Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. May 12, 2017
    70
    Trails in the Sky the 3rd is bound to be a very divisive game among Trails fans. Its radically different structure is such a departure from the prior games that it's inevitably going to turn off some players, but at the same time, the fantastic boss battles and charming moments still manage to keep you hooked through what would, in any other circumstance, be a rather monotonous dungeon crawler. Had it not been for the two prior games of history, I doubt it would be able to hold up as well as it does; indeed, if you haven't played the previous titles, Trails in the Sky the 3rd would be a confusing mess. If, however, like so many Trails fans, you've fallen in love with the cast and want one last adventure with them, Trails in the Sky the 3rd does an admirable job of providing just that.

Awards & Rankings

User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 81
  2. Negative: 9 out of 81
  1. May 3, 2017
    10
    I highly recommend playing FC and SC before the 3rd as it is a direct sequel.
    That said, the 3rd's format is a bit different from FC and SC.
    I highly recommend playing FC and SC before the 3rd as it is a direct sequel.
    That said, the 3rd's format is a bit different from FC and SC. It is almost like one giant dungeon crawler. This dungeon has "doors" that leads to different parts of Liberl.
    Despite the new formula, the narrative is still among the strongest in any JRPG/RPG, the gameplay is a step up from FC/SC, featuring the largest cast of playable characters. And as always, music by JDK never fails to impress.

    Do note that The 3rd does not seem to directly propel the overarching plot of the Trails series, because its main role is to wrap up the Sky chapters while getting the audience interested in what's to come. What it does deliver is the following:
    1. Kevin's personal story.
    2. Additional depth/detail to every main character in the Sky Trilogy.
    3. Additional depth/detail to the world of West Zemuria.
    4. A lot of foreshadowing to future installments (Zero, Azure, Cold Steel)

    You can think of it as a playable Collector's Databook for your favorite manga series, but with its own self contained story.
    Full Review »
  2. May 7, 2017
    8
    Definitely don't play this game unless you have played the first two Trails in the Sky games, otherwise you'll be completely lost on all theDefinitely don't play this game unless you have played the first two Trails in the Sky games, otherwise you'll be completely lost on all the characters and what led up to this point in the game. Usually this sort of game I don't care that much for, since it's mostly a dungeon crawler and going through old past zones but in an altered state. The entire game is a wrap-up. I actually consider it a long, drawn out epilogue to the first two games.

    If this was any other game or perhaps series, I'd probably give this a lower score or I would stop playing this, but I may be a bit bias in this review because I am a fan of the series. Taking any biases away, the game has fantastic music, unique for the title, and amazing and drawn out narrative, which is always what the series is known for.

    There's side stories for each characters and mini games you can play, which adds more fun to the game.

    I'm only 10 hours into the game, so I still might have a bit to go, but I'm curious to see how each character's story ends and to see how the characters ended up in the one big dungeon-like place called Phantasama that they explore throughout the entire game.

    I knocked the game down a couple points because like I said, dungeon crawling isn't my preference and it doesn't really fit in the series whether I like it or not. I know the writers love to expand on the series and this universe, but I feel this game is a bit unnecessary at times, other than to please the fans. Otherwise, since we do have this game, it's enjoyable for what it is nonetheless.
    Full Review »
  3. Jan 3, 2022
    4
    Although I am a big fan of the series, this game was not fun for me. I didn't like constantly being in the same dungeon for MANY hours. What IAlthough I am a big fan of the series, this game was not fun for me. I didn't like constantly being in the same dungeon for MANY hours. What I liked about "The Legend of Heroes" was that you could roam around the city and talk to people, as well as complete quests given to you by them. I could not find that in this game; therefore, I did not enjoy it. Full Review »