The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II
Jun 04, 2019 7 years ago
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II is the seventh installment in the main Trails series, serving as a direct sequel to the events of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel. The game follows Rean Schwarzer to his hometown of Ymir with the assistance of bracer Toval Randonneur, but quickly finds himself and his loved ones caught in the crossfire of the war. Game progression is no longer tied to the school schedule structure of the original, with the game now centered around traveling the world rather than attending classes. If the player has a completed game save file from the prior game, it has an effect in Cold Steel II, with certain events and dialogues playing out differently based on choices and relationships built in the first game.
What it’s like
Trails of Cold Steel II shifts from the structured academy life of its predecessor to a sprawling, war-torn journey across the continent. The experience is defined by its dense, novelistic narrative and deep character bonds, where previous relationship choices actively alter dialogue and events, rewarding long-term investment. Combat remains turn-based but introduces strategic layers like the Orbment system, offering substantial build variety without overwhelming complexity. While the pacing can feel sluggish due to extensive exposition and repetitive traversal, the emotional stakes are significantly raised, creating a tense, dramatic atmosphere. The art style is vibrant anime-inspired, complemented by a memorable soundtrack that enhances the mood. However, technical performance issues on PC may detract from the immersion, requiring patience with bugs.
Strong in CharactersSocial / RelationshipsStory / NarrativeAtmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicCombatGameplay / MechanicsSystems Depth / Build VarietyVisuals / ArtWriting / Dialogue
Keep in mind The game suffers from notable technical instability and performance issues on PC, which can disrupt the experience. Additionally, its heavy reliance on prior narrative context and slow, dialogue-driven pacing may alienate players seeking fast-paced action or standalone accessibility.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from opencritic.com, nodegamers.com, metacritic.com, screenrant.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 3 | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 06, 201610 years ago |
| PlayStation Vita | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 11, 201610 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Feb 14, 20188 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Jun 04, 20197 years ago |
Reviews
Links
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