The Legend of Heroes is without doubt one of the longest-running JRPG franchises on the market, but it surely actually discovered its groove with the Trails sequence. The Trails video games are identified for his or her insane world-building and fleshed-out characters. Even occasions that occurred within the very first sport can nonetheless have penalties in even the newest titles. NPCs are handled virtually as if they’re alive, and there are many them to work together with and listen to extra concerning the continent of Zemura.
It wasn’t simple, however now we have ranked all 12 Trails video games. This record doesn’t embrace the spin-offs or the newest Japanese launch. Nonetheless, as soon as it’s localized, we will definitely alter our rankings.
12. Trails within the Sky third
- Launch Date: 2007 in Japan and 2017 Worldwide
- Platforms: PC (accessible via Steam and works completely on the Steam Deck)
Sky the third takes place in an alternate dimension often called Phantasma, and the sport follows Kevin Graham as a substitute of the Brilliant siblings. Different characters are introduced into Phantasma till the sport is one huge reunion of the entire solid. The group should work out what forces have introduced them to Phantasma and what it’d imply that it might probably pluck them from wherever on the earth.
I simply need to say it’s not that the third Sky sport is dangerous, but it surely doesn’t do all that a lot to advance the larger story. Sky the third is appreciated for beginning the pattern of arc-ending video games gathering the total solid, which Chilly Metal IV and Reverie did on a larger degree. Nonetheless, this model made it really feel extra like a bottle episode of a fantastic TV present.
Whereas it does foreshadow future occasions in a enjoyable manner, the sport itself isn’t something particular. An excessive amount of of the story is devoted to Kevin’s backstory, after which he isn’t a serious a part of any story till the thirteenth sport within the sequence, which hasn’t even been localized but.
11. Trails within the Sky SC
- Launch Date: 2006 in Japan and 2015 Worldwide
- Platforms: PC (accessible via Steam and works completely on the Steam Deck)
Whereas Sky third is unquestionably the worst sport within the sequence, issues are actually getting tough. I feel I’ve to place SC on the second lowest spot. The story follows Estelle proper after the cliffhanger ending in FC. She’s alone now, however she’s decided to determine the place Joshua has gone. She’s stronger after their travels and able to dealing with herself with out Joshua’s assist.
Sky SC is Estelle’s sport, which I feel is the proper alternative for the second sport within the sequence. One of the vital elements of SC is the total reveal of Joshua’s origin, and people occasions nonetheless have huge ripples even later within the sequence. It is likely to be one in every of this sport’s most consequential features, outdoors of Ouroboros’ additional reveal.
It’s not that I dislike Sky SC, both. It’s a effective second sport, however I feel the next video games within the sequence do all the things higher. If nothing else, this sport helped cement how good it was when Estelle and Joshua confirmed up in Trails from Zero.
10. Trails to Azure
After the occasions of Trails from Zero, the Particular Assist Part (SSS) has splintered, however are doing their greatest to rebuild Crossbell. Everybody has their position to play primarily based on what they do greatest, which leads Lloyd to chase mysteries and work out the place issues is likely to be headed. Household from Randy’s Jaeger days additionally come into city to fire up hassle, and he should reconcile his previous together with his new good man methods.
I contemplate Zero to be all about set-ups and questions, whereas Trails to Azure is a sport of solutions and closure. Whereas the earlier sport ended with KeA as nonetheless one thing of a thriller, her true goal and origin are specified by a extremely fascinating manner, together with a connection from the primary sport that looks like the most effective twists of the sequence.
Even nonetheless, I don’t suppose Azure is the higher sport. You get extra details about beloved characters, however I feel extra of what Zero does to arrange Crossbell is terrific. That is very true when you’re like me and play the Crossbell arc for the primary time a lot later after already beating the Erebonia arc.
9. Trails from Zero
After being away, Lloyd Bannings returns to the province of Crossbell to take a place with the police division as head of a brand new unit. His squadmates are the ex-Jaeger Randy Orlando, the mayor’s granddaughter Elie MacDowell, and technological wiz Tio Plato.
Just like the combination of Class VII, this group of officers is strictly what Crossbell wants to indicate its independence, because it had been too reliant on the Bracer (midway between a mercenary and a cop) guild. Lloyd is basically simply the prototype to Rean, however that doesn’t cease him from being the guts and soul of the Crossbell arc. These are among the greatest characters in Trails, and after first assembly Randy in Chilly Metal 3, it was enjoyable to see the place it began.
Zero additionally introduces the sequence to the idea of the DG cult. A bunch of fanatics that will kidnap youngsters from throughout Zemuria for horrible experiments. This hyperlink carries into most of the subsequent video games, the place the cult has tortured a number of vital characters. Zero has among the biggest world-building for this bit alone and establishes connections which can be nonetheless exhibiting up in new releases.
8. Trails of Chilly Metal IV
- Launch Date: 2018 in Japan and 2020 Worldwide
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5 Swap
Chilly Metal 4 picks up proper after the Chilly Metal 3 ending, and in some ways mirrors Chilly Metal 2, however with Juna because the protagonist. Rean is gone after the occasions that closed out the third sport, together with his college students in the dead of night about the place he’s been taken. The dearth of his management has issues a bit of topsy turvy, however Juna leans on the assistance of recent and previous Class VII members to trace him down.
Although Reverie does undercut among the amazement of the sport, it’s nonetheless the primary time that virtually each Trails character is gathered for one huge finale occasion. The primary focus of Chilly Metal 4 is in The Proving, a sequence of battles between Divine Knights. Every little thing has constructed as much as discover out who the opposite Awakeners are, with loads of surprises.
I feel the largest spotlight of Chilly Metal 4’s story is that it exhibits off the power it takes to say goodbye. For essentially the most half, characters in Trails video games don’t die. Chilly Metal 4 throws this out the window and a few losses had me tearing up. It’s the most effective tales within the sequence and a very good wrap-up to the longest arc.
7. Trails Via Dawn II
- Launch Date: 2022 in Japan and 2025 Worldwide
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Swap
Choosing up only some months after Van bid his momentary staff goodbye, a brand new risk has appeared in Edith. Elaine arrives to enlist Van’s assist in determining what is likely to be happening with a brand new purple Grendel that has proven up in a number of locations and left our bodies in its wake. The sport even opens with the entire Hercules squad being worn out.
One in every of my favourite elements of this sport is that it expands on the Area Battles/motion RPG fight of the primary sport. Whereas it was rudimentary earlier than, it now permits for higher social gathering participation while you make a very well-timed dodge. It additionally introduced in Fast Arts, which helps you to spend a bit of EP to do additional harm. I anticipate these mechanics to enhance additional with future releases.
Dawn 2 additionally has the perfect fishing minigame of the sequence. It’s now not an terrible button-mashing minigame from the Chilly Metal titles. As a substitute, it’s all about timing and catching a needle because it runs round a circle. For the primary time within the sequence, I used to be excited to fish.
6. Trails into Reverie
- Launch Date: 2020 in Japan and 2023 Worldwide
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Swap
A number of months after the occasions of Chilly Metal 4, Crossbell is lastly set to declare its independence. This can lastly put a cease to Crossbell getting used as a pawn by Erebonia and Calvard. Nonetheless, on the day of the ceremony, an previous enemy exhibits up who needs to be locked up in jail. Via trickery, the residents are amped up and start to cheer for the intruder, who declares himself chief and threatens battle with the remainder of Zemuria.
For the primary time within the sequence, the story is cut up between three protagonists (Rean, Lloyd, and the mysterious C) with concurrent storylines. Dawn 2 does this to a barely lesser diploma however doesn’t enable for swapping between them everytime you need (for essentially the most half). The Crossbell setting does additionally imply characters that hadn’t been seen for some time get to pop again up.
One of the best a part of this sport can be the Reverie Hall, which is only a sequence of dungeons filled with chests and enemies. That is the right technique to achieve gadgets that give XP in addition to stat will increase. I owe with the ability to beat the sport on Nightmare issue utterly to with the ability to over-level characters throughout the board and farm chests within the dungeons.
5. Trails within the Sky FC
- Launch Date: 2004 in Japan and 2011 Worldwide
- Platforms: PC (accessible via Steam and works completely on the Steam Deck)
The sequence begins with the unassuming lifetime of a father together with his two youngsters. Besides the daddy does occur to be Cassius Brilliant, a navy genius and the highest-ranked Bracer. After he has to go away the children on a visit, they get the concept to journey to their house nation of Liberl to earn their stripes as Bracers and make Cassius proud. There’s Estelle, the hothead, and Joshua, her powerful and reserved brother. Sherazard Harvey, Cassius’ scholar, additionally travels with them.
Sky FC is the place the video games get all the things from the turn-based facet, the use/names of arts, to the existence of means/stat granting Quartz. There isn’t a single a part of Sky FC that doesn’t have some legacy or direct translation facet within the new video games. Every little thing that makes my favourite entries nice is owed to the very first sport within the sequence.
The one purpose I can not rank this increased is only attributable to how dated it feels, because it’s missing among the higher enhancements of the subsequent 4 video games. Nonetheless, with the remake on the best way, I can’t wait to see how the story holds up with all the fashionable bells and whistles.
4. Trails of Chilly Metal III
It’s been a bit of over a 12 months because the occasions of Chilly Metal 2, and issues have gotten again to regular in Erebonia. Rean and the others graduated from Thors, and he’s turn out to be a trainer on the new Thors Department Campus, which is situated in a distinct small city within the empire. Out of respect for his navy accomplishments, he’s additionally given his personal Class VII, comprised of three college students.
Chilly Metal 3 sees one other sizable leap in visuals, with characters now wanting correctly fleshed out and human, because of a brand new engine. This offers Erebonia a complete new look, and it was like exploring it for the primary time once more. Fight seems to be even higher on this sport, with extra detailed environments and assault animations.
So far as endings go, Chilly Metal 3 has the most effective, even when it ends on a large cliffhanger. Extra of Rean’s backstory is revealed, additional fleshing out the perfect protagonist within the video games. This sport deserves its rank, but it surely was extraordinarily powerful to get to that ending, and nonetheless have to attend for Chilly Metal 4 to launch.
3. Trails Via Dawn I
Dawn 1 begins the Calvard arc, taking the sequence into the Republic for the primary time. The nation is on an financial climb after being so near battle with Erebonia, and know-how is advancing at a loopy fee. Our new protagonist is Van Arkride, a Spriggan who will tackle any job somebody is likely to be too afraid to take to the cops or Bracers. He receives a job from Agnes Claudel, who is raring to discover a set of units made by her well-known grandfather.
After 5 video games of roughly the identical fight mechanics, issues lastly modified. Not solely are the everyday turn-based battles enhanced with new options, however the sport provides an additional wrinkle. Dawn launched Area Battles, permitting you to battle enemies as when you’re enjoying an motion RPG. You’ll be able to select when to get into turn-based fights, so fight turns into optionally available. You’ll be able to simply beeline via areas with out being pressured to battle something.
Van can be only a wholly distinctive protagonist. Not solely is he the oldest but, however his world-weary perspective and life expertise have him extra grounded than the do-gooders that got here earlier than. His place as a fixer additionally implies that all through Dawn 1, you be taught he has been concerned behind the scenes in a number of enormous occasions and in some way is aware of nearly everybody.
2. Trails of Chilly Metal II
- Launch Date: 2014 in Japan and 2016 Worldwide
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS3, PS Vita
Rean’s story picks up solely a month after the primary sport’s surprising cliffhanger. He wakes up excessive within the mountains close to his house of Ymir and should put collectively what occurred in his absence. Luckily, he’s not alone. Rean’s new pal has been watching over him and is definitely the important thing to bringing peace again to Erebonia.
After Chilly Metal 1 ended on a large cliffhanger, I appreciated the sense of confusion over the entire thing. Rean additionally has no thought what has been happening, so it’s enjoyable watching the puzzle of occasions get put again collectively. This contains the emotional reunions with everybody who was afraid he had died within the chaos.
Chilly Metal 2 additionally additional expands on a brand new fight model that got here out of nowhere on the finish of the primary sport and continued into Reverie. I’d say that is probably the perfect second sport of any arc as a result of it begins with tensions at an all-time excessive as a substitute of a lull after the earlier sport’s insane occasions.
1. Trails of Chilly Metal I
- Launch Date: 2013 in Japan and 2015 Worldwide
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS3, PS Vita
That is the beginning of the Erebonia arc and introduces a brand new protagonist, Rean Schwarzer, as he enters the celebrated Thors Army Academy for his schooling. Traditionally, the academy has separated courses by social standing, however they’re doing one thing new this 12 months. The model new Class VII has been organized, grouping youngsters from all backgrounds. Rean is chosen to be a part of this new class and will get to journey throughout Erebonia as a part of his schooling.
The primary Chilly Metal sport has many distinctions that make it the perfect sport of the sequence. The primary one is that it’s the first, I might say, fashionable sport of the sequence. The 3D graphics and precise voice performing raised these video games to new heights and gave a recent technique to join with beloved characters. The opposite spotlight of those video games is that they provide the most important solid of social gathering members out of every other arc. Whereas that may sound like too many characters to maintain observe of, their distinctive personalities make that simple.
I consider Chilly Metal 1 to be the perfect place to begin of the sequence, not solely as a result of it’s the just one simply accessible on fashionable consoles. It’s the good distillation of the Trails formulation of an unassuming group slowly pulled into a large conspiracy. Plus, features, reminiscent of using the ‘C’ moniker, persist as much as the newest launch within the sequence, and I feel that’s superior.