The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel
Mar 26, 2019 7 years ago
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is the sixth installment in the main Trails series, serving as the beginning to the Erebonia arc. The game follows Rean Schwarzer and his fellow students of "Class VII" at Thors Military Academy, a newly formed class at the academy which is the only one not segregated by social class, composing of both Erebonian nobility and commoners. The basic gameplay is nearly identical to the previous entries with a few changes. The biggest change to the battle system and also counting as a brand new feature is the "Tactical Link System". The "Tactical Link" allow players follow up with three different kinds of link attacks, dealing additional damage and providing various other benefits. "Tactical Link" becomes a more useful asset to the player as the story progress and characters level up their "Link Levels" with other characters. As the link levels increase, you will obtain new link abilities such as healing the link partner or increase the CP gain of the partner.
What it’s like
Trails of Cold Steel is a sprawling military academy JRPG that prioritizes narrative immersion and character development over rapid action. You join Class VII at Thors Military Academy, navigating a world where social stratification drives political tension. The experience is defined by its 'slice-of-life' structure: daytime exploration and dialogue-heavy segments build relationships, while evening tactical battles resolve conflicts. Combat utilizes a turn-based system enhanced by the 'Tactical Link' mechanic, rewarding coordinated party synergy over solo prowess. While the initial presentation may feel chaotic or trope-heavy, the writing gradually reveals profound depth in its ensemble cast, transforming archetypes into complex individuals. The tone balances lighthearted camaraderie with serious geopolitical intrigue, creating a slow-burn mystery that demands patience. Success hinges on appreciating long-form storytelling and strategic positioning rather than reflexes.
Strong in CharactersSocial / RelationshipsStory / NarrativeAtmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicCombatGameplay / MechanicsPolish / PerformanceSystems Depth / Build VarietyVisuals / ArtWriting / Dialogue
Keep in mind The pacing is deliberately slow, with significant portions dedicated to dialogue and exploration that may alienate players seeking immediate action or concise narratives. · Newcomers to the Trails series may find the dense political lore and large cast of characters overwhelming without prior context.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from rpgsite.net, metacritic.com, kotaku.com, reddit.com, gamingtrend.com, nintendoworldreport.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 3 | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 26, 201313 years ago |
| PlayStation Vita | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 26, 201313 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 30, 20179 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 26, 20197 years ago |
Reviews
Links
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