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Calvard has been teased for a long time—ever since the Sky trilogy, really—so finally getting to visit it in Trails through Daybreak feels like a big moment. As expected from the Trails series, the story delivers plenty of twists, surprising alliances, callbacks to previous arcs, and some really impressive new environments.

This game marks the beginning of a new arc, set in the Calvard Republic. Our new protagonist, Van Arkride, stands apart from previous leads like Estelle, Lloyd, Kevin or Rean. He’s a Spriggan—a sort of freelance fixer who takes on all kinds of jobs, whether it's detective work, negotiations, or even requests from the criminal underworld. As long as the job doesn’t cross certain lines and the pay is good, Van’s open to taking it. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear there’s something much darker threatening Calvard, and that’s where Arkride Solutions steps in.

From the start, the game feels like a step forward. The upgraded engine, motion capture for cutscenes, and a more mature tone all help immerse you right away. Combat has also been reworked with the new sixth-generation tactical orbment system, Xipha. The biggest shift is the two-phase combat system. Field Battles let you fight in real time—somewhat like in the Ys series—so you can quickly deal with minor enemies without needing to trigger turn-based combat. Once you build up an enemy’s stun gauge, you can then activate Shards to smoothly transition into the turn-based system. It works well and adds a good rhythm to encounters, though the Field Battles could use more variety. Right now, they mostly come down to basic attacking, dodging, and a few charge moves. Still, as a first attempt, it’s promising and could be expanded in future games.

The story is engaging, with memorable locations and plenty of references for longtime fans. The main cast is strong, but a few of the antagonists felt a little underdeveloped. On the other hand, the sidequests were surprisingly well done—some even took very unexpected turns. One in particular was emotional enough to leave a lasting impression, which isn’t something you usually expect from optional content.

The music is solid overall, and several tracks are standouts. That said, the reuse of certain songs—especially for multiple boss fights—did lead to some repetition. It would've been nice to have more variety in those moments. Still, tracks like Resonance of Ray, Let Me Know My SPRIGGAN..., Diabolic Howl (wink wink), What Is Ahead of You, Unreasonable Beast, Tilt the Cocktail, In the Moment When It Doesn't Move, The Other Side of the Cloudy Sky, Be Prepared and Hundred Flowers in Full Bloom definitely stood out.

Despite a few issues, Trails through Daybreak is a strong entry that still feels true to what makes the Trails series special. It tries some new ideas while staying grounded in the series’ strengths, and it's a solid foundation for what’s to come in the Calvard arc.

After finishing the Cold Steel trilogy, I am here at the farewell party of Peak 2: Electric Boogaloo. I really loved Sky 3rd, and seeing what this game has done, how it is basically Sky 3rd but way better, made my excitement to play it grow exponentially higher by the second.

This game switches things up from the usual Trails formula by breaking the story into separate routes, which I thought was a pretty cool change. You get to follow three different perspectives—Rean Schwarzer, Lloyd Bannings, and a new mystery character called C. It keeps things fresh, and I liked how it gave me different angles on the story as it unfolded. You can switch between the routes whenever you want (most of the time), but every now and then, the game makes you play another route to progress. I actually laughed when I saw they named this system “Trails to Walk.” Clever, Falcom.

Now, if I had to point out a downside, I’d say Lloyd’s route felt a little underwhelming. No spoilers here, but if you’ve played Azure, a lot of the major beats will feel very familiar. Rean’s and C’s routes had more going on in my opinion. That said, it’s always awesome to see the SSS back in action and teaming up with characters from Erebonia.

The biggest highlight for me, though, was the Reverie Corridor. If you’ve played earlier entries, you might remember the name. This part of the game reminded me a lot of Sky the 3rd’s Phantasma—basically a big dungeon you can explore, level up characters, play minigames, watch side stories (“Daydreams”), and see all kinds of fun character interactions you wouldn’t normally get. Unlike Sky the 3rd, though, this game has both the dungeon and a main overworld story, which I think was a great improvement. Since Sky 3rd is already one of my favorites, I was all in on this.

I know people are kind of split on the soundtrack, but honestly? I loved it. I’m not some music theory pro or anything, but a bunch of the tracks really caught my attention. I actually found myself pausing now and then just to soak it in. Some of my faves: Now, at the Beginning, Be Caught Up!, Beyond the Reverie, A Relaxing Time, Flash Your Fighting Spirit, Bad Dream Invasion, and The Destination of FATE. I could seriously go on, but I’ll stop there or we’ll be here all day.

All in all, Trails into Reverie is an awesome send-off for both the Erebonia and Crossbell arcs, while dropping hints at what’s coming next in the Calvard saga. It takes what worked in Sky 3rd and builds on it in the best ways. Easily cementing itself as one of my favorite games in the whole series.

The Trails of Cold Steel saga has been one wild ride, and this final chapter is no exception. Like any great story, it had its ups and downs, but I loved every second of it. If you had told me back in December 2024 that I’d get this hooked on the Trails series, I would have laughed. And yet, here we are.

The game picks up right where Cold Steel III left off—after that absolutely massive ending. Everything is falling apart, and it’s up to the new Class VII, the returning Class VII, and, of course, our main man Rean Schwarzer to try and fix it. This was my longest Trails game yet, clocking in at around 89 hours. I didn’t play nonstop, but every time I sat down with it, I just wanted to keep going. Without spoiling anything, the ending absolutely blew my mind, and I hope it does the same for you.

Combat-wise, things haven’t changed much from the previous game, which is exactly what you’d expect from Trails. Falcom follows the old saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Each game refines what came before, adding small quality-of-life improvements that keep things fresh while maintaining the series’ signature tactical combat.

At this point, I’ve realized that Trails games aren’t perfect—but honestly, that doesn’t matter to me. I love this series way too much. The returning characters, the incredible soundtrack, the hype moments, the deep story twists, and all the political intrigue make this one of the best JRPG series out there. Exploring Erebonia never got old, and I even found myself checking in on NPCs just to see how they reacted to everything going on. You don’t have to do that, but it’s one of those small details that shows just how much care Falcom puts into their world.

At the end of the day, I could keep gushing about this game forever, but nothing I write will compare to experiencing it for yourself. The Cold Steel saga was an incredible journey—full of highs, lows, and everything in between. Now, it’s time for me to dive into Trails into Reverie and see where the story goes next.

As you would know by now, Cold Steel 3 is yet another fantastic addition to the Legend of Heroes series and the overall story this series has been building towards. At the start, I was a bit taken aback by the new characters and smaller roster, but as I've journeyed through the game, I've come to appreciate the "new" outlook that the new cast provides. Before starting the game, you must be aware that the game will present characters from the previous arcs, and some events should be known. The game does not require you to save the file of the prior game. Think of the entire quadrilogy as two separate parts, Part 1 being the first and second game, while Part 2 is the third and fourth game, along with the eventual Reverie title.

Now, I will start with a summary without giving too much away. Our main protagonist from the previous Cold Steel games, Rean Schwarzer, uncovers a dark plot that threatens his homeland. To face their new adversaries, he must prepare a new generation of heroes as an instructor at a new branch campus and guide them toward victory. Nearly a year and a half has passed since the Erebonian Civil War, and much has changed. Rean has now graduated from Thors Military Academy and has become an instructor at the Thors Branch Campus, a newly-opened academy. He leads a brand new Class VII and must guide the new generation into an unknown future.

I've seen a lot of talk about Cold Steel 3 being a "weak" game, mainly due to the drastic choice of playing as new characters, but I feel that's one of its strongest points. Throughout the game, you witness their growth and camaraderie grow stronger. And flesh themselves out not as replacements but as worthy members of the new Class VII. I expected a lot of twists and turns, as per the usual Kiseki quota, and I was not disappointed. I am fortunate to be able to play the Kiseki series in 2025, seeing as all the titles are available to play on Steam. I can't imagine what it would've been like finishing this game and waiting for the localization.

I don't have much to say about the music department. I believe that Falcom always nails the soundtracks perfectly, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to go very in-depth and provide accurate problems with it. It was very enjoyable from my point of view, and at times, the music choices enhanced my experience to the point of me gripping my seat with anxiety, awaiting the next moments and how the scenes would unfold. Stellar job.

In conclusion, Cold Steel 3 is yet another fantastic Kiseki game. I genuinely believe that even though a Kiseki game can be "worse" than some others, it can't be rated less than 7/10. Falcom has managed to refine the Kiseki formula to the point that no matter which game you play, each one is a fantastic journey that will hook you in from the first moments.

Peace is indeed but a memory. In this continuation of Cold Steel 1, we are thrown into a now-broken Erebonia. Seeing all of this happen was worth playing through the first game. Prepare for many twists and turns, including gripping plot twists during the finale that will make you itch for more.

Let's start with a synopsis of the general situation of the story. After the Noble Faction's occupation of Heimdallr, civil war broke out across Erebonia. The provincial armies have claimed many of the nation's cities in the name of the Noble Alliance. The Imperial Army, however, has only just begun its sweeping counterattack. After our main protagonist, Rean, manages to escape Trista with Celine and Valimar in tow, he wakes up in the mountains near Ymir, confused and uncertain about the fate of his friends who bravely threw themselves in harm's way to buy him time to flee. Rean decides to take up his sword again, journeying across Erebonia with Valimar in search of his friend from Class VII and a way to end the conflict before the price becomes far too dear.

It is great to see just how much Class VII manages to mature in such a short period. Their dynamic is unique, and I genuinely enjoyed every character's company. I'm slowly getting used to the bond system introduced in the first game, and I don't feel such a turn-off from it anymore. Seeing what events transpire in the story, sometimes you're glad to let yourself breathe and spend time with your classmates.

The combat is identical to the first game, with the added inclusion of proper Divine Knight battles. I really enjoy them whenever it comes down to them, but it's plain to see that they can be a bit basic. I'm interested to see how it evolves.

The only big negative point for me in Cold Steel 2 is that I hate when a game forces you to do NG+ to see VERY important story bits, seeing as Cold Steel 3 straight-up expects you to know it. Thankfully, a friend told me that CS2 is the only game that does this, so I'm hoping it stays true.

In conclusion, this is a delightful game. If you were edging on your seat during Cold Steel 1 and are itching to know more, with twists that will make you pick your jaw up from the floor, then look no further; Cold Steel 2 is a fantastic game worth your time.

Trails' first venture into full 3D goodness brings us new characters, mysteries, and conflicts from Erebonia!

As we've learned in the previous entry, Trails to Azure, the Erebonian Empire is split between two opposing factions. The Noble and Reformist Factions have been at each other's throats for quite a while now. As the player, you will enter Class VII of Thors Military Academy as our main protagonist, Rean Schwarzer. For the first time in the academy's history, rank means nothing, and it's the skill that carries your class forward. The cast comprises nine hand-picked students of varying backgrounds and abilities, including our main protagonist, Rean Schwarzer. Class VII readies itself to dive deep into political turmoil that threatens not only them and the academy but also the entire Empire.

My time with Cold Steel after finishing all the games prior was a mixture of good and slightly bit disappointing. That is, of course, not to discredit the game as a whole, far from it. Cold Steel has some slow moments, but the build-up to certain events is still very satisfactory. I enjoyed (and will keep enjoying) Erebonia as a setting. However, if I had to have a few negative points, it would be the awful change to Turbo Mode, which automatically skips animations in combat. I'm hoping they fix that in future entries, but I found SenPatcher to be an excellent fix. My second dislike is that sometimes the game felt like a chore to work through only to get to the interesting payout.

Combat is great. I enjoyed the new iteration of the newly developed "ARCUS" system, along with the battle links between the classmates, which, if you leveled up your bond, you unlocked more combat benefits such as blocking a hit for your partner, healing your linked partner or being able to counter-attack after your partner got attacked. The only thing I disliked about the combat was that I wished the camera would stop panning so much.

Regarding the soundtrack, I love the militaristic feel of the game and the soundtracks. It made big encounters feel that much more adrenaline-inducing. My Personal favorites are Atrocious Raid, Tie a Link of ARCUS!, Exceed!, Belief, and the magical Legram, the Lakeside Town. I'm sure there's more that I liked, but these are the ones that are stuck in my head the most at this point.

In conclusion, Cold Steel serves as a build-up game for future installments. Even though it's putting down a lot of great stuff, sometimes the pacing between important events can feel like a chore and might even turn some people off. It's a mixed bag, depending on who you ask. I bit the bullet and enjoyed the highs and often the lows, too, at the beginning of this famous arc.

Okaaaay, end of the line, folks! The train from Crossbell is now ready to depart! The next station is Erebonia. This is the second and final game of the Crossbell arc, filled with memorable moments, a great conclusion, and, of course, as is the norm with Falcom, a setup for more!

Even though I have enjoyed myself plenty with all of the Trails games up til now, this game and Sky 3rd are among the most memorable ones for me. Following the events of Trails from Zero, the Special Support Section finds themselves with some new faces and more than enough new duties. However, rising tensions in Crossbell, along with immense pressure from two neighboring political superpowers, threaten the safety of their home and the integrity of their own team. Lloyd and his old and new allies must now gear themselves for the threats that loom ahead. Crossbell, as we know it, will soon become the stage for a climactic conflict that will test the populous and also determine its future.

This game has done weird things to me. Never would I ever think that while I'm at work every day, I'd be thinking about the geopolitical state of Crossbell and constantly looking forward to seeing the result of said political disputes, which were as tense as they could be. The story itself overwhelmed me with numerous plot twists that just kept on coming. I constantly brainstormed what direction it might pursue and how it would all unfold. It was a ride like no other, and I'll keep repeating myself as often as I have to, but the Trails series is among the best JRPG series I've ever played. You don't see that much detail with its world-building, character development, and overall writing in many games, at least not with this magnitude.

In terms of combat, the skeleton is still the same but built upon more with new features, which include a mechanic known as Burst. Burst is a great mechanic, which in this game is locked behind specific climactic story moments. The gist is that you attack to fill a gauge; once you activate Burst, you can cast all your strongest Arts without waiting, granted that you have the EP for them. It can turn the tide and enable you to buff up your team very quickly. I am indeed a fan. However, I'm looking forward to its evolution in future games.

Soundtrack department? Blew it out of the park. There's not much more I need to say. If you've read my previous Trails reviews, it's the same deal here—fantastic soundtracks that further enhance your gameplay experience. From mellow and ambient tracks while exploring to remarkably heavy boss tracks that get your blood pumping and make you feel like you're challenging the world itself. Some of my favorites from this title are Delusion of a Thousand Years, Feelings in the Moonlight (EVO version), Destruction Impulse, Orchis Tower, Silence in the Sunlight Filtering Through Trees, and last but not least, who could forget The Azure Arbitrator.

In conclusion, it is a fantastic ending to the beloved Crossbell arc. If you were hesitant before, there's no need to be. You are in for a ride.

So...here I am, already on the fourth title, Trails from Zero. As I mentioned in my Trails in the Sky FC review, I initially wanted to start the Kiseki series from Cold Steel. Still, after starting from the beginning to now playing the fourth game, I would have missed so much context for our returning characters and events from the Sky trilogy. So far, I'm still nowhere near burned out, happily trekking on, and looking forward to the rest of the series.

It has been some time since our adventure in Liberl ended, so we moved northeast to Crossbell State. It is a bustling state in a very unfavorable position, stuck between the Erebonian Empire and the Calvard Republic. A state in which people have forgotten the meaning of the word justice. The Crossbell Police Department's hands are mostly tied; a corrupt government does whatever it wants, and the Mafia gets away with the majority of its crimes. But not everything is as bleak as it sounds. We are introduced to a young detective, Lloyd Bannings, a fresh recruit to the police department who gets thrown into a brand new branch of the police called the S.S.S, otherwise known as the Special Support Section. Alongside him, we get to meet three new faces, namely Randy Orlando, Tio Plato, and Elie MacDowell. I am a big fan of the group interactions and their overall dynamic throughout the game as a team. As for the rest of the story, however, you're gonna have to play the game and find out for yourself ;)

Regarding the combat aspect, if you liked it in the previous games, you will also be well acquainted with it in Zero. Several new additions, such as new arts, Persona-like team-up attacks, and new combined S-craft techniques, can turn the tide of battle rather quickly.

I also love that they've started improving upon the quality of life mechanics, such as High-Speed Mode, with options such as customizing the speed and being able to choose between holding and a toggle. Also, an auto mode for reading as well as a message log has been added. I only use high-speed mode during combat and when NPCs walk during cutscenes, but auto dialogue is a must for me, so I'm happy with the addition of it.

What can I say about the music? I've been repeating myself for four games now and don't see myself stopping. Falcom Sound Team jdk always makes soundtracks that elevate the games above and beyond. From the beginning, you have a strong first impression of the title track, Zero no Kiseki. The Way of the Tree Spirit made me actively want to explore more and more because I couldn't get enough of it. Some other great tracks include Temptation of Wisdom, Gazing at Your Back, Intense Chase, the grandiose Arrival Existence, and last but certainly not least, Formidable Enemy.

In conclusion, I enjoyed Trails from Zero. From the get-go, I wanted to find out why Crossbell is the way it is and see for myself how people fight to improve it as a whole. I was not disappointed with what I received in return.

Here we are, the end of the Sky trilogy and a new dawn to upcoming adventures across Zemuria. Trails in the Sky 3rd is a bit of a mixed bag among the general fandom. Still, I feel that what it lacks compared to previous entries in the form of free-roaming exploration is balanced by the ever-important Door system, which gives more spotlight to the characters we've come to love.

Trails in the Sky 3rd is set half a year after the events of the previous installment. Liberl has settled into peace yet again, but even during peaceful times, many among the fortunate are burning with greed thanks to the influence of ancient artifacts. As our new main duo, Kevin Graham and Ries Argent, it is our task to snuff out these would-be villains and claim back the artifacts.

As mentioned before this game is non-standard in the Trails series up until now. We are no longer exploring our beloved Liberl, instead, this game shifts more into a "dungeon crawling" aspect. Along the way, we find these Doors with different symbols and challenges. Make no mistake, as is tradition with Trails, these doors are very important as they all give our most beloved characters more spotlight and development. The Doors are sorted into 3 different types. We have Moon Doors (contain the longer stories), Star Doors (contain shorter stories), and Sun Doors which contain exclusively mini-games. At first, I was hesitant but the amount of them is shorter than I initially anticipated, so I figured I might as well do them all, and for the most part I'm glad that I did. The combat itself is the same as SC which I'm fond of so I feel that if you liked SC's combat, you'll like 3rd as well.

As is the norm with Trails, wonderful soundtracks all around. I honestly thought that it would be hard to beat SC with its repertoire but I was shocked at how many great soundtracks are in 3rd. My favorites in no particular order would be: Jade Corridor, Recluse Cube, A Still World, A Faint Glitter of Light, Primal Ground, Reminiscence, Maybe it was fated, and last but not least Looking Up at the Sky.

In conclusion, I understand that some people might be put off by the lack of exploration and condemn the entirety of 3rd. However, I'd urge you to at least give it a try for yourself. The events inside the Doors are worth it alone, along with set-ups for the upcoming games. SC was amazing in its own right but 3rd is probably my favorite game out of the entire Sky trilogy.

This is a direct continuation of our first game, Trails in the Sky First Chapter. What can I say? At first, I was apprehensive due to the series' sheer length, but now I'm fully hooked.

The game follows Estelle who sets out on a new adventure, after completing some training by the Bracer Guild. You will find party members and characters both old and new which will aid you on your journey. I won't write too much regarding the story because I'm afraid I will spoil people who have not yet finished the first game. All you need to know is that it's very much worth it. A negative point might be that you will visit locations where you were in the first game, however you now have a solid objective. The game is longer, no longer only 4 chapters + prologue. In this game, you play through 8 chapters + your standard prologue and finale. Depending on how you play, you're free to explore, chat with NPCs after the events of your training, or read your local newspapers for additional world-building. It is one of the best things about the Trails series after all.

In the gameplay department, there haven't been many changes but you can now use chain S-crafts, along with a changed orbment system which enables you to upgrade slots and attach even more powerful orbments into your arsenal.

Once again, as is the norm, Falcom Sound Team has done a wonderful job with the soundtrack. Many more action-packed pieces in this game, however, I have to say that I preferred the battle bgm in the first game over this one. Some of my favorite tracks from this game are Fight with Assailant, which is present in plenty of fights but personally, it fits the Jaegers the most in my opinion (you will know why when you play it), Infiltration, and last but not least Fateful Confrontation.

Overall, the enjoyment is purely subjective. I enjoyed SC more than I did FC but that does not mean that either game is bad. Both of them are amazing games and I'm so excited to continue with the series and see how it evolves.