Trails in the Sky FC is a Must-Play

[@gnosis_gaming]

Who here has played Trails FC already? Does it rank highly in the series for you? And who is thinking of playing it and why? Let me know!

[@diogenes3300]

I played it for the first time this year as well. It dragged a very tiny bit in Grancel, and the final dungeon could use some work, but other than that it’s nearly perfect 😅

[@gnosis_gaming]

@@diogenes3300 I can see what you mean, and I do agree with you about the final dungeon -- luckily I didn't have to spend too much time in there!

[@SuperSupersoda]

I've played and completed all the games through Cold Steel 3, and I'm on the last chapter of Cold Steel 4 right now. Sky FC was also my starting point, and this ride has only gotten better from there.

[@gnosis_gaming]

@@SuperSupersoda I'm taking my time on SC right now, but I'm looking forward to Cold Steel!

[@coyote271280]

Played FC back when they were first made available for steam back in 2014. It sent me back to the golden age of JRPGs in the SNES era. Estelle Bright (as you will find out when you finish SC) is one of the best written MCs in any genre, and, at least for me, top 3 female protagonists in any media. Her character growth is estellar (pun totally intended). The series as a whole has a lot of highs and lows, but remains overall very good, and the still untranslated Kuro arc seems to be getting back to form after faltering a bit due to lack of focus on the cold steel arc. Not to say that cold steel is bad or subpar, on the contray CS games are really good, it's just that the Sky and Crosbell arcs are better written a more tightly knit together from a narrative stand point than CS. My ranking of all games up to Reverie: Sky SC> Azure> Sky FC> Sky 3rd> Cold Steel 3> Zero> the rest are an enjoyable necesity and tied in preference.

[@TheTheoLogan898]

Glad you enjoyed it! It's funny because when I first played FC, I didn't really like the slow burn. As I played more games in the series, I find myself looking back at FC with a sense of fondness because I understand more and more, with each game I finish, what that game was doing. I'm about 50 hours into Cold Steel 3 now and can say this is easily one of my favorite JRPG series of all time.

[@jmporkbob]

onii-chan

[@Official_RetroMania]

What FC does is slowly introducing you to the politics, organizations and ideologies of each group in this huge expanding world. It would feel weird immediately explaining all the countries, they history, Ouroboros, Jaegers, Bracers... It slowly introduce them in a smaller scale game. Also once you finish FC the ending immediately tells you that the developers were already ready and working on a sequel even if the first game dropped, because the ending of FC was a HUGE cliffhanger, making you starve for more! I think the Sky series is extremely important, it definitely made the ground work of what the Trails series would become in the near future and I am very happy it exists.

[@statesminds]

I love Trails more than anything. Sky SC is my favorite but I guess it wouldn’t be that way without FC. And it’s a shame for people that only have a switch since cold steel 1&2 never got localized and sky only on oc fully and psp for fc and sc. Playing Zero after the 3 sky games the parts with estelle and joshua and renne (make sure to complete all doors in sky 3rd) will hit you so hard i was bawling crying. Estelle is my favorite protagonist

[@johnnymcjohnson1373]

Huh? They have all been localized on Steam except for the newest games? Or what do you mean

[@Cyrus_Bright]

@@johnnymcjohnson1373 I think he meant to say ported to newer systems since they aren't available in English on Switch or Playstation because of licensing issues with Xseed

[@salsamonkey65]

So glad you finally got to experience this game! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series as well. I certainly do. Very excited for Daybreak next year

[@indexical1897]

Great video! Almost every time someone says a game is a slow burn I find I really enjoy it. Starting slow, small and quiet just makes a story feel more epic when it all kicks off. Exactly why I loved the arc of Twilight Princess because the early village scenes are so cosy. Sky FC is my favourite in the trails series for this very reason.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Haha that's interesting you brought up the opening bit of Twilight Princess -- because that's the part most people hate about that game! I guess it really comes down to whether you enjoy 'cozy' games or not.

[@indexical1897]

@@gnosis_gaming yeah I guess those people thought the shire scenes in Lord of the Rings needed more Orcs and less partying 🤦‍♂️

[@gnosis_gaming]

😂😂@@indexical1897

[@ru1su720]

You just summerized my feelings towards the trilogy, I absolutely love fc and sc would not be a Grand Finalle without a solid base. Love you

[@Official_RetroMania]

I am now playing the 3rd Sky game and I will play the Trails series in order. I think the first 3 Sky games are very important, obviously each entry is more and more grandiose but the first game were very important to lay down the ground work, slowly introducing to you the difference groups you will deal with like: all the different countries and they idiologies and politics, the Ouroboros society, Jaeger's and so on and so on... It is definitely an important part of the Trails series and I am very happy these games exist!

[@Davehhhh]

Im glad you enjoyed FC. I started on cold steel 1 and like you, felt i needed to start at beginning as i felt i was missing stuff. After getting a steamdeck, i was able to play the sky series and then crossbell. As im finishing up cold steel 1, i had no idea how much i missed in conversations, story and characters showing up. I hope that whenever you get back to cold steel 3, you will have the same feeling as i did of enjoying all the pieces of story that you missed.

[@MKIVD]

Same here. I first played FC on my PSP and while I was already a high schooler then, I'd be lying if I said I fully understood all the nuances and everything the story offered. I got myself a Steam Deck and played FC again. I was beyond hooked. The story, the music, the characters, the dialogue, and the gameplay were so perfect. I played SC after a couple of days. When I finished SC I told myself wow this is the first time I beat JRPGs after 1 or 1 and a half decades. I'm now at Sky the 3rd. Also picked up the games for the Crossbell arc (Zero, Azure) and will pick up all the CS games when it goes on sale.

[@coyote271280]

great take on FC, made me want to go and play it a 3rd time.

[@afjngsw]

I finished FC and SC about a year ago and I'm starting the crossbell arc now that they're released and localized on pc. I'm loving the crossbell arc so far. Trails from Zero has a bit of that slice of life feel that FC does so well. Going to start Trails To Azure once I find the time. I can't wait! (Good review by the way, I agree with all your points. Gave me some good ideas on how to recommend my friends this game lol)

[@gnosis_gaming]

Thanks for watching! I think whether a person prefers FC or SC definitely says a lot about them, haha! FC is no doubt for people who like to kick back and chill, and SC is for people who love diving into action. It's great that in this series we can get both worlds.

[@diogenes3300]

I can’t wait to get to Trails from Zero because I feel these games are perfect for the Switch. It’s a shame that more of them aren’t ported.

[@Monia-Hime]

​@@diogenes3300you're right they are perfect for the Switch. I played Zero & I am playing Azure on it now. Being able to play them anywhere is a huge plus.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Right? Sometimes when I play on my mac I feel like I have to commit to a long session haha, but with my switch I can drop in for a few minutes here and there really easily @@Monia-Hime

[@Cyrus_Bright]

did you play Sky the 3rd? A lot of really important stuff happens there for the future games (Zero especially xD)

[@IAMBrenner]

I recently finished Trails FC at a little over 102 hours. I agree wholeheartedly with your views in this video! Just subbed! Can’t wait for more after I finish SC.

[@gullpayne]

Loved this game absolute gem

[@gnosis_gaming]

Thanks for watching! I just saw you did a review on your channel as well. Pretty cool to see the difference in graphics on the PSP version.

[@kippies66]

I was quite lucky myself to have sumbled accross this gem one day and decided to give it a go. With Sky FC as my first game I had pretty much the full Trails experience. Well, almost full as Azure and Zero weren't out in english yet at the time, but I did make sure to do some research regarding its story so I would get most of its references in Cold Steel. Starting with Sky was the right decision, as revisiting the game after playing throuhg Cold Steel really made me miss the various quality of life changes that were added over time.

[@McCaroni_Sup]

I honestly waited for the Geofront Translations of Zero/Ao. Which wasn't that long of a wait since I started the Trails series in 2017, when the Sky Trilogy was already released in the West. Currently, I'm at Cold Steel II Act 2 Part 4.

[@ipamn8131]

last year i picked this game expecting a slow/relaxing adventuring games, boy does things pick up after that and makes you cherish this mundane daily life even more, what the characters needs to be done to protect it, and now i'm already at cold steel 4, enjoy the journey

[@TheDelayer]

Loved your comments on pacing. I felt the same way. By the time the action really picks up towards the end and heading into SC, you’ve really earned it and are invested in the characters after having so much time with them in low stakes scenarios. I finished FC last year and I’m about halfway through SC now. Can’t wait to get further into the series but I’m trying not to rush it.

[@gnosis_gaming]

We must be going through FC and SC at the same time and pace haha.

[@TheDelayer]

Lol nice. I hope you make a video on SC after you finish it. I’ll check back in when I’m done with it. Subbed!

[@m.di.c.]

Competely agree that playing Trails is like reading an excellent fantasy series. I read for characters and then plot myself, so this development is my cup of tea. Since I play on PC it was much easier to get at the games, but I did play a ROM of the Crossbell arc before playing my legal copies of Cold Steel (have since bought the Crossbell releases as they became available). Subscribing for more Kiseki content.

[@gnosis_gaming]

I'm glad to be getting into the series at a time when it's become super accessible

[@GenmaTheSamurai]

Welcome to the series :) I am currently caught up with the western games myself, and this is my personal favorite series of all time. Hoping you enjoy your time with the rest of the series. Unfortunately, you may have to upgrade whenever you reach the Cold Steel arc, but luckily for you that won't be for a bit. Good video gnosis :)

[@gnosis_gaming]

Wow, so you must really know this series well. When I get to Cold Steel, I'll have my old PS4 to use, but I'll miss the portability of playing it on my Mac :(

[@diogenes3300]

Haha I watched your videos before, it looks like this series really changed your life!

[@GenmaTheSamurai]

Thanks @@diogenes3300 😅 The series really does mean a lot to me, and just glad to have any kind of platform to share that love. But yeah not gonna make this about me lol, hoping gnosis enjoys SC! I also enjoy watching others' videos on the games :)

[@McCaroni_Sup]

@@gnosis_gaming You can actually get Cold Steel I and II on Switch, but it's an Asia exclusive version (with English translation). I personally live in Southeast Asia so it's readily available here, which is great for me since I'm a massive Trails fan lol. But I don't know if you'll be able to get your hands on it.

[@johanforsenberg4180]

I started playing through the Trails series (from the beginning of course) almost 2 years ago. Just got to cold steel 1 and am LOVING these games so much

[@thecognitiverambler8911]

Trails in the Sky FC is my favorite entry in the ENTIRE Trails series - and I've played through Reverie at this point. You articulated quite well almost everything I feel about the game too. It's not a "slow burn" - it's WORLD BUILDING! It's complex and plausible characters acting in an extremely believable world. It's an adventure unlike any of the others in the entire series, and the "smallness" of Trails FC is a refreshing change of pace from your prototypical "upend the evil emperor and then kill god" - type of stakes you're usually met with in JRPGS. Trails FC taught me that in a way, lower stakes (albeit by no means low) - and with some higher stakes surprises - that are more intimate and personal to the main cast - does more for me personally than world shaking stakes generally do. Maybe "save the world" has grown tired after doing it in so many RPG's at this point, but I'm a much bigger sucker for personal stakes as opposed to "world" stakes. FC does this better than any other game I've ever played, probably.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Right, mixing the higher stakes and lower stakes makes the high stakes feel higher. It's all about dynamics. When the payoff comes later, it's way bigger because of how small everything has been.

[@Ghalion666]

WOW. I thought I was alone, I too think FC is the best, and no I don't think the rest of the series disappoints me or whatever.

[@Ghalion666]

@@gnosis_gaming Yes, and rpg fans often misuse the word 'epic'. Trails is a true epic, with nothing coming remotely close. It's a true epic because it does have the scope including the importance of both low and high stakes.

[@mrmoonlightx1991]

i am 45 hours into this game, close to the end, and i am already hooked. i was also nervous about accessibility but i got it to work on my laptop and my gaming perspective has been changed. FC is exactly like the types of fantasy series i read in many ways and its such a comfort. i can't wait to experience the rest of this journey!

[@beetlehorn]

I started with Crossbell and im now on Cold Steel 4, but KillScottKill was instrumental in my love for Sky. I really dislike pc gaming, despite owning the Sky games on GOG, I feel his playthroughs are the best way to experience Sky for anyone unable to play the trilogy. Scott was instrumental in the Geofront team that made Crossbell in the West happen officially. He didn't live to see it, but his playthroughs of this trilogy will always stick with me. Not sure where else I could share this. RIP KillScottKill

[@gnosis_gaming]

I was watching their videos as well before I hopped into the series.

[@NeosNeo]

I loved this review, I will be playing trails SC again really soon and I cant wait to hear what you think about it

[@gnosis_gaming]

Thanks for watching! I'm taking my time with SC but I'll definitely share my thoughts after I finish it.

[@diogenes3300]

I think SC is also great, but FC and SC seem to appeal to different kinds of people. FC is way more chill and more about exploring new places and meeting people. SC is more story-driven.

[@lukedelameter7961]

Funny thing is, I also started with Cold Steel 3 for the exact reasons you did. However, I was able to have fun with it thanks to the new characters it introduced. Playing Sky FC felt a little bit uncomfortable with it being my first PC game, but it was a great experience, and I can’t wait to blaze through the rest of the Trails!

[@gnosis_gaming]

I managed to get my PS4 controller working on my mac, so it didn't feel too different!

[@continuallyblessed44]

Playin FC right now and I’m just now starting chapter 2. Love the game so far! I started Cold Steel 1 at first but decided to stop and start at the beginning. I’m glad I did!

[@TrailsToCompletion]

Very thorough observations, and a well-put together video essay! Glad to hear you got hooked on FC, it's a game that means a lot to me as well 🌟Please do make more Trails content!

[@gnosis_gaming]

Thanks! I'm pretty far along in SC now, but it sure does take me a while haha 🤣

[@FirstLast-mn4re]

I feel pretty lucky to have discovered the Trails series through hearing Sky FC's battle theme in some random youtube video. It got me to take a shot in the dark with this series (and luckily start it from the beginning) Sky FC is still very high up there for me in terms of Trails games, and that mainly comes down to how refreshingly mundane Sky FC is. Its a great game for introducing players into the world of Zemuria and really helps the player to appreciate the world and charcters once things do heat up in later games.

[@gnosis_gaming]

I like the mundanity of it as well. I'm very much a 'slice of life' guy

[@NewRaven2]

I'm fairly sure you will have a blast with Cold Steel III after you have played all the games that will bring you there in order. It will probably feel like a whole different game to you. And there is another aspect... if you played the games in order, are through all the arcs (sky, crossbell, erebonia/cold steel) and you decide to just play again and start... let's say... Sky FC again, you will see sooooo many things in it in a entire different light, it's unbelievable. All these arcs work, sometimes better than other time, stand-alone, but there is more foreshadowing for the near and distant future in these games you are totally unable to recognize until you actually played the later games, it's unbelievable. So we not only have - for now localized - three complete story-arcs plus quite a bit of overarching plot, we also have many clues and pointers to things that happen in the future (-> future games) which aren't recognizable as such when we play the game. There is literally no other gaming franchise that goes this far in story- or character-progression. None.

[@gnosis_gaming]

I did enjoy the game, and I look forward to starting it again with all the proper context!

[@sethhale235]

Legitimately the closest review to my experience of FC. I mean, it was the first one I tried, but I agree wholeheartedly about the pacing and story. Great review (and not just because I agree).

[@gnosis_gaming]

Thanks for watching! FC is really a wonderful experience

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I’m half way through my first play and loving it! It’s definitely a slow burn but it’s so good.

[@Cyrus_Bright]

Welcome to the Trails fandom gnosis, glad to see you enjoyed your time with FC :) I started my journey roughly 3 years ago and I had no idea what I was getting myself into, little did I know this series would become my favorite jrpg series ever. I'd have no idea where to even begin when ranking the series because every game does things a bit differently while also following some sort of formula, FC is undoubtedly one of my favorites as it's quite literally the foundation for the rest of the series. Plus, it truly feels like you're going off on this grand adventure with Estelle and Joshua into the land of Zemuria. Yes! I also use the book analogy when explaining to people that they need to start from the beginning. Although if the Sky games truly aren't accessible to some players (like Switch or Playstation exclusive people) then I'd say Zero or Cold Steel 1 is okay if they absolutely want to check the series out. However even a super cheap laptop can run the Sky games no problem and you can find some for easily under $50 if you shop around so there's almost no excuse in not starting with the Sky games imo xD. I do wish they would be ported to other platforms but because of translation licensing shenanigans with the Sky trilogy and the first two Cold Steel games being handled by Xseed it's highly unlikely unless NISA retranslates the games themselves or somehow acquires the rights from Xseed. We did get official translations for the Crossbell games (thank you Geofront Team

[@gnosis_gaming]

Haha, I think your comment is as long as my review! And 'gnosis' comes from playing Xenosaga as a little kid lol

[@Cyrus_Bright]

@@gnosis_gaming I get that a lot, I tend to have a lot to say when it comes to Trails lmao xD ah that's neat, never played the saga games. I always hope for a remaster some day.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Unfortunately they're not too approachable on the PS2 anymore :') @@Cyrus_Bright

[@Cyrus_Bright]

@@gnosis_gaming yeah I do still own an old ps2 but I imagine it'd be fairly expensive to buy them physically. I guess if I really want to I would have to emulate them 🤔

[@unknown123455]

Great review. I admit, I have yet to sink my teeth into the Sky Trilogy, even though they've been sitting in my Steam backlog for years, but I think it's now time to start, and your review convinced me. On PS4, I played Cold Steel 1 and 2 in a summer, but after starting Cold Steel 3, I put it on hold in Chapter 3, because CS3 seems to have an arc dedicated to each Saga before it (Liberl, Crossbell, Erebonia, and New Material). Plus the Zero/Azure license had just been announced. So, thank you for convincing me to go back to Trails in the Sky 1, 2 and 3. I'll let you know what I think when I finish them in 2024. I'm going to play Nayuta: Boundless Trails this month, but I'll let you know what I think when I finish the Sky Trilogy in 2024. Hopefully, by then there'll be a Port announced for the Sky trilogy so more people can play them. By the way, thanks for comparing it to Aria The Masterpiece and Yokohama Shopping Trip. Both are great Manga series that both received new Editions in English in the last 3 years. Wish more people would read them. Please do a Video on them.

[@gnosis_gaming]

I hope you like them! I'm also playing Nayuta right now. And that's great news about the Aria manga getting a new translation. I remember the first volume having a particularly awful translation haha. I have a video on both of those manga, actually. Please check them out!

[@ultimadrago]

I'm caught up to Hajimari, but Trails in the Sky FC still remains my favorite to this day. The accomplishment of how expertly it built the stepping stones for future etnries to run off of is exceptional in so many ways. There's a great charm to Liberl that really hasn't been topped. The dungeons are bare basic (which never really changed), but that's always been dressing for me. And that's not even to mention Estelle, one of my favorite protagonists in any RPG and my all-time from Kiseki. She has such a fiery personality with a unique vulnerability that's hard to find in protagonists, even among female leads. Anyways, this comment is too long but thanks for this video!

[@sanane66543]

for me fc was also my favo until i played remastered zero game now that one is ive played all trials games but idk this one was the best imo

[@taylorlowder8935]

The Japanese subtitles on the title cards were really helpful. I would've had no idea you were about to talk about graphics if you didn't have the katakana for the word GRAPHICS up on screen.

[@gnosis_gaming]

@@taylorlowder8935 I like to have fun with my editing and experiment 👌One person commenting was weirdly annoyed by the sight of Japanese entering their eyeballs. 😂

[@Dart3r]

Loving the channel bro

[@animenine1511]

nice video. as a trains veteran i approve this

[@JerJRPG]

I love Bestelle so much.... the best protagonist... My Protagonist Rankings for Trails. 1. Bestelle 2. Van Arkride 3. Kevin 4. Lloyd 5. Rean

[@Cyrus_Bright]

Van as number 2 eh? As someone who just recently finished Kuro 1 I can see why he's so high up there.

[@Synthpopper]

Enjoy the ride my friend, you have the right attitude to get the most out of this epic

[@gnosis_gaming]

Do you have a favorite entry?

[@Synthpopper]

@@gnosis_gaming Without spoiling anything, I love Sky the 3rd and Azure equally as much for different reasons

[@gnosis_gaming]

A lot of people really love the 3rd. I've heard it's a sort of strange entry to the series though.@@Synthpopper

[@Synthpopper]

@@gnosis_gaming It's certainly different but in a way that stands out and isn't overused in following games. You get a great protagonist, awesome music, extremely touching story, *deep lore*, and an overall fantasic epilogue with the entire cast. And to top it off, it isn't rediculously long for no reason so was the least frustrating game to me. It just feels like something Falcom will never quite replicate.

[@gnosis_gaming]

I see, it does seem like the games tend to be a little bit end heavy at times.@@Synthpopper

[@r5LgxTbQ]

9:20 exactly right, FC has those YKK vibes

[@MrDiomedes1977]

Sky FC is a great game, even after nearly 20 years, that speaks volumes of the game design. Art, music, detail etc are top notch so hold up well, the dialogues, world building etc is top and even the gameplay is still competent enough after all this years, I would say it holds up as something out of the timestream compared to other games of 2004. Succesive games are even better. I got into the series 7 years ago with the occidental release of Cold Steel 1 and just after CS1 y played Sky 1 and 2 in my Vita, then CS2, CS3, Sky the Third, CS4, PS4 ports of CSI and II, Zero, Azure, and Reverie in that order. All the series is top notch, my favourites would be Sky SC, Azure, Cold Steel 1, Cold Steel 3 and 4 and now finishing Reverie that is a terrific game but a sort of Sk the THird and probably wont rank in my Top 5.

[@djdirect999]

Play FC, then SC, then the 3rd (mainly for the star doors). Then Crossbell, then Cold Steel 1-4. It's the best way to play it. My favourite series ever.

[@gnosis_gaming]

What's your favorite enty?

[@djdirect999]

FC@@gnosis_gaming

[@djdirect999]

So many bits in Crossbell rely on trails in the sky (Just realised it's abbreviation its TiTS). Hehe.. But Cold steel 2 especially you need to have played Crossbell before.

[@DarkSeraph95]

Just finished SC and it's my favorite of the series

[@diogenes3300]

I feel the same way about this game

[@FSAPOJake]

It astonishes me that there are people that skip the Sky games and go right to Cold Steel. Not only does the knowledge you get of the lore from the Sky games make the Cold Steel games way more enjoyable, but I personally think the Sky games are the best ones in the series.

[@Dinklr]

I just finished the first game and Immediately purchased the second at full price. How do they expect you to not splurge when that ending is such a massive cliffhanger and setup for the next game? That's how they get you and I don't even care. Also something you didn't mention was the acting. I know it's a patch but I played it with the evo voice mod and the performances are excellent. I couldn't imagine playing the game without the jpn voice acting as it just brings every character to life. Estelle's voice in particular is crazy good and her range is insane(especially in the school play).

[@gnosis_gaming]

Haha I did the same thing

[@koro527]

Crazy huh? How a game with nine sequels is underrated. I believe I've started my trails journey in spring of last year. Played Trails 1-3 on Steam. Zero/Azure on ps4, just recently finished the first cold steel game. Few more to go :)

[@gnosis_gaming]

You made good progress!

[@zackeryparkerson]

Absolutely bizarre they haven’t ported this game to Switch and PS4, where the rest of the franchise exists.

[@gnosis_gaming]

If I remember correctly, I think it's a copyright issue of the English translation (which is why Cold Steel 3 is on the Switch but not 1 and 2). But if I'm wrong, someone out there please correct me! :)

[@zackeryparkerson]

@@gnosis_gaming I heard the same thing. But I’m surprised they wouldn’t fight to find a way around it, whether by buying their way around it or working with the original team to rerelease it somehow.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Hopefully it's something they're working on! It's always a shame when great games get stuck on old hardware.@@zackeryparkerson

[@pianissimo7121]

The ending of FC is just insane.

[@gnosis_gaming]

It's a terrific ending.

[@skyknight0408]

Well, I started the series with Cold Steel 1, which is the second best entry point, because the story of Cs1+2 is mostly self contained except for a small section of CS2 that happens after the end of the main story. CS1 ends with a kind of cliffhanger that makes you want to jump into the second part of the story arc asap. But while playing CS2 I had already decided to go back and play the older games after that story concluded. At first I only wanted to play them for context, because I had seen characters from previous games on screenshots from CS3+4. But while playing Sky FC, I found the game and its characters so charming that I spent more time in it than I initially planned, talking to most NPCs and doing side stuff. And while I was playing the Sky games, the Crossbell games got released in the west, so I had two more games to get through, before I could return to the Cold Steel series. And almost 2 years after starting CS1, I finally could play CS3. Let me say, playing all of the older games first made me enjoy CS3 so much more.

[@Dazhdbog13]

I also started with Cold Steel 1 and it really hooked me into the franchise. After CS2 I decided to go back to the start with FC and I'm currently about half way through. It's good to hear I'm likely to enjoy CS3 more once I eventually get through all the other games (not to make sure it sound like a chore, I'm genuinely looking forward to it all)

[@skyknight0408]

@@Dazhdbog13 It may look like a chore from the outside, because that's five games to go through before CS3. FC is a very slow game, but it does a good job, setting everything up and developing the characters. If you care about them by the last chapter, you'll love jumping into SC right away. 3rd might be a small roadblock, because it plays more like a paid DLC for SC. It's just one big dungeon crawl with lots of lore and character background hidden behind doors that are scattered throughout the game. All of the info they dump on you matters, so don't skip it, even if it's(IMO) the weakest of the games gameplaywise. The Crossbell games are a soft reboot, because it changes the location and characters, but the story is done greatly and the old characters are not out of the world. The first arc of Erebonia is pretty self contained, but the Liberl and Crossbell arcs intertwine. Looking back now, it doesn't really feel like I've finished 7 games(almost 8 now) of the series already.

[@agamer2000]

yo gud vid, i will play this game one day.

[@HDREconomist]

ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

[@rossedwardmiller]

I think this is the vid that finally sold me

[@gnosis_gaming]

@@rossedwardmiller were you on the fence about getting into the series?

[@Konamalunu]

Nice video. It's nice to hear such high praise for my favorite game trilogy. Even though this is just about FC, you could extend the credit to SC and even Sky Third. You mentioned that a massive part of the game is getting invested in the dialogue and character interactions. After being unsatisfied with CS, you have summarized precisely what I was missing in it but was still there in the Sky games. Unlike the face sprites, the 3D models do not convey any emotions, and the dialogue is too far away from how people would generally interact with each other - even if it is the nobility speaking, too much text feels like filler to the point of wanting me to skip most of the dialogue entirely.

[@gnosis_gaming]

I really love the face sprites, and they look particularly great in Trails from Zero -- I'm looking forward to starting that game over after I get through the first arc.

[@user-od5th6zd2f]

I played FC back in 2017 on my Vita. I was looking for a JRPG starring a female protagonist on DS, 3DS, PSP, Vita. And I found Estelle. lol I liked the series immediately. :) It is the first Trails game I played, and it's still my favorite even after playing the next 7 games in the series. I always like the first game in an arc more than the second game: Zero more than Azure, CSI more than CSII. I guess I like beginnings more than endings and how everything in the first game is new. Maybe we shouldn't separate the games anyway. I mean, without the beginning, there would be no ending. Or something like that. lol I'm glad you like the Trails games, gnosis9327!

[@gnosis_gaming]

Actually, FC has a lot of great moments for female protagonists!

[@Ichirushu]

What's the music list for this video I'm in love with all of these songs

[@Zombiebrains24]

Trails series is best experienced on something like the Steam deck or Rog Ally since all of the games are on Steam and more accessable on thos devices

[@aqualucasYT]

👍

[@gnosis_gaming]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@joeyxl3456]

Top video bro

[@gnosis_gaming]

I think we have similar feelings about it. We'd prefer it to have been something else, but it is what it is, and might as well have fun with it.

[@MKIVD]

That's the perfect word: Rustic. However, I will disagree with it being low stakes. The events become so much effed up fast after the few chapters that it allows you to breathe.

[@fogblades6811]

It may not be the same genre of JRPG, but Ys is a game series you may like as well

[@gnosis_gaming]

I love Ys! I actually have a video about Ys 8.

[@Baka917]

8:49 song?

[@gnosis_gaming]

Satie - Gymnopedie no1

[@Baka917]

Thank you very much my good man

[@gnosis_gaming]

😇@@Baka917

[@Snzn_7]

Playing the Vita version or slapping the a voice mod for the pc enhances the Sky experience significantly. Like Oliviert's antics becomes bazillion times more funnier with the japanese voice acting. But if you aren't a big anime fan or you play jrpgs on the english dub only then you probably won't appreciate the jaoanese voice acting anyway

[@mohamedabdullah3733]

Mandatory grinding is the wordt part of this game..... I really didn't want to grind in this game but more n more mandatory as the game progress....other thn that good game

[@sonicfraisheya4028]

trails in sky FC made me realize i dont have to kill god in every jrpg or fight a world ending villain, maybe i can actually games like atelier.

[@mhf0gamer]

portrait at 8:32 iykyk 😉

[@gnosis_gaming]

😆

[@darbindelacruz8937]

right now i just finish SC i going to start 3C i fall in love for Estelle one of the best female protagonist ❤

[@prasssetyadi980]

Congrats, this game will have remake next year

[@gnosis_gaming]

@@prasssetyadi980 it looks great! But I’ll miss the original’s art style

[@andrewramirez9727]

mind linking what you used to get this running on your mac? i am planning to buy the third when i get to it.

[@gnosis_gaming]

www.portingkit.com/ Here you go!

[@harveyboi3917]

FC gets a weird reputation in the community. I feel like people either love it or just remember it bc of the cliffhanger at the end, which is such a shame to me. I feel like a lot of people miss the point of the game; it's not incredibly tense or thrilling because the entire premise of the game is about Joshua and Estelle trying to become senior bracers like Cassius and Schera. Likewise with SC, its a lot more tense because the premise is about stopping the society from harming Liberl. Too many people expect it to be something it's not and it doesn't help that that tone is so different from the rest of the series in terms of seriousness. Basically, expectations of what a trails game should be (even what a JRPG should be) harm its perception in the player's eyes. It's not something everyone is going to love immensely, but more people should acknowledge it for being exceptional in regards to what it's trying to do.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Oh, I didn't know people had complicated feelings about FC as an entry!

[@harveyboi3917]

@@gnosis_gaming I feel like complicated is a strong word but it definitely ranges from one of the worst games to one of the best depending on who you ask. I personally believe that if it wasn't beat out by SC, it'd be number one for me (although i haven't yet finished the series so who knows what i'll think later).

[@thelastsidewalk]

Okay, I'll add it to my list. Before I do though, I should probably get a controller to play rather than a keyboard.

[@gnosis_gaming]

I plugged in my PS4 controller and used that.

[@Random2960]

Estelle = Bestelle

[@norangzforever]

liberl arc is the best, the characters, music, gameplay, world building, the mystery. its charming feels so comfy, love all party members. honestly i lost interest in the later arc because i failed to like the character.

[@rensro2138]

I loved Sky FC so much but I'm going to be honest and say the game is like a 6/10 but it still a special game for me and Sky SC was even better. I finished them a long time ago and still haven't played Sky 3rd but probably will next year when I finish a big list of games in my backlog

[@gnosis_gaming]

That's a pretty low score

[@WolfBitOdyssey]

Why is it called FC? Like the developer? The first game?

[@gnosis_gaming]

FC stands for First Chapter

[@WolfBitOdyssey]

@@gnosis_gamingso an unofficial name the fans give it

[@gnosis_gaming]

The original name in Japanese is Sora no Kiseki FC

[@ASMRPongpoom]

​@@WolfBitOdysseyตอนที่เล่นครั้งแรกในปี 2004 มันไม่มีหรอก หลังจากนั้นภาค 2 ถึงมีคำว่า sc ขึ้น แต่พอภาค 1 ขึ้น psp ถึงมีคำว่า fc บนหน้าปกเกม

[@karlshaner2453]

I wish steam still carried this game.

[@FiggsNeughton]

Falcom makes shit that's one step up from mobile games.

[@ASMRPongpoom]

am i only one here finish sora no kiseki 2004 in japan lang

[@lulukomadori9651]

Ehhhh, it really slow tho, SC tho is 20x better and made it worth tackling the trails series, but yeah there an better feeling about it once u beaten the other games - specially when the latter game really don't have much stakes if u know what I mean - but yeah, hoping to get my brother into the series and I hope replaying them now will change my views for them

[@ASMRPongpoom]

or if you not havr time select or you want and watch walkthrough by pafdingo trails his channel do no commentary with japan voice over dialogue you can enjoy like watch cutscene

[@lulukomadori9651]

@@ASMRPongpoom not slow that way, like plot/storywise, it an very slow burn but sky fc is still enjoyable specially looking back on it. Can't wait for the remake

[@Zino_blade]

Honestly while I still think FC is a great game, I think I definetly burned myself out on it, bc I tried to talk to every NPC, which resulted in an 80 hour play time instead of a 50 hour 💀 Also the story really didn't catch me until the last chapter, but that was expected bc it is the prolog game. Having a blast with sc tho now that the story gets moving (and I stopped talking to all the NPCs)

[@gnosis_gaming]

Haha, I'm definitely one of those people, but by the time you get to Grancel, there are just TOO many people to talk to!! Great replay value in that respect, though, and it makes the world feel alive and moving.

[@johnle1535]

I played cold steel 1 and 2. Then went back to beginning.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Cold Steel 1 is a decent starting point.

[@bhoqeem1975]

Yeah. Until you eventually have had enough, halfway through the Crossbell duology.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Haha maybe I will feel that way one day!

[@sj4iy]

As much as I love the Sky series…FC was a slog to get through. I loved the story but it took me multiple times playing the beginning to finally get through it. I can’t replay it. SC had much better pacing and story and was easier to play.

[@bw2082]

Wait till you finish SC

[@sonic23233]

I've only played the cold steel games

[@gnosis_gaming]

Any plans to try another arc?

[@sonic23233]

@@gnosis_gaming The Calvard arc when it comes out next year

[@sharadaarun6222]

As a person who has played Trails from Zero, seeing your username 'gnosis' gives me mild trauma

[@lancemoraes853]

I had high expectations, played all the way up to Trails of Cold Steel 3, unfortunately the Cold Steel series is tedious, long, repetitive, and CHILDISH, the childish plot of the game KILLED IT for me, I'm in the final act of Cold Steel 3, 4 is already installed, but unfortunately I can't bring myself to finish the game, it tastes like shit

[@gnosis_gaming]

That's too bad!

[@migovas1483]

The FC is great, is big, expands, you meet people, places.. great!.. SC it was good until near the end when becomes dungeon hooping.. that was a let down...🙄. you go from pillar to pillar, dungeon and dungeon... and no more, while the FC was epic the second feels like they ran out of ideas, or they did not wish to advance the plot that much..

[@gnosis_gaming]

I see! This is a very different opinion from what I've heard so far. Seems most people like the quicker pace of SC.

[@migovas1483]

@@gnosis_gaming My only problem is the end of the game, where it becomes other 'type' of game.. FC was very consistent, and SC was good like 80% overall , but then they decided having the Dungeons as the plot device, and you just go through them without much context other than, yeah they are there... and they become "disconnected " from the story or the world. ... Feels like developers said: the said 'ok lets wrap this up, and leave this and that for the next game'.. my 2 cents.

[@MrSentinel07]

I got through them recently and, honestly, I consider them the weakest of the Trails games. Sorry, but I found the Crossbell and Cold Steel games to have significantly better stories, characters, and gameplay. Sky's characters are okay with some good ones, but I found Estelle to just be so boring and plain compared to other protagonists in the franchise. Didn't help that her arc is way too focused on her falling in love with her adoptive brother.

[@gnosis_gaming]

A lot of people love the Cold Steel games, but as I haven't played them much, I'm only comparing Trails in the Sky FC to itself ☺

[@patrickmurray3846]

um the MC in this game is Lloyd Bannings

[@gnosis_gaming]

Is this some inside joke I don't get yet? 😂

[@GenmaTheSamurai]

@@gnosis_gaming Not to my knowledge lol.

[@gnosis_gaming]

😂@@GenmaTheSamurai

[@jorntumrongwit9056]

@@gnosis_gaming If it *is* an inside joke, I don't get it either

[@TheTheoLogan898]

@@gnosis_gaming No lol

[@keiichimorisato98]

Great video, man! I played Trails in the Sky FC shortly after it released, quiet by accident, actually. I was homeless and was looking for a JRPG to sink my teeth into on my PS Vita. The more relaxed pace was the right thing i needed when i was sleeping in a tent for nearly 2 months.

[@gnosis_gaming]

Oh, wow, that's incredible! I hope things are better for you now and you can enjoy the game in more comfortable circumstances. 😯

[@elvinblanco3428]

I also only own a Switch and a Macbook, and trying to get into Trails 🥲

[@gnosis_gaming]

I played on a Mac! It's possible. You have to buy it on GOG and then open it with the Porting Kit app.