building, the Trails games feature a slow pacing from the start and Cold Steel I is no different in that regard. The main problem here is that every story chapter apart from the final ones are structurally identical. Each month focusses on different characters from Class VII, but the general story development remains the same. Couple this with the slow storytelling that occasionally delves into filler dialogue and voila - starting a new story chapter might come with a feeling of “this again, now it’s going to take a couple of hours until things start moving again”. Adding to this is the increased use of anime tropes – a trend I already complained about during Trails to Azure . Granted, the school setting doesn’t help here, but it didn’t even take thirty minutes after starting the game that the main character landed on top of a female classmate. It remains a shame that the game has to resort to these tropes when it shows that it can do so much better elsewhere - and while it fortunately never gets overbearing, I almost dreaded the appearance of certain side characters with behaviour bordering on sexual harassment at times (e.g. Angelica). Still, overall Cold Steel I successfully takes the series into full-3D territory, enhances the combat system and successfully introduces Erebonia and a new cast of main characters. It’s once again a kick-off for an arc that does such a great job that it leaves you wanting for more. Despite a few problems, some of them unfortunately being long-running ones, Cold Steel I is a great turn-based JRPG for newcomers and franchise veterans alike – just be aware that its story directly leads into Cold Steel II . Furthermore, once you reached the Final Chapter, you might want to listen to this [url=https://youtu.be/H1Pnx_97rLI]fan-translation of an official Drama-CD , which details the events of a chapter that unfortunately ended up being cut from the game itself.
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I am currently up to the 6th Trails title in my Trails/Kiseki gaming journey, and Cold Steel I is the first game that transitions to full 3D models unlike the past games which had cute little sprites. I must admit after having played the past games before this, it took a whole chapter for me to get used to the movement and lack of QoL, as I have been playing the official localized versions for which Trails to Azure, which was localized in the west in 2023, felt like it had better QoL vs Cold Steel I that was localized for the west in 2015. Firstly, I want to mention that playing this game really felt like watching an anime, as up until the end of the game (Holy FUCK btw), it really felt like watching one big anime season. It follows a school setting, you do school things, and this is basically the gameplay loop throughout the entirety of the game with the plot points slowly unfolding. As a big weeb, this is a huge ass W, but for those who hate anime tropes, this game has quite a few of that, and it might turn off some folks. Coming from the past games, the gameplay more or less plays the same, with a few additions such as Brave Points added into the mix. I felt like this feature was very important, and I felt like I couldn’t even beat normal encounters at the start of the game without abusing this early on, so it’ll become routine. The way quartz work and how arts are provided to you has also changed, though I am still not sure how I feel about it. On one side I do miss the creativity with the quartz lines and element mixing to have certain art lists, and on another side I like that Cold Steel I removed a lot of rules and text bloat that came with that system. It felt more simplified of a system with expanded quartz option variety while keeping the same “ARCUS” system introduced in Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure. The perspective of battles in 3D did throw me off for a bit like the 3D movement, but nothing was overly complicated or changed much that would confuse a new or veteran player of the Trails series. You get used to it quickly. After playing this game, there is always more soundtracks I add to my playlist. I feel like with each Trails game I finish, my playlist becomes more expanded, particularly my workout playlist. “Tie a Link of ARCUS!”, “Exceed”, “The Decisive Collision” and “I Miss You” are some of my notable favourites. If soundtracks elevate your gaming experience and you don’t consider them spoilers, I recommend you give it a listen! For the plot, I thought this game’s plot points were satisfying enough for the start of an arc, and there are certain unique character identities we were made aware of in the past games if you have been following along closely (Trails from Zero/to Azure specifically) that are finally made clear in this game. I personally felt that being aware of these events and cameo appearances made up good part of my satisfaction in Cold Steel I. However, my BIGGEST satisfaction was the build-up to the end. It was absolutely INSANE. In fact, I think I am crazy for not immediately starting Cold Steel II after finishing this game. That was such an anime ass ending and I absolutely love it. I can't imagine the fan's reactions when they played this on release. What a tease! With that said, I am very much looking forward to Cold Steel II. With the amount of banger games coming out in early 2024, it had to take the bench for a bit, and I honestly still think I am crazy for not starting it immediately. I can however say, without a doubt, that the events in this game will definitely be fresh in my mind for months and years to come.
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its veeeeeeeery typical your everyday mc party with twintail blonde tsundere, plain girl with huge bandokers, cool dere dere girl, and serius martial art girl..... Anyways i enjoy the story and the gameplay itself even its mainstream
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| Steam data | 25 November 2024 00:32 |
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| SteamSpy data | 17 December 2024 21:27 |
| Steam price | 23 December 2024 20:42 |
| Steam reviews | 22 December 2024 16:01 |
Online players
132
Developer
Nihon Falcom
Publisher
XSEED Games,
Marvelous USA, Inc.
Release
02 Aug 2017
Platforms
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