The Legend of Heroes Series - Possibly The Most Underrated JRPG Series

[ShitLurker]

Just found this thread because it was the most recently commented on and appeared on the front page, now I just need to find a fragrance one and a figure skating one and I'll be covered as far as my bigger interests go. I'm not big on video games, after Golden Sun 2, I went over 10 years without playing anything because nothing piqued my interest and it was the Legend of Heroes series that got me back into games so it holds a special place in my heart.

Really happy to hear I'm not the only one on here who's had the pleasure to play these games. I don't watch anime or anything so I'm pretty immune to tropes I hear people complaining about- my husband couldn't get into them because he's played a lot of JRPGs and he finds Trails to be kind of formulaic, so I don't have lots of people I can talk about this game series with!

Legend of heroes got me back into JRPGs hard. Funny enough I didn't even know it existed till I saw this thread years ago and I started scratching around to get more deets. Then powered through all of the series in 2-3 years having a grand old time. It can be pretty tropey, won't deny it (Cold Steel harem specially) but I do enjoy the world building a lot and the love and detail placed on the NPCs.

Hell, playing other rpgs like Tales of Berseria I had to tell myself to not bother with the NPCs since they won't have a fraction of care put into them like with Trails.

 

[anustart76]

I don't really like turn-based combat, but it looks like Nayuta is an ARPG? Was it good?

 

[ShitLurker]

I don't really like turn-based combat, but it looks like Nayuta is an ARPG? Was it good?

Haven't played it, so can't speak of quality, but it kind of falls into into "spinoff" territory since narratively it doesn't have any relation (that I know of) to the Trails games. It is indeed an action RPG and I've heard good things about it, but it's for the most part it's own thing.

 

[ForgedBlades]

I will say, it was pretty surreal to hold a copy of a localized Zero no Kiseki in my hands. Had honestly given up hope that the day would come.

 

[IDanceonTrannyGraves]

I finally ordered Cold Steel 1. What am I in for?

 

[Triple Flutz]

I finally ordered Cold Steel 1. What am I in for?

That was my first, too! Most people will tell you to start with Sky, then Crossbell, (Only one of which is currently localised, but the other one is on the way!) then Cold Steel, but I honestly don't think it's such a huge deal. I do recommend that if you like Cold Steel, you give the other ones a chance preferably right after 1 and definitely before 3 because a lot of references and character history and bonds will be a bit confusing, but you'll still put the pieces together even if you choose not to.

Expect great storytelling, a constantly evolving world with great NPCs, (I talked to every NPC anytime the story progressed because so does their dialogue and they tend to have self-contained, optional character arcs!) compelling character with interesting relationships with one another, and some uncomfortable moments à la ''I swear, she is 9000 years old!'' if you, like me, aren't into anime and have only played a few JRPGs and thus aren't desensitised to that sort of thing- Japs will do what Japs do and it can be jarring when you're not used to it, but it's telling that I'm such a huge fan of the series despite my distaste for their weirdness when it comes to that.

You're in for a treat. Please update us when you play!

 

[ForgedBlades]

I finally ordered Cold Steel 1. What am I in for?

Cold Steel literally and unironically was a life changing experience for me. Make of that what you will.

 

[Seraphic_Vishnal]

Just bought Trails from Zero. I like it so far I kind of wish I had played this before I spoiled myself with Cold Steel.

 

[Mexican_Wizard_711]

I finally ordered Cold Steel 1. What am I in for?

Waifu shenanigans and Big Mechs

 

[ZemurianWarrior62039]

Waifu shenanigans and Big Mechs

That's just Cold Steel in a nutshell. Buckle up, cause you're on Kondo's wild ride.

 

[IDanceonTrannyGraves]

That was my first, too! Most people will tell you to start with Sky, then Crossbell, (Only one of which is currently localised, but the other one is on the way!) then Cold Steel, but I honestly don't think it's such a huge deal. I do recommend that if you like Cold Steel, you give the other ones a chance preferably right after 1 and definitely before 3 because a lot of references and character history and bonds will be a bit confusing, but you'll still put the pieces together even if you choose not to.

Expect great storytelling, a constantly evolving world with great NPCs, (I talked to every NPC anytime the story progressed because so does their dialogue and they tend to have self-contained, optional character arcs!) compelling character with interesting relationships with one another, and some uncomfortable moments à la ''I swear, she is 9000 years old!'' if you, like me, aren't into anime and have only played a few JRPGs and thus aren't desensitised to that sort of thing- Japs will do what Japs do and it can be jarring when you're not used to it, but it's telling that I'm such a huge fan of the series despite my distaste for their weirdness when it comes to that.

You're in for a treat. Please update us when you play!

I have Trails 1 for PSP, but when XSeed went digital only for the rest of the series and said "If you don't like it, that's your problem", I stopped supporting the series entirely. Very glad those cunts at XSeed are no longer publishing these games.

I've been playing JRPGs since the PS1 era, so I'm pretty desensitised to the tropes at this point at least.

 

[ShitLurker]

I finally ordered Cold Steel 1. What am I in for?

What can become a very long yer fulfilling gaming experience. I do suggest you start with Trails in the Sky 1 but if you are already playing Cold Steel 1 then keep at it. But if you do enjoy you'll sooner or later want to play all other games to get more context.

Game play wise as long as you don't play on hard it's simple enough and if you start having a hard time with the proper orbment setup you can pretty much break the game in half with ease.

 

[Scuttle]

I don't really like turn-based combat, but it looks like Nayuta is an ARPG? Was it good?

I enjoy it quite a lot.

It's much shorter than other Trails games, clocking in at about 20-25 hours, and it's gameplay is a lot more Ys/Zwei/Secret of Mana.

My crackhead theory is that this game will at some point become canon to the main Trails series due to certain things so it's worth checking out both as a standalone and auxillary of another series.

 

[ForgedBlades]

Kuro 2 first week sales at 50k total, 20k lower than Kuro 1 despite the fact it released across two platforms.

There needs to be some serious soul searching at Falcom. Whether that's shifting to Switch or something else. Not good.

 

[Scarlett Johansson]

I think they're working on a Sky trilogy remaster. How is the anime btw? Its on sale lol.

I miss kanako kotera and the band. I wonder why they left?

 

[ShitLurker]

Kuro 2 first week sales at 50k total, 20k lower than Kuro 1 despite the fact it released across two platforms.

There needs to be some serious soul searching at Falcom. Whether that's shifting to Switch or something else. Not good.

Spoiler free question but were people unhappy with how Kuro 1 ended? God knows Falcon love their cliffhangers and if it's anything like cold steel 1 or 3 y would be surprised it wasn't a day 1 buy for anybody that finished it.

Or is there other motives posibly behind it like intense competition or sonethibg scummy?

 

[ForgedBlades]

How is the anime btw?

Bad. Not even so bad it's good, just bad.

Spoiler free question but were people unhappy with how Kuro 1 ended? God knows Falcon love their cliffhangers and if it's anything like cold steel 1 or 3 y would be surprised it wasn't a day 1 buy for anybody that finished it.

I don't know as I'm also trying to avoid spoilers, but the general vibe I'm getting is that Kuro 2 is the weakest game to date and that there's very little meaningful advancing of the narrative and that it's just 80 hours of tire spinning.

 

[ShitLurker]

Bad. Not even so bad it's good, just bad.


I don't know as I'm also trying to avoid spoilers, but the general vibe I'm getting is that Kuro 2 is the weakest game to date and that there's very little meaningful advancing of the narrative and that it's just 80 hours of tire spinning.

Big fucking oof.... I know fuck all about Kuro (and want to keep it that way) but did Kuro 1 also get a similar reception?

And the anime is about the anexation of Ambria, right? Pretty shit then due to plot, animation or both?

 

[SSj_Ness (Yiffed)]

Trying The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky again after nearly falling asleep 15m in the first time a while back. I can't believe how slow and meandering the opening is, the feels like filler.

I'm going to see how much I can take, but is there a better game in the series to start with without missing anything important? I want to give this series a fair shot.

 

[ShitLurker]

Trying The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky again after nearly falling asleep 15m in the first time a while back. I can't believe how slow and meandering the opening is, the feels like filler.

I'm going to see how much I can take, but is there a better game in the series to start with without missing anything important? I want to give this series a fair shot.

Honestly, trails 1 is basically setup the gane. I consider it very comfy setup but it will take a while for things to start happening abd trails 2 is a direct sequel (starts minutes after first one ends)

If you really cannot for the life of you soldier through. Trails of Zero is more dynamic but stuff will lose impact without Sky in yout back.

Cold Steel is another good place to start, but there you miss a good chunk of payoff from the other series. Also Cold Steel 1 also has a very slow start.