How much am I missing out on? Trails series question

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Board 8 » How much am I missing out on? Trails series question
swordz9
06/04/2020
01:39 PM
#1
I started with Cold Steel 1 and am in the epilogue of Cold Steel 2 now. I dont really have any way of playing the fan translated entries so would I be kinda lost going to Cold Steel 3 right after? I dont really want to know spoilers, but it also doesnt seem like those games are even going to be released overseas anytime soon if at all
ninkendo
06/04/2020
01:40 PM
#2
the emotional impact of chapter 2 will be completely lost on you and you won't really know who some characters are and their histories

you could still play the game just fine, but your experience will not be as good as it could be.
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ninkendo
06/04/2020
01:42 PM
#3
but also don't give up on Zero and Ao yet

the ps4 versions are out now and the Falcom president keeps saying in every interview (including one last week) BOY I HOPE THESE GAMES COME OUT WEST
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pyresword
06/04/2020
01:45 PM
#4
Tagging this though I don't have much extra input. Generally agree with what Shine says.

For the record you could also consider Let's Play's on Youtube for the Crossbell games.

There's also Trails in the Sky which is also of a similar level of importance towards Cold Steel 3, which you can just play on Steam or on a PSP.
I didn't do guru this year but azuarc can be in my sig anyways.
iiicon
06/04/2020
01:45 PM
#5
Cold Steel 3 is when characters and plotlines from other games start becoming relevant, and while it's recommended you play the (5! there's so many) games that came before, it's not necessary. The game does its best job to catch you up. It's obviously not as comprehensive as first hand experience with the games, but you should be fine.

Supposedly 4 is when it becomes less recommended and more, uh, important.
ICON:
Kiwami means extreme.
iiicon
06/04/2020
01:50 PM
#6
pyresword posted...
For the record you could also consider Let's Play's on Youtube for the Crossbell games.
Oh yeah this is fine too. If you're sure you're not going to play the Crossbell games for whatever reason (lack of time, PC, or faith that they'll be officially translated), there are some solid Let's Plays and story summaries out there. LadyVirgilia has fairly comprehensive summaries for Zero and Ao.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_lKByYEtPLfT8LfOcyUAQ
ICON:
Kiwami means extreme.
Leonhart4
06/04/2020
01:52 PM
#7
ninkendo posted...
the emotional impact of chapter 2 will be completely lost on you and you won't really know who some characters are and their histories

you could still play the game just fine, but your experience will not be as good as it could be.

Eh, I think CS3 does a good job of selling the impact of it even if you haven't played it. You do miss out on a lot of the nuance but you can still appreciate the big picture.
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
swordz9
06/04/2020
01:52 PM
#8
I didnt even know they already had PS4 versions of them. Well in that case I suppose I can hold off for a while and see if they get released though it will probably be next year at the earliest since CS4 is coming out later this year and probably has all their focus. I have a big enough backlog to occupy my time with at least and worse case scenario I guess I could watch a Lets Play.
iiicon
06/04/2020
01:55 PM
#9
swordz9 posted...
I didnt even know they already had PS4 versions of them.
Only in Japan, with no current plans for a western release beyond the president of Falcom saying it'd be nice if that happens.
ICON:
Kiwami means extreme.
shane15
06/04/2020
01:58 PM
#10
I'm so glad i played the Crossbell games just because of that chapter 2 ending. it had so much more impact for me.
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Axl_Rose_85
06/04/2020
02:03 PM
#11
I played Sky 1, SC, 3rd, Cold Steel 1, 2, didn't touch the fan translations (nor do I plan to) and didn't have a problem at with following and enjoying the plot of Cold Steel 3. Nor did I feel like I missed out much with spoilers on the Crossbell games since I don't think I will play those games unless they get localized anyway.
ninkendo
06/04/2020
02:05 PM
#12
ideally they'll do both after Cold Steel 4

because as important they are for CS3 and 4

they seem double as important for Hajimari no Kiseki
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pyresword
06/04/2020
02:12 PM
#13
Honestly Hajimari seems like it could easily be marketed as the 3rd game in the Crossbell arc and I could not be happier.

Just skip localizing Cold Steel 4 and go straight to Hajimari who cares about Erebonia.
I didn't do guru this year but azuarc can be in my sig anyways.
Leonhart4
06/04/2020
02:14 PM
#14
I don't care about Erebonia but I care about Class VII

Give me Cold Steel IV
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
pyresword
06/04/2020
02:16 PM
#15
Ehhh, that's a good point actually. I do care about New Class VII.

Some of Old Class VII was solid also but I feel like I'm content with their character arcs leaving off where they currently are since they seem mostly complete. (with maybe 1-2 exceptions?)
I didn't do guru this year but azuarc can be in my sig anyways.
ninkendo
06/04/2020
02:17 PM
#16
we're only 3 months out from CSIV anyway plz let it happen

I've only watched it's animated opening every day for the past 18 months.
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swordz9
06/04/2020
02:30 PM
#17
Ive really been enjoying Cold Steel 1 and 2. Really like the cast for the most part too. There are just so many entertaining characters even among the secondary ones and for the most part Im pretty impressed with the English voice acting too overall. Rean in particular is very good.
shane15
06/04/2020
02:34 PM
#18
At this point it makes more sense to just finish the Cold Steel quadrilogy off. Now if we still hadn't received CS3 then you could make a case for getting the Crossbell games done first.
http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/330/958/a5b.gif
swordz9
06/05/2020
11:14 AM
#19
Should be able to finish it today. The epilogue has been longer than I thought it would be
colliding
06/05/2020
11:23 AM
#20
you should play the sky games at least before CS3
swordz9
06/05/2020
11:46 AM
#21
Is all of that officially released? I guess even if it is it might not be too easy for me to get still since PC isnt an option for me. I do have a PSP and Vita, but I dont think I have a memory card for either since I rarely ever buy games digitally
pyresword
06/05/2020
11:54 AM
#22
The Trails in the Sky games have official English releases yes. The two Crossbell games do not.
I didn't do guru this year but azuarc can be in my sig anyways.
NFUN
06/05/2020
12:01 PM
#23
Sky is on the Vita, though you might need to patch in English
You shine, and make others shine just by being near them.
colliding
06/05/2020
12:11 PM
#24
people will disagree, but you really only need to play sky 1 & 2 (fc & sc). trails the 3rd is not really essential. and yes, the best way to play sky is on the vita.
pyresword
06/05/2020
12:19 PM
#25
colliding posted...
people will disagree, but you really only need to play sky 1 & 2 (fc & sc). trails the 3rd is not really essential. and yes, the best way to play sky is on the vita.

Depends what you're saying. You might be able to justify this if your plan is to just play Cold Steel 3 and 4 and then check out.

For the series as a whole though I'd say Sky The 3rd is the most important out of any of the games so far at least up to Cold Steel 3.
I didn't do guru this year but azuarc can be in my sig anyways.
Leonhart4
06/05/2020
12:19 PM
#26
colliding posted...
people will disagree, but you really only need to play sky 1 & 2 (fc & sc). trails the 3rd is not really essential. and yes, the best way to play sky is on the vita.

I think I'd kinda agree if you've already played Cold Steel because the 3rd is partly used to set up the next arc so it loses some of its importance in that regard.

It's still a good game though so if you enjoy FC and SC, go ahead and play it.
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
Leonhart4
06/05/2020
12:21 PM
#27
Also Trails the 3rd has one of the best characters in the series who (to my knowledge) hasn't shown up elsewhere, so that alone is worth the price of admission.
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
xp1337
06/05/2020
02:44 PM
#28
Leonhart4 posted...
Also Trails the 3rd has one of the best characters in the series who (to my knowledge) hasn't shown up elsewhere, so that alone is worth the price of admission.
if i am thinking of the same person hajimari no kiseki is looking to be their triumphant return
xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out?
Leonhart4
06/05/2020
03:03 PM
#29
Day 1 purchase confirmed
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
GildedFool
06/05/2020
03:07 PM
#30
I should get TitS 2
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colliding
06/05/2020
04:30 PM
#31
Leonhart4 posted...
I think I'd kinda agree if you've already played Cold Steel because the 3rd is partly used to set up the next arc so it loses some of its importance in that regard.

It's still a good game though so if you enjoy FC and SC, go ahead and play it.

right that's what I meant.

in terms of getting the most out of cold steel, it's completely fine to play cs1 & 2, play FC & SC, and then cs 3 (and 4 later this year)
pyresword
06/05/2020
05:02 PM
#32
xp I think Leon is referring to Ries, not the character you're talking about? I might be wrong.
I didn't do guru this year but azuarc can be in my sig anyways.
pyresword
06/05/2020
05:05 PM
#33
GildedFool posted...
I should get TitS 2

*votes yes*
I didn't do guru this year but azuarc can be in my sig anyways.
zinformant
06/05/2020
05:13 PM
#34
colliding posted...
people will disagree, but you really only need to play sky 1 & 2 (fc & sc). trails the 3rd is not really essential. and yes, the best way to play sky is on the vita.

This is not poor advice; it's wrong advice. The series tells a single story and is intended to be played sequentially (that is, in release order). Keep in mind that folks dispensing advice have typically not played the entire series.
Is it naive to dream of a world without war?
pyresword
06/05/2020
05:21 PM
#35
I don't totally agree with that.

Intended order is a different question from "is this game essential to understanding what happens in a later game", and most people are typically asking about the latter.
I didn't do guru this year but azuarc can be in my sig anyways.
zinformant
06/05/2020
06:04 PM
#36
3rd (as with every other entry) is essential; it lays the groundwork for the successive six entries.
Is it naive to dream of a world without war?
Leonhart4
06/05/2020
06:06 PM
#37
pyresword posted...
xp I think Leon is referring to Ries, not the character you're talking about? I might be wrong.

I am not. Ries is cool but not worth playing 3rd for alone.
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
shane15
06/05/2020
06:07 PM
#38
Crossbell is weird as you really need to play Sky second chapter to get parts of Zero's story. From what i remember Azure doesn't really need you to have played anything other than Zero obviously.

You don't need to play anything to understand Cold Steel 1+2.

You ideally need to play everything to get CS 3+4.
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Mac Arrowny
06/05/2020
06:25 PM
#39
Who then? Tita's Mom? She's the coolest I can think of who wasn't in Crossbell or Cold Steel.
All the stars in the sky are waiting for you.
xp1337
06/05/2020
06:26 PM
#40
pyresword posted...
xp I think Leon is referring to Ries, not the character you're talking about? I might be wrong.
who else could we mean but Erika?
xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out?
swordz9
06/05/2020
06:27 PM
#41
Does anything carry over to CS3 or no because it was originally released on a different console?
Leonhart4
06/05/2020
06:28 PM
#42
xp1337 posted...
who else could we mean but Erika?

My man
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
xp1337
06/05/2020
06:28 PM
#43
swordz9 posted...
Does anything carry over to CS3 or no because it was originally released on a different console?
No. There's no CS2 -> CS3 carryover because of that console transition you mention.
xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out?
swordz9
06/05/2020
09:29 PM
#44
xp1337 posted...

No. There's no CS2 -> CS3 carryover because of that console transition you mention.

Saddest part of this is it means the game will forget who I made Reans partner :(
Mac Arrowny
06/05/2020
11:19 PM
#45
CS's shitty romance is nothing to be sad over (except how much it sucks)
All the stars in the sky are waiting for you.
Leonhart4
06/05/2020
11:35 PM
#46
It's okay CS3 acts like everyone was Rean's partner to compensate for the lack of transfer data
https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq
https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB
swordz9
06/08/2020
03:38 PM
#47
Finally got the time to finish it. Great game. Kinda wish the end was a little different though just because Cold Steel 2 spoilers Im gonna miss Class 7 and was hoping they would at least finish the 2 school years before going their own separate ways. A little surprised it didnt tease who is gonna be in Reans new class too.
Mac Arrowny
06/08/2020
04:12 PM
#48
Some of the reasons they have for leaving make sense, but some are total bullshit. Like, Elliot 100% could've stayed.

Also, extremely minor CS3 spoilers CS3 doesn't start until after Rean graduates so his classmates don't matter.
All the stars in the sky are waiting for you.
shane15
06/08/2020
04:14 PM
#49
Don't they also fit 2 years of schooling in like 10 months or something stupid?
http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/330/958/a5b.gif
_stingers_
06/08/2020
04:17 PM
#50
This topic made me realize that trails in the sky's acronym is TitS, so thanks for that
Congrats Black Turtle !
Board 8 » How much am I missing out on? Trails series question
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