SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
Sorry for the long OT, but I feel like the game deserves a detailed one. I'll trim it down if people want. Sorry I'm no good with graphics.
Hey all, and welcome to the official OT for Trails in the Sky the 3rd!
Alternative title: I can't believe this game is actually coming out in the west the 3rd
General Info
Release Date:
US: May 3rd, 2017 (The day of miracles)
JP: Literally forever ago
Elsewhere in Asia: Before us
Platforms: PC
Steam, GOG, Humble Store
MSRP: $29.99
FAQ
What is this game?
Believe it or not, that's actually a very loaded question.
Trails in the Sky is the sixth entry in Falcom's The Legend of Heroes series. The games bearing Trails in the title took off after Sky was released, and for all intents and purposes are completely stand-alone when placed against the rest of The Legend of Heroes series. The 3rd is the direct sequel to Trails in the Sky SC, or Second Chapter, which itself was an even more direct sequel to Trails in the Sky FC, or First Chapter.
So... I don't need to play any other Legend of Heroes games?
That's right.
So I can start with this game?
Well... no.
Trails in the Sky the 3rd is the third game in the Sky series, and very much relies on characters and plot points set up in the preceding two games. The 3rd is even more story-oriented than the previous entries, and with a large part of the story dedicated to exploring the history of characters and locations introduced or alluded to in the other Sky games, knowledge of what went down in those titles is pretty much required to enjoy this game. I guess you could start with this one, but you'd be hella confused. You'll get a lot more out of it if you play the other games first.
What if I played Cold Steel, but not Sky?
This is where things get even more complicated, due to how the games have been released in the west. Cold Steel is actually a few games ahead in the sequel line, and came out long after the 3rd did in Japan. Unlike Cold Steel, the 3rd is not a good place to start for newcomers. You will definitely recognize some characters from those games, and events seen in those games will be explored in more detail, but seeing them here first is really the intended way to experience the series. If the fact that this game expands on Cold Steel's world intrigues you, don't start here. Start with Sky FC.
If you're interested in this game or the Trails series, and haven't played any of the games yet, please check out GAF's official OT and this thread detailing what the appeal of the Trails series is. Both threads fully explain why to start, where to start, and offer key information on the series.
SPOILERS FOR SKY FC AND SKY SC WILL BE IN THIS THREAD DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE GAME, SO BAIL NOW IF THAT BOTHERS YOU.
Now that we're done frontloading the complicated history of the game, let's get on to what it's actually about!
A Change in Perspective and Presentation
First things first: the 3rd is a bit different from the other Trails games in how it's set up. Unlike every other game, the 3rd is not a country-wide adventure. Most of it takes place in an alternate dimension of sorts, and the bulk of the gameplay is a dungeon crawling experience. However, despite this, the game is very plot focused, with the heroes exploring celestial doors that reveal important information about their past and the world around them. You'll be doing a lot of reading in this game, but if you enjoyed FC and SC, you're bound to consider it a treat. The 3rd is meant to lead directly into the later games in the series, and is the strongest link between the Sky games and the games that follow.
Everyone's favorite protagonists, Estelle and Joshua Bright from Sky FC and Sky SC, are no longer the main characters of the game.
*Excessive booing from the peanut gallery*
But wait! We have an equally entertaining set of new protagonists. You'll even recognize one of them right away!
Father Kevin Graham
That's right, everyone's favorite moss-headed, crossbow wielding, assassin priest is back from Sky SC, and this time he's the leading man. Players will control Kevin as they unlock the various Star and Moon doors. And let me tell you - Kevin is definitely a worthy bearer of the title of lead protagonist. He is, in my opinion, the deepest and most compelling Trails hero of all, but I'll let you come to that conclusion yourself as you play through the game.
Accompanying Kevin is...
Sister Ries Argent
Ries is the secondary lead of the game, much like Joshua was in the first two Sky games.
A large part of the appeal of the 3rd is in its HUGE playable cast. Every playable character from previous games returns, and several more NPCs return in a fully playable capacity. Kevin and Ries assemble an all-star cast for tracking down the Star Doors. If you ever wanted to play as a certain character, but were upset that you couldn't, you may find your moment in this game. They added a lot of fan favorite characters... EXCEPT FOR KURT! Kurt was even briefly playable in SC! Why must Falcom deprive us? Are two green-haired badasses too much for one game?
*Ahem*
Anyway, here is the playable cast for the 3rd.
Estelle Bright
Gotcha! Estelle isn't the lead anymore, but she's definitely still a major presence in the game. Get ready for more of her shenanigans and sudden bursts of heartfelt passion.
Joshua Bright
He also has a new outfit again. What a fashionable guy.
Scherazard Harvey
She got a haircut! Don't let "drinker extraordinaire" undersell her alcoholism. If Schera was a real person, she'd have been dead about seven failed livers ago.
Zin (not Zane) Vathek
The Aeris/Aerith of the Trails series, Zin's name change has a solid reasoning behind it, of which you can read here. I highly suggest you check out that link even if you don't care about Zin's name change, as it has valuable insight into the localization process from XSeed themselves.
Olivier Lenheim (Olivert Riese Arnor)
Everyone's favorite sweet-talking, lecherous, oddly charming bard returns, this time in his princely Erebonian attire. If you liked the way he looked in Cold Steel, you get to play as him while he looks like that now. He's also an official selling point for the game on XSeed's website. He's definitely a fan favorite - and don't worry if you were upset by his role on the sidelines in the Cold Steel games. He's definitely back in a prominent role this time.
Mueller Vander
Olivier's bodyguard, giant sword wielder, and best friend/eternal enemy of his liege. Another selling point is that Mueller is the older brother of Kurt, a character set to star in the upcoming Cold Steel III.
Kloe Rinze
She's a really good healer. And a princess. And she's really nice. And she's back in this game.
Her relationship with her grandmother the queen, along with her role and backstory in the previous games, were actually much more interesting than these snippets would have you believe. It's actually oddly difficult to briefly summarize this character. She's a worthy addition to the cast, for sure.
Julia Schwarz
Previously only playable during the final chapter of SC, Julia is upgraded to permanent party member this time around. It's a good thing she's fighting with you, rather than against you, as she has in the past.
Agate Crosner
LESDOIT
The best big brother, and an absolute physical powerhouse. What else do you want?
Tita Russell
Another character who got a redesign, Tita returns for more antics with Agate. Perhaps we'll get to see more of her past, as well...
Anelace Elfead
Ice cream! Anelace was only briefly playable in SC, but she's here for the long game this time. Official cuteness aficionado and swordswoman extraordinaire, Anelace is quite possibly my favorite (mostly) new addition to the cast. She's also the granddaughter of Master Ka-fei, Rean's elusive master from Cold Steel. Cool, huh?
Josette Capua
The worst fighter in an RPG that isn't a straight up joke character. Good character from a narrative standpoint, but man was she was worthless in battle. Let's hope that's changed.
Alan Richard
The main antagonist of Sky FC returns as a redeemed man - and, more importantly, a playable man.
Renne Hayworth
Another antagonist-turned-protagonist, Renne is the impetus for Estelle and Joshua's journey. It's quite possible that she may end up being a link towards future games, as well. (Hint: She will)
The Celestial Doors - Moon, Star, and Sun
The game is largely about doors. I know that sounds boring, but it's far from it. Expect to be fully engrossed in the stories these doors have to tell.
New Methods of Customization - Recluse Cube & Monuments
More detailed information on the game's new mechanics can be found on XSeed's official site.
Media
Really, Really Good OST
Fighting Right On
Jade Corridor
Golden Road, Silver Road
Overdosing Heavenly Bliss
Is everyone ready for more Kevin?
Hey all, and welcome to the official OT for Trails in the Sky the 3rd!
Alternative title: I can't believe this game is actually coming out in the west the 3rd
General Info
Release Date:
US: May 3rd, 2017 (The day of miracles)
JP: Literally forever ago
Elsewhere in Asia: Before us
Platforms: PC
Steam, GOG, Humble Store
MSRP: $29.99
FAQ
What is this game?
Believe it or not, that's actually a very loaded question.
Trails in the Sky is the sixth entry in Falcom's The Legend of Heroes series. The games bearing Trails in the title took off after Sky was released, and for all intents and purposes are completely stand-alone when placed against the rest of The Legend of Heroes series. The 3rd is the direct sequel to Trails in the Sky SC, or Second Chapter, which itself was an even more direct sequel to Trails in the Sky FC, or First Chapter.
So... I don't need to play any other Legend of Heroes games?
That's right.
So I can start with this game?
Well... no.
Trails in the Sky the 3rd is the third game in the Sky series, and very much relies on characters and plot points set up in the preceding two games. The 3rd is even more story-oriented than the previous entries, and with a large part of the story dedicated to exploring the history of characters and locations introduced or alluded to in the other Sky games, knowledge of what went down in those titles is pretty much required to enjoy this game. I guess you could start with this one, but you'd be hella confused. You'll get a lot more out of it if you play the other games first.
What if I played Cold Steel, but not Sky?
This is where things get even more complicated, due to how the games have been released in the west. Cold Steel is actually a few games ahead in the sequel line, and came out long after the 3rd did in Japan. Unlike Cold Steel, the 3rd is not a good place to start for newcomers. You will definitely recognize some characters from those games, and events seen in those games will be explored in more detail, but seeing them here first is really the intended way to experience the series. If the fact that this game expands on Cold Steel's world intrigues you, don't start here. Start with Sky FC.
If you're interested in this game or the Trails series, and haven't played any of the games yet, please check out GAF's official OT and this thread detailing what the appeal of the Trails series is. Both threads fully explain why to start, where to start, and offer key information on the series.
SPOILERS FOR SKY FC AND SKY SC WILL BE IN THIS THREAD DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE GAME, SO BAIL NOW IF THAT BOTHERS YOU.
Now that we're done frontloading the complicated history of the game, let's get on to what it's actually about!
A Change in Perspective and Presentation
First things first: the 3rd is a bit different from the other Trails games in how it's set up. Unlike every other game, the 3rd is not a country-wide adventure. Most of it takes place in an alternate dimension of sorts, and the bulk of the gameplay is a dungeon crawling experience. However, despite this, the game is very plot focused, with the heroes exploring celestial doors that reveal important information about their past and the world around them. You'll be doing a lot of reading in this game, but if you enjoyed FC and SC, you're bound to consider it a treat. The 3rd is meant to lead directly into the later games in the series, and is the strongest link between the Sky games and the games that follow.
Everyone's favorite protagonists, Estelle and Joshua Bright from Sky FC and Sky SC, are no longer the main characters of the game.
*Excessive booing from the peanut gallery*
But wait! We have an equally entertaining set of new protagonists. You'll even recognize one of them right away!
Father Kevin Graham
That's right, everyone's favorite moss-headed, crossbow wielding, assassin priest is back from Sky SC, and this time he's the leading man. Players will control Kevin as they unlock the various Star and Moon doors. And let me tell you - Kevin is definitely a worthy bearer of the title of lead protagonist. He is, in my opinion, the deepest and most compelling Trails hero of all, but I'll let you come to that conclusion yourself as you play through the game.
Accompanying Kevin is...
Sister Ries Argent
Ries is the secondary lead of the game, much like Joshua was in the first two Sky games.
A large part of the appeal of the 3rd is in its HUGE playable cast. Every playable character from previous games returns, and several more NPCs return in a fully playable capacity. Kevin and Ries assemble an all-star cast for tracking down the Star Doors. If you ever wanted to play as a certain character, but were upset that you couldn't, you may find your moment in this game. They added a lot of fan favorite characters... EXCEPT FOR KURT! Kurt was even briefly playable in SC! Why must Falcom deprive us? Are two green-haired badasses too much for one game?
*Ahem*
Anyway, here is the playable cast for the 3rd.
Estelle Bright
Gotcha! Estelle isn't the lead anymore, but she's definitely still a major presence in the game. Get ready for more of her shenanigans and sudden bursts of heartfelt passion.
Joshua Bright
He also has a new outfit again. What a fashionable guy.
Scherazard Harvey
She got a haircut! Don't let "drinker extraordinaire" undersell her alcoholism. If Schera was a real person, she'd have been dead about seven failed livers ago.
Zin (not Zane) Vathek
The Aeris/Aerith of the Trails series, Zin's name change has a solid reasoning behind it, of which you can read here. I highly suggest you check out that link even if you don't care about Zin's name change, as it has valuable insight into the localization process from XSeed themselves.
Olivier Lenheim (Olivert Riese Arnor)
Everyone's favorite sweet-talking, lecherous, oddly charming bard returns, this time in his princely Erebonian attire. If you liked the way he looked in Cold Steel, you get to play as him while he looks like that now. He's also an official selling point for the game on XSeed's website. He's definitely a fan favorite - and don't worry if you were upset by his role on the sidelines in the Cold Steel games. He's definitely back in a prominent role this time.
Mueller Vander
Olivier's bodyguard, giant sword wielder, and best friend/eternal enemy of his liege. Another selling point is that Mueller is the older brother of Kurt, a character set to star in the upcoming Cold Steel III.
Kloe Rinze
She's a really good healer. And a princess. And she's really nice. And she's back in this game.
Her relationship with her grandmother the queen, along with her role and backstory in the previous games, were actually much more interesting than these snippets would have you believe. It's actually oddly difficult to briefly summarize this character. She's a worthy addition to the cast, for sure.
Julia Schwarz
Previously only playable during the final chapter of SC, Julia is upgraded to permanent party member this time around. It's a good thing she's fighting with you, rather than against you, as she has in the past.
Agate Crosner
LESDOIT
The best big brother, and an absolute physical powerhouse. What else do you want?
Tita Russell
Another character who got a redesign, Tita returns for more antics with Agate. Perhaps we'll get to see more of her past, as well...
Anelace Elfead
Ice cream! Anelace was only briefly playable in SC, but she's here for the long game this time. Official cuteness aficionado and swordswoman extraordinaire, Anelace is quite possibly my favorite (mostly) new addition to the cast. She's also the granddaughter of Master Ka-fei, Rean's elusive master from Cold Steel. Cool, huh?
Josette Capua
The worst fighter in an RPG that isn't a straight up joke character. Good character from a narrative standpoint, but man was she was worthless in battle. Let's hope that's changed.
Alan Richard
The main antagonist of Sky FC returns as a redeemed man - and, more importantly, a playable man.
Renne Hayworth
Another antagonist-turned-protagonist, Renne is the impetus for Estelle and Joshua's journey. It's quite possible that she may end up being a link towards future games, as well. (Hint: She will)
The Celestial Doors - Moon, Star, and Sun
The game is largely about doors. I know that sounds boring, but it's far from it. Expect to be fully engrossed in the stories these doors have to tell.
New Methods of Customization - Recluse Cube & Monuments
More detailed information on the game's new mechanics can be found on XSeed's official site.
Media
Really, Really Good OST
Fighting Right On
Jade Corridor
Golden Road, Silver Road
Overdosing Heavenly Bliss
Is everyone ready for more Kevin?
