Daybreak
heading into almost endgame i think, can tell things are starting to peak.
but damn, bracers are like the redshirts in this game. like every damn chapter, I keep hearing that random bracers are getting killed investigating things or trying to spy on things. don't remember the death toll of this magnitude in the other games. Even during the big wars, there was like 0 mention of casualities. Feels like somewhere like 20+ nameless bracers died in this entry
How do any of you remember anything in any of these games over the years? I've played almost all of them and don't remember shit. I cannot recall the difference between Cold Steel III, IV or Reverie, they all blend together.
Strangely enough, the format of Daybreak 2 was very memorable to me, I loved my time with the game. What even happened in Daybreak 1? Couldn't tell you.
I've done at least 6 playthroughs for each of the Trails games so it's pretty easy for me to remember the story, but each time I replay them I do still pick up something new I hadn't noticed before. So that's neat.
How do any of you remember anything in any of these games over the years? I've played almost all of them and don't remember shit. I cannot recall the difference between Cold Steel III, IV or Reverie, they all blend together.
Strangely enough, the format of Daybreak 2 was very memorable to me, I loved my time with the game. What even happened in Daybreak 1? Couldn't tell you.
I think the game structure makes it easier to remember stuff, at least for me. For example in Daybreak 1, you get one new character per chapter (kind of), and each chapter revolves around that character and their problems. It helps that there is a clear break between each chapter, so it's easier to mentally separate all story beats.
I was just thinking the same thing the other day. I don't know how anyone can remember all this stuff. I do remember like huge key elements of the story that are kind of crazy
Like that one villain being from a different dimension I thought was pretty crazy.
That nobody managed to get outside of the Zemurian continent, people tried to go as far as possible by ship but it's like there is a barrier preventing them to do so.
Another cool one from Daybreak 1:
There is a difference between the records stored in the Primal Grounds and the ones outside. The ones outside reference the existence of additional five Arch Demons, and nobody knows why. It's like there might be some timeline shenanigans going on, and we know that's possible due to KeA.
I hope this stuff will be addressed in Horizon, it was always super interesting to me.
I think the game structure makes it easier to remember stuff, at least for me. For example in Daybreak 1, you get one new character per chapter (kind of), and each chapter revolves around that character and their problems. It helps that there is a clear break between each chapter, so it's easier to mentally separate all story beats.
My favorite lore element from CSIV is:
That nobody managed to get outside of the Zemurian continent, people tried to go as far as possible by ship but it's like there is a barrier preventing them to do so.
Another cool one from Daybreak 1:
There is a difference between the records stored in the Primal Grounds and the ones outside. The ones outside reference the existence of additional five Arch Demons, and nobody knows why. It's like there might be some timeline shenanigans going on, and we know that's possible due to KeA.
I hope this stuff will be addressed in Horizon, it was always super interesting to me.
How do any of you remember anything in any of these games over the years? I've played almost all of them and don't remember shit. I cannot recall the difference between Cold Steel III, IV or Reverie, they all blend together.
Strangely enough, the format of Daybreak 2 was very memorable to me, I loved my time with the game. What even happened in Daybreak 1? Couldn't tell you.
It's not that hard, most Trails games use the first half for character presentations and arcs and maybe some foreshadowing then the second half is mostly lore and minor plot twists and the big BIG plot twists only really happen at the very end, like at literally the final dungeon.
The rest is just understanding the different factions and governments, The Bracer Guild, The Septian Church, Ouroboros, etc.
Probably the most confusing part in Trails is trying to guess whose good and bad, there have been characters that were originally villains but then become allies and viceversa. In fact I would say the biggest mystery in all of Trails is if Ouroboros will really remain as the main bad guys. I've always thought the coolest plot twist Trails could ever have would be having Ouroboros as the final arc party
I think the game structure makes it easier to remember stuff, at least for me. For example in Daybreak 1, you get one new character per chapter (kind of), and each chapter revolves around that character and their problems. It helps that there is a clear break between each chapter, so it's easier to mentally separate all story beats.
My favorite lore element from CSIV is:
That nobody managed to get outside of the Zemurian continent, people tried to go as far as possible by ship but it's like there is a barrier preventing them to do so.
Another cool one from Daybreak 1:
There is a difference between the records stored in the Primal Grounds and the ones outside. The ones outside reference the existence of additional five Arch Demons, and nobody knows why. It's like there might be some timeline shenanigans going on, and we know that's possible due to KeA.
I hope this stuff will be addressed in Horizon, it was always super interesting to me.
Finished CS3. Forgot to check the time but it was at least 120 hours. Longgggg. But I loved EVERY second of it. Are the rest just as long? No one does cliffhanger endings like this franchise. I see people complain how the games are all filled until the last hour drops crazy amounts of lore and plot but I don't get the complaint. Sure, they DEFINITELY drop an insane amount of info and leave you with even more questions, but I don't have a problem with it. It makes the ending hype and builds up the excitement of the next game. I didn't think any of the game was fuller either, it was world building. Same formula of previous games: traveling to locations and helping out the citizens and learning more about places you haven't been and their importance of the world, all along meeting plenty of new people while also meeting up with familiar faces.
Now I just wonder who the 7th is. AND SO MANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
I think CS3 is good in that it doesn't really stuff you with submissions all the time. The breakdown of the schedule with a school type timeframe really helps the pacing.
In Daybreak, they make up any excuse to just throw citizen missions any chance they get.
Cold Steel 2 finished, and while I love the overall story, some 100% anime quirks are so funny. Like over-reliance on motivational speeches and the power of friendship.
I mena, this game has a bad habit to present you with like 3 to 5 fake final battles. In the end my wife, who usually watch me play over my sholder, said something like 'this game has more final endings than girls in Rean's harem'. (I went with Alisa ofc)
Now starting CS3 and due to being a huge Crosbell fan I'm literally overflowed with joy right from the get-go.
Finished CS3. Forgot to check the time but it was at least 120 hours. Longgggg. But I loved EVERY second of it. Are the rest just as long? No one does cliffhanger endings like this franchise. I see people complain how the games are all filled until the last hour drops crazy amounts of lore and plot but I don't get the complaint. Sure, they DEFINITELY drop an insane amount of info and leave you with even more questions, but I don't have a problem with it. It makes the ending hype and builds up the excitement of the next game. I didn't think any of the game was fuller either, it was world building. Same formula of previous games: traveling to locations and helping out the citizens and learning more about places you haven't been and their importance of the world, all along meeting plenty of new people while also meeting up with familiar faces.
Now I just wonder who the 7th is. AND SO MANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
Yes, starting with Cold Steel 3 the games got significantly longer. If you play them as you do, all of them will be a 100+ hours affair. The way Cold Steel 3 ends is kind of crazy, never expected it to end like that for sure!
Pulse Towards Tomorrow (明日への鼓動, Ashita he no Kodou) is the opening theme for the game, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel. It is vocalized by Kanako Kotera, performed by Falcom idk BAND, and released on August 21, 2013.
CS4 is 30-40% longer going by my playthrough time, so be prepared. Reverie is definitely smaller if you won't chase 100% Reverie corridors completion.
Daybreak I think roughly in the same ballpark. Daybreak 2 10-20 hours smaller.
CS4 is 30-40% longer going by my playthrough time, so be prepared. Reverie is definitely smaller if you won't chase 100% Reverie corridors completion.
Daybreak I think roughly in the same ballpark. Daybreak 2 10-20 hours smaller.
Yeah, going from Azure to Cold Steel 1 is not great... Falcom got much better at developing in full 3D with Cold Steel 3. They started to use mocap properly only with Ys IX.
Finished Daybreak I finally. Spent a total of 105 hours. Overall, I give it a 6/10. Not bad, but other trails games are above it for me and there's a few things I found lacking. Like I already mentioned the stepback in the orbment system before. But a lot of the things in the game was very repetitive. Felt like there was way too many 4SP quests. And like every dungeon for the entire game till the finale was underground waterways. Goddamn are there a ton in this. like omg, please no more sphere breaking, it was like 3 hours of that
Characters grew on me, by the end, thought most of them other than like 2-3. The new characters in Reverie I was much more invested in though.
The localization is a bit rough, they really inserted a ton of [insert here] catchphrases that I felt didn't match what was said when I had it on JPN voices. Was pleasantly surprised with the Law/Order/Chaos levels that in the end affected who you could choose to help you and other small details.
Thoughts on characters and end story beats.
They went really Persona3 at the end there.
Van's story ended up being interesting. So the way I got it is he was a kid with Ellaine and Rene. Then he got adopted out (which Elaine's father instigated) but he ended be bought by the D.G. Cult and got experiented on. That went on for 7 years when he got free I guess. And he goes back to school acting like it never happened. But felt out of place still and dropped out after that. The demon lord is neat. Guess he needs to ask Rean for some tips to uncloud his mind.
Anges. I think they push her way too hard as a pairing on Van. And they cockblock Elaine wayy too much. God they just make any excuse to block her away from Van to help or when she's going to take up too much story screentime. If they went Cold Steel and I could choose who Van can end up with for romance, my rankings would be:
Aaron: They kind of really dropped the Tyrant thing with him quick. Thought it be more of an issue. Gameplay wise, he was MVP though. my god. He killed like 90% of the game for me.
Feri: very adorable kid. the running gag of her not understanding what anyone says that are more adult didn't overstay its welcome for me. And its nice to have a kid character that's actually a kid and not an engineered and/or genius techie or 1000 year old something
Judith: Best character in the game lol. Love seeing her get bullied and laughed at. And Van saw her boobies. You have to marry her now.
Risette: Looking forward to more of her backstory.
Side characters: The storys of the towns/city people was neat. I didn't talk to EVERYONE, but the ones I kept tabs on was the basketball games. A good number of the kids, some others. The Maxim/Paulette subplot was neat. Loved the ton of screentime of Cao and Rixia. Aww Rixia always mentions a certain person in Crossbell. I know who that is :O Happy to see Sylette again. and Renne really loves showing up in every game she can.
The aftermath of the war and all these different companies rising up does well in progressing the story of the world.
And the war tech and stuff jumping up rather dangerously.
The Society/Ouroboros is interesting in this. For being so long being a thorn in your side in the previous game, and the things they done, you think they be public enemy #1 or something. But nah, they're all regular members of the public and treated as a afterschool club.
The bad guys are terrible in this though. All babies and spoiled brats throwing a tantrum. Melchior just one-dimensional crazy psycho that tries to be a troll like Campanella, but doesn't hold a fingernail to him.
The other gardens folk were dumb too. Killed all of them other than the Angel girl. Ship her off to Llyod to fix her.
If the SSS or Class VII was involved, everything would have been solved and butts kicked by chapter 2. But its fine. The new cast needs to get their training wheels.
Finished Daybreak I finally. Spent a total of 105 hours. Overall, I give it a 6/10. Not bad, but other trails games are above it for me and there's a few things I found lacking. Like I already mentioned the stepback in the orbment system before. But a lot of the things in the game was very repetitive. Felt like there was way too many 4SP quests. And like every dungeon for the entire game till the finale was underground waterways. Goddamn are there a ton in this. like omg, please no more sphere breaking, it was like 3 hours of that
Characters grew on me, by the end, thought most of them other than like 2-3. The new characters in Reverie I was much more invested in though.
The localization is a bit rough, they really inserted a ton of [insert here] catchphrases that I felt didn't match what was said when I had it on JPN voices. Was pleasantly surprised with the Law/Order/Chaos levels that in the end affected who you could choose to help you and other small details.
Thoughts on characters and end story beats.
They went really Persona3 at the end there.
Van's story ended up being interesting. So the way I got it is he was a kid with Ellaine and Rene. Then he got adopted out (which Elaine's father instigated) but he ended be bought by the D.G. Cult and got experiented on. That went on for 7 years when he got free I guess. And he goes back to school acting like it never happened. But felt out of place still and dropped out after that. The demon lord is neat. Guess he needs to ask Rean for some tips to uncloud his mind.
Anges. I think they push her way too hard as a pairing on Van. And they cockblock Elaine wayy too much. God they just make any excuse to block her away from Van to help or when she's going to take up too much story screentime. If they went Cold Steel and I could choose who Van can end up with for romance, my rankings would be:
Aaron: They kind of really dropped the Tyrant thing with him quick. Thought it be more of an issue. Gameplay wise, he was MVP though. my god. He killed like 90% of the game for me.
Feri: very adorable kid. the running gag of her not understanding what anyone says that are more adult didn't overstay its welcome for me. And its nice to have a kid character that's actually a kid and not an engineered and/or genius techie or 1000 year old something
Judith: Best character in the game lol. Love seeing her get bullied and laughed at. And Van saw her boobies. You have to marry her now.
Risette: Looking forward to more of her backstory.
Side characters: The storys of the towns/city people was neat. I didn't talk to EVERYONE, but the ones I kept tabs on was the basketball games. A good number of the kids, some others. The Maxim/Paulette subplot was neat. Loved the ton of screentime of Cao and Rixia. Aww Rixia always mentions a certain person in Crossbell. I know who that is :O Happy to see Sylette again. and Renne really loves showing up in every game she can.
The aftermath of the war and all these different companies rising up does well in progressing the story of the world.
And the war tech and stuff jumping up rather dangerously.
The Society/Ouroboros is interesting in this. For being so long being a thorn in your side in the previous game, and the things they done, you think they be public enemy #1 or something. But nah, they're all regular members of the public and treated as a afterschool club.
The bad guys are terrible in this though. All babies and spoiled brats throwing a tantrum. Melchior just one-dimensional crazy psycho that tries to be a troll like Campanella, but doesn't hold a fingernail to him.
The other gardens folk were dumb too. Killed all of them other than the Angel girl. Ship her off to Llyod to fix her.
If the SSS or Class VII was involved, everything would have been solved and butts kicked by chapter 2. But its fine. The new cast needs to get their training wheels.
I wanted to go back and read some opinions in the OT... but there is no OT for Daybreak.
Get used to the localization, it's going to be the same in Daybreak II and Horizon, maybe even worse when it comes to LOLcalization and making stuff up.
Daybreak II start.
Small worry. Like I'm actually a good fan of time stuff. Love Chono games, FF13-2, ect.
And Trails game are no stranger to time ex dues machina moments. But this game might be pushing it too far. Like other moments was hazy and more 'there really was no other recourse' But looks like this game is going to SPAM the time rewind thing and I think that totally cheapens the entire thing this way.
Trails of Cold Steel
Trails in the Sky (original)
Trails in the Sky SC
Legend of Nayuta
Trails in the Sky 3rd
Trails from Zero
Trails to Azure <--- I am here
Will play Azure then on to Cold Steel 2, where I will play them all in order from there.
Trails of Cold Steel
Trails in the Sky (original)
Trails in the Sky SC
Legend of Nayuta
Trails in the Sky 3rd
Trails from Zero
Trails to Azure <--- I am here
Will play Azure then on to Cold Steel 2, where I will play them all in order from there.
Man you played a lot of them, that's impressive since I know how long each one takes. Each one, I tried to do everything in the game so it would usually take me a good two to four weeks of me to beat each game. I haven't gotten back to Legend of Nayuta yet, that one is my least liked Trails, I might just watch a Youtube Walkthrough of the game. Azure is another fantastic one in the series. As for Cold Steel, the third game and Reverie are my favorite in the Erebonia Arc
I'll eventually play the remake of Trails In The Sky FC, but I'm waiting on the TITSSC Remake to come out at the end of the year so I can play them back to back. And (Sigh) I will eventually replay all of the Daybreak games on Steam that are the Official North American Version but I'm going to have to use mods that fix the localization
I played the Korean Versions on Steam using MTL English Fan Translation Mods, they were servicable but with the latest Daybreak game, I had to pause on playing the game at times so that the MTL file would be updated to include more of the main story that is translated. With all the side quests and extra scenes you can watch in that garten hub area, I mostly skipped those due to them not being translated by the time I finished that game. So when I do get to Trails Through The Horizon, I want to spend time doing all the stuff in the game that's optional too
When it comes to Trails games, I try to do everything. It's an OCD thing for me that is specific to Trails for some reason lol
Wasn't a fan of the crossbell arc. Characters just didn't click with me and overall story was kind of meh to me. I'm glad it was only two games focusing on them. I plan to replay them once\if they are remade and maybe my thoughts will change then but I don't know. I'm also just not a fan of 2D JRPGs anymore so that might have had something to do with it. I only played them to get the overall story and I really just wanted to go back to cold steel. So maybe my thoughts on the game will change without feeling rushed and a 3d art style.
one thing you end up losing out on in todays age of "time to take a break, exit and turn off console to sleep and come back" is that the title screen constantly changes based on your progress in the game.
one thing you end up losing out on in todays age of "time to take a break, exit and turn off console to sleep and come back" is that the title screen constantly changes based on your progress in the game.
Since Reverie probably coz that's when they started doing this multiple paths structure. CSIV had a different title screen after you beat the game, but I don't remember it changing during the game.
Since Reverie probably coz that's when they started doing this multiple paths structure. CSIV had a different title screen after you beat the game, but I don't remember it changing during the game.
Cold Steel 1 and 2 they change between chapters for sure.
Cold Steel 3 and 4 I'm not sure if they just show different artworks randomly when you boot it up, I don't remember honestly. It might not be chapter based.
Was about to say, I recently played through Trails from Zero and it does this. I thought Trails in the Sky (the original one) did but it only changed after beating the game and not throughout.
one thing you end up losing out on in todays age of "time to take a break, exit and turn off console to sleep and come back" is that the title screen constantly changes based on your progress in the game.
It was fine as the chibi sprites, but jeez, the 3D dancing sequences are all so bad. All of them. I know falcom is a small team, but get some mocap at least for the dancing...its like they all having a seizure.
I'm just heading to Zeiss after 26 hours in the OG trails in the sky FC. Are there really only 6 orbment slots? I unlocked all of Joshua's and Estelle's slots some time ago. Are builds meant to be so narrow?
I'm just heading to Zeiss after 26 hours in the OG trails in the sky FC. Are there really only 6 orbment slots? I unlocked all of Joshua's and Estelle's slots some time ago. Are builds meant to be so narrow?
You have 56 quartz and 42 arts to choose from. There are different ways you can build your characters, even though there is always some optimal meta. Having few slots means you need to focus on what you want a certain character to be instead of trying to build generalists.
For attackers you need to think whether you want to take the hit in defence when equipping an attack quartz, try to deny that with a defence quartz or with some evade quartz/accessories. Then you need to think about which kind of Art utility you want to bring along, as they are super important for attackers. For art users you need to find the right combination to have the optimal set-up of arts to you want to bring along.
In SC you will have more powerful quartz (with more elemental values), so you will be able to unlock more arts and better effects.
It was fine as the chibi sprites, but jeez, the 3D dancing sequences are all so bad. All of them. I know falcom is a small team, but get some mocap at least for the dancing...its like they all having a seizure.
You have 56 quartz and 42 arts to choose from. There are different ways you can build your characters, even though there is always some optimal meta. Having few slots means you need to focus on what you want a certain character to be instead of trying to build generalists.
For attackers you need to think whether you want to take the hit in defence when equipping an attack quartz, try to deny that with a defence quartz or with some evade quartz/accessories. Then you need to think about which kind of Art utility you want to bring along, as they are super important for attackers. For art users you need to find the right combination to have the optimal set-up of arts to you want to bring along.
In SC you will have more powerful quartz (with more elemental values), so you will be able to unlock more arts and better effects.
Good choice playing the OG btw, extremely based.
They are mocapped, at least the main one in Daybreak 2. And it's pretty cool.
I am dreading the move to 3D if I make it that far. I would pay to play the entire series with slightly better sprites. The game expresses more emotion and passion with janky sprites than modern AAA games.
I am dreading the move to 3D if I make it that far. I would pay to play the entire series with slightly better sprites. The game expresses more emotion and passion with janky sprites than modern AAA games.
Yeah, going from Trails to Azure to Cold Steel 1 is quite painful to be honest. Luckily with Cold Steel 3 they changed engine and improved a lot, and then they improved even more with Daybreak (new engine again). The combat animations from Daybreak forward are really well done.
Was still in the mood for more Trails after Horizon so I went and platinum'd the EU version of Daybreak II. That's my 10th plat of the Calvard games, and 26th overall Trails platinum.
