The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 174 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 147 out of 174
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 174
  3. Negative: 20 out of 174
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. black007
    Oct 28, 2020
    10
    This game is a compilation of the series. If you have cleared all the series, you will be impressed by seeing numerous characters. Additionally, There are numerous boss fights and fan service. I spent a lot of time watching the story.
    The new music is definitely better than CS3. You can enjoy about 70 new soundtracks.
    Although there are some technical shortcomings, they are showing    This game is a compilation of the series. If you have cleared all the series, you will be impressed by seeing numerous characters. Additionally, There are numerous boss fights and fan service. I spent a lot of time watching the story.
    The new music is definitely better than CS3. You can enjoy about 70 new soundtracks.
    Although there are some technical shortcomings, they are showing progress gradually. I hope that the latest series hajimari no kiseki will be translated as soon as possible.    … Expand
  2. Hamedo
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    An emotional end to this wretched fairy tale! Filled with fanservice for returning fans.
  3. Rsashimi
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    Cold steel 4 is my favourite entry among the cold steel series. Plotwise it might be second to Cold Steel 3 however in terms of freedom this game stands above the other cold steel games as it gives you the opportunity to use class 7 members to your liking similar to cold steel 2 but from a way bigger cast to choose from and a far better game. For those who do not like class 7 the game mayCold steel 4 is my favourite entry among the cold steel series. Plotwise it might be second to Cold Steel 3 however in terms of freedom this game stands above the other cold steel games as it gives you the opportunity to use class 7 members to your liking similar to cold steel 2 but from a way bigger cast to choose from and a far better game. For those who do not like class 7 the game may be pain because of the massive amount of filler content and fan service the game provides, but for a cold steel series and class 7 fan it is a wonderful final chapter of an epic tetralogy… Expand
  4. UltraSANS
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    The moment I saw the ending scene a year ago, I felt quite proud. It is happy to enjoy this again in native language. For this I will dedicate 120 hours!
  5. goodgirls
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    A big experiment is being conducted in Zemuria. I think this experiment is related to the history of mankind. What is the intention of the enemies? Perhaps the end point of this series is the realm of a noble god. What choices will the gods make for the existence of mankind?
  6. Xazu
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    I always do not miss all npc conversations when playing this game. I found out that NPCs also have stories. So, as a result of having all NPC conversations from CS1 to CS3, the play time exceeded 350 hours. The NPC story is more interesting than I thought and there are quite a lot of secrets. The Legend of Heroes is a great game that pays attention to the details.
  7. splendidly
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    The best thing about the Trails series is its meticulous world-building. The high points of the story are great and make for a compelling tale. However, It's not a good place for new players to start. This is because it requires prior knowledge of the series.
    Cold Steel IV is a game of enormous volume. There's a good number of great moments in CS4. With a setting that large and bringing    The best thing about the Trails series is its meticulous world-building. The high points of the story are great and make for a compelling tale. However, It's not a good place for new players to start. This is because it requires prior knowledge of the series.
    Cold Steel IV is a game of enormous volume. There's a good number of great moments in CS4. With a setting that large and bringing together main characters from all over the Trails series, not only united Class VII, but also Trails in the Sky and Zero to Azure, the game may have felt highly majestic.
    CS4 make for some of the best rpg experiences.    … Expand
  8. mandol
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    If there is a game similar to the Avengers Endgame, I would say CS4. It's a great game where you can see dozens of characters fighting.
    The characters become heroes who save the country through life. Experiencing their own triumphs and disasters awakened my emotions.
    It’s a series that’s well worth the hype and is quite frankly, one of the best new JRPG series to come out in the last 15    If there is a game similar to the Avengers Endgame, I would say CS4. It's a great game where you can see dozens of characters fighting.
    The characters become heroes who save the country through life. Experiencing their own triumphs and disasters awakened my emotions.
    It’s a series that’s well worth the hype and is quite frankly, one of the best new JRPG series to come out in the last 15 years with this game being a fantastic introduction.    … Expand
  9. Adelio
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    CS4 has a section where 39 characters can be used. The game considered fans who completed all series. Numerous character scenes are prepared. Also, the after story is waiting in hajimari no kiseki.
    Let's enjoy the story of the heroes who overcome crisis situations.
  10. zeis
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    I am happy as a fan because it is difficult to find such a feature series game.
    It was amazing to finally be able to play this game in English.
    This game draws an appropriate conclusion to the saga. The story is as attractive as a typical jrpg. Quests were good for filling out lore for the Kiseki universe and overall story. Really upped the character interactions and cameos. If    I am happy as a fan because it is difficult to find such a feature series game.
    It was amazing to finally be able to play this game in English.
    This game draws an appropriate conclusion to the saga.
    The story is as attractive as a typical jrpg.
    Quests were good for filling out lore for the Kiseki universe and overall story.
    Really upped the character interactions and cameos.
    If you're a jrpg fan, it's a game I definitely want to recommend.    … Expand
  11. detroitSmash
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    Get closer to the truth of the world of Zemuria. The surprising truth is revealed and leads to the next story. Rean has the right to know the truth.
  12. ElpintO
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    it was long journey...CS4's True Ending has been the best gift to users who have played all the series so far. Hajimaru no kiseki is being evaluated as having a more attractive future story, so I'm looking forward to it.
  13. blueprint0
    Oct 28, 2020
    10
    Cold Steel IV is a great sendoff for the Cold Steel series, and is filled with fan service for fans who have been sticking with the Trails series since the beginning as well.
    Many returning characters from previous games, some unexpected. Several characters do join the party for limited times during part of the game. However, the story is centered around the Class VII.
    Concludes the    Cold Steel IV is a great sendoff for the Cold Steel series, and is filled with fan service for fans who have been sticking with the Trails series since the beginning as well.
    Many returning characters from previous games, some unexpected. Several characters do join the party for limited times during part of the game. However, the story is centered around the Class VII.
    Concludes the series in a satisfying manner, weaving together plot threads that have been dangling for as long as 8 games ago.
    Meanwhile, The minigame has been further improved and is incredibly addictive.    … Expand
  14. dorisluna
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    Declare struggle for the best ending. Arriving in English over two years after it was released in Japan, the wait for this massive JRPG has been well worth it.
    The enhancements to combat, visuals, and the great pacing make this one of my favourite JRPG in a long time.
  15. timeIord
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    People's ties are strong. The Legend of Heroes is a series that focuses on humanity. There is no perfect hero. A hero is a person who relies on someone even though he knows his shortcomings. It is a game that gives a message appropriate to jrpg. Many characters have their own message. Have fun discovering this.
  16. Gamingking007
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    I truly love the trails of cold steel saga! The world is massive and the story is simply amazing ! You have to play all four to fully understand and appreciate the scope this amazing world! The characters are amazing. Their unique abilities , personalities and traits makes each character feel unique and full of depth! One of my favorite jrpgs around ! What an amazing close to an amazingI truly love the trails of cold steel saga! The world is massive and the story is simply amazing ! You have to play all four to fully understand and appreciate the scope this amazing world! The characters are amazing. Their unique abilities , personalities and traits makes each character feel unique and full of depth! One of my favorite jrpgs around ! What an amazing close to an amazing series! I can’t wait for the next project ! Thanks guys !… Expand
  17. pride5123
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    The true ending is fine, it definitely elicited some emotions out of me. I'm still definitely satisfied with the overall package, and looking forward to where they take the series next.
  18. halogenZ
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    The Legend of Heroes is a great series. There are many JRPGs, but it's rare that the story is long like this game. It feels like watching a drama. Fans are empathized with numerous characters and stories.
    In my opinion, it can be a very good game if only better graphics and technology are supported. However, as an RPG fan, there was no problem in enjoying this enough.
  19. AAsupersonic
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    Rean fate, Class7 course of actions, Can't wait to see the end of this saga with the story of the kiseki series truly a it's peak! It was a long wait. And the moment I saw them after Chapter 1, I was fascinated.
  20. passion819
    Oct 28, 2020
    10
    The story ends well. Great music gives me a sense of immersion. The process of gathering heroes is very interesting.
  21. PINKmint
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    CS4 hasn't bothered me and have enough story to hold my interest. I actually like that it takes a while to get going to build up the world/cast and not infodump everything on you in a single cutscene like some games do and that it has a really great menu/interface that lets you keep track of everything and even a quick travel feature.
  22. Mistoltean
    Oct 28, 2020
    8
    CS IV's story focuses on the curse of the Erebonia empire, but another curse about 4th time unlucky is more prominent.

    The game is what you expect from CS 1-3....however, the story pace issue is more obvious than before. Besides, the main problem of CS IV is "Third Time's the Charm" No longer works with CS IV. The underlying problem is "who is the suitable marketing target for CSIV"    CS IV's story focuses on the curse of the Erebonia empire, but another curse about 4th time unlucky is more prominent.

    The game is what you expect from CS 1-3....however, the story pace issue is more obvious than before. Besides, the main problem of CS IV is "Third Time's the Charm" No longer works with CS IV.

    The underlying problem is "who is the suitable marketing target for CSIV" ???

    For a new player to the series to start with IV, it is hard to connect with the large cast from old and new classes VII and from the other series.

    For the hardcore players of CS, they got through the same things thrice, 4th time is overkill.
    Same pattern, same mini fishing, school grade blah blah, tutorials, similar ordeals to introduction new char. Big-shot villains came out of nowhere just to tease fighting you then leave without conclusion, even though they can wipe your @ss clean. Your old class VII outfits look the same with III, only new VII gets the new outfits. However, they still recycle the animation, crafts, arts and blah blah. It looks like cheap work that can irritate players depending on your tolerance for its recycling. It is not on the same level as compile hearts, but it should not be expected from Falcom. Three times is still ok, fourth is testing the player's endurance.

    If CS is done in 3 parts then it has less problem with fillers/dragging down the story. This kind of repetitive and animation recycling problem also occurs with the Super Robot Wars series recently and similar to CS.

    I feel like most of the problems mentioned in this review is coming from not sufficient story materials to make CSIV, as they did not really plan for 4 parts, but too many to fit in III. Bloat load of chars seems like their solution to cover up this issue and distinct IV from I, II, III since IV is essentially the reiteration of CSII....

    By far, besides pacing issue, bloat load of chars that lead to shallow characterization, and the curse of 4th time, the game itself is very great JRPG. It is that I expected more from Falcom's standard and my suffering from cliffhanger from CSIII ending. Come on you can do better with Carvard, the next arc.

    PS. Don't get me wrong. I still love IV and playing it to reach the closure of Erebonia Saga, but can understand the underlying issues that cause controversy among the fans. That is why I rate it lower than 1,2 or 3.    … Expand
  23. universestar
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    Cold Steel 4 story is very engaging and full of charming characters, both in your party and NPCs. It even has some surprisingly interesting things to say about themes that not a lot of games touch so directly, like how class systems affect society and its people.
    Turbo modes are always useful for RPGs but in Trails especially so, since they help the already fast-paced combat feel like    Cold Steel 4 story is very engaging and full of charming characters, both in your party and NPCs. It even has some surprisingly interesting things to say about themes that not a lot of games touch so directly, like how class systems affect society and its people.
    Turbo modes are always useful for RPGs but in Trails especially so, since they help the already fast-paced combat feel like it’s going at the speed of light.    … Expand
  24. applechips
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    The Cold Steel series aren't the classics that the Sky series are, but they're still very good. NPC stories, combat, dungeons/exploration, etc. are all much better.
  25. cowboywa
    Nov 1, 2020
    10
    It is a turn-based RPG series and each game in the series has over 60~100 hours of playtime. What keeps you going in spite of that is the growing relationships between all of the main characters and how you continue to learn more and more about their pasts and struggles. It feels more akin to an interactive anime than a traditional RPG but the format makes it more engrossing than theIt is a turn-based RPG series and each game in the series has over 60~100 hours of playtime. What keeps you going in spite of that is the growing relationships between all of the main characters and how you continue to learn more and more about their pasts and struggles. It feels more akin to an interactive anime than a traditional RPG but the format makes it more engrossing than the visual novels that are usually more synonymous with that description.… Expand
  26. winter-lion
    Nov 1, 2020
    10
    CS4 is def my favourite arc in many ways, and it always feels like they improve each game while also taking the story and gameplay in new directions.
  27. 9TV
    Nov 1, 2020
    10
    The story is engaging. It had me enthralled the whole time then at the end. it left me wanting more.
    The characters are amazing. As time moves forward, they start to grow, and you see it through every single step of the way. You're growing with them and I love that.
    The story will bring up times and places where other characters can show off their unique talents/assets/knowledge/etc. And    The story is engaging. It had me enthralled the whole time then at the end. it left me wanting more.
    The characters are amazing. As time moves forward, they start to grow, and you see it through every single step of the way. You're growing with them and I love that.
    The story will bring up times and places where other characters can show off their unique talents/assets/knowledge/etc. And you get to know that when you interact with them more and more.    … Expand
  28. Fuzzy--Bear
    Nov 1, 2020
    10
    This game is fantastic. A great story, good combat, and tech-wise a fantastically smooth port that really shouldn't be a pleasant surprise that it works so well. after playing through CS3 and 4 the characters really do grow on you, story was awesome and the characters will suck you into their lives from start to finish, was also nice to see how everyone grew up. Fantastic world building asThis game is fantastic. A great story, good combat, and tech-wise a fantastically smooth port that really shouldn't be a pleasant surprise that it works so well. after playing through CS3 and 4 the characters really do grow on you, story was awesome and the characters will suck you into their lives from start to finish, was also nice to see how everyone grew up. Fantastic world building as well with lovable NPC's to talk to.… Expand
  29. Chaosball
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    It's a great port and a great RPG. Trails of Coldsteel iv still does a great job of world building.
    The characters are hit and miss as far as I'm concerned, some are interesting while others are pretty one-dimensional.
    Story, characters and setting all turned out to be much better then I expected. And theres a lot of character development in the game as well, including sidecharacter    It's a great port and a great RPG. Trails of Coldsteel iv still does a great job of world building.
    The characters are hit and miss as far as I'm concerned, some are interesting while others are pretty one-dimensional.
    Story, characters and setting all turned out to be much better then I expected. And theres a lot of character development in the game as well, including sidecharacter NPCs.
    Dungeon complexity is on average a bit lower than CS2. Therefore, finding directions can be made easier.    … Expand
  30. sophiagreen
    Nov 1, 2020
    10
    Get ready to be reunited with old faces and also meet some new ones in the process. I love RPG.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best PS4 Game of 2020
43
#43 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Shindig
    Mar 10, 2021
    100
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV is the dramatic conclusion to a grand epic that’s been almost a decade in the making. It’s another chance to spend time with a bunch of characters that have become like family across three prior games, and the culmination of a nuanced exploration of the many faces of war. Most of all, it’s the sort of payoff that only hundreds of hours of meticulous, thoughtful worldbuilding can lead up to.
    Read full review
  2. GameMAG
    Feb 14, 2021
    70
    If you already invested more than 500 hours to the previous instalments of Trails of Cold Steel series, you would definitely enjoy seeing familiar faces and you would love the overall experience. But as a newcomer you should probably try earlier games first, just to see if you want to get invested in the whole franchise.
    Read full review
  3. TheSixthAxis
    Dec 9, 2020
    50
    Does The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV have a great story that's a worthy capstone to a ten-year JRPG saga? No, it doesn't. As a standalone experience, it's an impenetrable mess of fizzled out character arcs and bloated cutscenes. Despite all that, Trails of Cold Steel IV has addictive gameplay, dope music, and gorgeous character designs. If you want a fun and grind-heavy JRPG with a wild amount of options and battles, but don't mind turning your brain off to ignore the story and glaze over poorly-written cutscenes, then this is one's for you.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »