The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II

Even those more dubious might find something to love thanks to a frantic and fun battle system, incredible music and a masterfully crafted world setting. I for one am left eagerly waiting to see what this series has in store in the future.

A direct sequel in a time where that is exceedingly rare, and a very welcome one at that. The original Trails of Cold Steel was a great game that was under appreciated, and this sequel brings all of the same charm and quality from the first and does more preserving than improving. With some slight improvements and great source material, Trails of Cold Steel II is a no-brainer to add to any JRPG collection.

A modern JRPG masterpiece. It is the perfect blend of the classic JRPG formula mixed with contemporary features. Almost everything this title does has had some equivalent seen in RPGs that came before it, but they have been tweaked where the experience still feels fresh.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II hits all the right notes. Combat is outstanding, proving that turn-based battles are still alive and well when done skillfully. The story is great, even if it does take a while to get started up again.

Cold Steel II is staunchly traditional in most ways but also exceptionally attentive to all of the details that make classic, story-driven RPGs so wonderful when they're done right.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II not only improves upon the formula introduced in Trails of Cold Steel, but also pairs with the first game and others in the Trails series to create an epic overarching story unlike anything seen before in video games. If you like your RPGs lengthy and impeccably detailed, Trails of Cold Steel II is right up your alley.

Minor issues and pacing aside, it’s incredibly easy to recommend The Legend of heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 2 to fans of the original. The storyline stakes are higher than ever, the additions to the battle system are intelligent and deftly handled, Laura’s back with her massive freaking sword, and the team of Class VII are as likeable a bunch as ever. For newcomers, my advice absolutely has to be repeated: start with the first game. It may a huge time investment given that both entries take approximately 70 hours each, but it’s worth it for anyone looking to experience one of the most well-crafted JRPGs in recent history.

Quotation forthcoming.

This game is very different from the first Legend of Heroes. The story will stick with you for a long time, and it is amazing how the game toys with your righteousness.

Excellent sequel of one of the best JRPG available for PS3 and PS Vita. Plenty of hours of turned based battles awaits you.

Trails of Cold Steel II cements my personal belief that Falcom is leagues ahead of almost everyone when it comes to RPGs, although their games are still let down by some technical issues.

The exciting, fun turn-based combat, too, is an absolute treat to revisit, even if I’d have liked to see more meaningful changes and improvements made to its systems. If you didn’t play the original game and are interested in diving into Trails of Cold Steel II right away, I implore you to go back and play its predecessor first; not only do I find that a superior game, but I can already imagine the bewilderment of the poor soul who attempts to go into this one’s insanely detailed lore without a hint of background information. On the other hand, for those folks who did play and enjoy, know that this second entry is just more of the same great thing, and that was good enough for me to have a really fun time.

A proper sequel to the anime civil war drama. More playable characters, new options within the turn based battles and a flexible skill system offer more variety for mobile strategists.

More a continuation of the events of the first game than a proper sequel, Trails of Cold Steel II is "more of the same" done right, as the basic gameplay of the prequel didn't need changes. While a no brainer for veterans, this second chapter is not recommended for newcomers, who should pick up the first title to have an understanding of the world and characters.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 2 continues where the previous game left off in every regard. Bar some minor changes, the gameplay remains largely the same but the story continues to develop which will please fans. Don’t start here if you’re interested but look forward to this after you’ve experienced the similarly excellent original.

The worst thing about this sequel is that it's no longer surprising. But that's good news, because it means it is still a great RPG. 

While Trails of Cold Steel II doesn’t always lend itself to on the go gaming, it deserves a spot in your Vita library regardless.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II is exactly how a sequel should be: it respects its prequel’s strengths, brings them to new heights, and also strives to remediate its flaws.

Cold Steel II does exactly what the middle arc of a trilogy should do – keep you intrigued and guessing. Upon finishing, I was even more invested in the narrative and characters and looked up how Falcom’s progress on the third entry was going. The wait already seems unbearable because I need to know what happens next; I haven’t had this much fun with plot twists and crazy villains in a while. When a video game story just gets its hooks in you like that, it’s done its job well.

A solid and enjoyable sequel. The tone has changed, but the characterization and combat are back in full force. There are a few nagging complaints here and there but nothing that should sour the experience for people who enjoyed the first game. At worst, it feels too familiar in both strengths and weaknesses. Almost every complaint and praise about the first game can be leveled at the second. ToCS2 is not a game for newcomers at all and is only for fans of the first. Likewise, be prepared for a game that leaves as many questions as it answers. It's a more satisfying ending than the first game, but there's still a lot more going on in Erebonia.

Trails of Cold Steel II continues the excellent story that was begun in the first Trails of Cold Steel by raising the stakes exponentially. The combat system is not all that different this time around, but it feels as refined and polished as well, which is what any good sequel should be focused on doing.

Trails of Cold Steel II runs with the narrative left off from its predecessor, and the same level of detail and development that fans have come to expect is still ever present, even if the running effort trips up on occasion under its pace.

Another engrossing example of traditional Japanese role-playing, that’s still accessible enough for anyone to enjoy – as long as they’ve played the first one.

Trails Of Cold Steel II feels less like a sequel, and more like the second half of an incredibly rich JRPG experience. There’s a lot to take in between both these titles, and it can feel like a slog at times, especially with the first game. Cold Steel II does a great job of making that slog worth it, and delivers with an action packed story and a consistently challenging gameplay experience. It’s a hard sell for anyone who wouldn’t normally play a JRPG, but for fans of the genre it’s a cut above a lot of other modern examples, and for fans of Cold Steel I, it’s a must-buy.