As the penultimate and epic finale to the Erebonian saga, the titles see new and old Class 7 working together to oppose the machinations of the Empire. Rean Schwarzer is the protagonist again, but there are also cameos from other heroes, including Estelle Bright (Trails in the Sky) and Lloyd Bannings (Trails from Zero/to Azure). The combat system has also seen changes with the Break meter, Brave Orders and new Master Quartz.

The PS5 versions include improvements to performance and a higher resolution with all of the previously released DLC. Check out our reviews for each title. Fans can look forward to the continuation of the series with The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak launching this Summer for PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

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.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

Unexpected but welcome all the same, Avantgarden’s remake of Starbreeze Studios’ Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons still features the same story of two brothers, Naiee and Naia, on a journey to cure their father’s illness. Controlling both characters at once, players must solve puzzles, utilizing their unique skill sets to progress.

The original is acclaimed for its gameplay and story-telling, which the remake modernizes thanks to a graphical overhaul and re-recorded soundtrack. It also touts new secrets and local co-op, which was added to the original in its 2019 Nintendo Switch version. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake launches on February 28th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

After the critically acclaimed Jusant, DON’T NOD is back with a somewhat more traditional action RPG in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. It focuses on two Banishers, Antea and Red, who help spirits move on. Tragedy quickly strikes in New Eden when Antea dies and remains with Red as a ghost. They must now face a tough decision – sacrifice other people to revive her or continue their work, potentially losing her forever.

As players meet other characters and resolve their crises, their decisions will affect the overall narrative, with five different endings to unlock. Combat is also intriguing since you use Red to unleash bullets and slashes or switch to Antea at any time for her supernatural abilities (which are also good for dealing with crowds). Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden arrives on February 13th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Pacific Drive

A drive through an abandoned zone at night may sound creepy, but as Ironwood Studios’ Pacific Drive reveals, things can be worse. Players start out traveling the Pacific Northwest before randomly being teleported into the Olympic Exclusion Zone, once a site for various experiments and now home to dangerous Anomalies. Upon discovering an aged station wagon, they brief the corrosion and storms to find a garage and characters who could help them escape.

It’s easier said than done, as they must venture into the Zone to gather supplies and materials, acquiring Stable Energy and braving the storm to make it back alive. They must then repair and outfit their vehicle, unlock new items via the Fabrication Station, and eventually unravel the mystery of the Zone to escape. With a rogue-lite structure, quirks that can alter your vehicle’s performance (for better or worse) and Anomalies that spice up runs in various harrowing ways, Pacific Drive is truly unique. It’s out on February 22nd for PS5 and PC.

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

When the Justice League goes rogue, you call Batman. When Batman also goes rogue (kind of), then you call the Suicide Squad, probably. Regardless, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, King Shark and Captain Boomerang – along with a host of supporting characters – are the only ones who can save Metropolis after Brainiac invades and brainwashes the League. Touted as Rocksteady’s “biggest cinematic experience”, and easily its biggest story, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League also seems to have some multiverse shenanigans going on with Brainiac’s Elseworlds.

Gameplay-wise, it’s a looter shooter with co-op support, skill trees, mods, gear sets (known as Infamy Sets), an end-game and live-service elements like seasons, a Battle Pass and microtransactions. Players can control one of the Squad, while the AI handles the rest, in single-player, kitting out their character with different guns and exploring the vast city with unique traversal skills. For all the mixed receptions, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has generated some interest. We’ll see if it can deliver a worthwhile experience when it launches on February 1st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Skull and Bones

What’s better than one live-service title rumored to have been in development for years and seen multiple reboots? How about two? Skull and Bones has had a long journey, reportedly starting development in 2013 and officially announced in 2017. It’s an action-adventure focused on naval combat, set in the Indian Ocean during the Golden Age of Piracy, as players seek to establish themselves as legendary pirates. Before that, they must take on contracts for Pirate Kingpins, raiding convoys and transporting goods while contending with opposing forces.

There are multiple ships, each designed for specific purposes with several weapon and damage types. Even furniture can affect your ship’s performance in various ways. Those not keen on PvE can indulge in PvP modes, from the high-risk, high-reward Helm Wagers to the player bounty-focused Cutthroat Cargo, with leaderboards, Kingpin Ranks and whatnot. Skull and Bones is out on February 16th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, with a year of post-launch content planned. Whether it saves past that point is anyone’s guess, but we’re relieved it’s coming out.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The developer is going all out with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake saga. A massive map with seamless exploration and near-instant fast-travelling, tons of mini-games, new cities and areas not present in the original setting, tons of side quests, new Summons, combat improvements and Synergy Abilities – the list goes on. That’s not even getting into the story side of things, with all kinds of potential revelations teased and characters like Cid and Vincent Valentine making their debut.

It’s almost too much, with 100 hours of gameplay promised, but also oddly fitting for such an iconic part of Cloud and party’s journey, as they venture outside of Midgar to locate Sephiroth. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launches on February 29th for PS5, shipping on two Blu-ray discs, and already looks like a shoo-in for Game of the Year.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers is back, and despite the third-person perspective, the war to protect the democracy of Super-Earth remains as perilous as ever. If it’s not the massive Bugs and Automations that are out to get you, it’s friendly fire and a poorly placed Stratagem.

Nevertheless, with procedural generation, terrain deformation, stunning visuals and cross-platform play between PS5 and PC, Helldivers 2 promises a much larger scale than the original when it launches on February 8th. That extends to the new Galactic War, as players liberate planets and complete objectives, with the community as a whole progressing the storyline. You can even earn unlocks to outfit and upgrade your destroyer.

Sons of the Forest (1.0 Release)

Almost a year since launching into early access, Endnight Games’ Sons of the Forest is finally set to launch in full on February 22nd for PC. Version 1.0 will expand on the story, with Shawn Ashmore of Quantum Break fame playing a key role, but it’s already grown significantly during its time in early access.

New areas and caves, bosses, items, vehicles, points of interest, and more have been added, along with improvements to building and electricity systems. That’s only scratching the surface, with Cannibals having a wider range of behaviors (and new types); Kelvin having more commands and emotes; and survival gameplay being made tougher (with Hard survival available for those who crave a challenge).

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

The King of Kong is back in the antagonistic role, giving into his consumer urges and swiping a bunch of Mini-Mario toys. As the president of the toy factory, Mario ventures to get them back, traversing multiple stages and eventually defeating Donkey Kong. As a remake of the 2004 Game Boy Advance classic with gorgeous new visuals and cinematics, Mario vs. Donkey Kong incorporates more puzzle solving, as players bypass traps and other hazards to gather keys, progress to the next part of the stage and rescue a Mini-Mario.

There are multiple worlds to explore, with Plus and Expert Levels to overcome, but the remake adds two more for over 130 levels, a new Time Attack Mode, local co-op and Casual Style for less punishing gameplay. Mario vs. Donkey Kong launches on February 16th for Nintendo Switch.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Yet another title years in the making and finally primed to launch, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is based on Cygames’ successful free-to-play gacha RPG. Unlike the original, it’s an action RPG that ventures to new lands in the Zegagrande Kingdom. It’s not long before Gran/Djeeta, Lyria and the Grandcypher crew run afoul of trouble involving the Primal Beasts.

Along with Gran and Djeeta, players can play as other characters like Narmaya, Lancelot, Percival, Katalina, Rackam and many more, each with unique abilities and playstyles. Combat is fast-paced, whether building up to Link Time or activating Skybound Arts in tandem to deal massive damage with a Full Burst attack.

Along with an extensive campaign, there are 100 quests in Quest Mode and support for up to four players in co-op. Time will tell if Granblue Fantasy: Relink lives up to the hype, but thankfully, we won’t have to wait long, as it launches on February 1st for PS4, PS5 and PC.

Tomb Raider 1–3 Remastered

Though we’re not anywhere closer to a launch for Aspyr’s Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake, it does have Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered coming up on February 14th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Utilizing the original’s source code and engine, the remasters feature revamped character models and environments with baked and real-time lighting (though you can switch back to the original look).

Modern controls are available in addition to the Classic option, with boss health bars and Photo Mode also available. Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered could be the blast from the past that we need.

Open Roads

A narrative-focused adventure title with gorgeous animated characters set against 3D environments, Annapurna Interactive’s Open Roads is about Tess and her mother Opal. Venturing on a road trip to learn more about the past, they venture to abandoned properties to uncover long-buried secrets. There are extensive conversations and more than a few emotional moments, with actors Keri Russell and Kaitlyn Dever bringing the duo to life. Open Roads launches on February 22nd for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch, while also available on day one for Game Pass.

Nightingale (Early Access)

Following its announcement in December 2021, Inflexion Games’ Nightingale will finally enter early access for PC on February 22nd. As an open-world survival crafting title, players control the Realmwalker, who ventures to different Fae realms to find the city of Nightingale. It’s easier said than done, with threats like the Bound and Apex creatures out to ruin your fun.

While players can settle down in a realm, building a base and recruiting NPCs, they can also use Realm Cards to shape their next destination, making it more or less dangerous. The early access version will feature three biome types, a progression system “spanning all aspects of gameplay”, various creatures and “comprehensive building and crafting tools, alongside estate management,” as per the Steam listing. Nightingale will remain in early access for nine to 12 months, adding biomes, story and even the city itself, but it should be interesting to see how the base game fares.

Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance

Originally set to launch in December, Slitherine Ltd.’s Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance is now out on February 7th for PC. Based on the Dark Fate timeline, the real-time strategy sees humanity going up against the killer robots of Legion and fighting for survival. Commanding the Founders, players navigate the war torn world of the future, recruiting and training new units for battles.

Other factions can join or oppose you during these conflicts, with different missions opening up depending on your actions. Several unit types, from drones to armored vehicles, are available, and players can control the other factions – the Resistance and Legion – in Skirmish and Multiplayer. As far as Terminator titles are concerned, it’s intriguing and could be the best thing to result from Dark Fate.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 and 4

A new age of Falcom’s Kiseki series is due this Summer, with The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak finally launching in the West. Until then, fans can re-experience The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 and 4 on PS5 when both titles launch on February 16th. Originally available in Japan for the PS4 in 2017, Cold Steel 3 follows Rean Schwarzer, now a teacher in Thors Branch Campus, training a new Class VII – composed of Kurt Vander, Juna Crawford and Altina Orion – to conduct Special Operations for the Erebonian Empire.

Musse Egret and Ash Carbide eventually join, but rampant conspiracies could shake the very foundation of the empire. As for Cold Steel 4, well, that’s just getting into spoiler territory. The PS5 versions of both titles feature high-definition visuals and all previously released cosmetic DLC. While it’s far from the most graphically impressive pair of RPGs, they make up for it with their story-telling, world-building and excellent combat.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 is set roughly two years after the previous game, with Rean Schwarzer as an instructor in Thors Military Academy’s Branch Campus. He teaches a new Class 7 while investigating a conspiracy in Erebonia. Trails of Cold Steel 4 picks up immediately after, and without going into spoilers, it’s the epic conclusion to the saga.

Along with the Standard Edition, there’s also a Collector’s Edition, which includes the Deluxe Edition, digital OST, mini and hardcover art books, a cloth map, an art card set, a Collector’s Box and postcard set for $99.99. It’s available to pre-order via the NIS America Online Store.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 and 4 are already available for PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC. Check out our review of the former here and the latter here.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 takes place two years after Cold Steel 2 and sees protagonist Rean Schwarzer as an instructor at Thors Military Academy’s branch campus. He assembles a new Class VII with Juna Crawford, Altina Orion and Kurt Vandar, with Ash Carbide and Musse Egret joining later. Together, they undertake missions and uncover a new conspiracy taking root in Erebonia.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4 is a direct follow-up and concludes the Erebonian Saga. We’ll avoid too many spoilers, but it sees Estelle Bright from Trails in the Sky and Lloyd Bannings from the Crossbell saga joining the fight. Both titles seem to run in 4K on PS5, with 60 FPS support pretty much a given. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

Both titles are available for PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC and would mark the next wave of titles in the series to release on PS5. Currently, Trails into Reverie is the franchise’s only game to be available on PS5 in the West. In Japan, The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki and Kuro no Kiseki 2 -CRIMSON SiN – are also playable on the current-gen console.

An official announcement could be coming soon, so stay tuned. As for when the Kuro no Kiseki will be released in the West, Falcom assures that news is coming “as soon as possible.” Stay tuned in the meantime, and check out our review for Trails into Reverie.

Killing Kuro – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Wolf deals with quite a bit of hardship to help erase Kuro’s Dragon Heritage, like obtaining the Mortal Blade, defeating his adoptive father Owl and much more. Once you finally take down Genichiro and then a revived Ishin, it’s revealed that the Immortal Severance requires killing Kuro. Though there are other endings to help him survive in some way or another, it’s kind of a punch in the gut to end Kuro’s life after all the struggle, conflicts and death that he’s had to witness.

Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails series continues to set new sales milestones. In a recent statement, the company reported that sales for the franchise has passed five million units worldwide. This is in the wake of The Legend of Heroes: Hajimari no Kiseki launching in Japan on August 27th.

Considering the series was at 4.7 million units sold as of August 7th (and 4.5 million as of February 6th), it seems that the current game has done well for itself. Of course, this could also include sales for the PC and Nintendo Switch versions of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 which arrived earlier this year. Either way, this is good news heading into the release of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 4.

Speaking of which, the final chapter in the Erebonia arc is set to release on October 27th for PS4 in North America and Europe. It sees Class VII, new and old, uniting together to prevent war from engulfing the nation. The PC and Nintendo Switch versions are slated to release in 2021.

After releasing for PS4 last year, Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 has finally hit PC in the West. It’s available on Steam and GOG, and continues the long-running saga established. The PC version has its share of improvements though thanks to the work of developer PH3 GmbH.

Along with supporting framerates up 480 frames per second, players can also adjust the field of view in a variety of ways. Support for resolutions up to 8K has been tested and there are also several modes for MSAA and optional transparency supersampling. High-quality postprocessing, HBAO+, support for Ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratios and much more are also included.

This is in addition to quality of life functions like a timed autosave, different turbo options for exploration and combat, rebinding of keys for mouse/keyboard and gamepads, and much more. For more details on the game itself, check out our review of the PS4 version here. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 is also coming to Nintendo Switch in the West in Q2 2020.

Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 is currently available on PS4 but other platform holders will have a chance to experience it soon. Those on PC who can’t wait should take note – a demo for the RPG is currently available on Steam. It’s a good way to test out some of the platform-exclusive features.

This includes support for up to 4K resolution, 240 frames per second (with an option for an unlimited frame rate), auto-save, a high speed mode that can be customized, and support for Ultra-wide screens. All in all, this should help make it the definitive version of the title. A demo for the Switch version of the game is also available but currently on the Nintendo eShop in Japan alone.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 launches on March 23rd for PC on Steam and GOG. The Switch version is out in Spring for North America and Europe but will launch on March 19th for Japan. For more details on the title, you can check out GamingBolt’s review of the PS4 version here.