The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Jan 14, 2016
    100
    While simple in presentation, the grand scope of Trails of Cold Steel’s narrative is really what drives this game, and it does so with remarkable intelligence and confidence. You’ll need a good block of time to actually play through this one, but for people that do make the commitment to it, the rewards are more than enough.
  2. RPGamer
    Jan 14, 2016
    90
    I can say without hesitation that Trails of Cold Steel is my favorite RPG of 2015, and fans of the genre definitely shouldn't pass this one up.
  3. ZTGD
    Dec 24, 2015
    90
    In the early hours of Trails of Cold Steel, I was skeptical that it could live up to the lofty standards set by Trails in the Sky. However, after my first year spent as a student of Class VII, I can confidently say that it has, and knowing that this is just the beginning of a new series fills me with great anticipation.
  5. Hardcore Gamer
    Dec 22, 2015
    90
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is hands down the best JRPG this year — and that’s saying a lot considering how many great ones have come out in the past twelve months. But what it has that most of those others don’t is heart.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Jan 25, 2016
    88
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is a traditional JRPG, in the best meaning of the word "traditional". It is complex, deep and varied, and sports surprisingly realistic and mature storyline and setting. Although a little slow, if you can adapt to its flowing you'll love this game and its unforgettable cast of characters.
  7. Gamer.nl
    Jan 23, 2016
    85
    Trails of Cold Steel is an excellent mix of Suikodens political business, Persona's Social Link-system and the daily fun of Grandia, while still being a Trails-game. This is definitely one to recommend to any JRPG-fan you might know.
  8. Worth Playing
    Jan 14, 2016
    85
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is an excellent, well-made RPG.
  9. RPG Fan
    Jan 13, 2016
    85
    If you like traditional JRPGs but Trails in the Sky was a little too dated for you, Cold Steel is exactly what you've been looking for.
  10. 3DJuegos
    Jan 18, 2016
    80
    Great JRPG title, one of the best released so far on PS3 and PS Vita in recent times. Outstanding story, cast of characters and extension.
  11. Vandal
    Jan 15, 2016
    80
    It might not be outstanding, but it is very good at everything it does. RPG fans have one of the very first great choices of the year, no matter what platform you go for.
  12. IGN Spain
    Jan 18, 2016
    78
    An RPG that doesn't do anything particularly wrong, but either way it's not great.
  13. COGconnected
    Dec 23, 2015
    75
    Trails of Cold Steel is a very good, long JRPG. It’s not going to win any game of the year awards, but if you’re a fan of the genre, and are aching for something that harks back to the glory days of the PS1 RPG, play it. Thoroughly enjoyable combat, and a deceptively well-told story, make this a JRPG totally worth your time.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS3 Game of 2015
2
#2 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2015
3
#3 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 185 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 158 out of 185
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 185
  3. Negative: 14 out of 185
  1. Stryker24
    Dec 23, 2015
    10
    I love this game. It has everything a Legend of Heroes game has, and then streamlines the skills and compresses it. So even those startingI love this game. It has everything a Legend of Heroes game has, and then streamlines the skills and compresses it. So even those starting this series will pick it up. Good on ya XSEED Games for picking up a great game.… Full Review »
  2. Investigaelfo
    May 13, 2016
    10
    Great turn-based combat system, great characters, great customization, superb story, absolutely outstanding JRPG.
    Despite some minor flaws, a    Great turn-based combat system, great characters, great customization, superb story, absolutely outstanding JRPG.
    Despite some minor flaws, a must-buy for every JRPG lover.    … Full Review »
  3. Fijiwuiji
    Jan 13, 2016
    10
    The highly-anticipated next installment in a franchise that doesn't seem to get much attention here in the US, we have Trails of Cold Steel. IThe highly-anticipated next installment in a franchise that doesn't seem to get much attention here in the US, we have Trails of Cold Steel. I played and completed Trails in the Sky FC and SC, and I loved them both, so I was super excited about this game's release.

    This time we are whisked away from Joshua, Estelle and the lovable supporting cast of the Liberl Kingdom. In their place, we have the newly commissioned Class VII of the famous Thors Military Academy, located in the Erebonian Empire. These nine students represent the first time in the Academy's history where a Class is fully desegregated: nobles and commoners are now in the same outfit. A revolutionary concept in a nation where the class system is taken very seriously, and segregation between the social classes is widespread.

    This game is part one of a trilogy of games in the broader Trails/Legend of Heroes franchise. It is part of a separate saga from the previous games. Although previous events in prior games do not directly contribute to the storyline, the game will make occasional references, though nothing super spoiler heavy. This is good for those new to the franchise. As such, previous experience with Trails in the Sky FC/SC is not required, but is highly recommended.

    The best way I can explain the premise of this game is that it is the result of combining a fantasy battle school manga with Persona. You cross in-between life as a military school cadet (in japanese-style, anime school life, of course), and the more traditional JRPG responsibilities of running around doing quests and fighting a lot of monsters.

    During the school life segments, you have the opportunity build relationships (Tactical Links) with your fellow students, and participate in typical school shenanigans. It is a good execution of a game mode that feels very similar to the Social Link and high school simulator mechanic of the Persona games. These links are definitely worth exploring as they provide bonuses when used in this game's combat.

    That's not to say your stuck at the Academy all the time. Throughout the game, Class VII will be deployed to various locales across the Empire as part of their curriculum. With a diverse selection of places lined up, it makes sure that you are almost never bored. From bustling cities, to the vast wilderness of frontier country, there is plenty to see and do in this game.

    What I like the most about this game, is that it takes many staples in the JRPG genre and executes them really well. Combat is very fluid and enjoyable. Encounters can be won quickly with the right strategy, and there is a great feeling of satisfaction after every battle. The characters, which I feared would be a dull and generic bunch, were actually decently written. They do still conform to traditional anime troupes though. The excellent plot, while slow to start, grabs your interest and doesn't let go. Something that I have come to expect out of Trails games. The orbment system from previous games is there, having been streamlined and simplified somewhat, but there still is a fair amount of customization to be had here. Additionally, there is a lot of side content: such as secrets, an evaluation system, and hidden quests, that greatly bolster the replay value.

    Another cool feature is Cross-Save. Save files can be used interoperably between the PS3 and Vita versions of this game via the PSN's cloud storage system. It is for this reason that I opted to get both versions of the game. The convenience of seamlessly playing this game both at home and on-the-go was pretty cool.

    If I had to lay one criticism down, it would have to be on the graphics. This game looks as if it should be on the PS2. Character animations are also sub-par. There are also some pretty noticeable framerate issues, which are worse on the Vita version. For a game originally released in 2013, this can be disappointing to some. I'm not going to bash this point to heavily though. This is after all Nihon Falcom's first fully-3D, third-person RPG. Their other games were 3D isometric using CGI 2D sprites.

    Ultimately, Trails of Cold Steel is a game that may initially come off as a generic, anime-heavy, fantasy JRPG on the surface. However, given enough time, this game quickly blossoms into an excellent adventure well worth your time.    … Full Review »
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