Written by Alexander O. Cuaycong and Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III
Developer: Falcom
Publisher: NIS America
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
Price: $59.99
Nihom Falcom's The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel series enters the latter half of its quadrilogy with the release of the third installment. Pushed out on the Sony Playstation 4 last year and the personal computer earlier this year, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III has now also made its way to the Nintendo Switch to predictably stellar results. The extremely popular franchise's steampunk setting mixed with magic locked away behind the mystical Quartz stands strong no matter what platform it is played on. Is it even a surprise, really?
The decidedly generic description of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III's plot notwithstanding, the staples of Nihom Falcom's solid writing are present throughout the game. And, needless to say, the presentation’s wonderful imagery is half the reason for the series’ loyal following. Its unique artstyle, while anime-inspired, doesn't look cartoony or out of place, and players can easily appreciate the characters’ distinctive appearances. The various locations stand out; the modern grandeur of cities contrast heavily with the more industrialized, if cold, military settings.
To be sure, even those new to the franchise will find plenty to appreciate in The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III. As it unfolds at its typically deliberate pace, it is able to contextualize the importance of familiar characters while taking time to flesh out and develop the newer parts of its cast. Meanwhile, players already having devoted hundreds of hours to its predecessors will find plenty of new things to uncover, what with its storyline focusing on the Branch Campus,. In school, interactions serve to deepen relationships. Outside its walls is a clearer picture of post-war proceedings. From the suburbs of Heimdallr in Central Erebonia to Crossbell in West Zemuria, change is portrayed through the eyes of citizens of the republic determined to restore a semblance of normalcy to their lives.
Significantly, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III runs exceedingly well on the Switch. Character models look good, backgrounds are sharp and colorful, cutscenes play smoothly, and the interface exhibits nary a hitch even when the screen is busy. In short, it’s a technical marvel that squeezes the most out of the hybrid console’s hardware limits in order to maximize the playing experience. And it remains eminently engaging when played undocked; the benefits of portability more than overcome any discernible hits in graphical fidelity.
Progression in The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III is counted in days, but its sheer depth and the ample support provided by well-produced cutscenes lead to immersive gameplay. And, soon enough, Schwarzer and Company are thrust in battle. Not surprisingly, the superb combat mechanics in previous installments are retained save for a handful of improvements, among them the Brave Order system which grants the party of four hot-swappable characters collective offensive and defensive benefits. It faces the enemies in turn-based fashion, during which gamers can choose to improve field positioning, make use of items on inventory, or launch attacks. And, yes, certain instances again lend to mechanical warfare by way of Deus-Excellion and Panzer Soldat weaponry.
Four difficulty options are on tap, but it bears noting that The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III also has a Nightmare Mode that lives up to billing. As in all but the most crucial elements, gamers are given the option to speed up play. Most cutscenes can be skipped, and enabling Turbo Mode allows for accelerated combat phases and traversal of field areas and dungeons. In any case, at no point will the effective “rushing” compromise comprehension of the overarching narrative. Significantly, there’s also plenty for those so enjoined to stay on the other extreme of the spectrum. Side quests for bonuses abound. Vantage Master is, for all intents, a full-fledged deck builder, amping you’re stakes for in-game collectors. And, for good measure, fishing is back and still eminently enjoyable.
Indeed, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III proves to be more than the sum of its parts. It lures players in with excellent writing and keeps their interest with its excellent gameplay. It’s a veritable masterpiece designed to be both intimate and grandiose, darker than Trails of Cold Steel I and II but likewise deeply affecting. It can last anywhere from 70 to north of a hundred hours, but, regardless of the time spent awash in its splendor, it culminates in a twist that ably earns its shock value. And therein lies what is, perhaps, its only lasting negative: the inevitable — and, under the circumstances, seemingly interminable — wait for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV. Highly recommended.
THE GOOD
THE BAD
THE GOOD
- Deep combat system, relying more on team setups and planning than on brute force
- Outstanding storyline featuring easily relatable themes
- A technical marvel
THE BAD
- Game mechanics may overwhelm less-patient newcomers to the series
- Uneven character development
- A very slow burn
RATING: 9.5/10
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