Current Events > Trails in the Sky I sincerely see as masterpiece video games.

(+) Yeah! (+)

And I use that word sparingly (so far it's also Steins;gate/0, New Vegas, Deus Ex, Witcher 3). I haven't played 3rd or Cold Steel yet but Second Chapter is completely blowing me the fuck away. I already loved FC and SC up to now, but it continues to amp up by incredible degrees.

First I have to mention it's palpable how much love has been poured into the development of these games and also their localizations by XSEED. The games are very text heavy (SC has 716k words, for example) and there's a large focus on character development, world-building, and the world lore. And there's a crazy amount of it that all tie into each other with the other arcs of the series, as well. There's so much effort put into everything, even the extremely minor NPCs are fleshed out with their own personalities that you can see as you go through the games. Moreso if you carry your save data over.

Plus it one of the best characters ever: Olivier (duh!).


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Bump
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I want to play these. what systems are they for?

I don't have a game ready PC, and the newest system I have is an xbox 360. (other than my NEW 3ds).
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Paper_Okami posted...

I want to play these. what systems are they for?

I don't have a game ready PC, and the newest system I have is an xbox 360. (other than my NEW 3ds).

First Chapter and Second Chapter are on PSP/Vita and PC. Sky the 3rd is only on PC. Cold Steel I & II are on Vita and PS3 and soon to be PC, Cold Steel III might be localized by next year and will be for PS4 and likely PC.
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I also think FC and SC were masterpieces. The 3rd is....polarizing. It seems like you either love it or hate it. The narrative structure is radically different from the first two.
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Allanon23 posted...

I also think FC and SC were masterpieces. The 3rd is....polarizing. It seems like you either love it or hate it. The narrative structure is radically different from the first two.

Yeah, I hear how different it is. My SO just completed it and he told me a lot of the gameplay and structure of it while he played through it and I'm sure I'll like it a lot.
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Yeah obviously @TC

ShadowStarEdge posted...

Yeah obviously @TC

About the Olivier part, right? :)
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Yeah that too, but the Trails series as a whole is a masterpiece

And I say this as a person who plays any and everything as long as I have the time to

You need to finish up SC very soon, I'm on pins and needles waiting for you.
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I still reserve that for Dead Rising but it's up there
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ShadowStarEdge posted...

Yeah that too, but the Trails series as a whole is a masterpiece

And I say this as a person who plays any and everything as long as I have the time to

I get all excited for a lot of games and I enjoy them easily, I admit, but I do use the word "masterpiece" sparingly lol.

Unquestionable posted...

You need to finish up SC very soon, I'm on pins and needles waiting for you.

Soon! :D I'm so excited to find out what happens!

GiftedACIII posted...

I still reserve that for Dead Rising but it's up there

u wot m8 lol
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Schera is my spirit animal.
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Olivier appear in every single installment on the series too he is just that awesome.

Also you will see hess badass/faboulous side in the third.

I love this series so much.
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Paper_Okami posted...

"

All trailz in the sky games are old and they are a great port. Most 2010+ computer and laptop should be able to run it smoothly or at least at playable frames.

@Paper_Okami
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I bought the first one on steam months ago but havent even installed it
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Masterpieces:

Stardew Valley
Dark Souls 1
Chrono Trigger
Super Mario World
Metal Gear Solid 3
Castlvania SotN
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apolloooo posted...

Paper_Okami posted...

"

All trailz in the sky games are old and they are a great port. Most 2010+ computer and laptop should be able to run it smoothly or at least at playable frames.

@Paper_Okami

okay, thanks.
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apolloooo posted...

Olivier appear in every single installment on the series too he is just that awesome.

Also you will see hess badass/faboulous side in the third.

I love this series so much.

The more Olivier the better. <3<3

refmon posted...

I bought the first one on steam months ago but havent even installed it

Should definitely give it a go. I bought FC in 2014 and sat on it for two years before I played it.

solosnake posted...

Masterpieces:

Stardew Valley
Dark Souls 1
Chrono Trigger
Super Mario World
Metal Gear Solid 3
Castlvania SotN

I considered listing Dark Souls, but then I wasn't sure whether to go with 1 or 3. Then I just decided I don't really think of them as that. Almost, though.
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i just finished the third. damn ;_;

also this just made me wanting more of this series. definitely. i love trails so much. when the series is finished and all coming to the west, i will do a giant playtrough to remember the memories and experience the whole games with much needed details and context.

it's been 1 and half years since SC, some of the finer details were lost on me although i rmember most of the major stuff.

go trough the damn game guys so we can talk about stuff
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apolloooo posted...

i just finished the third. damn ;_;

also this just made me wanting more of this series. definitely. i love trails so much. when the series is finished and all coming to the west, i will do a giant playtrough to remember the memories and experience the whole games with much needed details and context.

it's been 1 and half years since SC, some of the finer details were lost on me although i rmember most of the major stuff.

go trough the damn game guys so we can talk about stuff

I heard that Falcom said they're roughly halfway done with the franchise.
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I've had the first one installed but never launched since I bought it when it was on sale after watching my friends play some of it.

I need to start it, but I'm currently working on Pillars of Eternity.
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SolKarellen posted...

I've had the first one installed but never launched since I bought it when it was on sale after watching my friends play some of it.

I need to start it, but I'm currently working on Pillars of Eternity.

Fair enough, Pillars can take a bit too. Great game. After that, though, I really suggest Trails FC. ;)
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Leanaunfurled posted...

I heard that Falcom said they're roughly halfway done with the franchise.

yeah. probably they will do calvard after erebonia.

there are smaller countries and city states too:

North Ambria
Remiferia
Leman State
Holy City of Arteria
Ored State
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uuugh i feel empty inside there is a big hole inside my heart knowing i will never experience the sky games on the first time again. so glad more is to come.
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apolloooo posted...

yeah. probably they will do calvard after erebonia.

there are smaller countries and city states too:

North Ambria
Remiferia
Leman State
Holy City of Arteria
Ored State

Holy City of Arteria sounds like it'd be really interesting.

Making my way through the towers still, just intered #3, where I fight Luciola.
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Can't wait for Cold Steel III.
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Ps2Twilight posted...

Can't wait for Cold Steel III.

I'm trying to decide what to do concerning that. I plan on doing the 3rd after SC, then CS I & II. I initially planned to wait for the Steam release, and while I don't think CS is that far away, there's no release window for CSII. Then there's also the question if CSIII will be on PC at the same time as localized PS4 or later. As minimal as it is, I love the save data carry over so that's my main concern.
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Leanaunfurled posted...

Ps2Twilight posted...

Can't wait for Cold Steel III.

I'm trying to decide what to do concerning that. I plan on doing the 3rd after SC, then CS I & II. I initially planned to wait for the Steam release, and while I don't think CS is that far away, there's no release window for CSII. Then there's also the question if CSIII will be on PC at the same time as localized PS4 or later. As minimal as it is, I love the save data carry over so that's my main concern.

I think the only thing about the upcoming PC version of Cold Steel is the additional voice acting? I'll probably pick it up too.

Also Tita is the most precious cinnamon bun
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Ps2Twilight posted...

I think the only thing about the upcoming PC version of Cold Steel is the additional voice acting? I'll probably pick it up too.

Also Tita is the most precious cinnamon bun

Yeah, 50% more voiced lines I believe. Other than that, the typical cleaned up graphics/FPS improvement stuff.

I admit I could barely stand Tita in FC. SC though, completely changed my opinion on her.
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Leanaunfurled posted...

so far it's also Steins;gate/0, New Vegas, Deus Ex, Witcher 3

opinion discarded
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FightingGames posted...

Leanaunfurled posted...

so far it's also Steins;gate/0, New Vegas, Deus Ex, Witcher 3

opinion discarded

What are your choices?
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Leanaunfurled posted...

Yeah, 50% more voiced lines I believe. Other than that, the typical cleaned up graphics/FPS improvement stuff.

I admit I could barely stand Tita in FC. SC though, completely changed my opinion on her.

rean didn't have voice acting in the psv/ps3 version, the PC one will (rean did have voice actor in the japan version, maybe xseed lacked the fund)

aside from that, yeha, 60 FPS, unlocked resolution and other neat pc stuff.

tita is awesome in both SC and 3rd. she really matured alot and still as adorable as a pie
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also i appreciate that the character levels stay consistent across the series. i hate it when an rpg series with the same character reset their level in the sequel. FC starts at level 10 ish, SC start at 40 and the third start at 90. by the time in the third, you know the stakes are alot higher and your characters are strong and fighting stronger enemies. it scale well with the story progression and the satisfaction of levelling your character in the previous games.

it really bothers me when the first game of an RPG you killed a giant monster for a final boss, then go back fighting rats in the sequel. they usually invent some bullshit story crap to explain why they are at level 1 again
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apolloooo posted...

rean didn't have voice acting in the psv/ps3 version, the PC one will (rean did have voice actor in the japan version, maybe xseed lacked the fund)

He definitely had voice acting, even the same amount in both versions. During the translations Xseed themselves said it was kind of strange he didn't have every line voiced but figured Falcom was trying to go for a VN feel.
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I'm up to the start of chapter 3 of SC right now, and I haven't played for the last few days. I need to get back into playing it, before my interest wanes and I get tempted by other games. I need to find Joshua so Estelle can smack him with her staff.

@Leanaunfurled posted...

The more Olivier the better. <3<3

You're in for a treat later on. :)

Also, those fuckers had better localize the Crossbell games, as events that happen in it are referenced to and occur the same as Cold Steel does.

Ps2Twilight posted...

I think the only thing about the upcoming PC version of Cold Steel is the additional voice acting? I'll probably pick it up too.

Also Tita is the most precious cinnamon bun

Oh shit, does that mean that we can play ToCS without all the god awful slowdown from the PS3 version? If they do truly transfer save data, I'll be more keenly interested in Cold Steel on the PC. I'm really curious as to how they're going to handle the save data transfer between Cold Steel 1 and 2 on the PS3 and Cold Steel 3 on the PS4.
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Alucard188 posted...

Oh shit, does that mean that we can play ToCS without all the god awful slowdown from the PS3 version? If they do truly transfer save data, I'll be more keenly interested in Cold Steel on the PC. I'm really curious as to how they're going to handle the save data transfer between Cold Steel 1 and 2 on the PS3 and Cold Steel 3 on the PS4.

I'm curious as well though I'm also presuming that it won't be much of a bonus for transfer, much like from SC to 3rd, considering not only is it a bit of a time skip but also most of the party has moved on with their lives

But yeah having finished 3rd earlier this week I'm feeling a sense of profound loss with no more localized Trails games to play. Aside from devouring any CS3 news that comes out I have my daily check up on the Zero fan translations and constantly looking up various lore.
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I haven't played the Trails in the Sky games, but I agree that Deus Ex and New Vegas are masterpieces. Same with MGS3 to the person that said it. I'd also add Super Metroid and/or Metroid Prime. Maybe REmake and F-Zero GX for their respective genres.

There a few more games that could be added purely for their impact too: Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, GTA III, Ultima Underworld, Thief, etc.

By the way, how much gameplay do the Trails in the Sky games feature (and how good is it)? I've heard that they lean quite heavily on the story side of things.

oh yeah, tehre is a canon in-between manga that you can read. found it on the steam forum

http://steamcommunity.com/app/436670/discussions/0/2741975115079794773/
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just read it. it's about what estelle and joshua been doing before the 3rd and crossbell arc.
it definitely take place before the 3rd, and introduce one new character that you will meet in the 3rd, also one character that you will meet in cold steel.

@Leanaunfurled
@Unquestionable


luigi13579 posted...

By the way, how much gameplay do the Trails in the Sky games feature (and how good is it)? I've heard that they lean quite heavily on the story side of things.

@luigi13579

i think the gameplay are above your usual turn based JRPG. most turn based jrpg lack combat field depth, which you just navigate a menu to attack/defend/item or cast spell. it is more like turn based SRPG where you have a 17x17 grid of battlefield, and have your characters and enemies move around in that, some attacks and spells have range whether it is for healing, attacking or support.

it isn't as deep as true SRPG like tactics ogre or ff tactics, but it still offer a great variety of things you can do in the battlefield. so yeah, positioning definitely matter. most regular battles are easy in normal or lower difficulty, so you can just go trough it without hassle or much strategizing. the time where the combat system shine is on boss battles and higher difficulty. some of the bosses can be tough, and thinking what move to do next and anticipating attack is fun.

most of the strategy comes from positioning and manipulating turn order. you can delay an enemy's attacks or make your character faster, sacrifice a turn to move out of enemy spell cast area, and finding their weakness etc. it is pretty standard turn based rpg but it is fun.

the character building is most of the time linear, as most jrpg you manipulate your character's stat with equipments. trails have orbments system where you put elemental orbs that can increase/decrease your stats and the combination also determine what spells they can use. this is where the fun in character building is. of course, being a JRPG, a character's stat level up automatically and you cannot really make a certain character excel in one aspect. for example, a character with melee/physical attack are always best combined with STR, etc orbments to complement their already high STR stat, as well as magic users. but there are fun combination you can make of this. for example, a glass cannon with high STR and high magic attack, but so frail they will be crushed if an enemy use strong attack, etc.

it kinda reminds me of the Djinns from golden sun if you played that game, but orbments are more varied and complex, since there are multiple types of orbments within 7 different elements. as a bonus orbments and stuff are pretty consistent to the worldbuilding so it doesnt feel out of place that a character can spew a fireball in a mostly non magical world.

so yeah, this is one of the few games that i find both story and gameplay to be good. the story, cahracters and writing of course is the game's main course, but the gameplay won't at least get you bored at the very least, or at best you will really get invested into it and find yourself experimenting with orbments settings and stuff.
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apolloooo posted...

@luigi13579

Hmm, that sounds like my kind of thing actually. I quite like grid-based battle systems, and anything where you can experiment with different combinations is good in my book. It reminds me a little of Grandia II, with the exception of being able to move your characters.

Yeah Trails in the Sky's fuckin' incredible. Like a perfection'a the usual JRPG formula

Cold Steel was a huge disappointment

Mako_Sharknado posted...

Yeah Trails in the Sky's fuckin' incredible. Like a perfection'a the usual JRPG formula

Cold Steel was a huge disappointment

i heard at least gameplay-wise coldsteel combat is an improvement of the sky formula.

i heard the plot itself is quite disappointing, but i understand it is more like FC where everything is slow and set up for major stuff that will happen in the sequels
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I wouldn't call Cold Steel a huge disappointment.

It was definitely anime tropey though with the high school setting and what not.

Cold Steel II however does away with the high school environment and a lot of shit happens. Pretty much a parallel between those and the Sky games.
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I think Cold Steel was rather good and added a ton to the lore. The characters were enjoyable enough but came a bit short compared to how well developed everyone was in Sky. I think a lot of the backlash comes from how it does draw quite a bit from many tropes popular in anime/gaming over the last decade.

Personally I found the end of CS1 to be possibly my favorite moment so far in the series, if only because it's one of the most intense set up for a sequel I've seen. Overall I like Sky better but it's like comparing a 10 to a 9.5, both are great but one edges out the other.
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Ok
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Woke up to quite a few posts on here lol. I think I'll love CS, myself, especially with all the characters. CSIII I'm very excited for. I mean, JUST LOOK AT TITA DDD'''AAAAAWWWW.
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Tita is the little sister i never knew i wanted.

Also young estelle is adorable as a cupcake too. You get a flashback of her and joshua's childhood in the 3rd.
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Leanaunfurled posted...

Woke up to quite a few posts on here lol. I think I'll love CS, myself, especially with all the characters. CSIII I'm very excited for. I mean, JUST LOOK AT TITA DDD'''AAAAAWWWW.

Wait. Tita in CS3?
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Alucard188 posted...

Leanaunfurled posted...

Woke up to quite a few posts on here lol. I think I'll love CS, myself, especially with all the characters. CSIII I'm very excited for. I mean, JUST LOOK AT TITA DDD'''AAAAAWWWW.

Wait. Tita in CS3?

Tita and Agate were confirmed.



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