Where to Start the Trails Series! | Before Trails Into Reverie, Learn How to Get Caught Up!

[@SirJyrsy]

I played through all three arcs in four months in 2020/21, just straight blasted through every game. I literally could not play anything else until i had finished Cold Steel IV, i had to know how it all ends. Trails is my favorite game series, no doubt about it. No other series does what Trails does and it’s so compelling and rewarding to play through all the games and see everything unfold for yourself. Can’t wait for Reverie to finally come out, it is the highlight of my gaming year. Nice video!

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you! Yeah, I'm feeling the urge to replay them all, but I definitely don't have time...

[@Jack_80]

remember randomly starting trails in the sky on my phone with a psp emulator and ps4 controller. i now have this cool mount that connects my phone to the controller, but at the time i played it it was extremely awkward. despite how awkward it was i played many hours a day until i finished it, and that crazy cliffhanger caused me to immediately jump into part 2 and play through it nonstop. been hooked on the series ever since. just started playing reverie and i'm loving it. nothing is more exciting than a new trails game.

[@diegoarmando5489]

Trails is both spectacular and spectacularly disappointing. If they had retained the character writing from Sky (no harem or blank state protagonist..it's like they couldn't decide whether they were writing fully realized characters or harem fantasy self-insert for horny teens) and the Ao variant of the Orbment system, it would have been better. And it's already my favourite series as is :)

[@xbon1]

Bro, literally ffxiv does the same thing and takes the same length of time to finish? Kekw

[@bozodluffy1818]

Yep. Started with FC about 60 days ago and am currently halfway through Zero

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I bit the bullet and started with Sky FC. I’m just starting the final chapter. I’m in love 😊

[@JustTheGems]

Yessss!!!

[@SurferKroky]

Same ! I am in krone now and just loving it , slow but such a charming little game . Can see the hints everywhere that it's going to get very epic in the future

[@fireguardiancoty]

I'm of the opinion that release order is always the best order, so I'd recommend that starting with Sky is a must. I also suggest thay people take their time with the games and not try to rush through them at the risk of experiencing burnout/fatigue. The games will always be there waiting to be played when you're ready.

[@zoe4965]

I tried to play the 1st but It’s such a old game at this point

[@Jack_80]

​@@zoe4965other than visuals, they're nearly identical to the new games. the first 2 sky games are still my favorite out of all of them. best character's and story.

[@JustTheGems]

Yes, 100% agree with this. These games aren't going anywhere, they're all on Steam so even in the event that your old consoles stop working, you'll still have a way to play them. Take your time and enjoy it.

[@jn2002dk]

Not to mention, the Sky games are still the best of the series and absolute top tier JRPGs. Estelle is the best protagonist of the series (and of any JRPG ever made) and Olivier is just fantastic

[@borkozdravkovic4746]

I started with first 2 Cold Steel games then played the rest. IMO its the best way to play, because if i started with Sky i would quit. The game i soooooo slow. It takes around 20 hours for something to happen. If I already didint know how epic it would become as a series later I would quit after the first 3 cities. Sky SC is a masterpiece though!

[@nizar322]

Started playing Cold Steel 1 during covid, and oh boy what a SERIES ! Instantly loving it. And when i finish it, im looking for CS2, and realise there are Sky and Crossbell and i was like. Daym. And i binge playing sky and crossbell until caught to CS2. And thankfully i was playing the other 5 before CS2. So far for me, Trails series is a masterpiece of world building

[@lockedine]

This video is great and I really appreciate your humble and gentle attitude. I’m just starting to get into trails and this video is perfect for me.

[@Mugiwara2k]

This actually got me very interested in trying the Trails series. Really enjoying your videos, hope your channels gets big!

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you! I hope you like Trails!!

[@kagekun1198]

I started with Sky FC. Fell in love with Bestelle and the wide world of Liberl from the get-go. After the crazy cliffhanger of FC, immediately went to SC and never looked back even once

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, that cliffhanger did it for me and a lot of people - what an effective storytelling tactic that ended up being!

[@casualtap1794]

Same. Now chapter 4 in sky sc

[@AzureRoxe]

Fast forward a year and the first game in the Sky trilogy got revealed to be getting a massive remaster next year. So everyone can start playing Sky without issues, in the engine and style of the new games.

[@nickmaestro]

I first heard about Trails in the Sky back in the PSP days. I played the first 1 hour of FC, and was bored to tears. Granted, I was a Final Fantasy Square Enix addict die hard. So a slow burn story was not happening for me. Then I played a very important PSP game to start my transition, Ys Seven. I heard of the Ys franchise, and was blown away. Immediately played every single Ys title for the PSP. So when I got a PS Vita and PS3, I kept tabs on Nihom Falcom. Ys Celceta was my first platinum trophy, but I was still a Square Enix loyalist. After being disappointed by Final Fantasy XIII, I stumbled upon a Game Informer article advertising Cold Steel 1 for the Vita. Then with research, I discovered these are the same guys that made Ys. I was dying for something fresh, with a splash of the turn based nostalgia. So I played Cold Steel 1, and was hooked, especially at the cliffhanger ending. Then immediately jumped on Cold Steel 2 once it was released. Then getting to the end of Cold Steel 2, I'm like, "Who the heck are Lloyd and Rixia?" Then it dawned on me, I've been missing out on a prior Trilogy and Duology. Knowing that Cold Steel 3 wouldn't come out for another 2 FREAKING YEARS, my thirst for Trails was unquenchable. So I went back and played the Sky Trilogy PS Vita english patches, the Zero No Kiseki Vita english patch, and the Azure No Kiseki PSP english patch. Sky SC, blown away. Zero was a great change of pace and the story more dire, and I loved it. I also enjoyed the updated battle mechanics, and of course the banger soundtrack. Once I beat Azure, I was stunned. I jumped ship and declared Trails to be my all time favorite video game franchise, as well as the best story in all of fiction I've ever witnessed. I've platinumed every titled released in the West and a few english patches, and I will drop whatever backlog game I'm currently playing when Kuro No Kiseki releases. And in that time of waiting for the next Trails game, I've enjoyed Persona 4+5, Ys Lacrimosa, Nier Automata, Tokyo Xanadu, Danganronpa, God Eater, etc. I recently bought a 3DS, and I'm looking forward to playing SMT 4, Xenoblade, and Radiant Historia. Of course, I still play Final Fantasy titles like VII Remake, VII Crisis Core, XV, XII Zodiac Age (my favorite FF title). But the Trails series is simply the best world building I've witnessed. And the games truly reward you for sticking through the series. I'll never forget that final battle in Cold Steel 4. Greatest finale ever, and I loved how Reverie has set the stage for the next arc. If you are thinking about trying this franchise, you are in for a treat. Mind you, up until I started Cold Steel 1 in 2016, I had played and beaten every mainline single player Final Fantasy title and many other Square Enix properties. I had a true conversion. But start this franchise at the beginning, and let the narrative naturally unfold.

[@JustTheGems]

I'm so glad to hear this, you went on a real journey getting into the fandom, but I imagine that makes you appreciate it even more.

[@missmandia]

Great video Branden! I love the way you've evaluated each arc as a potential starting point. The premise of Trails from Zero is SO up my alley, I can't wait to get to it (also, the character artwork is so beautiful)! This video is making me very excited to continue my journey 😄

[@JustTheGems]

Thanks Mandy! You're in for a really fun ride. I wish I could go back and experience it all again for the first time.

[@UltimateCrusherJoe]

I played cold steel 1 and 2, then in waiting went back to sky and played them all in order i think cold steel was a good introductory, and nothing was lost playing 1 and 2, but i am so glad i went back before 3 as that has a lot of cross over

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, getting into the later Cold Steel games is enhanced so much by playing through Sky and Crossbell, for sure

[@ACE0fFAITH437]

Fantastic video! I love this series so much. I support anyone trying to expand the fandom. Subbed!

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you so much! Yeah, we've gotta get the word out

[@Lennyohh]

Honestly, I think Zero is probably the best starting point for people with how attention spans and game designs have evolved nowadays. It has a really intriguing setting, the core cast is small and sticks with you the whole journey so you get to know all 4 SSS members thoroughly, the gameplay has enough QoL improvements over Sky, the plot is nicely paced so the game keeps giving you something new to gnaw on and think about each chapter and slowly sets you up for its big finale, and will also perfectly demonstrate to you why playing the past games in the series will matter and shows you that you will be rewarded for sticking through everything. It's just a nice package of everything that I think Cold Steel and Sky lack for their first games. While I do know it's always going to be ideal to start with Sky and get the whole journey from the beginning, unless I really know the person who wants the type of slow burn build up and character focus it has, Zero is just overall to me a safer bet to recommend, even if it does mean the one scene at the end of the game hits less impactful without playing Sky first

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, I think you're right, for most people, Zero is going to be the way to go.

[@hinotama.ryuuka]

Good opinion, it just sad that some impact will be reduced at some scenes, like that scene when the Hayworth family tells about their past when someone is hiding in a nearby closet. I'm honestly really happy (even my eyes are blurry) about that scene since the Star Door 15 in Sora is like the opposite. Not sure if I can experience the same impact if I start with Zero though.

[@BlaBlaBla-76]

Started on CS1, tried it twice (once on Vita, once on PS4) but just could not get into it. Few years later I got a PC and there pops up the first Sky game...always interested in the big world building, I just took a last attempt. Loved it from the start! Estelle is such a fun character. I just put the game on easy and blasted through (Normal just takes too much time I don't have). I am at Azure now, and my PS5 collector edition of Reverie just arrived. Already bought the CS series again as well, so I have everything ready to go to the end this time lol.

[@JustTheGems]

Nice! I'm jealous that you already have Reverie... my preorder is STILL in transit.😩

[@8bit_jake]

Great video! Love the humor and the 'Blunt' reference! 😂 I own nearly all of the games mentioned but just now starting with Sky 1. Loving it so far around 10 hours in. I'm in for the long haul!

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you! I'm kinda jealous, I sort of wish I could play through them all for the first time. Especially now that so many are out! (My experience was SO. MUCH. WAITING. between releases...)

[@RomanJr316]

I started with Cold Steel 1 and although I loved it I have to admit that it was a very slow burn. I got my best friend to play it and who almost stopped because Cold Steel 1 was slow. However, once he got to where the story picked up he got so hooked that he ended up finishing the four Cold Steel games before me lol

[@Zoular]

Appreciated this video, was so confused with all these games when they kept popping up on Steam. This made a lot more sense

[@JustTheGems]

I hope it was helpful!

[@thebuckeyegamer7443]

I tried cold steel 2 around 4 years ago I wanna say. I liked it but dropped it for various reasons. This year I started playing trails from zero and fell in love. So I am going to finish that arc then go from there

[@JustTheGems]

I understand that experience, and I'm glad Zero hooked you!

[@rayleigh1833]

I remember buying cold steel 1 in steam 3yrs ago just because it's on sale and it was pandemic that time. Lol I didn't play it til last year. I don't know anything about this game but I gave it a try. First impression was ok and quite enjoyable. Story wise it's interesting and the moment I reached the finale I got hooked into the game. I must say this series has the most brutal cliffhangers, in a good way. After that, I breeze through the series. After completing ToCS, I immediately hopped in Trails in the Sky. I'm now on the 3rd part, once done I'm planning to finish the crossbell series before starting reverie. I must say this game has one of the most beautiful world building ever and lots of loveable characters. Can't wait to complete this epic.😊

[@JustTheGems]

Oh yeah, the cliffhangers are INCREDIBLE. They really know how to hook you.

[@chaser952]

I’ve been googling how to start with this series all week. Very grateful one of my new fave channels put this out in my hour of need!

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you so much for saying that! I'm really glad if this can help anyone get started in Trails.

[@Halcon_Sierreno]

Start at 1.

[@enriqueeduardovazquezdomin511]

I just found your channel like 3 days ago and it is great, you produce really good high quality JRPG content, keep it up my man, I'm sure pretty soon you'll have the subscribers that you deserve. P.S. Now I'm really hyped for the Trails series and I'm gonna start with Trails in the Sky as soon as i get my Retroid Pocket.

[@JustTheGems]

I hope you enjoy Trails when you get to it, thank you so much for watching, I really appreciate it!

[@070agga]

I choose the Trails In The Sky series as my entry point (on the Steam Deck) and after two months I'm now at the third chapter. I'm totally hooked, the writing is fantastic and it's so awesome to play in handheld form as well.

[@JustTheGems]

For sure! I actually enjoyed being able to lay back on the couch and play them that way myself.

[@aurelius7948]

Great video! This is definitely a series I want to get into and this definitely helps. I think my biggest issue now is how to gain access to the Trails games I need to play first given I only have the Switch. I wish there was more consistency in the platforms these games were available.

[@JustTheGems]

You and me both. Keeping my fingers crossed for Switch ports of Sky. Do you have a PC? The Sky games are on Steam, and I expect the system requirements aren't very high. But if not, then yeah, there isn't much you can do without some legacy consoles

[@benmcquillin5292]

Just found your channel and I already love it! Thank you for the very helpful info! I've always wanted to try this series but never knew where to start! 😊💖

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you! I hope this video helped give you some ideas.

[@roperaustraman4445]

I started with Trails of Cold Steel, I loved it and it got me to play the 2nd one (the only other out at the time). I later bought 3 and 4, but then went back to buy and play the Trails in the Sky trilogy. It was great

[@JustTheGems]

If you haven't already, I'd really recommend the Crossbell arc too! It's so good!

[@roperaustraman4445]

@@JustTheGems I haven’t played those yet, but I will check them out. Thanks!

[@jpty]

I started with Cold steel I, II III and IV (this last two maybe my mistake) because these two have some references from Sky and Crosbell so I recommend if you want something "modern" and have a first taste of this world start with cold steel only I and II, later play Sky trilogy, crossbell doulogy and then cold steel III and IV.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, that order definitely works pretty well and should do fine for most people I think.

[@robertdeffenbaugh9004]

Trails of Cold Steel was my entry into the franchise after Persona 4. I did completed Trails from Zero and got very far into Trails into Azure.

[@JustTheGems]

That's awesome! I'm glad to be encountering people who got in with Cold Steel.

[@snoopychick822]

Great video, as usual!

[@JustTheGems]

Aw thanks! ♥️

[@svenbosseler7191]

Loved your video! Great job in explaining the different arcs! Keep it up!

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you!!

[@shinnbidan7536]

I discovered the Trails Series with Cold Steel 1 and 2, then went to Zero and Azure, then went through the Sky trilogy before the release of Cold Steel III. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder: for how much I already love this series, how would I have felt if I had experienced it in release order?

[@Leotsune]

To me it changed my life to the point I learned japanese to play these games, if I hadn't experienced the series in order I'm 100% sure it wouldn't have the such an strong impact in me. Trails is too unique and special to be debating where you should start, if you wanna experience what makes this series special start with Sky but if you wanna start with any other game and enjoy a single arc go knock yourself out, most of them are great in their own right.

[@JustTheGems]

Exactly!

[@JustTheGems]

I'm in the same boat, my order was all over the place (Sky 1&2, Cold Steel 1&2, Sky 3, Zero & Azure, Cold Steel 3&4).

[@Digifallen]

I'm loving the games my order as been Cold steel 1 Cold steel 2 Zero Azure Sky 1 Sky 2 Sky 3 Cold steel 3 Cold steel 4 After doing research id say cold steel is a terrible starting place, 1&2 are fine in there own right (tho epilogue of 2 confused me at first) but id say you can't play 3&4 without playing crossbell arc minium which means you could only play 50% of cold steel arc before starting to get Confused it's why I put cold steel 3 down and didn't come back to it till I could fully appreciate it

[@Frmhero2zero]

Building up the trails collection before I start, hopefully the rumored sky trilogy does get re-released, I would ultimately like to start there

[@WaffleIsWise]

Thank you! I heard about this series from a podcast and I couldn’t figure out what to start with. I only have access to the ones on the PlayStation store, so I’ll have to start with the Crossbell entries. By the time I finish those I’m hope the rest of the Cold steel games will be available.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, I think you'll be able to get all the Cold Steel games on the PS Store. Hopefully we'll get ports or remasters of the original Sky Trilogy at some point, but worst case scenario you could always check out a wiki for that stuff.

[@Leipec-ri1om]

Liked and subscribed! Just started the series with Sky FC, but not going to lie, after watching this I'm looking forward the Zero and Azure

[@JustTheGems]

This series just gets better and better in my opinion. I hope you enjoy it!

[@AlexT7916]

The Trails series is the One Piece of video games, a masterclass for long term storytelling and worldbuilding in it's medium , but as to One Piece has entered it's final saga and more than likely will end this decade the Trails series still has a lot more story to tell

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if this series was wrapping up when I'm getting ready to retire! 👴

[@TyandOnGoing]

Hopefully both masterpieces can deliver a satisfying conclusion.

[@gragnask1]

I started with cold steel 1 and am currently on 4, would be nice to have done the crossbell arc before starting 3 but I felt it was still made well enough that you dont need the others but helps

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, they do a pretty decent job of getting new players up to speed even if they've missed certain chapters.

[@silverian]

Thanks for Trails presentation!

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you!

[@tenaciousrodent6251]

I would call Trails a "Knowing lots of people-simulator". It's amazing how many named characters there are who all have their own story arcs going on (Over the course of several games!), and can sometimes even become involved with the main plot.

[@JustTheGems]

I know, right?! I'm always scratching my head, like, wait, I know that guy, don't I?

[@elliottb7009]

i started playing trail in the sky as my first entry, i am loving it, its really great. the story is very intiguing and the characters are great. it seems very grounded while being a fantasy game. there are some things i wish were different, like unused party members getting ex while not in party as they kinda get left behind if they are down a few levels. and auto battle for less xp.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, it definitely has its faults, but I'm glad it's clicking with you!

Trails from Zero is the best name of the series to this day because of what you learn from KeA in Azure. Crossbell arc is the best arc on the series until now. Azure is my favorite game of the series.

[@JustTheGems]

I've heard a lot of people list Azure as their favorite in the series. I think my favorite at the moment is Cold Steel 4, though that has a tendency to change as I revisit games.

[@rawkslyde2532]

Cold Steel 1 was my entry-point into the series. I personally love it. Also the introduction to my first main waifu in the series in Towa Herschel.

[@JustTheGems]

Towa should be the canon love interest in CS. I don't understand why the creators think it should be Alisa. No shade to Alisa, but Rean's connection with Towa is so much more profound.

[@alanwattie6093]

While I agree the true answer is whatever brings more people into this amazing series I’d personally recommend Sky as the best to experience the world building from the start or Cold Steel as it doesn’t rely as heavily on previous knowledge. I can’t really recommend Zero as I feel it relies pretty heavily on knowledge from Sky to really appreciate its major subplot revolving around Renne. Haven’t played Kuro so don’t know where that falls on the spectrum for entry points but Falcom does find itself in a tough position keeping the series friendly enough to newcomers while also rewarding those who have invested the time with the entire series.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, the downside to starting at Zero is not getting to know Estelle and Joshua and missing all the context around Renne, 100%.

[@chriswinfrey3744]

I faintly remember Trails in the sky but I was familiar with it enough to appreciate the characters when I saw them. I personally binged Trails of Cold Steel 1 and 2... then played 3 and 4... and now I'm playing Reverie. After binging 1 and 2 and playing 3 and 4... I personally am a New Class 7 fan more then an Old Class fan but having STARTED on 3 to 4 that makes sense. That said the amount of little input the old class members had cause they were busy doing their own things in 3 and 4... made me feel less attached to them. They show up, interrupt Rean summoning Valimar, help you with whatever trouble your in... hug Rean... leave. In 4... Old Class 7 got their butts kicked by the new girl as she stood all of them up... metaphorically slapped them all, and got them moving with her amazing speech. I think Trails of Cold Steel 3 and 4 honestly have the better characters... and the best old character Altina. In 4 they all really shines brightly all except for Kurt... who had to wait til the beginning of Reverie to get his chance. Based on everything I said... if you hadn't already guessed who I chose as best girl.... It's Juna and it's not even a competition for me. She just BURNS with that Estellian energy.

[@JustTheGems]

I agree that 3 and 4 together are the best parts of Cold Steel. And Juna definitely is the most Estelle-like character since Estelle!

[@chriswinfrey3744]

@@JustTheGems And that doesn't seem to change in Reverie either. XD

[@parkerdixon-word6295]

It was really interesting trying to get into Trails in the Sky awhile back (actually not long before this video went up, from what I can tell). I remember finding the character dynamic between Joshua and Estelle really strong, and basically carrying the game for me, despite big frustrations with a lot of archaic systems that did eventually make me leave it a little more than halfway through because the plot started losing me as soon as they leaned hard into "adopted sibling romance" which is ick, and I lost a bunch of hours to not knowing when to heal before a difficult boss fight, and that just got me to stop trying. It definitely felt like a series that had strengths and things about it that I really liked, but the very first game in the series was let down by being just a bit too old for my tastes, so I appreciate the recommendations for if I want to give the series another shot. I may try Cold Steel, since I was genuinely more interested in Trails in the Sky when it *was* focused on characters over plot, so a slow start doesn't sound like the worst thing to me, and I found the combat system in Sky to be something that had potential, but just wasn't sticking the landing.

[@maciejhajduk390]

Finished Sky and Crossbell series. Currently playing Cold of Steel 3 already. Enjoying every bit of it.

[@JustTheGems]

I'm glad to hear it! Cold Steel 3 is where things REALLY start ramping up

[@Potata_Potato]

Cool guide I’m excited to start the series! Subbed!

[@JustTheGems]

I hope you like it! Let me know how it goes.

[@kekgoogle4809]

You could definitely play Cold Steel 1 and 2 without missing out on anything from other arcs, but once you touch 3 and 4 you'd need the previous games as a reference point. Crossbell is a decent start, but you do miss some previous important character build up. Trails in the sky is the true grandmaster of where to start the series, slow starting but SO amazingly good. Great video as usual! Edit: I'll tell you now that Reverie and Kuro are VERY good.

[@JustTheGems]

Thanks! I'm so excited to finally get to play Reverie, and all the things I've heard about Kuro make it sound even better.

[@hack5770]

Question no spoilers please but I just need to know I love cold steel,rean best boy 😂 lol but in kuro does it have the pick a girl Sim aspects as much as I love cold steel I don't enjoy not having a canon romance

[@kekgoogle4809]

@@hack5770 Van is not a Rean-esque harem character. you'll know who his interest is in, i'd call it canon but I haven't played kuro 2 yet.

[@hack5770]

Thank u I just wanted to know, I really dislike the dating game stuff in cold steel so I was hoping kuro game would not have it

[@kekgoogle4809]

@@hack5770 i feel your pain there! kuro definitely is a return to form after the CS arc

[@NachtKaiser666]

Honestly I think there's only two true ways to experience the series: -CS 1&2, Sky 1-2-3, Zero and Azure, CS 3-4 and Reverie OR -Sky 1-2-3, Zero and Azure, CS 1-2-3-4 and Reveries. And I base that opinion only on the reveal of a certain Erebonian baron's true identity. Figuring it out the same time as Rean and his party was great, a reveal that is spoiled by prior knowledge from previous games. As for Zero to Azure, I feel you're depriving yourself of a great sequence's emotional impact by not playing the Sky trilogy first. And I say that considering they're my favorites in the series so far.

[@JustTheGems]

Agreed, there's a ton in Zero/Azure that hits so much harder if you've played Sky all the way through.

[@xImbaLANCEx]

Cold Steel was my entry way back when. I got so into it that I think by Cold Steel 2 I was itching to know the early story from Sky and Zero. I didn't have access to a gaming computer at all so I just watched playthroughs of all previous games on YT. It was enough at the time and I watched them as I exercise. I finished CS 4 and that was that for a while. Come 2023 when I got a good deal on a gaming comp and monitor from OfferUp, I signed up on Steam and first game I downloaded was Sky Ch 1. And I was blown away. Yes it's an old game but it gave the same feeling of CS quad. The story really sucks you in, especially since you dont get to see everything from YT videos. So I've finished Sky Trilogy and recently finished Zero. I just started Azure and I can't wait to replay the quad CS and then Reverie. Because the game and story is that enticing, I don't mind replaying and waiting for the new Reverie game. I'm with Gemgem, this game and the story is the best out there. So either start with CS or start with Sky.. They're very good. If you start with CS, the previous games will make you go "ohhhh shit I remember this and that" and if you started in Sky, you'll be all giddy meeting previous characters EVERY TIME! And my definite favorite characters are Estelle and Joshua. Definitely best duo for me.

[@JustTheGems]

Exactly, pretty much no matter where you start, if you get hooked, you'll want to gobble up the rest of the games as soon as you can

[@machintosh3008]

I consider Trails to be the One Piece of video games. The world building is so amazing I sometimes think that it's a real place I can visit. I was initially reluctant to start the trails series because of how long it is... but now they're some of my favorite games ever (Trails in the Sky SC is my personal favorite)

[@JustTheGems]

100% agreed, the world building is a huge part of what I love, too

[@wettowelsandfirstaid]

06:38 Dude when you said these were not “very good titles” I was about to flip my table! Then I understood you were talking about the names of the games. 😂

[@JustTheGems]

The games are brilliant! Haha glad you realized what I meant 😅

[@throwmeaname]

Cold Steel 1 was my introduction to the Trails series, and I'm glad it was! I loved the world, the story, the characters - and especially the music. Stepping out of Trista and hearing that beautiful melody captivated me.

[@JustTheGems]

So good!

[@BlueGrovyle]

Trista's theme might be my favorite in the entire game, and that is saying a _lot_ about what is a top 5 OST in gaming for me.

[@skyknight0408]

It's been almost two years since I first stepped into Trails of Cold Steel. I finished CS2 around the end of that year and have since gone back to the beginning, because I've heard that a lot of the characters from the previous arcs are going to be important in CS3 and 4. My journey into the past of the Trails series lasted a bit longer than I initially planned because of two things. First, I actually enjoyed playing the Trails in the Sky games and spent a lot more time in them than just playing the story for context in the later Cold Steel entries. And secondly the Crossbell games got an official translation and I had to play those too, because I wanted to know more about the characters you play towards the end of CS2. Seems like it was the right call, playing the older games before going into CS3, because you already meet characters from Liberl and Crossbell at the beginning of the first chapter.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, CS3 and, to an even larger extent, CS4, are like the Avengers End Game of the series thus far -- SO many characters from across the arcs get pulled in

[@skyknight0408]

@@JustTheGems Oh, I don't watch MCU. Noped out of live action superhero movies after Spider Man 2, because they are never as good as the old comics and cartoons were. Now that the comics were changed to fit in with the movie universe, I'm also not interested in the comics anymore.

[@vaunfraser3586]

Started with Cold steel 1. Got the lionheart edition from a best buy an hour away for $5. One of the biggest steals of my life

[@JustTheGems]

That's an AMAZING deal, dang.

[@alexmorpheus6762]

I played all the games of Sky and Crossbell Arc. Should I start with Trails of Cold Steel? Nowadays, I'm enjoying Ys Seven a lot as its music keeps me happy during the troublesome times.

[@ginge7379]

Iv been seeing legend of heroes for years but only ever saw the box art and kept mixing it up with a completely different game. Saw this video and thought meh see what its all about, iv just bought trails in the sky on steam 😁 thanks for the info

[@MadaoAU]

I got my wife started with Trails from Zero because she loves detectives, I really wanted her to like this franchise because I was positive the experience will be amazing for her like Yakuza (long story through different games). She got mad when she learned that there was a trilogy before this. But I still think it's the strongest point to start

[@eliasisthegreatest]

I started with Cold Steel then played Cold Steel 2. After that I played the Crossbell games and now I’m playing Cold Steel 3. I want to play Trails in the Sky but don’t have a PC. With that said I love these games. I’ll play them all eventually.

[@JustTheGems]

My order was a bit odd. I did Sky 1 & 2, then Cold Steel 1 & 2, then Sky 3, then Zero and Azure, and I've been in order ever since.

[@Dear_Insanity88]

Started with Cold Steel February of last year. Played 1-4 and zero last year. Azure this year and playing Reverie now 😅 definitely my favorite series. Would love to play the sky trilogy one day. Hopefully they bring em to modern consoles/switch

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, I'm keeping all my fingers crossed for Sky on modern consoles....

[@juststeve2579]

You have to start with sky.. I truly feel there is no way around it. This is a big story that intertwines with each other. Playing reverie would just be more impact full and meaningful.. I can't tell you how happy I was to see estelle in cold steel 4 and play as her again in reverie. It's awesome seeing grown up versions of these characters and funny how their lives continues even after their game has ended.

[@osc-oldschoolclips5204]

That’s awesome but what if u can’t.. cause you don’t have a PC. How do you play those old games

[@juststeve2579]

@@osc-oldschoolclips5204 I think trails in the sky 1 and 2nd are on the psp if you need another option I know the psp is a outdated system. Thats how i actually got into trails from the psp. If sky truly out of reach for some gamers then I would at least read up on those characters so when they do pop up you are familiar with them. If all else fails then I think zero would be a great start as most of the recent games center on crossbell and erebonia. But this would be a great time to get into the series because all the games are out in the west minus the two new ones which is in calvard.

[@JustTheGems]

If you can get a PlayStation TV or a Vita online or at a game store, you can get at least the first two Sky games on those.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, the growth of everyone across the series is one of the things I love most about it.

[@Halcon_Sierreno]

There's never been a better time to get into the kiseki series than now. Be thankful most of the games are out and have official localizations. No having to scour the deepest reaches of the internet for badly translated patches.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, it was dark times for a while, but things are starting to look really good.

[@marktreerng]

Ok ill subscribe 😂 Fun video, I loved as you put it, if your watching this video all the way, you'll want to see the atory for yourself. I'll start with Sky 1 soon. I personally try to take a page from transparencyboo's video to reject the notion of a backlog. Nah, I've got like a library of fun titles waiting to be enjoyed with no pressure. Only started Falcom playing Ys1 on Master System a few years ago, but i know I'm almost guaranteed to enjoy trails now too. Despite being up to 7, I'll just jump to YsX cus I'm too hyped to play it this week :D

[@MiamiSunrise]

Unless something miraculous changes, Sky is my personal pick. There is simply too much lost in connection with this wonderful series by not starting with Liberl and everyone you meet for better or worse there. Estelle may be the greatest female JRPG protagonist of all time and to not get to meet her and her bond with her friends is far too unfortunate to name. Also, starting with the supposedly worst battle system and have it improve over each game is really something I have enjoyed. You nailed a lot of great points here and I like that you briefly included Nayuta (which we get officially soon). But that does beg the question.........the Gaharv trilogy and how it fits (or the lackthereof). So much to say on this topic, thanks for addressing this, always a fun watch.

[@JustTheGems]

In the ideal situation, I 100% agree, starting with Sky can't really be topped.

[@Tchud]

This is a long one, so please, bear with me: Love your approach. I played CS1 before knowing about Sky and Crossbell, since the Sky series, while being available on Steam, I had no idea about. Zero/Azure, however, was an entirely different story. Geofront translated these games on PC to be released by 2020-2021, if I remember. Before that time, I played CS1 on the PS3, figured it was a great RPG, but was lost and confused on a lot of the story. This was when I realized it had been released on the PS4 and I played CS1 on PS3 as far back as 2017. Because of the complicated backstory and lack of information about Sky/Crossbell, I stopped playing the game. In 2019, I purchased CS3 and played it, thinking it might be an... sorta sequel to the series. Like Final Fantasy and the Tales series. I was wrong. It was a direct sequel, but told their story in a direct and fascinating way. I really enjoyed CS3, but when I got into Crossbell, I had absolutely no connection with the city and its people. So I went back to finish CS1 and CS2, hoping for information about the characters I had no idea about. Would I know more about Crossbell? Nope. When I got to CS2's section on Crossbell and Lloyd, I was lost. That is when I searched and learned about Trails in the Sky and Zero/Azure in 2021. By then, Geofront had completed both games. I purchased Sky on Steam and downloaded the Crossbell series... and fell in love. After replaying CS1 and the Steel series, I finally understood. This is an amazing project! Wonderful characters, world building, the atmosphere, and "cheesy" dialogue- with mechs, it has it all. Waiting for Calvard series to come around. Good on you! Glad to see someone enjoying this wonderful and ambitious project!

[@JustTheGems]

Love this! Everybody has a different story of their introduction to this series and I'm so glad to hear yours. 😁

[@valensaz93]

Clicked on the video because TRAILS, but the cute guy made me subscribe🫣

[@JustTheGems]

We got Trails and we got cuteness, tell your friends! 😄

[@grizzlywhisker]

I just started playing this series and I decided to just start with the basic PSP game, it reminds me of Xenogears which is cool and I actually prefer that old school style to a lot of the modern stuff sometimes.

[@nehuen7949]

PEOPLE DO THIS: 1) TRAILS IN THE SKY 1, 2, AND 3RD 2) TRAILS FROM ZERO, TRAILS TO AZURE (SAME CAST OF CHARACTERS AND CITY) 3) TRAILS OF COLD STEEL 1, 2, 3, AND 4 DONE !! you are ready for REVERIE. Why this way? because the story was made to be enjoyed in this order so that the hype of a cliffhanger keeps you hooked until you can play the next game. All of them are available but imagine if you had to wait because you lack money or time.

[@JustTheGems]

Agreed, that's ideal. But I won't shoo anyone away if they want to skip Sky, or jump straight into Cold Steel. Honestly, the more people enjoying this series, the better, I think!

[@InTheMindOfDavid]

Very new to the Trails games, and just Falcom in general having been introduced via Ys IX. I came to really enjoy Ys VIII, Ys IX, and Ys Celceta so I figured I try out Trails. I decided to pick up Zero because it was readily accessible and I really dug the combat and world building. Though, once I met Estelle and Joshua then later met Rene, and found Joshua and Estella at the Doll Factory and cryptically appearing to be on the hunt for who I assume to be Rene AND also noticing that Reverie appeared to have the characters from all the arcs in your party, I came to the realization I had to bite the bullet. I stopped at the end of Chapter 3 and got my PC back up and running and downloaded Sky. Im a story guy, so I can’t just play, let alone finish an entry to the series that whose plot consists of events happening in the middle of the grand over-arching story of a series. I HAVE TO play the story in order, no matter what. ESPECIALLY if that series has tons of political intrigue because I love a good conspiracy 😂 So that’s what I did, Im now in Chapter 3 of Sky and am excited to work my way through Trails from front to back.

[@JustTheGems]

I'm glad you're into it!!

[@klissattack]

I started with cold steel. I had played a bit if Sky a long time ago but cold steel was definitely my starting point. 1 and 2 seem to stand on its own pretty well. With 3 I had to watch a few condensed story videos to understand who everyone was

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, CS can work as a starting point because, at least until CS3, you're dealing pretty exclusively with Erebonian issues.

[@John_Alter]

I started with Cold Steel when it was released on the Vita and it reminded me of Persona due to the school setting and bonding (social link). I continued to play Cold Steel 2 on my Vita and Cold Steel 3 & 4 on Switch.

[@JustTheGems]

I wish I had CS1&2 on Vita, I love collecting games for that system.

[@John_Alter]

@@JustTheGems Got the Lionheart edition of Cold Steel on Vita.

[@Transientimage]

This is a video I was very interested in. (Shout out to Orbalology for the retweet) I'd probably like to start with Sky but as it's not on Switch I'll just wait and pray for the ports!

[@JustTheGems]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, every Trails fan is keeping their fingers crossed for Sky ports to Switch...🤞

[@robertdeffenbaugh9004]

@@JustTheGems I hope Trails of cold steel 1 and 2 gets ported to Switch someday. I have 1 and 2 on PSVita. I got 3 and 4 on Switch. I’m getting Reverie on Switch.

[@niles8576]

i feel that cold steel 1 is actually a step back from the crossbell games.

[@JustTheGems]

I know some people don't care for the school setting, did that bother you? Didn't bother me but I can understand why it might.

[@niles8576]

@@JustTheGems yes it did. I also prefer the combat way more as the old system for arts is way better in my opinion.

[@mOnocularJohn]

I'm so old I started the Legend of Heroes way before the Trails series with Dragon Slayer.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, Falcom has been making these games since basically the dawn of video gaming, and that's pretty incredible if you think about it

[@edwarddejesus1649]

I started Cold Steel 1 last month then I just Finish Cold Steel to today. And i'm planning to finish the Sky Trilogy and Crossbell Dualogy before going to Cold Steel 3.

[@JustTheGems]

Once you get started it's hard to stop!

[@BassForever]

As someone who played them in the order they were localized, I wish I could have experienced them in order as intended.

[@JustTheGems]

Same, my friend. Same.

[@Ngamergal]

Thank you I need that now to wait for the sky version port to switch

[@JustTheGems]

I'm keeping me fingers crossed!

[@michaellittlehale5073]

I started with Cold Steel and fell in love, but I see your point that I have a hard time getting through the Sky trilogy with its dated graphics and mechanics. But I also think that's okay. I think the we focus too much on the optimal story progression instead of how we can get more players into the series at all and I think Cold Steel is overall a better entry for new players

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, everyone should start where they want and just enjoy it!

[@5in7sstashtalk18]

I decided to start with The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails. Since it seems to be a stand alone action RPG more in line with Y's 7 or even Origins which i enjoyed. 🤞🤞🤞

[@JustTheGems]

I'm really excited to play it in full next month!

[@DrGamingPlays]

Liked and subscribed. Well presented video. I recently started my own channel, and this is a topic I may get into later in the summer (as you said, there is no wrong answer). As for the names to the Crossbell arc, while I guess they are literal, I took "Trails from Zero" to mean how the SSS doesn't start with much (ground zero) and has to earn respect, which they do. That game is more about them. In my review, I probably imply that I like the first game better than the second, and that is because Azure has a couple of "you got to me kidding me moments". Anyway, I am rambling. Looking forward to more content.

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you so much! I need to replay both Zero and Azure, since I played through them on the old, rough translation back in the day. I'm sure there are parts of the story I just didn't understand because the translation was so bad 😅

[@mrt.7146]

The high-school simulator part of Cold Steel made me abandon that entire arc, honest question: does that side persist through all 5 games? Loved Trails in the Sky and the Crosbell games - current 'distracted' by Star Ocean Second Story R, so will need a new Trails entry to start soon 🤩.

[@JustTheGems]

I'd say that the gameplay loop of getting a limited amount of "free time points" to spend with various characters continues through the arc, though the setting definitely changes quite a bit from game to game, so it's not always "school flavored," if that makes sense.

[@rossedwardmiller]

I played the daybreak demo and now I have to start this whole series ugh

[@JustTheGems]

Lol welcome aboard!

[@ASMRPongpoom]

@rossedwardmiller 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 movie

[@dudx17]

Cold steel was how i found the series one day by chance at a gamestop i believe

[@JustTheGems]

I really like the Cold Steel series as a whole, and I think it's how a lot of people (maybe the majority?) discovered the series, so it's good that it ended up being so good.

[@Jeranhound]

I picked up Cold Steel 1 at the start of covid and nearly bounced right off it because it was immediately obvious that it had been a Vita game. I know it's not fair to judge games based on the system they were on, but I had -just- played through Digimon Cyber Sleuth and my least favorite part about that game was the tiny maps you ran through over and over again, largely as a result of the limits of being made for the Vita, and I was expecting to get more of the same. Thankfully, I at least played through the intro and enjoyed its combat system, so I was willing to give it a shot. Took me about 6 months to beat the first game, 2 years to beat the second, and here I am 2 years later half way through the 3rd one, with the 4th already on my Steam account.

[@reimihara21]

I started with the cold steel series since the Sky series isn’t available in the PlayStation store. I played cold steel 1-4, then played zero followed by azure. I recently finished Sky FC/SC. Currently playing third Sky game. Replaying the games in order

[@NathanaelRibeiro]

I started with zero on switch and now I'm in cold steel 2 playing it handheld with geforce now , already got the physical version of 3, 4 and reverie. bought the sky trilogy on sale and I'm going back to it after reverie. I watch videos on youtube about the sky trilogy before I started zero but it really isn't the same as going through the games

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, YT vids will work in a pinch, but if you're able to play it feels so much better.

[@jesserivera2043]

I played Sky and Crossbell after the Cold Steel arc, and I wasn't terribly put off by the regression in the gameplay. However, little things I've taken for granted in the newer entries felt missed in the older ones, like the master quartz system, on field striking, and countering attacks not being in Sky. On the other side of the coin I was surprised how intimate the interpersonal character dynamics in sky were due to the relatively shallow interactions of Cold Steel characters. I chalk a lot of the story beats in each arc to how they mirror anime series that were popular at the time the games were released, which is why the sky arc felt like Fairy Tail and the cold steel arc felt like a light novel anime. I think that's why a lot of people hold the crossbell arc in the highest regard, because it combines the intimacy of the main cast with the grandiose nature of the later arcs.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, I hadn't thought about it that way, but I think your take on why Crossbell is so beloved is probably pretty accurate.

[@jesserivera2043]

@@JustTheGems in the Crossbell games you get the sense that all the bonding events were canonical, with the potential exception of Noel's, since it'll be rude if Lloyd confessed to both her and Elie. The games even do a good job as to why some gameplay features aren't available in some games. One of the best examples is comparing the Enigma to the Arcus. Even the series long theme of the consequences of technology developing too quickly is plastered everywhere, from the constant wars and world shaking events, to little things like why Lloyd didn't know how to ride a motorcycle, but Angelica did.

[@veespa_]

I just started playing Trails in the Sky FC on my PC. What I want is to play all of them on Switch, since I just got one.. I’m considering putting it on hold with the hopes that next year or so they’ll release the trilogy on Switch, too, since they did the duology as well - I really wish there was voice acting, but I really like what I’ve played so far!

[@JustTheGems]

I still have hope for a modern console port of the Sky trilogy, but I know there are some weird rights issues between Falcom and XSEED (who did the localization on Sky 1-3 and Cold Steel 1-2), so there's a decent chance it just won't happen...:(

[@diegoarmando5489]

Some people find Sky "slow" or "primitive", but I've been gaming since 1989 (First game: Super Mario, First JRPG: FF4, first CRPG: Warsong, first WRPG: Wasteland) and find Sky to have fun game system and fairly progressive QoL options. The ending is my favourite cinematic sequence in gaming. Ideal: Sky Good: Zero Cold Steel 1 Kuro Possible: Cold Steel 3 Incomprehensible: SC 3rd Azure CS2 CS4 Reverie

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, I think those feel right to me.

[@timseyer6769]

The first game I played was cold steel one just because I did not know at the time that there was a greater series. But I liked it quite a lot mainly because I really liked the characters and the personal interactions between them. After I finished that game I did some research and found out about the rest prompting a trails in the sky gameathon wich was nothing short of stunningly great fun. So cold steel can be a good start if the characters matter more to you than the overarching story, but sky is just a great entry overall. The only thing I would recommend is playing sky on PC so you can walk around in turbo mode. The speed of the game on psp is taxing to say it lightly.

[@JustTheGems]

Yes - turbo mode is a godsend for sure!

[@shane.d.johnston]

I haven’t finished any of them yet (love JRPGs but I suck at finishing long games) but my first one was the Japanese version of Trails in the Sky for PC.. I bought the physical disc for it while visiting Japan They’re really awesome games and one day I’ll get through them.

[@JustTheGems]

I hope you like them when you do. Being able to play them in quick succession is actually a real advantage over how I did it, so I wonder how much that improves the experience.

[@yarumada9880]

I'm currently in the Crossbell Duology (Trails from Zero) ... One thing that i love and hate about Trails is the fact that NPC dialogue changes with every storybeat. Yes i too like knowing what happens to Anton or some minor characters but sometimes i just want to know what happens next with the story. Anyways i fucking love the Trails Series can't wait to catch up to Reverie

[@JustTheGems]

You can really fall down the rabbit hole of minor NPC storylines in this series, for real.......

[@thomascros]

I just decovored your channel and great stuff ! Like for this video. Subscribed to your channel. And Hello 👋 from Paris ,France.

[@JustTheGems]

Hey, thank you so much! I really want to visit Paris one day, hopefully soon!

[@NeverDyeGaming2]

I'm playing Trails from Zero. Bought Azure the same day, so i can play it right after I'm done

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, you really have to, the cliffhangers in this series are INTENSE.

[@SilortheBlade]

I've played trails in the sky. It was the most JRPG-Y game I had ever played. I enjoyed it, but sometimes it was hard to get through. I recall getting the second game on my vita. Maybe I should see it I can still download it.

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, you should still be able to download it, at least for the time being.

[@lucidx88]

this was a great video.

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you!

[@SuperSupersoda]

Out of all the trails games, I would argue Zero and Azure are the MOST appropriately named. Why is it called Trails to Zero? Because it is the game about the introduction and the search for the "sept-terrion of Zero" or the "Zero Child". The plan that the villains in these two games are masterminding is called "The Azure Zero Project". The final boss of Trails to Azure is KeA reforming some form of the original sept-terrion of Mirage, which was called "The Azure Demiourgos", Azure Demiourgos is the name of the arc's final boss. If you were paying attention to the story, Trails to Zero is called that because it is the search for the zero child or sept-terrion of Zero. Trails to Azure is called that because the game is about the maturation and empowerment of the Zero Child and transforming her into the weapon with which to defeat Crossbell's enemies: the Azure Demiourgos. I would argue that Cold Steel 1 is the game that is terribly named. I would change "The legend of heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 1" to a better name that reflects what the game truly is: "The Legend of Heroes: The Search for Valimar." I get why it's called Cold Steel, it's set in the Erebonian Empire, and the railway networks are what connect the Empire together, but it's not very descriptive of the story.

[@JustTheGems]

I'll agree that those names are descriptive, more so than Cold Steel certainly, but to me they're not as evocative or intriguing. But I get that everyone's taste differs.

[@andr0zzsenpai]

put a spoiler warning

[@xneutralgodx]

I started in cold steel but i am going to stop at 3 ( just about to beat it) Going to play trails of zero next Finally sly afterwards . I played sky when i was a child but its time to play it again

[@JustTheGems]

Yeah, it's hard to believe it's been 20 years since Sky was originally released... Holy cow.

[@rand0mGT]

Where to start the golden sun series?

[@Beyondesp]

I love trails of cold steel 1 . I played that on the vita . I hit a difficulty spike in 2 and havent gone back yet to work through it. But i loved 1 so much that i have bought all the physical versions i can on the ps vita, ps3 and ps4. And the games on the steam deck to play too. I really wanted to finish the cold steel arc before starting reverie but havent had time ... Ugh.. i need to get back to cold steel 2 and finish it. And then the rest. I started trails to zero too and then got busy with work and lost where i was at... Too many great games..

[@JustTheGems]

It's a REAL challenge to find the time for sure, especially when there really are so many fantastic games coming out every year

[@ChristopherAngeles]

I enjoyed this video because it was so honest. I want to get into the trails series and love rpgs. Thanks for the video. + 1 sub from me.

[@JustTheGems]

Thank you so much! I hope you're able to get into Trails, it's really fantastic!

[@ChristopherAngeles]

@@JustTheGems I tried the steam demo of trails of cold steel III and just couldnt get into it ( because i really didnt want to start from game 1 and play 10 trails games). THEN i watched your video on top 10 JRPGs with female protagonists, and picked up Trails in the Sky 1 and have been LOVING it. Such a great game so far.

[@lergof0202]

Great video. My experience is similar. In 2016ish, I was bored surfing the Steam Store and saw Trails in the Sky on sale for like $10.00. I shrugged and said, eh this is probably something I'll play one day and purchased it. It sat uninstalled in my Steam Library for another year, until finally I saw a youtube video about it and remembered I had purchased it. So I booted it up and I'm not going to lie, I about put it down and said it wasn't for me. Those first two chapters of Sky FC were a slog. I felt like there were so many better games I could be playing with my time, but I'm pretty OCD about finishing games I start, so I decided I would power through it, and then probably not buy the sequel. I got to Ruan and the story started to pick up a little with with the Arson and Academy stuff. (What can I say I'm a fan of school sims lol). And the mystery of the masked bad guy kept me engaged enough to get to the final chapter where the martial arts tournament was fun (also a fan of DBZ so martial arts tournaments are right up my ally). I about put the game down a 2nd time in the final dungeon. (Got it was AWFUL with every chest being a monster chest). But knowing I was so close to the end made me drink a red bull and turbo mode my way through it. Then I got to the ending. and HOLY COW! The ending to FC was OUTSTANDING. I was left with my jaw on the floor. I immediately purchased Sky SC, and between 2017 and now I've played the Sky trilogy twice, both Geofront fan translations of Crossbell (and their official releases), and each Cold Steel game once (with CS 2 twice to get the hidden scene legitimately). Needless to say I am obsessed with this series now. I am so glad that I powered through Sky FC, and now I have a huge appreciation for that game and it's turned into one of my favorites in the series. The problem is that Falcom gives the average player 99 reasons to not finish Sky FC, but for people who do finish it, I can't imagine them not creating a fan for life. Morale of the story, pick up Sky FC, enjoy your time with it, recognize that there are some slow parts, and just get through it and you will NOT regret it. This is the best JRPG series on the market and I've played a lot.

[@JustTheGems]

Very well put - Getting fully invested in the Trails series is a real, actual investment, but if you have the time and the patience to give it your attention, more often than not I think it will capture people.