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

[ShitLurker]

I have been thinking of replaying Sky eventually. Though I need to see how the remake ends up before I decide if I want to do it though it. Remakes have felt like prettied up downgrades for a while now, so I still distrust it as of now.

That aside, still playing Kuro. The combat system is ok, but I am annoyed that SCraft can't be used to steal buffs anymore, same deal with delays and setting up spell actions to coincide in the right turn order. Removes a lot of strategy from it.

 

[Poyo Sato]

I've been playing the Trails series sparingly for the past 3 years or so, starting from Sky FC. Now, I'm on the last dungeon of Azure, and I think I'll finish it quite soon.

That being said, I want to ask something. How much will I miss if I skip the Cold Steel series and jump straight to Reverie? Will it make Reverie's story uncomprehensible?

I don't really want to go through Cold Steel because from what I know, it's quite a slog. Four games, which individually can clock into 100 hours. I don't know if I can bear it.

Also, I'm not a fan of dating sim mechanics which Cold Steel is (in)famous for. One thing I really like from the Trails series so far, is that character developments feel quite organic, it feels like we're on a journey together and it made me realize that character developments in JRPGS with dating sim mechanic like the acclaimed Persona 5 isn't really that good actually.

It's like locking character development inside side quests while putting aside some other characters' development altogether, and at least in case of Persona, only have minimal bearings on the main story, if any. It also making it looks like the characters only hangout and grow with the protag and the protag alone, eliminating the feel that "we're on this together".

 

[X Prime]

it feels like we're on a journey together and it made me realize that character developments in JRPGS with dating sim mechanic like the acclaimed Persona 5 isn't really that good actually.

It's like locking character development inside side quests while putting aside some other characters' development altogether, and at least in case of Persona, only have minimal bearings on the main story, if any. It also making it looks like the characters only hangout and grow with the protag and the protag alone, eliminating the feel that "we're on this together".

Finally, someone besides me fucking says it.

Harem/dating sim bullshit has managed to make character writing even worse over the years in RPGs, which is very impressive.

 

[ShitLurker]

I've been playing the Trails series sparingly for the past 3 years or so, starting from Sky FC. Now, I'm on the last dungeon of Azure, and I think I'll finish it quite soon.

That being said, I want to ask something. How much will I miss if I skip the Cold Steel series and jump straight to Reverie? Will it make Reverie's story uncomprehensible?

I don't really want to go through Cold Steel because from what I know, it's quite a slog. Four games, which individually can clock into 100 hours. I don't know if I can bear it.

Also, I'm not a fan of dating sim mechanics which Cold Steel is (in)famous for. One thing I really like from the Trails series so far, is that character developments feel quite organic, it feels like we're on a journey together and it made me realize that character developments in JRPGS with dating sim mechanic like the acclaimed Persona 5 isn't really that good actually.

It's like locking character development inside side quests while putting aside some other characters' development altogether, and at least in case of Persona, only have minimal bearings on the main story, if any. It also making it looks like the characters only hangout and grow with the protag and the protag alone, eliminating the feel that "we're on this together".

Reverie will be outright incomprehensible without the last 4 games. Cold Steel started an absurd amount of character bloat and in Reverie EVERYONE IS BACK! As for the core plot.... I guess the synopsis can sort of get you up to speed, but you will have 0 investment in any of these characters. Cold Steel is still the weakest arc as far as I'm concerned though, so I won't sugar coat it either. Best I can suggest is give 1 a try (go through the seven seas if you don't want to pay for something you aren't sure of) and if after a few hours you can't muster giving a shit about any of the characters or their starting arcs, skip to the next one, since I think playing a few hours of each will give you a better feel for things maybe.

As for the dating part. It's a copout. On 1 and 2 there is a bit to it since you do get some extra scenes with your waifu and it feels like something proper is happening, but the 4 possible waifus bloating to like 15 possible endings suddenly means that all advancement is frozen in time. A lot of the female cast is fucked over by this since they can't move on from Rean. As for missing out on scenes, I suggest you grab NG+ save files, when starting a game in NG+ you can set infinite bonding points and that means you can do all of the social interactions without having to pick and choose. These games are long enough as is to have to replay them to see the scenes for another character.

P5 has the exact same problem where all the waifus are locked in ice and the one you romance suddenly is a non entity once you get your final scene since there is barely any follow up. Doing something actually satisfying in choose your waifu games involves a lot more effort that only VN seems to be willing to go into. So after going through multiple games like this, I'm a firm believer in linear narrative progression instead of a meandering branching system that doesn't properly commit.

Finally, someone besides me fucking says it.

Harem/dating sim bullshit has managed to make character writing even worse over the years in RPGs, which is very impressive.

Sadly agreed. Studios aren't willing to put the time and money on what ifs which are a must if you want an organic narrative like this. If I date Emma and don't give Laura the time of day, Laura should have her own thing going and viceversa, but as of now, I can't think of any game outside of VN that actually does this.

 

[Gamepads]

As for the dating part. It's a copout. On 1 and 2 there is a bit to it since you do get some extra scenes with your waifu and it feels like something proper is happening, but the 4 possible waifus bloating to like 15 possible endings suddenly means that all advancement is frozen in time. A lot of the female cast is fucked over by this since they can't move on from Rean.

If I date Emma and don't give Laura the time of day, Laura should have her own thing going and viceversa, but as of now, I can't think of any game outside of VN that actually does this.

It says a lot the fan favorite CS pairing after the crack Rean x Crow is actually Jusis x Millium. The latter gets to do her own thing instead of being stuck. Her own sister gets cursed with that instead.

 

[AWarmToiletSeat]

RPGs are usually weak sauce games for Waifu worship (unless it's like rune factory or something) if that's what you want, submit to the yuzusoft overlords and read a book game.

 

[X Prime]

Sadly agreed. Studios aren't willing to put the time and money on what ifs which are a must if you want an organic narrative like this.

I think it's not even a question of time or money - there's kind of no point to it. Companies are legitimately better off not doing it if they go the effective-harem route because if it is perceived that there is more effort on a given waifu, it pisses off the fans of the other options.

But it sells, so what can you do.

 

[ShitLurker]

It says a lot the fan favorite CS pairing after the crack Rean x Crow is actually Jusis x Millium. The latter gets to do her own thing instead of being stuck. Her own sister gets cursed with that instead.

Leaving aside the Albarea's "taste on women", I'm not surprised, those two have been interacting and building up their relationship for 5 games in the background without any sort of "oh shit, we need to allow player choice!" fucking it over. Juna got done real dirty going from CS3 to CS4 in that sense. The recurring NPCs like Anton have more satisfactory arcs than the trapped waifus.

I think it's not even a question of time or money - there's kind of no point to it. Companies are legitimately better off not doing it if they go the effective-harem route because if it is perceived that there is more effort on a given waifu, it pisses off the fans of the other options.

But it sells, so what can you do.

I imagine if they put it in it's because it's popular but I can't be the only one that thinks "that ended in a wet fart" after going through it. I much rather have a single story thread that is tightly knit and with moments that actually carry over than a couple of vignettes that are never talked about ever again even if that involves "the chosen one" not being my favorite waifu.

I want to believe CS was the culmination of this fuck up and that Daybreak won't do it too much. At most a triangle with Elaine and Agnes for some drama, but nothing beyond that.

 

[Freelance Police]

That being said, I want to ask something. How much will I miss if I skip the Cold Steel series and jump straight to Reverie? Will it make Reverie's story uncomprehensible?

Reverie ties more into Coldsteel than it does to Sky or Crossbell. Two of the three routes are centered around Coldsteel characters and the story as a whole is closely tied to Rean, so unfortunately you will be very lost even if you're just in it to see how Crossbell is doing.

 

[Slap47]

A huge chunk of the appeal of these games is that they reward you for playing and paying attention in the previous games. You should not skip any of them.

 

[Esquilax]

Like I get people don't like Rean, but if you're already 5 games deep into these dialogue heavy games, you're probably going to enjoy the Cold Steel games regardless. Think it's mainly contrarianism that people hate on the Cold Steel games, because they're definitely the most -anime- and popular out of the series.

 

[ShitLurker]

Like I get people don't like Rean, but if you're already 5 games deep into these dialogue heavy games, you're probably going to enjoy the Cold Steel games regardless. Think it's mainly contrarianism that people hate on the Cold Steel games, because they're definitely the most -anime- and popular out of the series.

I enjoyed my time with them, but I definitely ended all Reaned out.

Van on the other hand I'm liking a lot as of now. I'm in the Intermission chapter and though even when in the "dark side" everybody is a saint, I do like how Van is more of a cheeky bastard and I also enjoy his OCD about cars, sweets and saunas. Aaron is also a great foil for him.

 

[Flopper]

Rean has had five games to develop, and he's still somehow this super sad sick bitch of a jobber who constantly blames himself for everything and can't accept any form of praise or recognition. Like, I get being humble, every hero's journey has moments of weakness, but holy shit, man.
Van's fine, I don't have much to say about him, but the fact that people joke about him being "an old man" just because he's in his twenties gets a bit tiring.
Motherfucker got played so hard by Agnes in Kai, lmao.

 

[Road Work Ahead]

After quitting Sky FC after chapter 1 in 2014 (I can't believe that the steam cloud save was still there), I've given it another shot and am in the final chapter. I'veprobably missed a bunch by not being autistic enough to talk with every NPC after every story beat but am having fun nonetheless. Looking forward to the other games.

 

[Scarlett Johansson]

I've been playing the Trails series sparingly for the past 3 years or so, starting from Sky FC. Now, I'm on the last dungeon of Azure, and I think I'll finish it quite soon.

That being said, I want to ask something. How much will I miss if I skip the Cold Steel series and jump straight to Reverie? Will it make Reverie's story uncomprehensible?

I don't really want to go through Cold Steel because from what I know, it's quite a slog. Four games, which individually can clock into 100 hours. I don't know if I can bear it.

Also, I'm not a fan of dating sim mechanics which Cold Steel is (in)famous for. One thing I really like from the Trails series so far, is that character developments feel quite organic, it feels like we're on a journey together and it made me realize that character developments in JRPGS with dating sim mechanic like the acclaimed Persona 5 isn't really that good actually.

It's like locking character development inside side quests while putting aside some other characters' development altogether, and at least in case of Persona, only have minimal bearings on the main story, if any. It also making it looks like the characters only hangout and grow with the protag and the protag alone, eliminating the feel that "we're on this together".

Unpopular opinion but I like Cold Steel. You will definitely miss stuff by skipping it and going to Reverie because the characters from that play a big part. Sky and Crossbell characters show up in the Cold Steel games anyway.

 

[Road Work Ahead]

Finished Sky FC. I quite enjoyed it.

Started SC, and I'm not going to be shipped to some island, right?

 

[Freelance Police]

Finished Sky FC. I quite enjoyed it.

Started SC, and I'm not going to be shipped to some island, right?
View attachment 6675271

Funny you should ask...

 

[Road Work Ahead]

So I finished the sky trilogy. Wasn't a huge fan or 3, as it felt like a filler ark. SC was great though, definitely my favorite of the bunch.

Thank God for the speed up function. Based on the difference between the in-game time and steam, it saved me around 10 hours per game.

Onto Trails from Zero.

 

[Flopper]

So I finished the sky trilogy. Wasn't a huge fan or 3, as it felt like a filler ark. SC was great though, definitely my favorite of the bunch.

Thank God for the speed up function. Based on the difference between the in-game time and steam, it saved me around 10 hours per game.

Onto Trails from Zero.

3rd is the best of the three Sky games imo, just because it's so insanely character-focused, and serves as a perfect sendoff to the Sky arc, and sets up both Crossbell and Cold Steel. Without giving anything away, it *definitely* isn't filler, and anyone who says otherwise are either being disingenious or are retarded.

 

[Road Work Ahead]

3rd is the best of the three Sky games imo, just because it's so insanely character-focused, and serves as a perfect sendoff to the Sky arc, and sets up both Crossbell and Cold Steel. Without giving anything away, it *definitely* isn't filler, and anyone who says otherwise are either being disingenious or are retarded.

Filler was probably the wrong choice of word.

I just didn't really get on with how the game was structured. Exploring mostly the same areas for a third time and having the character stories being given (what felt like) randomly through the doors.

16 playable characters was also too many, and having to level and equip them all for the final dungeon was a bit of a drag.