The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 81
  3. Negative: 9 out of 81

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  1. Gwyndolin
    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. 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    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.    … Expand
  2. chronofantasy
    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 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 considerDefinitely 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.    … Expand
  3. Wondux
    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 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.
  4. Neatqt
    Mar 30, 2020
    8
    Cast: 9/10
    Story: 9/10
    Fun: 5/10
    Gameplay: 6/10

    Recommended
    ---------------------- 55 Hours Played
  5. Luigichief
    Jun 15, 2020
    9
    Esse jogo é bom. Aproveita bastante de seus antecessores, mas não deixa de renovar em alguns aspectos importantes. Os personagens são incríveis demais. Fiz todas as portas, as que contam historias dos personagens são fenomenais. Mas é definitivamente inferior ao seus antecessores(não tinha como, lol). Achei que e relação entre o Kevin e a Ries não desenvolveu quase nada, eles apenas seEsse jogo é bom. Aproveita bastante de seus antecessores, mas não deixa de renovar em alguns aspectos importantes. Os personagens são incríveis demais. Fiz todas as portas, as que contam historias dos personagens são fenomenais. Mas é definitivamente inferior ao seus antecessores(não tinha como, lol). Achei que e relação entre o Kevin e a Ries não desenvolveu quase nada, eles apenas se reconciliaram e reafirmaram seus laços.… Expand
  6. Xitomz
    Dec 28, 2021
    8
    Really good game, a good game to expand on everything that FC and SC wasn't able to explain, plus an introduction to the next Arc.

    Overall a good game, but has some flaws that the others don't. Being a dungeon crawler doesen't work well enough in my opinion, it just doesen't feel right.

    On the other hand Kevin is an AMAZING protagonist and his story is so freakin' good.
  7. MoofiaBossVal
    Dec 26, 2021
    7
    The combat is now somewhat fun. The sidequests are a step up from the two prior games, but there are still some stinkers mixed in there. The characters are fun, and the main story is overall good. It's aesthetically more interesting this time. Music is pretty good.
  8. GenTrailsFan
    Mar 1, 2022
    10
    The GOAT!!! This game truly lays the foundation for everything in the series going forward. You absolutely need to finish the first two entries before tackling this bad boy so be forewarned. This one will have you crying, laughing, and having a blast. Gameplay has a couple little tweaks to optimize the combat experience, but yeah Falcom knew they were on a winning formula here!
  9. AdoMobA
    Mar 19, 2023
    9
    Pros
    - the full cast from the previous two games returns stronger than ever and even adds some now faces
    - the Door mechanic specific to this game provides some of the most interesting mysteries, that span the series to this day, while they also set up the next two arcs - the game being led by a different protagonist from the first two was a risk that paid off hard, as their personal    Pros
    - the full cast from the previous two games returns stronger than ever and even adds some now faces
    - the Door mechanic specific to this game provides some of the most interesting mysteries, that span the series to this day, while they also set up the next two arcs
    - the game being led by a different protagonist from the first two was a risk that paid off hard, as their personal story is enthralling
    - the combat system finally throws in enemies immune to the three higher elements (Mirage, Time and Space) which serves the combat puzzle greatly

    Cons
    - this game is mostly a dungeon delve with the occasional story thrown in, which I can see not being what people come to the Trails series for

    Three games in the Trails series decides to throw us a curveball with Trails in the Sky The 3rd. New game structure, new protagonist, the fabulous Door mechanic make this one of the more unique games in the series that takes a lot of risks that pay off well for me. But let us start with the structure.

    This whole game is a massive dungeon grind. One floor after the other, with the occasional story thrown in, usually at the end of each of these floors. What makes this more palatable is the fact that combat is the best it has been to this point, making the strategic part of the game even more fun than before.

    What also offsets the heavy combat focus to this game, are the various Doors sprinkled through the game. The doors were introduced to give a break from the monotony that is the dungeon and to give players a taste of what happened with the characters since the Second Chapter, as well as setting up characters and events for the future arcs.

    15 Star Doors, giving you small story snippets about individual characters and places. 5 Moon Doors, giving you major story events that have massive ramifications for the future of the series. And finally the 5 Sun Doors, giving you a couple of minigames that vary in fun and quality.

    The 3rd is a bridge game, meant to ease the players into the Crossbell and Erebonia arcs, while giving distant hints to the eventual Calvard arc. And it succeeds at that beautifully. For its own story, it is written so competently, that even though the lead is a new protagonist, they firmly rank as one of the best the series ever had.

    And there you have it. Trails in the Sky The 3rd. A game that shakes up the formula and succeeds at players excited for what is coming next. A fantastic game that does wonders for the future of the series.    … Expand
  10. hk300
    May 6, 2023
    10
    IMO ended up being the best of this trilogy, Kevin was a good protagonist, and the story was heavy but enjoyable.
  11. mpop
    Jun 29, 2023
    9
    The Trails games are some of the greatest ones, this one is very enjoyable, but sadly I also feel it is the weakest in the series. But don't let that deter you from playing it, as it is still a great game to play. It adds a bit more to the lore of the series. It follows the combat system that has been established in prior games. Where I feel it comes up short compared to all otherThe Trails games are some of the greatest ones, this one is very enjoyable, but sadly I also feel it is the weakest in the series. But don't let that deter you from playing it, as it is still a great game to play. It adds a bit more to the lore of the series. It follows the combat system that has been established in prior games. Where I feel it comes up short compared to all other games, is the setting, there is no going from town to town, and very few NPC to interact with. But still a good game.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. DarkStation
    Jul 5, 2017
    90
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd is absolutely charming and it’s not only due to its cutesy looks. With a dimensional world of multiple planes hovering in the middle of nowhere and tons of text to read through, the game could pass for a foreign cousin to the equally engaging and prosaic-heavy Torment: Tides of Numenera. Both games share a fact the flashy presentation is not always needed to tell immersive stories. It’s the quality of the writing and the riveting dialogue that count towards the long hours lost in front of the computer. When all is said and done, Trails in the Sky the 3rd comes out as a balanced, thoughtful and inspiring JRPG.
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  2. Games.cz
    Jun 27, 2017
    80
    The story is so dense, it could discourage with a pile of text and a small amount of action, but anyone who gives Trails in the Sky the 3rd a chance, gets tens of hours of great entertainment, brilliantly written characters and an interesting story.
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  3. Digitally Downloaded
    May 17, 2017
    80
    A love letter for fans, a final send-off for some beloved characters and fitting conclusions to endearing storylines. The likeable characters kept me interested and never left me feeling as though the development team had gone to the same well too many times, despite some reused locations and bosses. If you are okay with a considerable shift in overall gameplay, exchanging actual exploration on world maps for doorways leading to more focused events, then Trails in the Sky the 3rd is going to be highly satisfying.
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