Trails of Cold Steel III - Review - Tarks Gauntlet

Trails of Cold Steel III... or rather Trails of Cold Steel 3 (If you're one of THOSE people) is the third entry in the Trails of Cold Steel saga, and the 8th in the current Legend of Heroes over-arching series.
Many people have asked if they can start at this game, and many people have given different opinions. Many fans will say "No" yet the games director himself says "Yes." I mean, if it would give me more sales on my game I'd say "Yes" too, but that's neither here nor there.
In this comprehensive review I aim to do a few things.
1) Answer the question "Where do I start the Trails series?" or "What if I never played any of the other games, what will starting here be like?"
2) I aim to explain the events of the world between Cold Steel 2 and Cold Steel 3 so you can see how the game sets you up for adventure. This means taking a look at the entire political climate of the world.
3) I aim to show some of the conflict our characters find themselves in, but don't worry, I will limit this to only whats abundantly clear straight from the get go, and what's already been covered in the trailers. Believe it or not, despite how much I say here not 1 single plot development that occurs DURING the events of Cold Steel 3 will be discussed in this review. This is, in essence, Spoiler Free.
4) I will showcase both forms of combat and run through their mechanics as if giving a tutorial.
5) Look at all the pertinent technical aspects of this release. The visuals, performance, voice overs, ost, and of course, the translation.
It's a long one, so buckle up.
PS. Those jarring transitions are intentional.. I just think they're funny.
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#Kiseki #TrailsOfColdSteelIII #TarksGauntlet

[@amandablount9286]

"And that's the power of the eight leaves"

[@thejonbrownshow8470]

Eh, I seen friendship accomplished more

[@TarksGauntlet]

Hey folks. Just want to say thanks for the great response here, but I also made a mistake. In the combat section, whether due to getting a note mixed up, or by force of habit I stated that there is a defend option. This isn't accurate. There is no straight defend action. Those only exist in Panzer soldat battles. Your best defense otherwise is found in certain arts or simply using move to get out of enemy attack ranges. My apologies. Videos this long a mistake like this is a bit hard to catch. Thanks @Tiger Festivals for catching this!

[@ntluck1592]

6 months too late but i would like to point out that you also made a mistake in explaining brave orders. They are gained when you unbalance an enemy, not with criticals. Criticals always unbalance an enemy so maybe that's the reason for the confusion

[@ravus9935]

Friendly reminder that Estelle's final S-Craft in SC was called Wheel of Time.

[@TarksGauntlet]

...It's all coming together.

[@pablosanches4975]

@@TarksGauntlet Erebonia must be the 5th age...

[@TarksGauntlet]

@@pablosanches4975 Rean is the new dragon reborn, the Aes Sedai have become the witches, the members of class seven are all ta'veren, the black workshop are the old black ajah, Yup, it all stacks up.

[@TarksGauntlet]

@Águila701 it's just a pile of references to the wheel of time lol.

[@ghost_dog97]

I was thinking about that as soon as he mentioned the book series lmao

[@throwmeaname]

Your review of cold steel 1 got me into the whole Kiseki series. Thank you for the bottom of my heart. And congratulations on your marriage!

[@TarksGauntlet]

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllll Yeah! Also thanks!

[@DeformedArse]

I was familiar with Trails franchise but I didn't have motivation to finish Sky FC before watching Tark's CS1 review. Definitely glad I watched that review and went back for it.

[@6zdog]

Definitely hyped for this. Finishing up Cold Steel 2. These JRPG's have ridiculous scale.

[@SynopsisGrim]

You stuffed a bunch of info in this video but it never felt overwhelming. Fantastic job on the video! Thank you! Can't wait to start playing this!

[@TKplayFR]

This is the best cold steel game Hopes everyone enjoys it as much as I did

[@SuiteLifeofDioBrando]

Nice!

[@canasnewell3089]

TKplay totally agree. It still possesses things I don’t like from previous games in the series, but it’s pretty clear that they saw the feedback and fixed quite a few things. The only thing they didn’t fix is the nonexistant difficulty but guess what, it’s actually fun now, break is way more fun to exploit than 300k damage s-crafts and at delay could ever hope to be.

[@d3ly746]

@kiloe fate don't worry you'll cry more I guarantee it

[@blackdragoncyrus]

I actually enjoyed 4 more.

[@d3ly746]

@@blackdragoncyrus The pacing and story decisions made me kind of hesitate on CS4

[@timidalchemist8475]

Love that Wheel of Time comparison. The Trails series is basically the WoT of Jrpg's. A very in-depth world with a group of developed characters and a heavy amount of subtle foreshadowing. Both series are intimidating in terms of overall scope of story, but both suffer pacing issues.

[@HozDHearts]

World of tanks?

[@Excalibur01]

I think the best modern comparison would be the MCU and Cold Steel 4 is gonna be the Avengers movie of this series

[@Tan12]

I agree with the comparison, but Kiseki's pacing issues still pale in comparison to the middle books of WoT, thankfully.

[@Excalibur01]

@@Tan12 yeah but not a lot of people have read wheel of time

[@paulnoell39]

@@HozDHearts I love World of Tanks blitz. Fav tank is the Tier X T95E6 Pirahna

[@BacklogBattle]

Definitely appreciate the character study of Rean to set the stage for the rest of the video! Still working through the video, but loved what I watched thus far!

[@PeEzequiel]

Still need to finish the Sky trilogy and the crossbell games,best series ever

[@DuoBeard]

Tark, you’re certainly moving on up in the world to get such an e-mail. You do great work here, also; you’re looking quite suave today 😎👍

[@TarksGauntlet]

Gotta look my best while I discuss the best!

[@alexgracias5279]

I love these series. Great review, brother. Greetings from Aomori

[@lucianofutemma]

Excellent review. All the questions i could possibly have are answered, and its all presented really well.

[@Emceemur]

Of all the RPGs I’ve done, this series eluded me, mostly because I was late to the PS3/360 generation being a vintage gamer and even then I was on 360. This one is a jaw dropper and now I have to play them all. As far as in depth reviews go, this definitely was one. Of course you’re more than qualified to speak on it. I’m still thinking about that 5 worst games in my collection according to Metacritic thing you did btw.... I really wanna do mine.

[@Jack_80]

i was late to the cold steel series myself. as an rpg lover myself, the cold steel games somehow eluded me until pretty recently as well. crazy because it's basically my ideal rpg in terms of story and combat. the combat system is pretty much perfect for a turn based rpg. the only reason i eventually found these game is that i got a new high end phone a couple years ago and discovered phones can handle a lot of emulators these days, and you can link a ps4 controller to them to play. i eventually started getting into ppsspp and started looking up videos foe best psp games/rpgs, and saw comments from some people talking about how great trails in the sky is. i downloaded and started playing, and was hooked from start to finish, then immediately began sky sc, and later played zero which also kept me hooked. eventually i heard about cold steel, which are basically the same thing, same world, same character development and world building, and same combat system. i bought all 4 on the ps4 store at once on sale, and have been playing them nearly nonstop since, i just finished 1 and 2 and i'm early into 3 right now. kinda glad these games somehow eluded me for so long though, because now i get to play them for the first time, and i'm loving it.

[@Emceemur]

Yeah, the first look at these games, it’s love at first sight. The characters are likable and easy to get invested in. And the artwork is breathtaking.

[@Jack_80]

@@Emceemur early into 3 there are some things really bugging me about it. for seemingly no reason some of the controls that i have gotten completely used to have been switched around. and i just ran into millium for the first time in 3 and was really exited, until she opened her mouth and the perfect, energetic voice for her has been replaced by a much more boring voice that doesn't fit the character's personality at all the way her voice actor from the first 2 games did.

[@Emceemur]

Ooh yeah, I feel you there. I don’t deal well with changes like that.

[@trullikoi]

I can't wait until my preorder arrives! My strategy may boil down to "go to town, buy all the things".

[@trullikoi]

@kiloe fate And it comes back to bite you because some random NPC you only see once wants ALL the books in the series to get powerful gear or something

[@TarksGauntlet]

Some stuff from shops are quite missable, but when it comes to weapons or special accessories found in chests and stuff, stores will get them in the next chapter as special "Bargain" purchases! For as long as this video is, surprisingly there's quite a bit I still didn't get to say :P

[@kane99560]

@kiloe fate learned that the hard way in 1 and 2... embrace your inner inner nerd...buy and read every book 😊

[@TheKisekiNut]

Loved the review man, but didn't want to look at too much yet, just in case of spoilers. :) I'm still waiting anxiously for that delivery confirmation e-mail myself. Once that holiday from work comes in November, I'm all over CS3 for that time!

[@SuiteLifeofDioBrando]

This is my #1 upcoming game since it was announced.

[@jrunn1390]

Same bro 1 more week!

[@ForgoMem]

Suite Life of Dio Brando Believe me man, if I wasn’t in school when it got announced, I would have been screaming at the top of my lungs. Tuesday will kick so much ass

[@TheGashizmo]

Did you just pull a crow on me at the end

[@goncaloferreira6429]

Another great review. This channel is going places!

[@DeEnigeEchteFAUST]

My friend, because of your review of cold steel one, specifically the part how you explained the game is like making a good meal which u dont get to eat yet got me into this series.. THANK YOU so much❤

[@jrunn1390]

Going to add this to my watch later list Tarks! can't wait to finally play this next week long live KISEKI

[@joeyisabsb1]

I'm so glad I'm caught up lore wise. I cant wait until next week!

[@DaBoiJTV]

Congrats on your wedding man! Cant wait to get to this game!!!

[@OnigoroshiZero]

My first game in The Legend of Heroes series, they did an incredible job providing enough info for characters and the story, so I don't feel lost. I'll definitively get the first two Trails of Cold Steel games before the 4th is out, but for the rest of the games I'll probably wait for a remaster. For this game I have only one thing to say, it's a masterpiece. One of my top favorite games of the last 6-7 years. I love turn-based rpgs, and this one is great. All the mechanics and complexity it has, are just what I'm looking for. The story, characters, and world building are superb.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I've seen a couple people use this as their entry point, and while I feel it's got a steep barrier to entry around it, I'm both shocked and pleased to see people starting here having no actual issue getting into it! It's a hard thing to judge as a series fan how much the missing context might hurt new players here, but largely, it just seems to be going over well regardless! Great to hear!

[@OnigoroshiZero]

@@TarksGauntlet I did some search for some things, and of course I missed a lot of the minor events and/or background info about characters. But they did a great job giving info about almost all the major events that took place in the previous games or the lore of the world. I can hardly wait for the 4th game. I'll probably replay the 3rd game with a NG+ on Nightmare. Hard difficulty was painful at first (I didn't know the game), and it was hard enough to push for some good builds later. After half-way in chapter 3 the game became too easy, having one character using Arts with Cast 3, Action 3, and some delay reduction for their Arts type made them able to solo bosses (but it's fun).

[@jeremyreed825]

I've been debating jumping into the Trails of series but your comparison to the Wheel of Time sells me on it. I love those books, all of them so maybe this is a series I would like.

[@christographerx64]

First time hearing of this game. As an avid JRPG fan (growing up on DQ1 and Final Fantasy on NES) this sounded interesting. After this review my brain hurts with all the complexity. I was surprised and sold. I dont know if I can do 2 full games before playing this one - but I am definitely adding this to my stadia library. Very good and in depth review especially to someone like me who knows nothing of this series. Your approach was logical and I was able to follow the context of the story (understanding I am missing the details).

[@guccidonbuzzflightyear4440]

Just finished the first 3 games trust me definitely worth it

[@StarlinkNova]

Fantastic review man! Glad to see the game was to your liking. I'm one of those people who loves to take the time to read all the optional dialogue from NPC's in these games. The story is so damn good lol. I can't wait for this game to arrive! I had to buy the Limited Edition copy off of NIS America's website without hesitation. For the record, I don't buy Limited Editions of games very often but for anything Ys or Trails related, I make an exception.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I'd love to get the LE, but sadly I'm def too broke. Still got the regular edition pre-ordered anyway despite getting the review code free.

[@ChicCanyon]

Musse is far and away my fav addition in CS3. Brilliant character. Might be my fav CS character all together.

[@Jack_80]

did it piss you off that millium has a different voice actor in 3? i just started 3 and ran into millium for the first time. i was really excited until i heard her speak and it wasn't the same voice from the first 2 games, which fit the character perfectly and brought a certain energy to the part. i hate when games make completely unnecessary changes for the worse like this. there are also some unnecessary changes to the button mapping, causing some confusion that doesn't need to be there.

[@ChicCanyon]

@@Jack_80 its unfortunate but i dont get bogged down about it. scheduling conflicts often get in the way for this more niche, and low paying, titles. hopefully a day comes where there's enough interest in the genre to make they pay worth the VOs time

[@oreox1000]

I want to watch this, but I cannot! Excited to play this when I get a chance and will return to finish this video when I get through the first two games.

[@KudaGeatsune3821]

Looking forward to how the game will set things up

[@kanetidus]

I know how much I'm gonna enjoy this game, I was In hype mode since 1 or 2 years ago. And because I could not wait anymore, I started the second game on Nightmare difficulty. What can you want more, I mean one of the best turn base battle jrpg with crazy special effects that take your eyes and many more. I could write pages of review from the second game how much I have enjoyed every single content

[@SheldonKreger]

Never hit the like button so fast in my entire life!

[@TarksGauntlet]

Here's a like for your like!

[@peterh.5396]

I hope it sells enough to encourage them to localize trails of cold steel 4.

[@ForgoMem]

Mondo Dook They’ve probably already got the rights to CS4 and are most likely cracking at it already. XSEED got the rights to CS1 and 2 before they were even out in Japan, and started translating CS2 when CS1 was in the editing phase. Im willing to be they’re working on CS4 as we speak

[@edgardcruz9295]

RPG Fan 8815 But then why wouldn’t NIS just announce that they are working on CS4?

[@ForgoMem]

Edgard Cruz They’re probably waiting until January to announce it.

[@Excalibur01]

I just want them to do the Crossbell games. I would just love to play them on my vita. There's a charm in a handheld game

[@Tan12]

@@Excalibur01 Crossbell games are getting remastered for PS4, coming out this spring in Japan. So if they're ever getting localized it'll likely be in the next year or two.

[@jmgaming9158]

AUGHHHHHHH CANT WAIT!!!!!! 3 FREAKING YEARS SINCE THE SECOND GAME!!!!

[@opticgamer3731]

I'm preordering this Thursday when I get paid.you just only confirmed that more for me .hope part 4 comes in 2020 on the ps4

[@fierytigergaming8112]

October 26th

[@robertjohnson4791]

Awesome thanks for update on cold steel all of then

[@sylent19851]

Falcom just needs to properly localized the crossbell arc and even all 3 of the trails of the sky Remastered.

[@sylent19851]

@Mike Zimmer mostly likely switch will get ys IX.

[@nickmaestro]

I’ve already beaten CS1 and 2. Pumped for CS3. However, I’m playing the Vita Evolution versions of Trails in the Sky and the Crossbell Zero/Ao no Kiseki. So CS3 will be sitting on my shelf for a while.

[@hellblazerjj]

Great review and really cool looking game. Hope this series will eventually come to the Nintendo switch!

[@Excalibur01]

It is

[@PlaneWalker18]

Playing these sequentially. Mid way through ch 2 and liking it so far even with the slight let down i had in the final hours of the second game.

[@mavmag4418]

Lucky! I have been waiting on this game for forever

[@mathewgagnier9432]

I might take my time with this one. I've been itching for a new Heroes game to play and I feel like I'm gonna grind the crap out of this game if I don't balance my playtime lol. It usually starts off slow in the beginning chapters, but once that pacing picks up, it's difficult to stop playing the game because of so many twists in the plot taking you by surprise. Either way, nice review. I'll probably be purchasing it in November, so I'll be behind the curve, but I'm in no rush to finish it. I'm more of a completionist anyway.

[@owen9456]

Ahhhh a man of culture I see, putting the glasses back on Rean

[@Cabanza22]

Are there PS4 save transfers for beating CS1 and CS2? I played CS1 and CS2 on my Vita years ago and I never got around to replaying them on my PS4.

[@SHIVAPLAYINGVIDEOGAMES]

Youre The Go to guy for this review fo sho ! Great !!!!

[@kigeruse]

I'm so glad that I've been playing this games back to back cause its like watching anime and I don't need refreshers

[@thejonbrownshow8470]

15:28 guess jingo's store didn't cover for that? Just a random thought I had since I thought the curios or whatever section was for scenarios like that lol tho I'm just now paying attention to the gift mechanic 😅

[@jimmyberends5810]

Like the shirt! Looking Sharp today tark!😃

[@MegaRizwan20]

I have a question. Do you know if this game has blocked scenes? I would like to know so I know if try to clip a scene or take a screenshot if I get black screen.

[@TarksGauntlet]

Yes it does. A few cut scenes after chapter 3 prompted the "Gameplay recording blocked" alert on my PS4.

[@MegaRizwan20]

@@TarksGauntlet thank you so much for the quick reply. That's good to know.

[@ArthurRandolphVermillion]

I BOTH LOVE AND HATE THIS. YOU HIT US WITH THE CROW AT THE END AND I STARTED TEARING UP

[@grimselection5666]

Brb, buying all the entries now.

[@francesfuego6950]

Thoughts on Tokyo Xanadu ex plus?

[@DankDoggo]

Rean has come such a long way! 😭

[@joseph86255]

And he's got a long way to go still.

[@topa4spg]

I just finish this game, and holy moly I want CS4 NOW....

[@princton23]

This game man...."tears up" some of what happened was just....

[@tigerfestivals5137]

You mention a defend command, but does that actually exist? I swear i used it in the first cold steel but i couldn't find it in 2 or the demo for 3.

[@TarksGauntlet]

Shit. Force of habit since its so commonplace to say. There isn't a flat-straight defend in regular battles, only in Panzer soldat fights. Sorry dude. My bad.

[@elijahcubilo535]

I got to the final dungeon, and spent 22 hours straight 100% completing it. It was so amazing I refused to stop to eat drink or dlget up for anything either than switching a dead controller for a charged one.

[@guyinapandasuit2691]

I just got my copy today. WHAT THE HECK!?! Why is it in such a basic case compared to the previous 2 releases? Does it have something to do with Xseed and NIS America? Note, I didn't watch the whole video as to avoid spoilers. Ive been waiting to have all 3 so I can play them consecutively.

[@TarksGauntlet]

The other ones had fancy as hell packaging 1) because it was Xseed, and 2) Because it was a re-release. They didn't need to put as much work into the Cold Steel 1 and 2 PS4 games as they did this one. This was a new release from the ground up. The original releases of CS1 and 2 on vita and PS3 were pretty standard too unless you bought a special edition.

[@jeffersoncortez9832]

Do you think I'll be a bit too lost if I just played Cold Steel 1 and 2? I don't own a PC so I don't have access to the Sky and Crossbell games.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I think you can keep up, but some things might feel a bit confusing or a bit too much like happenstance.

[@johndustin80]

I started in Cold Steel series as well, got confused in some story events but after watching Lady Virgilia's summary of the Sky and Crossbell series, it all made sense. I found a greater appreciation for the world building and lore put in the Trails series.

[@eliotwildermann]

Even on ps4 pro.there r some extreme frame dips they don't last long but when u go from 60fps to 20fps instantly yeah its noticeable

[@justarandomstranger279]

I'm rushing my sideline of making plans just so i can have money to buy this game! This is how much important this game for me 😆

[@user-dg7st6io1c]

You have no idea how jealous I am right now I've been waiting for this for over a year, I mean I played it in Japanese ( 4 too) but of course it will be way WAY easier to understand like this ( I do read Japanese .. but like 1 grader :/ ) and we all know how heavy text it is.

[@Afterthoughtbtw]

As regard how to describe Legends of Heroes from a story point of view, I like to refer to them as character driven stories. As you first meet the characters, the plot points tend to relate to things that help you get to know the character and as such your knowledge about what is happening in the world is limited by their knowledge. As the story progresses the characters themselves are well enough developed so that their journey takes you to the plot point rather than the plot point just being dumped upon you. Obviously haven't played CS3 due to (a) it not being released yet and (b) being a PC player, but I would imagine it is the same kind of writing. Oddly enough, the series of books I would compare it to from epic fantasy genre would be the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson (the guy who finished WoT). That particular series is far from finished, but (almost) all of Sanderson's stories take place in the same universe, and as time goes on they start to cross-pollinate. Just like characters from other Trails arcs pop up in CS, characters from other Sanderson arcs pop up in the Stormlight Archive, and whilst they can sometimes be easter eggs for avid fans of his, they reach a point in Stormlight Archive where critical mass means you need to know these other arcs for optimal enjoyment.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I've heard Brandon referenced the same way by another subscriber and the shoe definitely seems to fit, probably more so than the wheel of time as WOT is so linear in comparison, but I feel they definitely share a lot of motifs, which is probably why Brandon was the perfect choice to take over after Jordan's passing.

[@jasonofa3633]

After watching this one and NISA announcing a Switch port before the PC port, I couldn't stand to wait anymore. I bought a PS4(good thing it was on sale here) and bought the game. Cold Steel 4 should be well on its way, at least, after a year. Cheers.

[@Excalibur01]

You might as well buy CS 1 and 2 for the PS4

[@jasonofa3633]

@@Excalibur01 I have them on PC. Also, Im double dipping CS3 on PC. I'm actually playing CS4 right now with fan translations.

[@Excalibur01]

@@jasonofa3633 I plan to get CS3 on Switch to both support the franchise and play the game on the go How did you get CS4 with a fan translation? I want to get on it. This series is like the MCU and CS4 looks like Avengers with all the MCs of previous games working together

[@jasonofa3633]

@@Excalibur01 www.reddit.com/r/Falcom/comments/eddiic/introducing_coldsteelsubs_new_overlay_application/

[@winterfoxcloud]

Just grinded the shit out of Zero and Ao, after beating the Sky series a few weeks ago, so I could experience this game to the fullest.

[@princton23]

The rage I felt at the end of this game, you know it's an investing story when events cause tears!

[@princton23]

@jack theripper1991 the end of 3....omfg! 2 got me too but 3 to me was on a whole new level (this is harder than I thought to not spoil) on a side note what do you think of the different fishing? I didn't think I'd miss giving my hand a seizure but apparently I do lol

[@awakenedsoul2638]

Can you make a video about Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

[@jmr1415]

It is so difficult to explain to those not already in Falcom's clutches just what it is about these games that make them such an all consuming past time (to the point when any point in the past month someone has asked me what I'll be doing with any free time I have, my answer is simply: I'll be play The Game). This review does help but, as stated by anyone not actually connected to Falcom or NISA, I wouldn't start from here is a hell of a barrier to entry. So does anyone have a good one sentence answer for the question: Why should I play this series?

[@dale7326]

If it’s for pure entertainment, I suggest you should play other titles than this one, it’s basically like Idea Factory games but more story and less ecchi syndrome while the core of this game is exploring battle system through story for those want some drama and sociology idealism.

[@asaka616]

How can you play/purchase Trails in the Sky trilogy and the Zero no Kiseki duology? Asking for a friend.

[@TarksGauntlet]

Sky 1 and 2 are on PSP, but all 3 are on PC and much better there. The crossbell duology only has fan translations. I'd help further with that but KZbin tends to frown on such things. Google can probably help pretty well. It's not too hard to get that running on PC.

[@dynastystar5515]

well, I guess this video is going into my "Watch Later" playlist for probably I dunno, 6 months? I've played through Trails in the Sky FC, SC and the 3rd, but I'm still only just started Cold Steel I

[@TarksGauntlet]

I would do the exact same thing haha

[@d3ly746]

You should play crossbell before cs1 just saying

[@dynastystar5515]

@@d3ly746as a PC gamer, how do I get the game officially then?

[@d3ly746]

@@dynastystar5515 www. reddit. com/r/Falcom/comments/7jee3m/how_to_legally_buy_zero_no_kiseki_trails_to_zero/

[@tigerfestivals5137]

@@dynastystar5515 you can't. There might be a Japanese version with an English patch but it hasn't been released in any official capacity.

[@arielbabierra2019]

Wheel of time books on paperbacks except for The Gathering Storm... The same as in my collection!

[@TheSoulLinked]

I'm seeing things from Xenosaga 3 and Persona. Sold.

[@ghaziassaf4227]

I got my collector edition yesterday

[@AbsurdoSol]

Just finished last night and probably my longest to date, ending at around 135 hours. Some of it was down time but damn did I enjoy every minute.

[@Jack_80]

i just finished 2 and it was over 130 hours by the time i finished. just started 3 and i hate the new voice actor for millium, her voice actor in the first 2 games fit the character perfectly, and the replacement is so dull and boring in comparison. i've only heard a couple sentences from the new voice actress, but it's very difficult to imagine i'll ever stop being annoyed every time i hear it. i'll just be hoping the entire time that they bring back the original voice in 4, but once a voice actor is changed, it never really goes back to the original voice, so i'm assuming i'll be stuck with this sucky new voice for 2 whole games.

[@AbsurdoSol]

@@Jack_80 I'm always subs > dubs to try and avoid this 😅

[@Jack_80]

@@AbsurdoSol i'm about 25 hours into cold steel 3 right now and claire said something about the chancellor taking her in after her family all died in an "accident". i'm predicting that we're eventually going to find out he was the one who killed her family. i definitely see him becoming the main villain at some point. they almost don't even try to hide it, the way they had him refer to rean as "his worthless son" early in 3. i really hope he's i get to kill him by the end of 4, i never liked him from the start. i was happy when crow shot him but i had a feeling he wasn't really dead, because the main villain can't die before doing some main villainy things. part 1 definitely surprised me though, when they revealed crow as c i never saw that coming, and vita/misty caught me off guard too. can't wait to see what happens next, these games hook me like no other games i've ever played. i remember ff7 giving me a similar feeling because it was the first rpg i've ever played, but this series blows it away in terms of world building and character development.

[@olemissguy200]

*Heard wheel of time* a man of culture I see

[@TheTrueAlpharius]

So Animal Farm somehow *IS* connected to the Wheel of Time

[@eliotwildermann]

Damn 200 hours is a bit much my playthrough was 105 hours now if we're talking multiple playthroughs than yeah it goes up

[@rickysutanto9720]

my favorite girl is Musse, being flirty that obvious is definitely just one of her plan to make people underestimate her, she s definitely the cleverest girl

[@TarksGauntlet]

They add a lot to her character in CSIV. Ended up liking her quite a bit more then.

[@Jack_80]

i just started playing 3 and some things are really bugging me. while i like the improved graphics engine, i don't like how some characters look nothing like they did. agate is the most obvious example so far, but i'm early in the game. i didn't recognize him at all because that looks nothing like agate. also i just ran into millium for the first time in 3 and was excited at hell, and that excitement quickly disappeared the moment i heard her speak, only to see her perfect voice actor has been replaced with a voice that doesn't at all capture the character the way the voice actress from the first 2 games did flawlessly. i only heard her speak a couple sentences, but i'm pretty positive it's not the same person, she doesn't bring that same energy to the role.

[@jareddavis554]

I love the WOT references

[@randomzombie5579]

after 107 hours i finally beat this game having never played any of the earlier titles. 1. it is awesome. 2. i feel like i need to sit down and talk with someone who can tell me what the hell is going on with some of this! i wish 1&2 could come to the switch so i could see baby rean, but i'm excited to play 4. holy hell this story is crazy!

[@theginjreaper]

Thanks for the review its on sale for $40 on switch and i was deciding if i should buy it!

[@randomzombie5579]

@@theginjreaper absolutely get this game. top 3 jrpg i've ever played.

[@PGM991]

I already bought 1&2 and I WILL BUY this one, zero hesitation and no question to ask................. wait.... there's one is there by chance we gonna get Japan voice patch? eng dub not bad but Japan voice if by far superior.

[@ForgoMem]

PGM991 It’s dual audio, you have the choice between Japanese and English audio

[@PGM991]

@@ForgoMem BRILLIANT!!!!

[@DeadlyDuel]

Married gratz man!

[@TarksGauntlet]

Thanks!

[@MikeShcherbak]

Thanks for the review!!! Game looks really good now, I'm hoping it will come out on PC! In the meanwhile gonna finish Trails in the Sky on my Vita :D

[@EdgyEmoLoliconBoy]

Crossbell duology evolution version should have an english patch

[@TarksGauntlet]

It does have the fan-made patch. I've played both. Currently I feel Ao is the strongest of the kiseki games so I really hope we get a legit release.

[@TarksGauntlet]

@@cazei13 It's kind of hard tbh to definitely say which version I played because it was stitched together from 2 different games. I can't remember exactly how it worked but I think somebody was translating the game for PSP, then that translation was lifted and grafted onto a PC version of the game. Either way, I played on PC with no visible emulators. I'm definitely no expert on this sort of thing, but if you're curious of my review of the duology, and just to see some of each of the games translations I got a video here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKHGooJ8atZsftU

[@CBZero]

"Acknowledged."

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Before I continue, congrats on your wedding!

[@DLH112]

37:47 i see what you did there, nice

[@MrGlutting]

I don't own a PS4 so hopefully there's a PC release soon...

[@khalel610]

I just realized that i have already spent 27 hrs in chapter 1. I honestly thought i was far ahead but nope. This is going to be a 100+ hour playthrough lol.

[@hristvalkyrie2063]

Can i play this game even if i haven't play the previous Trails game? Edited: my bad lol Watch the video where you answered my question.

[@TarksGauntlet]

Short answer: Yes Long answer: not recommended haha

[@dra6o0n]

Did you forget to mention that the game has dual audio?

[@TarksGauntlet]

Nope, it's way towards the end.

[@rex9912]

"Nothing seems like auto win" evasion build the sequel

[@TarksGauntlet]

Nah, what I'm getting at is that nothing is broken right out the gate. You have to make the broken builds yourself. In most kiseki games prior there's characters that are naturally broken just by using them. I definitely prefer getting to make the broken builds myself and I hope the series never arbitrarily stops players from doing it.

[@rex9912]

@@TarksGauntlet yeah I definitely agree with you there. Although I sometimes prefer the balance in the sky and crossbel archs. Maybe most people disagree with me here though

[@joseph86255]

Before anyone complains about Rean putting himself down and saying he's not a hero, I'm just going to say... don't! I mean, seriously, how do you think _you_ would feel if everyone praised you for your accomplishments in a war that you neither understood nor cared about but were forced to take part in because you're the chosen one, and you played a vital role in the conquering of a neighbouring country, of which one of your new acquaintances hails from? Do you honestly think you'd be worthy of being called a hero? Sure, with great power comes great responsibility but no-one ever said he had to enjoy the responsibility. In any case, his angst runs far, *far* deeper than him not being able to save a terrorist.

[@NeberusBeta]

i play on pc is a torture to wait to 2021 x part 4

[@dragon297]

This entire video was just a secret subtle flex that he got married and has a real life waifu now.

[@gurukof]

You lucky son of a gun xd i want a Review copy

[@robertge648]

The 3D combat system is one of the best ever conceived in turn-based RPGs, so I think it's a total waste to play it on anything OTHER than Nightmare (fresh run). Nightmare opens up the combat by forcing you to dig deep into the amazing combat system. I will admit that Nightmare can certainly be too punishing, sometimes with literally only one single possible solution. The Solo battles (w/ or w/o mechs) in particular. Of course, nothing tops SC1's final mech battle, which is pure BS, only solvable by level grinding/shining poms. SC1 I definitely don't recommend fresh NM. PS - For fresh NM solo non-mech battles, earth pulse (included with Skuld MQ) is the only way. Solo mech battles, sometimes best strat is to literally do nothing but heal, charge EP, and moon (counter) stance.

[@rhianor]

And now wait 1-2 years for the continuation...

[@andrewkkerr8435]

20 more yrs man I'll be dead

[@ShikanRaider]

Having played the JP version over a year ago I can pretty much agree with most of what you said. Especially that it plays a lot like CS1. And having played CS4 already, that one plays a lot like CS2. I only really have two complaints with this series. 1. It is very easy to miss certain things unless you follow a guide. But at least in this game (and CS4) you can buy things that you missed. 2. And this is by far the biggest one. Falcom completely fails at balancing enemies, especially bosses. They are so stupidly strong even on lower difficulties (I played CS3 and 4 on normal), to the point where you're almost forced to abuse certain game mechanics to stand a chance, which you still can do to some extent. It isn't a challenge, if a boss can outright one-shot your entire party with a special, even on normal. In fact, they shouldn't be able to do that on the highest difficulty either. Enemies and bosses would be perfectly fine if they reduced their attack and speed stat by 20-50% (depending on difficulty and enemy). I'm also not a big fan of the Break Gauge, as it feels like it was only implemented to screw you over even harder. And unfortunately CS4 doesn't fix all of this either. Putting this aside, it is a great series that you should give a try. It is worth it for the story and characters alone.

[@TarksGauntlet]

Yup, bosses were definitely a bit extreme. Ebon Crest (the brave command that gives you perfect reflect for 3 turns) saved my ass more times than I can count.