The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC

It's been a while since I've played the first two games, so I can't get detailed, but I enjoyed them both greatly. If you don't mind the text and like characters that aren't just walking archetypes/tropes that is typical of Japanese fiction catering to otaku. Don't get me wrong it's still there to some extent but they don't hit you over the head with it nor have it be the sole method of characterization. The story, in hindsight, might not tread much in the way of new ground, but it has interesting characters and subtle charm/humor to it.

This is just awsome. It's not really have new things that much, but the story is so good, that you just can't forget about it. Really awsome game, and I'm glad that I bought it.

This game is a direct continuation of the first chapter and is much, much better when played after the first. I should add that I love direct continuation sequels. They are the direct opposite of unfaithful sequels when the entire world and game engine changes. I enjoyed the first game and liked this one even more. I like Estelle as a main character more than Joshua. I like that the second chapter ramps up the power levels and the stakes involved, and considerably increases the difficulty, making it feel a lot more like the tactics really matter. The sphere (magic) system gets a little more complex and high powered and the link attacks are introduced. The villains feel a little cliched sometimes but it makes the game cheerful. They still feel like genuine threats and I like that they have history with the player characters that comes out during dialogue. Some of the subjects discussed during the banter between them are actually quite heavy. As I've already mentioned in the first review, I love this series, its tactical hybrid gameplay, its epic feel and very Falcom-style music, its stress-free simplicity. The flaws are still there, particularly that habit of putting points of no return for side missions everywhere, but a lot has been improved in the second chapter. I've played Trails of Cold Steel, I'm tracking down the older Legend of Heroes games and I'm really looking forward to Cold Steel 2 and Sky 3!

I really enjoyed both this and the previous entry. I think on balance this is slightly better localised. I enjoyed it alot. Its one of the nicest games to play windowed. There are some bugs doing that, for example the sky box not fully filling the scene or steps into rooms being a bit off. This was true of part 1, but not nearly as noticeable. I would give this a 5 stars, if it wasn't for the minor glitches above and one gameplay problem. SC attempts to have branching areas, so you can do any branch you feel like first. However this often leeds to a tough first branch, a fairly easy middle branch and forgetable (from a combat point of view) last branch. This is due to the fixed enemy levels, so essentially you soon out level the enemies in the other branches, but the game can not compensate for that leveling. Its a shame you can see that ironically with a more linear order like FC, this game would be near perfect for what it is. I love this series and I had loads of fun, with very well realised characters. In a fun and interesting setting. TC (Third Chapter) is on its way. Play the first one FC if you can, if you like it, pace yourself. These are not short games and there is about 70 hours of gameplay here. I think these are excellent games for a someone to get into turn based JRPGs. I love this game, I just can't give it 5/5 in a review with its obvious flaws.

It is a game made with love. It's a new entry to my S Tier of best RPGs (alongside with Suikodens, Final Fantasies and Baldur's Gates). Together with the 1st chapter it's been 200 hours of a good story and cozy gameplay, and it never felt slow or boring. I'm so really looking forward to playing through the rest 1000 hours to see what's gonna happen next. In one interview the current president of Falcom said that it would take ~10 more years and a few new entries to finish the global story. That will probably make the world of Trails and the continent of Zemuria one of the most detailed worlds in game history. BTW, it is the only game which is on the Nightmare difficulty a nightmare indeed. If you are one hardcore peanut, that is.