Store Page
The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure
All Discussions Screenshots Artwork Broadcasts Videos News Guides Reviews

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure

Store Page
View Stats:
Global Achievements
Khroniclas 18 Jun @ 6:01am
Which game to get first?
I have trails to azure and trails from zero on my wishlist, which one should I buy first?
Or do you guys actually recommend a different trails entirely to start the franchise with?

I've never played any of these but I've heard good things. I remember settling on these 2 for my wishlist but don't remember why.
The author of this topic has marked a post as the answer to their question.
Click here to jump to that post.
Originally posted by kundzios:
Trails series is split into multiple arcs and the games you mention belong to the second one. While each arc has a (mostly) standalone story and a separate cast of main characters, they're all connected and you'll see plenty of references to past events and returning characters. The best way to experience everything is, obviously, to play from the very beginning (especially since you don't seem to be opposed to the old-school graphics), but you should be fine starting with any arc's first game.


Here's the order:
  1. Sky (Liberl) arc:
    1. Trails in the Sky
    2. Trails in the Sky SC
    3. Trails in the Sky the 3rd
  2. Crossbell arc:
    1. Trails from Zero
    2. Trails to Azure
  3. Erebonia arc (the games are in 3D from now on):
    1. Trails of Cold Steel
    2. Trails of Cold Steel II
    3. Trails of Cold Steel III
    4. Trails of Cold Steel IV
    5. Trails into Reverie
  4. Calvard arc (ongoing):
    1. Trails through Daybreak
    2. Trails through Daybreak II
    3. Trails beyond the Horizon (coming January 2026)

Three side notes:
  1. Trails in the Sky is about to get a full 3D remake but, without spoiling anything, there's a reason why you might want to start with the 2D games regardless.
  2. There's an action game/platformer that technically belongs to the Trails series, but nobody knows whether it's connected to the other games or not (plenty of theories out there though).
  3. There's a bunch of mods for the games that enhance the experience, like official Japanese voice acting for the Sky games, a couple of extra side quests for the Crossbell games or fan-made patcher with a ton of bugfixes for the Erebonia arc games.
< >
Showing 1-7 of 7 comments
The author of this thread has indicated that this post answers the original topic.
kundzios 18 Jun @ 6:59am 
Trails series is split into multiple arcs and the games you mention belong to the second one. While each arc has a (mostly) standalone story and a separate cast of main characters, they're all connected and you'll see plenty of references to past events and returning characters. The best way to experience everything is, obviously, to play from the very beginning (especially since you don't seem to be opposed to the old-school graphics), but you should be fine starting with any arc's first game.


Here's the order:
  1. Sky (Liberl) arc:
    1. Trails in the Sky
    2. Trails in the Sky SC
    3. Trails in the Sky the 3rd
  2. Crossbell arc:
    1. Trails from Zero
    2. Trails to Azure
  3. Erebonia arc (the games are in 3D from now on):
    1. Trails of Cold Steel
    2. Trails of Cold Steel II
    3. Trails of Cold Steel III
    4. Trails of Cold Steel IV
    5. Trails into Reverie
  4. Calvard arc (ongoing):
    1. Trails through Daybreak
    2. Trails through Daybreak II
    3. Trails beyond the Horizon (coming January 2026)

Three side notes:
  1. Trails in the Sky is about to get a full 3D remake but, without spoiling anything, there's a reason why you might want to start with the 2D games regardless.
  2. There's an action game/platformer that technically belongs to the Trails series, but nobody knows whether it's connected to the other games or not (plenty of theories out there though).
  3. There's a bunch of mods for the games that enhance the experience, like official Japanese voice acting for the Sky games, a couple of extra side quests for the Crossbell games or fan-made patcher with a ton of bugfixes for the Erebonia arc games.
#1
Khroniclas 18 Jun @ 7:10am 
First of all thanks for the detailed and insightful response!

Indeed graphics are not a high priority for me. I grew up with a GBA, PS1 and NDS so I'm used to 3d games that look like a garbled mess.
Basically if something looks really pretty it's a bonus.
I do appreciate graphics but prefer performance, gameplay and story first and foremost. (Though I am jealous of the 2,5d remakes of all these jrpg but my beloved FF4 didn't get that treatment)

What a surprisingly convenient thing to know that both of the games I have on the wishlist were from the same arc and also a relatively early one at that.

Realistically I could then start with trails from zero -> trails to azure to see how much I enjoy the franchise. If I do I could then work with the sky arc and run down the others ones in chronological order. At least this sounds like a good plan of action to me.
Last edited by Khroniclas; 18 Jun @ 7:11am
#2
kundzios 18 Jun @ 7:35am 
Ah, a fellow PS1 appreciator, Then you'll be pleased to know that the games you've decided to start with were first released for the PSP :spyro:
#3
Dr. Rudolf von Richten 18 Jun @ 8:28am 
Originally posted by Khroniclas:
Realistically I could then start with trails from zero -> trails to azure to see how much I enjoy the franchise. If I do I could then work with the sky arc and run down the others ones in chronological order. At least this sounds like a good plan of action to me.

You could do that. However, while Zero - Azure is its own story, there is significant continuity from the Sky games. In particular, there is a subplot that starts in the second Sky game (Sky SC) and reaches its emotional climax in Zero. Missing out on the complete story there would be very unfortunate, as it's one of the best things in the entire series.

What's more, the Sky games are great; at least as good as the Crossbell (Zero - Azure) ones, if not better. Some people take issue with the old-school graphics or gameplay, but that doesn't seem to be an issue for you, so there's nothing stopping you from playing them. Trust me, it's worth it. :-)

P.S.: Get the voice mod for Sky. Other mods are not needed, but the (Japanese) voices are fantastic and convey personality and emotion very well, even for someone (like me) who doesn't understand Japanese beyond a couple of typical phrases.
#4
Khroniclas 18 Jun @ 9:10am 
Originally posted by Dr. Rudolf von Richten:
Originally posted by Khroniclas:
Realistically I could then start with trails from zero -> trails to azure to see how much I enjoy the franchise. If I do I could then work with the sky arc and run down the others ones in chronological order. At least this sounds like a good plan of action to me.

You could do that. However, while Zero - Azure is its own story, there is significant continuity from the Sky games. In particular, there is a subplot that starts in the second Sky game (Sky SC) and reaches its emotional climax in Zero. Missing out on the complete story there would be very unfortunate, as it's one of the best things in the entire series.

What's more, the Sky games are great; at least as good as the Crossbell (Zero - Azure) ones, if not better. Some people take issue with the old-school graphics or gameplay, but that doesn't seem to be an issue for you, so there's nothing stopping you from playing them. Trust me, it's worth it. :-)

P.S.: Get the voice mod for Sky. Other mods are not needed, but the (Japanese) voices are fantastic and convey personality and emotion very well, even for someone (like me) who doesn't understand Japanese beyond a couple of typical phrases.

Thanks for your insights too! I'll take this into careful consideration.
Last edited by Khroniclas; 18 Jun @ 9:11am
#5
Dr. Rudolf von Richten 18 Jun @ 9:52am 
Originally posted by Khroniclas:
Thanks for your insights too! I'll take this into careful consideration.

You're welcome. :-)
#6
Ivas 18 Jun @ 10:26am 
If you're not opposed to starting with an earlier game, you probably should start with Sky. Yes, technically you can start with Zero, but you'll get a lot of "it's supposed to mean something but I don't know what" reaction.

P.S. Treat these games like a huge, epic series of books. Yes, different arcs have different protagonists and somewhat unrelated stories. But each entry assumes you played earlier games and will mercilessly spoil the story of earlier games or will have a plot that started 5 games ago and it continues "here"
Last edited by Ivas; 18 Jun @ 10:36am
#7
< >
Showing 1-7 of 7 comments
Per page: 1530 50

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure > General Discussions > Topic Details
Date Posted: 18 Jun @ 6:01am
Posts: 7

Discussions Rules and Guidelines