Check out the announcement trailer highlighting the sequel’s new gameplay mechanics. The free demo consists of the Prologue up to a portion of Chapter 3. Players can transfer save data from the demo to the game and continue progressing. Achievements and DLC from the title are not supported in the demo.

Ys 10: Nordics is out on October 25th in the West. Occurring between Ys 2: Ancient Ys Vanished and Ys 3: Memories of Celceta, it sees a younger Adol ending up in Obelia Bay, controlled by the Balta Seaforce.

After some mysterious circumstances, he ends up chained to Karja Balta and fighting against immortal beings known as Griegrs. Due to their predicament, Adol and Karja can attack together while utilizing Mana for fire and ice attacks.

Available in September 2023 for Japan, the story takes place between Ys 2 and Ys: Memories of Celceta to focus on a younger Adol Christin. He and his best friend Dogi arrive at a new location, Obelia Gulf, and encounter seafaring warriors known as Normans. Karja Balta is one such individual and finds herself bound to Adol as the story progresses.

This leads to the Cross Action System, where players can switch between Adol and Karja for different attacks. They can also utilize Mana to explore the world, whether surfing on air currents, destroying obstacles or grappling. Ys 10: Nordics is also the first title to offer naval combat and traversal, with Adol utilizing the Sandras to explore the Gulf. Head here for more gameplay and details.

Ys 10: Nordics isn’t a direct sequel, like previous entries. Instead, it takes place after the events of Ys 2 and sees a younger Adol Christin visiting Obelia Bay. He eventually becomes linked to pirate Karja Balta, and they seek ways to disentangle their engagement. Of course, other conflicts break out, and it’s up to the duo to stop them.

The action RPG utilizes Falcom’s new engine for improved visuals and the Cross Action System, where Adol and Karja are playable together or separately, each unleashing devastating attacks. It also features new traversal mechanics with Mana and a ship for sailing through the region and engaging in naval battles. Stay tuned for more details on Ys 10: Nordics in the coming months.

It not only caps off the Erebonia saga, the longest-running arc in the series but unites heroes from three arcs (four, if we’re being honest). Estelle and Joshua from Trails in the Sky; Lloyd Bannings and the Special Support Section from Zero/Azure; the old Class 7 from Cold Steel 1 and 2; and the new Class 7 of Cold Steel 3 and 4. When you factor in the sheer number of Thors Military Academy graduates and current students, other Bracers, teachers, royal family members, secret societies, hidden covens, and mercenary units, it can get overwhelming.

"Cold Steel 4 picks up a few weeks later. I won’t go into many details to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say that Erebonia is in a bad way and ready to go to war with Calvard."

Trails in the Sky: The 3rd managed this by focusing on Kevin Graham and Ries Argent, with the rest of the cast serving as backup. It was a solid epilogue to an excellent duo of RPGs, and even then, it didn’t have as extensive a cast as Cold Steel 4. Trails of Cold Steel 4 is the Avengers: Endgame to a build-up that started in Zero/Azure, which is generous considering Ouroboros has had a role since Trails in the Sky FC.

Before we get to the plot, like with Cold Steel 3, the question remains: Is The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 worth playing on PS5 when the improvements focus mainly on a higher frame rate and resolution with faster load times? If you’re a fan of the series, the answer is yes. If you’re diving in to see the end of this saga – even if it’s to follow the thunderous conclusion of Trails of Cold Steel 3 – then the answer is also yes, though it’s not perfect.

Cold Steel 4 picks up a few weeks later. I won’t go into many details to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say that Erebonia is in a bad way and ready to go to war with Calvard. Old Class 7 is in shambles, but after new Class 7 finds its bearings, it embarks on a journey to locate its one true hope and fight back.

Epilogue teasing other characters aside, the first Act is pretty solid. Not only does new Class 7 need to reconnect, but prove itself against almost insurmountable odds, both from the world and within. Juna has to find it in herself to serve as a rock for her allies, continuing her growth in Cold Steel 3. Kurt is more confident but still has a ways to go in skill, and does whatever he can to support his friends.

"Finally, there’s the ending – again, no spoilers, but some elements feel a bit off and wrapped up too conveniently. It also feels like there should have been an epilogue to help tie up the many loose strings."

Altina is closer to being human, but in flux as far as her emotions are concerned. There are also some strong character moments for the likes of Ash and Musse, and as the group acquires clues, works together with the old Class 7 and seeks out their Branch Campus mates, it’s a compelling journey rife with mystery.

Once you make it past the interlude, which is a cathartic moment and feels like the story will kick into high gear, Act 2 acts as a long plateau, as you’re involved with rescuing other key characters. The stakes don’t feel nearly as important (despite these characters being a big deal in the lore), and overall, it borders on unnecessary padding at times. Fortunately, things pick up again near the conclusion and heading into Act 3, it feels like we’re – to use a cliché – in the endgame.

There are plenty of other trials to look forward to en route to the finale, with fun dungeons and boss battles awaiting. If Act 2 were shorter or resolved more succinctly, it would have helped the pacing much more.

Finally, there’s the ending – again, no spoilers, but some elements feel a bit off and wrapped up too conveniently. It also feels like there should have been an epilogue to help tie up the many loose strings. Granted, Trails into Reverie offered that, but it doesn’t feel any less weird in Cold Steel 4. Overall, it’s a good ending – certainly not the best, and fans of Estelle, Joshua and Lloyd will no doubt be left wanting.

"Where Trails of Cold Steel 4 falters at times with the plot, it makes up for it in terms of sheer content. Vantage Masters and fishing return as activities, and many side quests await."

The overall characterization and dialogue remain strong, with Cold Steel 4 relying less on the annoying “defeat a boss, only to find they’re perfectly fine afterwards” trope somewhat. Some great moments abound, backed by some great voice acting once again (with a few noticeable rough spots here and there).

However, the script tends to rely a bit too much on the heroes stuck in what could be a hopeless position, only to be rescued again and again. It’s not a deal-breaker and certainly won’t annoy as much as characters using titles or unofficial names repeatedly, becoming all the more annoying when so many major heroes and villains gather together.

Where Trails of Cold Steel 4 falters at times with the plot, it makes up for it in terms of sheer content. Vantage Masters and fishing return as activities, and many side quests await. Many see the cast resolving conflicts that have arisen through Erebonia, reconnecting with old friends, and even hearing some familiar tunes.

There are also Bonding Events, which can range from heart-warming to awkward given the characters involved. There are also more mini-games, like Puyo Puyo-esque Pom! Pom! Party, which is playable on the go. The Horror Coaster also provides a shoot ’em-up activity, even if it’s only available much later. Lost Arts and Trial Chests from Cold Steel 2 also return, the former gated behind some tough optional boss fights, and the latter requiring specific party members to grant upgrades to Brave Orders.

"As for the visuals, some scenes are impressive with the sheer number of characters present, but they’re about the same quality as the previous game."

Speaking of which, Brave Orders received numerous balance changes, and while not as overwhelmingly broken as in Cold Steel 3, some are still very good and trivialize a good chunk of the content (looking at you, White Decoration). Other new features include an increased Battle Point cap, higher-level EX Orbs, etc. Bosses can also use Brave Orders to mix things up, and some of the mech battles are the saga’s best yet, providing a solid challenge.

It doesn’t hurt that the various dungeons are also good – they’re straightforward in terms of puzzles and layouts but paced relatively well and full of things to discover. Beware, though – this is the largest playable roster yet, which can be somewhat daunting the further you get along (though it pays off in a big way at the end).

The soundtrack is somewhat of a step down from Cold Steel 3. Composers Hayato Sonoda, Mitsuo Singa, Takahiro Unisuga and Yukihiro Jindo still deliver some good tracks, whether it’s battle themes like “Burning Throb” or “Deep Carnival” or the opening theme. Still, it feels like the weakest overall offering in the series, which, like Cold Steel 3, maybe more of a testament to how good the previous games are. If nothing else, it’s probably the least well-rounded in the series.

As for the visuals, some scenes are impressive with the sheer number of characters present, but they’re about the same quality as the previous game. Considering the budget and overall size of the development team, it’s somewhat understandable but temper your expectations accordingly. Still, if the PS5 port improved on a few other minor aspects, it would have been appreciated.

"When I first completed the game on PS4, I recognized its issues, especially in the plot and technical limitations. Outright ignoring the former became tougher over time."

When I first completed the game on PS4, I recognized its issues, especially in the plot and technical limitations. Outright ignoring the former became tougher over time. They don’t ruin what is a pretty good role-playing game or even the Erebonia saga, which remains one of my favorites in the series, but you have to wonder what could have been.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 still offers a fun battle system, many well-written characters, a hefty amount of side content and mini-games, a good (but not great) soundtrack and an epic storyline that delivers in many ways while falling short in others. As mixed as the reception was back in the day, its many strengths are easier to appreciate after all these years.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

Part of that is due to localization issues surrounding the title. Western players have had to wait years for the next chapter in the story, while the next arc, complete with a new engine, may be well underway. Falcom isn’t a large studio. It’s not a developer with a massive budget like Square Enix or backed by a major publisher like PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo. It relies on almost yearly releases to keep the lights on while bringing its niche titles to a worldwide audience. At the same time, it tries to innovate and progress its current franchises.

"So, the real question: Why should you play Cold Steel 3? Because it displays the series’ biggest strengths – world-building and characterization."

This brings us to The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel, a series which began in 2013 on the PS3 and PS Vita in Japan and whose final title, Cold Steel 4, would be fully localized by 2020. The fact that, along with Cold Steel 3, it’s re-releasing on PS5 may also raise some eyebrows, but it’s somewhat understandable. After all, both titles ran at 30 FPS on PS4 and didn’t offer the sharpest resolutions. Falcom has long faced scrutiny for the visual quality of its titles, and all things considered, Cold Steel 3 is starting to show its age.

It also doesn’t help that the PS5 version is a straight increase to resolution and frame rate – no extra bells and whistles, though the faster loading times are noticeable. If anything, it could have used a clean-up to the motion blur when dashing since it looks a bit jarring in the opening sections. Nevertheless, Falcom plainly outlined what’s included, so those hoping for an extensive range of options like in the PC version – like a larger FOV – should temper their expectations.

So, the real question: Why should you play Cold Steel 3? Because it displays the series’ biggest strengths – world-building and characterization. Each story arc takes place in Zemuria, a large continent broken up into many distinct nations undergoing a renaissance courtesy of Orbal technology. Trails in the Sky showcased the impact of airships and long-range communication in Liberl, and it’s interesting to see how Erebonia’s culture has adopted the same, creating extensive weaponry like the Panzer Soldats while still mostly relying on trains for transportation.

While different arcs have their respective characters, locations and plots, they’re all inextricably connected in one way or another. A pair of young Bracers who formed an unbreakable bond when the series was still a 2D RPG may pop up in another nation and lend their aid during a crisis. A certain Guild and its heroes may inspire the creation of a Class that thinks outside the box and can potentially change the world. However, you can also see this in the random NPCs who come and go, their stories developing further as you progress in the game.

"The new Class 7 is dubbed Special Operations and carries out tasks that encompass investigation and conflict resolution (like finding lost cats and hunting monsters)."

If anything, this grand plan has threatened to overwhelm players, as seen in Cold Steel 4, and it can serve as a barrier for those who don’t at least start from the first game (forget the Sky and Crossbell arcs). Nevertheless, The Legend of Heroes: Cold Steel 3 offers a compelling tale with endearing characters, expanding further on the overall lore of Zemuria while providing a tight combat experience.

Even if you’re jumping in without prior knowledge of other titles – and don’t peruse the extensive in-game glossaries detailing the story so far – the series generally does a reasonable job of easing you in. Cold Steel 3 is no exception, even as it begins in media res with the new Class 7 assaulting a fortress and running into the Stahlritter of Ouroboros.

The story rewinds afterwards to several months prior, with Rean Schwarzer arriving at Thors Military Academy’s Branch Campus. Though freshly graduated from the main campus, he’s now an instructor. A lot has happened since then, from the old Class 7 going their separate ways to the war in North Ambria, which further consolidated the power of the Erebonian Empire.

As for the new Class 7, it’s dubbed Special Operations – carrying out tasks that encompass investigation and conflict resolution (like finding lost cats and hunting monsters). With the main campus undergoing a revamp, the Branch Campus is considered a trash bin – a place to shuffle all the troublemakers and unwanted to ensure a smooth atmosphere for Cedric Reise Arnor, the crown prince of the Empire, who has undergone a significant shift in personality since Cold Steel 2.

"While its characters can come off as cliched archetypes, Cold Steel 3 does a great job of delving deeper into their motivations (though for some characters, you must wait till the sequel)."

As such, everyone has something to prove. Kurt Vander is dead set on living up to the reputation of his father and brother, even as the clan’s role in Imperial affairs diminishes. Juna Crawford arrives from Crossbell after it was forcefully integrated into the Empire, eager to put her skills to the test. Altina Orion is attempting to understand what it means to live normally and do what she wants. Of course, Rean’s journey also takes him down some unexpected paths. Despite becoming the Ashen Chevalier and the Hero of Erebonia, he’s unsure of his skills as an instructor. Throw in the coy but highly intelligent Musse Egret and the arrogant but troubled Ash Carbide, and you have a recipe for conflict.

While its characters can come off as cliched archetypes, Cold Steel 3 does a great job of delving deeper into their motivations (though for some characters, you must wait till the sequel). Even before you understand everything going on, each character sees significant growth. Despite hailing from different walks of life with different upbringings and facing unique tragedies, the bonds they forge feel natural and well-earned.

This extends to the side cast, from Freddie and his obsession with survival tactics like bug-eating to the introverted Tatiana, who slowly opens up. Then there are vendors like Jingo, the weapons dealer of Neinvalli, Crossbell’s various residents and law enforcement, or the sheer range of villains, from the enigmatic Rutger Claussell to the psychotic Shirley Orlando.

Add the returning members of old Class 7 as well, who each have their respective Bonding Events and moments, though they’re not the focus (at least for most of the game). Perhaps the only sore spot, character-wise, is Angelica, whose character essentially jumped the shark over the previous games and doesn’t come off well.

"As to the gameplay, the core loop for each chapter usually involves venturing through a region and taking on requests."

Amid so many characters, it’s fascinating to have such great voice work. Erika Harlacher is especially noteworthy as Juna, ensuring that the more emotional moments hit that much harder. Austin Lee Matthews, Xanthe Huynh, Joe Zieja, and Alexis Tipson are similarly excellent as Ash, Altina, Kurt and Musse, respectively, and deliver strong performances throughout the story.

Even without considering the large cast, Cold Steel 3’s plot devotes extensive time to the set-up. Like Trails in the Sky FC and SC, and Cold Steel 1 and 2, events are in motion, and you’re left looking forward to their resolution in the next game. It can feel a bit too much pacing-wise, and fans will probably tire of the “Defeat a boss only to find them perfectly fine, and you’re clinging for dear life in the next cutscene” trope. It doesn’t detract much from the overall narrative, as Rean and friends are embroiled further in the mysterious conspiracies and schemes unfolding in the Empire. And make no mistake – when things hit the fan, it’s an utter rollercoaster with plenty of heartache.

As to the gameplay, the core loop for each chapter usually involves venturing through a region and taking on requests. They’re all fairly straightforward, whether gathering plants or investigating disturbances. You can also engage in photography, collect anecdotes and more, offering some incentive to go out of your way (especially if you want those sweet end-of-chapter rewards). There are dungeons to explore as part of the plot, and though some are simplistic in their layouts, they do intersperse some light puzzles.

You also have the return of fishing and the new card game, Vantage Masters, with interesting opponents cropping up throughout the story. The latter isn’t too complex, but it can make for some fun strategic battles, especially as more Masters and cards are collected.

"Master Quartz can also level up and unlock further stat bonuses and Orbal Arts, allowing you to free up some slots for other Quartz. This further feeds into the new Brave Order system."

Weapons and equipment aren’t very complicated, but the real customization is in the ARCUS 2, which can slot in different Quartz to unlock different Orbal Arts. Various combinations of Quartz can unlock stronger Arts. Each party member can also have two Master Quartz, increasing the potential builds. If you want Kurt to have high evasion and crazy counter-attack damage or focus on Break Damage with Juna, go right ahead. Master Quartz can also level up and unlock further stat bonuses and Orbal Arts, allowing you to free up some slots for other Quartz.

This further feeds into the new Brave Order system. Brave Points are earned in battle by exploiting enemy weaknesses to damage types and crits for follow-up attacks via the Combat Links and spend them on Rush Attacks or Bursts (which deal bonus Break damage). However, you can now activate different Orders, which boost attack, Break damage, damage reduction and more, or straight-up healing and reflecting enemy attacks.

Otherwise, the combat system still feels great. Planning out your actions based on the timeline, with different benefits popping up at specific turns; breaking the turn order by activating S-Crafts for over-the-top special attacks that deal extensive damage; and deploying Brave Orders at the right moment is as fast and fluid as ever. Enemies and bosses are also well-designed, offering different challenges depending on your progress through the game.

Unfortunately, by mid to late-game, you can roll any threats without too much cause for worry or Enhanced states (which makes some bosses acting fine afterwards that much more jarring). The extensive range of powerful Orders can also diminish some of the tension. Millium’s White Decoration, for example, offers 90 percent damage reduction over a long period, which is insane for some boss fights. Orders depend on the characters in the party at any given time, but can further trivialize the game considering everything else.

"If you want a role-playing game series with an expansive story and memorable characters, fun combat and extensive world-building and don’t mind the visuals, it’s easy to recommend."

As for the mech battles, they’re further expanded, with three units capable of being on the field at a time, which opens up the range of Partner Skills and strategies. It still comes down to stacking Brave Points and executing Finishers, but there are also Unite attacks for even more damage. You fall into a pattern by mid to late game where combat can get somewhat trivial, but it’s not a complete joke.

While the visuals may not win over many players, the music is still top-notch all these years later. Falcom Sound Team composer Takahiro Unisuga delivers some exceptional tracks, whether it’s the battle themes “Brave Steel”, “Erosion of Madness” and “Toughness!!” or the sheer hype created by “Lift-off!” The opening, “Beyond the Journey” by Mitsuo Singa and Megumi Sasaka, is also pretty great. Certain tracks by Hayato Sonoda sound better with context, but they’re still well put together. This is a pretty good soundtrack, which is saying something, given how excellent the previous titles have been with their music.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 is in a strange position release-wise, considering all the heavy hitters that have launched or are releasing in the coming weeks. Certain aspects aren’t quite up to par when compared to the series’ peaks (namely Trails in the Sky SC), but it’s still pretty darn close, if not comparable in several respects. If you want a role-playing game series with an expansive story and memorable characters, fun combat and extensive world-building and don’t mind the visuals, it’s easy to recommend. Get comfy though, because it’s a long, long journey.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 is finally available for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch. Patch 1.1 also went live on PC and provides several fixes like reduced CPU usage for several threads like audio playback, resulting in greatly reduced CPU usage overall. Loading times have also been decreased thanks to additional caching being introduced.

If you’re revisiting prior maps or finishing up battles, this should help improve load times, especially during longer play sessions. To help issues on some systems, overall loading behavior has been adjusted to be more in line with Trails of Cold Steel 3. Some minor translation issues in the game and launcher have also been fixed.

Check out the full patch notes below. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 marks the end of the Erebonia arc as Class VII unites to stop the world from ending. Along with PC and Switch, it’s also available for PS4. Check out our official review here for more details.

Patch 1.1 Release Notes

• Reduce the CPU usage of several threads, particularly in audio playback. These changes can greatly reduce overall CPU usage in some situations.
• Introduce additional caching to decrease load times, especially when revisiting previous maps and after battles.
• This will be particularly effective for longer play sessions.
• Fix save game thumbnails sporadically not showing up under specific circumstances.
• Adjust overall loading behavior to be closer to Trails of Cold Steel 3, in order to mitigate issues on some systems.
• Prevent the game from taking abnormally long to close on some systems.
• Make left joystick and WASD (or alternative mapping) behavior consistent across all menus.
• Fix button re-mapping involving X and O buttons along with displayed button prompts.
• Fix some remaining minor translation issues in game and launcher
• New Feature: Add configuration tool option to disable dynamic button prompt switching (primarily for Steam Controller users)

Months after the PS4 version’s launch, Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 is out now for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. Picking up right after Trails of Cold Steel 3, the story sees old and new Class VII banding together to find Rean Schwarzer and prevent all-out war from engulfing the world.

Many of the same mechanics from the third game, like Orders, have returned though they’ve been slightly re-balanced to be less OP. Lost Arts have returned though while Panzer Soldats can be summoned during battles. The other hook is the number of playable characters with the protagonists of Trails in the Sky and Trails to Zero/Azure also featuring in the story.

For more details on The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4, check out our review of the PS4 version here. The Legend of Heroes: Hajimari no Kiseki released last year for the console in Japan but there haven’t been details on its localization. In the meantime, Falcom will release The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki this year for PS4. It’s set in Calvard and focuses on Van Arkride, a Spriggan, and Agnes Claudel, who approaches him to locate her late great-grandfather’s orbment.

In the recent New Game+ Expo, NISA provided a surprise announcement – The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 will be coming to PC on April 9th. The Steam page has also been updated to reflect the new release date. Originally, the Switch version was set to release on that day with the PC version coming later but it seems NISA have moved up the release date.

Taking place directly after Trails of Cold Steel 3, the story sees Erebonia on the brink of war. While Class VII, old and new, must band together to save Rean Schwarzer, heroes from previous titles like Estelle, Joshua and Lloyd will also join in to help. In terms of gameplay changes, players can expect the Order system to return along with Lost Arts from Trails of Cold Steel 2.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 is currently available for PS4. For more details, you can check out our official review here. The Legend of Heroes: Hajimari no Kiseki still hasn’t been announced for Western localization but perhaps we’ll receive news later this year. In the meantime, Falcom is working The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki, which is set in Calvard and features a brand new cast.

We have one last surprise announcement in store for you all.

Trails of Cold Steel IV for PC will launch April 9th, 2021!

Check out the game page on Steam https://t.co/JhNT3R6wgi

— NISAmerica (@NISAmerica) March 4, 2021

Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 will be coming to Nintendo Switch and PC this year with the former set for release soon. To showcase the game on Switch, along with providing an overview of its various systems, a new trailer has been released. Check it out below.

Picking up right after Trails of Cold Steel 3, the story sees Class VII, new and old, struggling with their circumstances. War also threatens to engulf Erebonia and the world. Alongside characters from Trails in the Sky and Trails from Zero, Class VII must find a way to save the world and prevent the worst from happening.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 launches on March 18th in Japan for the Nintendo Switch and April 9th for North America and Europe. The PC version currently doesn’t have a release date but will come to Steam and GOG later this year. Check out our review of the PS4 version here.

NIS America and Falcom have announced that The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 will release this April for Nintendo Switch in North America and Europe. It’s out on April 9th for the regions while Oceania gets it on April 16th. As for the PC version, which is slated for GOG and Steam, its release date will be announced later.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 is the epic conclusion to the Erebonia arc. It sees Class VII, new and old, working together with their allies to prevent war from consuming the world. Orders and Bonding Events make a return along with Lost Arts, and there’s an extensive cast of characters to choose from.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 is currently available for PS4 – you can check out our review of the same here. The latest title in the franchise, The Legend of Heroes: Hajimari no Kiseki, released in August 2020 for Japan but has yet to be confirmed for English localization. Falcom also announced The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki for release this year with a new protagonist, battle system and improved visuals.