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The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV Review Thread
- Thread starter Deleted member 17627
- Start date
The game has multiple routes with different characters so the characters are spread between them, rather than all in the one main story. There is a big dungeon where you can use everyone sort of separate from the main story but that's its own thing I believe.
That's how I felt playing Trails from Zero, everyone has different taste
I thought FC was a lot better than SC. The beginning & ending of SC were good, but most of what was in the middle felt like filler (so many super-powerful bosses showing up, laughing at you, and then running off). And the vast majority of content in SC felt like a rehash of FC with most of the characters & areas in SC being reused from FC.
The heehee and teehee are indeed annoying but it has become a trademark now of Falcom games.
Ok, well then scratch the SC>FC part from my post š Personally I just love the character development and interactions in SC.
Couldn't care less about Teehees or heehees, imo CSIII was great.
FC from a narrative level is easily superior to SC in terms of structure, pacing and character development. SC is more patchwork in this regard outside of Agate-Tita and Estelle being given an opportunity to stand on her own as a protagonist outside of Joshua. Kloe is secretly the best character of the Sora trilogy but her story feels somewhat incomplete without two specific sections of the 3rd being factored in. And the 3rd (which I'm still playing through) feels like little more than fan service scenes being strung together by a main story that is wholly underwhelming (in spite of Kevin's best efforts).
Conversely, gameplay-wise, I felt that FC's battle system comes off wholly undeveloped compared to the nuance and depth afforded to it once the training wheels have been fully taken off in SC and the 3rd... although perhaps I'm allowing myself to be jaded after watching so many FC playthroughs and streams where people can't even be bothered to learn the fundamentals of a battle system (i.e. exploiting turn order via S-craft spammage, enemy weaknesses, actually setting up Aerial as an AOE attack once you first get access to it) that is already at its most reductive.
I consider both FC and Zero the better halves of their stories, not to say SC or Ao aren't great. FC has a really nice, tight, well written story with great character arcs and world building brimming with potential. SC mostly delivers on that potential but suffers from major bloat. Zero is similarly tight with a reduced cast and a great mystery that has just enough turns to keep things interesting while still maintaining cohesion. Ao tries too hard to top this and ends up tripping over its self with the amount of beats and twists. It also falls into the pitfall of fanservice.
Overall I'd rank the ones I've played; FC>SC>Zero>3rd>Ao>>>>>CS1=CS2>CS3
Is weird because I consider FC to have way worse pacing than SC, even considering is shorter. FC pace barely picks up until the last hours meanwhile SC is way more consistent although there's bloat, it also has higher stakes in it's plot.
It's getting really hard to remain invested when the stakes are so low. The villains in these games are so unthreatening it's almost laughable.
Nobody dies in these games, be it good or bad guys. But you know, can't have meaningful drama happen cause the character on the chopping block might to be someone's "waifu" or "husbando". Players might stop buying the series merchandise if their favorite character is dead.
Maybe the developers are trying to please a different type of fan than those that got into the series with Sky FC.
I got Cold Steel III at full price but I'll wait for a sale for CSIV. Considering playing on Very Easy, that way the playthrough might "only" be 70 hours instead of 100.
Those are two different sites. One gave it a 5, the other a 10. In between are mostly 8s.
Here is my review(pt-BR):
vgbr.com
"I just want to say that happy the day I decided to meet this series, I had never been so attached to a universe like this and Trails of Cold Steel IV ends this journey with a goodbye full of emotions that I will never forget."
I gave it a 10 out 10. For me the little details(NPCs, Towns, etc...) that the developers put on all these games shine through most of the "problems" found in the plot itself. Of course I played all the games that are avaiable to purchase in english, for newcomers the score would might be kinda lower.
Here is some of the review in video format(pt-BR as well):
It's a great series and everyone should give it a try.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV - vgBR
Acho que nunca vou esquecer do momento que resolvi conhecer a sĆ©rie Legend of Heroes, lĆ” em meados de 2014. Sempre havia ouvido falar muito bem de Trails in the Sky e para minha sorte o jogo tinha recĆ©m lanƧado na plataforma Steam, nĆ£o dei mole e jĆ” fiz o download do jogo. Para a
vgbr.com
"I just want to say that happy the day I decided to meet this series, I had never been so attached to a universe like this and Trails of Cold Steel IV ends this journey with a goodbye full of emotions that I will never forget."
I gave it a 10 out 10. For me the little details(NPCs, Towns, etc...) that the developers put on all these games shine through most of the "problems" found in the plot itself. Of course I played all the games that are avaiable to purchase in english, for newcomers the score would might be kinda lower.
Here is some of the review in video format(pt-BR as well):
It's a great series and everyone should give it a try.
I have played all the games up till this point so I am still stoked for this. I have it digitally preordered and I am ready to finish where the cliffhanger in CS III left off.
Yeah, CS3 localization was about on-point with the previous 2 games. I never felt like anything got lost in translation.
Yeah, I checked what was up after platinuming CSIII this morning, and was super disappointed. Gamefaqs it is, I guess.
Sounds to me that two things are going on:
1. Reviews are divided between those who prefer the first games (FC, CS1, CS3) and those that prefer the second games (SC, CS2, CS4).
2. Localization issues mostly come down to needing another editing pass, not botched terms and the like.
1. Reviews are divided between those who prefer the first games (FC, CS1, CS3) and those that prefer the second games (SC, CS2, CS4).
2. Localization issues mostly come down to needing another editing pass, not botched terms and the like.
I'm hoping for Falcom that Eastern Zemuria is like a soft reboot and a clean cut off with the baggage of the rest of the Series. I played all of them and couldn't finish CS3. The structure and plot is definitely tired and ridiculous. It seems this is more of the same unfortunately.
I got the platinum trophy for CS4 on Thursday night before reviews went up, and I used that GFAQs one. Yeah, I had an issue with it having no maps, but overall, it was a solid walkthrough.
The no maps thing actually cost me the All Treasure Chests trophy during my first playthrough because the writer forgot to mention at the very beginning of the guide that you can check how many treasure chests you've opened at any point of the game lol. You need at least 2 playthroughs to get the Plat anyway so on my second run I meticulously checked my treasure chest counter before I left an area
very early in the game, you have enough materials to trade for a Moon Lens Quartz, which allows you to see treasure chests on the map if you equip it on one of your party members. Immensely helpful!
Sounds like a Trails-ass Trails game. My expectations have been firmly in check since I found out IV had the same structure as II (which has... problems). I AM disappointed about reports of the localization being a step down from III.
Yeah not many die really ever in the series period
What? Weissman? Pater Mater? that asshole from the first crossbell game? The only memorable ones are Weissmann and Lowe
shit in SC a person had a house fall on them and they were ok
I think the series as a whole has an issue with stakes and not just CS
shit in SC a person had a house fall on them and they were ok
I think the series as a whole has an issue with stakes and not just CS
That definitely seems like what the next arc will be. And it'll have a new combat system so it'll be an even bigger refresh than before.
In the same boat, I don't know how someone could hate CS2, and like SC, the entire game was Oroboros toying with you and leaving, I can't recalled legitimately beating anyone in either game and it pretty much stifles your journey. I still see Estelle as a scrub who needed to be saved by Joshua because of it.
Like 2 people died in Sky.
No one dies in this series, attributing this to CS is dishonest. It's Falcom.
More like 50 haha,
But yeah I haven't seen one person who didn't like Hajimari better than CS4, even people who liked CS4. Hajimari isn't the best Trails game, but it's a good game that helps wrap up a lot of stuff in western Zemuria. It's essentially a lengthy epilogue to Cold Steel and the Crossbell games. Psuedo Cold Steel 5/Crossbell 3.
It also changes up the gameplay structure in the series for the first time a decade+ which makes it feel fresh after all these CS games which essentially all play out the same in structure.
there will still be some carryover as some characters are set up to appear but they all seem to be involved in stories and/or important to the new region rather than carrying stuff from before
Hajimari kind of closes Western Zemuria and opens the cover of eastern
also Play Hajimari. one of the best in the entire series
Yeah, I've checked out after 3. I did finish it, but that terrible ending was definitely the moment I checked out. I'd power through this and Hamjimari if they weren't 100 hour+ games. But now I'll just hope the Calvard arc has some fresh ideas and, most importanly, Rean is nowhere in sight. And then I'll jump back in.
I have a feeling Eastern Zemuria is going to go similar to Zero/Ao (Azure), where it's all new setting/cast/gameplay and a few legacy characters show up and join the party as it moves along.
I'm mostly hoping for a smaller cast of 6-10 characters total next time around so they can focus on everyone and a tighter story. We'll see. I'm feeling positive about Falcom in general after Ys IX and Hajimari so I think it's in good hands.
Also everyone playing CS4, read the new book series in it 3&9. It's my favorite book series in the franchise.
I'm mostly hoping for a smaller cast of 6-10 characters total next time around so they can focus on everyone and a tighter story. We'll see. I'm feeling positive about Falcom in general after Ys IX and Hajimari so I think it's in good hands.
Also everyone playing CS4, read the new book series in it 3&9. It's my favorite book series in the franchise.
OP
OP
Here is my review(pt-BR):
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV - vgBR
Acho que nunca vou esquecer do momento que resolvi conhecer a sĆ©rie Legend of Heroes, lĆ” em meados de 2014. Sempre havia ouvido falar muito bem de Trails in the Sky e para minha sorte o jogo tinha recĆ©m lanƧado na plataforma Steam, nĆ£o dei mole e jĆ” fiz o download do jogo. Para a
"I just want to say that happy the day I decided to meet this series, I had never been so attached to a universe like this and Trails of Cold Steel IV ends this journey with a goodbye full of emotions that I will never forget."
I gave it a 10 out 10. For me the little details(NPCs, Towns, etc...) that the developers put on all these games shine through most of the "problems" found in the plot itself. Of course I played all the games that are avaiable to purchase in english, for newcomers the score would might be kinda lower.
Here is some of the review in video format(pt-BR as well):
It's a great series and everyone should give it a try.
Added, thanks!
Yeah this is about what I expected from the reviews by Japanese players over the last year or so. At this point I've spent so many hours playing every game in the Kiseki brand that I'm going to play CS4 even if it had a meta of 10 lol. I just want to see how it ends if nothing else.
Plus I enjoy a lot of the things some people find annoying about the series. I also hate a lot of things about the series...but you know.
Despite getting it next Tuesday I doubt I have time to play this before Christmas or January at best, so maybe some of the localisation problems will be patched away by then.
Plus I enjoy a lot of the things some people find annoying about the series. I also hate a lot of things about the series...but you know.
Despite getting it next Tuesday I doubt I have time to play this before Christmas or January at best, so maybe some of the localisation problems will be patched away by then.
Nah, people had too high of expectations for KH3. It's been known that Sora's story isn't over yet, but people expected a conclusion anyway.
As you mentioned it... I would like to start playing CS4 on PS4 and then move over to PS5 in November.
Do you (or anybody else) know if saves transfer from PS4 to PS5? If I understood Sony's blog post right, that should be no problem (and only dedicated PS5 upgrades might hinder a save transfer). But I would be happy if someone could confirm this, before I have to start all over again.
It should transfer yes, the devs should have the tools but it's still up to them.
Hopefully it does!
A little surprised by the negativity in here based on reviews. I get that the RPGsite score is shockingly low, but there are 5 "perfect" scores on Open Critic already, and plenty of 8,9s. The 5/10 seems like an outlier.
Same.
81 and 83 is honestly pretty good score for a JRPG. Especially a long running one that's not too popular.
I don't think I've ever seen a review thread on Era, where the discussion didn't focus on the review with the lowest score.
Thanks for the reply.
To my understanding all PS4 saves can be transferred to and played on PS5. I thought the 'it's up to the devs' quote only referred to PS5 upgrades (like with Yakuza 7), because those are separate SKUs.
That would be even better. Anyway, I keep hoping as well.
Zoelius?
I noticed there is no guide on neoseeker, so yeah, I'm using the gamefaqs one. It's been solid so far.
Holy shit, I checked neoseeker the other day and didn't see this. Must have been posted quite recently.
Thanks, I'm using this from now on!
I've noticed a few other voice actors seem to have been changed based on my play through so far:
Pretty sure Ash's voice actor has been changed and Leonidas of Zephyr sounds different too
People who go in with a negative opinion about a game will always latch onto the outlying low scores and ignore the majority of the ones that are very positive.
