95%PC

Finally, the Crossbell duology has been translated by the Geofront team, obviously based off of the earlier Flame & Guren fan translations. I can now say that the Crossbell arc definitely surpasses the Sky trilogy in my opinion. There is much more politics and higher stakes to every conflict. Some of the most tension filled parts to the story were sometimes when a couple characters were arguing with each out about how to handle the Crossbell situation. The plot has a lot more twists than I had initially expecting, some of which were somewhat obvious and some which weren't as much. Overall, the story is great, and outside of a few pacing problems in final chapter, was absolutely worth the payoff at the end.

Speaking of characters, there are two new characters who join the SSS at the start of game. I initially wasn't too sure about how much I liked these characters joining the SSS, but I ended up really enjoying their character arcs throughout the story. The big highlighted character of the game is Randy, whom I already liked a lot. Unfortunately, Tio and especially Elie, outside of a few moments in the main story, don't get much focus at all. However, it wasn't a big deal. You already got a lot of their characterization in Trails from Zero, so I didn't mind very much at all. Besides, the final bonding event with whomever you choose gets a bit more time in the spotlight with Lloyd's final conversation. I was pretty happy with picking Elie in both Zero and carrying that save data over to Azure and seeing the conclusion to Lloyd and Elie's romance. Finally, KeA is still absolutely precious.

As far gameplay goes, it's pretty much the same game as Zero with a few minor tweaks and additions. The biggest of which are Master Quartz and Burst Gauge. Master Quartz are actually are pretty neat system where your usual center Quartz now gives bonus stats such as how Platinum gives a huge boost to HP or how Juggler gives a pretty balanced offensive statline, but each one can ALSO level up alongside you and become stronger and give better passive abilities. My only complaint with the system is that you cannot make use of Master Arts until the literal end game when your Master Quartz are fully leveled up. Hopefully Trails of Cold Steel builds upon this.

Burst Gauge is something I would've liked to be a bit better. For one thing, the Burst Gauge only appears during the final day of each chapter, which already limits its use. And while it absolutely is a powerful ability to unleash, it takes a long time for it to buildup in boss fights. Without the use of burst orbs, which are quite limited, you will likely only use Burst once or very rarely twice. Because of how bulky enemies will be in Nightmare, I kind of pre-charged the Burst Gauge half way for every major boss fight. Team Attacks also now build up the gauge much faster, which incentivizes players to take advantage of it much more than Zero, which is good.

As usual, I played on Nightmare and if you've played Zero on Nightmare, expect a similar level of difficulty. The game was pretty challenging at times, especially near the end, but I was very satisfied with it.

However, this is minor nitpick, but I'm not a huge fan of how Trails games so far make most bosses immune to all status ailments and debuffs outside of a few ones. Even the minions they summon during fight will usually be completely immune as well. I don't have a problem with the major bosses being immune to some OP ailments like faint, freeze, or sleep, but I would be much happier if there was a "Resistance" system implemented for each status ailment and debuff. The current system is "all-or-nothing". You are either completely resistant against ailments like how Lloyd is during his Burning Heart aura, or not at all. A lot of other RPGs make bosses have an immunity to some ailments, but they will also have very high resistance to some other ones, meaning there is a chance for you to take advantage of those ones. You could do the same for resistance to debuffs, giving bosses high resistance to a Defense Down debuff, but low resistance to ADF Down or something. You could also implement that into the armor as well, making you switch equipment with higher resistance to sleep, for example, to suit the upcoming boss fight ahead. With how the current system, there isn't as much nuance to how debuffing works and gives players no reason to ever pick a debuffing art, especially in the late game. The current system makes me sad because it could easily be so much better.

Games in order of favorites:

1. Azure
2. Zero
3. Sky SC
4. Sky 3rd
5. Sky FC

I really love this series, and I can't wait to start the Cold Steel saga.

95%PlayStation 4

Game: 9.5/10
Game Direction: Even better than Zero
Story: Impeccable
Art: Switch version has better resolution :(
Gameplay: Great
Sound Design And Music: Great
Difficulty: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Recommendation: YES! (Play Zero first though)

90%PlayStation 4

Awesome

80%Nintendo Switch

This unfortunately is my least favourite Trails game so far out of the Sky trilogy and the Zero/Azure duology. I think this warrents a bit of an explanation, because the gameplay and the story are both excellent (as they always are), but for some reason Azure didn't get me as invested as the previous instalments. I think it's about a lot of political motivations rather than personal ones. So this on one side comes down to personal preference.

On the other side it's the fact that Zero and Azure focus heavily on the same area. Trails are a series where you can endlessly talk to NPC in between missions and they'll all say something different and they all have their own storyline which is very interesting to follow but it also gets tedious after almost 150 hour of walking around in the same circle to talk to people.

That having been said, this game has the toughest boss battles I've seen so far in the series (if memory serves). The final boss had the most punishing JRPG mechanics, but it also make it a little bit fun because it's no walk in the park and the ending really makes you work for it.

The burst mode is quite a good extra feature which I hardly used (I did appreciate and need it at certain points). The other battles are easily done with the fast forward feature built in to the remaster.

It's an 8 out of 10 but still... All-in-all excellent game series that I can't wait to explore more of. I'll dive into Cold Steel next with a bit of a break probably.

90%PC

The game is very strong on the story and voice acting. Having the Japanese VO is already a good boon. Recurring characters are also involved. If you have played the previous Trails games, you will recognise them. The story has more twists and turns than a psychological horror flick and unexpected turns are around. Gameplay is solid and the addition of the Master Quartz adds more depth to the system already strong on what it does. The burst system is very powerful and can break the combat system easily. Overall a very good game that built on its fundamentals.

100%PC

This game continues the incredibly high bar that Trails has set for itself. If you haven't played Trails from Zero, don't play this one yet. The story gets absolutely insane. While I feel like it gets too impossible for everything to be so secretive, it's a great ride if you ignore the holes.

It also bumps power levels way too high, making Cassius Bright seem like not so strong of a character now. Multiple terrorist groups could absolutely devastate entire nations or even the continent if they felt like it. It's a little out of hand.

100%PC

Really, this series is unbelievable. I don't know how they made a story that felt so down to earth yet was as crazy and outlandish as JRPGs get. This is one of those perfect games that are few and far between. An absolute masterpiece.

85%PlayStation Portable

Audio-visual: 7 Story: 10 Gameplay: 8 Enjoyment: 10

80%PC

Sasuga falcom team for making another banger of an arc. Got burnt out during the middle but once things start picking up, it really never stops. Ends with a good resolution and to pave the way for Cold Steel 3

95%PC

Best in the TLOH series so far.

80%PC

A game with amazing moments. I have severe FOMO and I feel like I need to talk to every single one of the NPC's after every major story moment and it made the game took so long at times. Working my way through every location to talk to everyone could feel like a slog. I did love seeing the conclusion to the NPC's stories. The cutscenes and story-focused moments more than made up for the slower ones. I can't get enough of this franchise and I don't want it to ever end.

95%PC

Great conclusion to the Crossbell Arc

90%PlayStation Vita

an amazing finish for crossbell duology and a great addition for the kiseki universe series

90%PC

- Amazing OST.
- More Balanced and More Fun Combat System than previous trails, with more balanced arts and surprise attacks for faster farming.
- Best story in any Trails game thus far.
- Amazing Characters and Character Development.
- Greatest entry to the Trails series so far.

90%PC

Second best game in the series so far, and a great way to lead into Cold Steel.

100%PC

like any other "The Legend of Heroes" game its always good

90%PC

Great conclusion. Played over the course of 6 months, so hard to remember specifics about the beginning. Also followed the Neoseeker guide for the most part. I tried to 100% everything. Get the recipes, books, all chests, friendship. Worked for the most part but fuck that stupid ass pink drink #22 recipe.

Characters were really good, developer and the new ones. Conclusions to character arcs were great, like Arios, Lloyd, and Mariabelle. Being able to play as Dudley and Rixia was tight, even though I didn't really use them that much.

I rolled with Lloyd/Elie/Noel/Wazy for most of the game, but smoked the end dungeons by replacing Noel with Randy, then the end bosses by replacing Randy with Tio. Evasion tank Lloyd was nuts. Randy did giga damage. Main juice was Elie spamming Spark Dyne and Wazy spamming buffs. None of that would've been possible without Master Quartz. That was a fun addition. Although it did feel like most of the gear + orbment progression came at the end. Game is still fun clearly.

Story was tight. I was on the Dieter Crois train for a good minute. Nice explanation for the Geofront too. Seeing him be the bad guy after controlling the DG Cult was crazy. Then seeing Mariabelle be the bad guy after controlling him was crazy. Then seeing Grimwood be the bad guy after controlling her was crazy. Then seeing Kea being the bad guy after controlling everyone?? (🤓uhm actually Lloyd broke that barrier he proved she wasn't controlling their emotions towards her).

The idea that you've got the ability to rewrite history instantly is wild. Hearing how the SSS actually got wiped against Joachim in the last game and then Kea rewriting history to save them was insane.

Appreciated side characters becoming main characters in this one. I felt like there wasn't a lot of combat, but it didn't bug me toooo much. Side quests were fun. The Nielsen one, the fishing guild one. Even got a conclusion for Armand from "Sky". Pom Pom Party wasn't as bad I first thought it would be. We also got Mishelam (very fun) and a beach episode.

Way too high to keep going. Fun ass series. Really wanna get into the next one but wanna try Yakuza 0 again first.

9/10. These games always surprise you by how much better they can make the next one.

Steam says 91.4 hours, though that's with a couple hours of AFK. 70% achievements

100%Emulated

play on PPSSPP (Switch port)
one of the best JRPG games
plot: 10/10
cast: 10/10
music: 9/10
gameplay: 9/10

90%PC

(Updated review after replaying the game with the official translation).

I liked this game a lot, but not as much as Zero. The graphics, music, and gameplay are largely the same as Zero, but there are some cool new additions, such as Master Quartz, which enhance the combat system. In terms of the story, things pick up a lot from Zero, and the overall plot is a lot better. It's an almost never ending rush of intrigue and excitement all the way through. Nothing is black or white in this and I even found myself agreeing with one of the villains, so much so that I was happy when shit hit the fan because the recipients deserved it. There's even more character development here, particularly for Lloyd, Randy, and Tio, and even a bunch of side characters.

However, there were quite a number of things I didn't like about this game. First off, this game is very plot heavy, which isn't inherently bad, but some of the character development suffered as a result of it. Rixia and Noel both felt very rushed, while Elie didn't get much development at all from the first game. Second of all, they outright spoil what's going to happen in the Trails of Cold Steel games (I actually played 1-3 before Sky, Zero, and Azure but I'm trying to ignore them for this and my previous reviews because it wouldn't be fair to compare games that came out after with games that came out before) which is lame because story beats don't hit the same if you know they're coming.

But the main problem I have with this game is that this is when the writers started ramping up the anime cliches. For example, there is battle shounen power creep, talk no jutsu, characters forgiving each other very easily even if heinous crimes were committed, and my least favorite, holding back. This is when you win a fight because your opponent was holding back, and they'll just get up unscathed at the end of the battle. This one always gets me annoyed the most because it makes combat, one of the main elements of a RPG, feel pointless. Sky SC handled bosses so much better. You initially meet the villains throughout the story, but you suck when you meet them, so you're not worth their time. They'll summon some monsters and leave. However, by the time you get to the final dungeon, you are now strong enough and get to actually beat them all. This type of progression feels satisfying because it rewards you for improving. In this game, you fight all of the main villains throughout the game, and some of the fights you actually have to win, but none of them matter. They were always holding back so you didn't actually win any of them. Why did we bother fighting then? Also, Lloyd's group loves to stand around and talk right in front of villains, which allows them to get away. They should be arresting them, or at the very least restraining them, but nope, almost everyone gets away so that they can be reused in later games. Another thing that bugs me with this game is the excessive politeness, which is tied to the characters forgiving each other very easily. Nobody ever calls people out for doing horrible things or for being traitors and it feels unrealistic. I miss Estelle yelling at people that deserved it.

It's because of these issues that I didn't enjoy this game as much as I did Zero. However, I still really enjoyed it for the most part, and would definitely recommend playing it if you played through the previous games.

85%Nintendo Switch

If you disliked Zero but you still managed to finish it, this is just the payoff. Play this if you have finished Zero.
It has just as much dialogue and text as in Zero but it is so much more rewarding.
.

90%PC

Really great game that unfortunately got a little weaker at the end but Crossbell was a great place to explore and get to know characters so I was more than happy to play the sequel to Zero

95%PC

Amazing game had trouble getting into it as i new the whole story.

100%Nintendo Switch

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure stands as a crowning achievement in storytelling within the gaming realm. Its expansive world, gripping narrative, multi-dimensional characters, and expertly executed twists all contribute to an unforgettable experience. Whether you're a long-time fan of the Trails series or a newcomer, this game is a must-play for anyone who appreciates masterful storytelling in a video game medium.

70%PlayStation 4

A 5/7
H 1/1
S 1/2

95%PC

9.0-9.5

95%PC

This was absolute fucking cinema. What an unbelievable conclusion to the Crossbell duology and the intertwined stories of Liberl and Crossbell. The last fifteen hours or so were non-stop unbelievable turns and twists that left me shocked and in awe. This was definitively the best Trails game to this point and I'm actually terrified that it will be the peak of the series.

Would've been a ten, but that final boss fight is an absolutely miserable slog, so I can't bring myself to call it perfect. Other than that though--this is a must-play, I think, between it and Zero. Unreal.

90%Nintendo Switch

Close to perfection. Unfortunately the final dungeon felt like the developers ran out of time, so they had to rush the conclusion.

85%PC

Awesome main story and character development, not only of the main party but also major story NPCs. The world-building paid off from not only Trails from Zero but also the Trails in the Sky arc, culminating in a satisfying conclusion to the story so far. Granted, the ending hints at rumblings in the Erebonian Empire, which of course was covered in the Trails of Cold Steel arc. Translation was very good, generally capturing the spirit of the original JP text while often injecting more personality (but keeping it true to character). Visuals are mildly improved from Trails to Azure. Combat added a couple new additions like combo crafts; similarly, a few new victory bonuses are present, eg finishing off two or more enemies simultaneously. As always in this series, the OST is a high point and features some true classics. Rarely, some characters' lines were so low volume as to be almost inaudible, most often Randy's mutterings. The pacing starts to drag late-game, but this is more an issue with long JRPGs in general. Still, this game makes the Crossbell duology the best arc in the series, mainly due to the focus on Crossbell and the SSS, thereby affording them more opportunity for character development. Excellent game overall!

85%PC

В этой части масштаб происходящего увеличиться просто в разы, столько всяких неожиданных поворотов ждут героев. Так же встретимся со старыми героями из предыдущей трилогии, хоть и повоевать за них не дадут.

100%PC

After Completing Trails to Azure, I can confidently say that this game is an absolute must-play for any JRPG fan. The amount of effort put into this game is truly remarkable, and it shows in every aspect of the game. From the captivating story to the charming characters, from the immersive environment to the stunning art, this game truly has it all.

One thing that stood out to me the most not only in the game but in literally EVERY Trails game is the attention to detail in the game's world-building. The NPCs are so well-developed that it's easy to get lost in conversations with them, and it really feels like you're a part of the world. The side quests are not just fetch quests, they actually add to the lore of the game and flesh out the world even more. The combat system is also incredibly well-done, with a good balance of strategy and action that keeps you engaged and on your toes.

The art style is beautiful, and the attention to detail in the environments is nothing short of impressive. The character designs are also top-notch, with each character having their own unique style and personality that makes them feel like real people.

While the game does have some flaws, they are easily overshadowed by the game's many positives. One criticism is that the game can be a bit slow at times, but this is to be expected from a JRPG. Additionally, some players may find the game's length to be a bit daunting, and of course, the obvious critique of having to play 4 other games before you can truly enjoy this game and all it has to offer. But for those who are willing to invest the time, the payoff is well worth it.

Overall, The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is one of the best JRPGs I've ever played. It's a game that truly deserves all the praise it's received, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre.

Please consider playing The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Sky FC, SC, The Third, and Trails from Zero before playing this game as it will significantly enhance your enjoyment and help you understand everything that's going on.

90%PC

The writing and attention to detail in this series is fantastic. The slow burn at the start of these games, a staple of the series from what I've played so far, is totally worth it. That being said, I wish this game wasn't as long as it was, but to be fair I didn't have to do every side quest either, but the world building is so good I felt compelled to just to see what happens to these characters. Final boss drove me insane until I figured out what the deal was.

90%Nintendo Switch

Awesome game, just awesome. With what might be the most bittersweet ending in gaming, Trails to Azure absolutely delivers an amazing ending to the incredible Crossbell arc of Trails. I loved the game as a whole, but I do wish the finale was shorter, or even split up into multiple chapters; it was just too long. The final dungeon was also a bit long. Other than that, it was amazing the whole way through. Trails delivers one amazing experience after another.

100%Nintendo Switch

The best Trails game in the franchise!

100%Nintendo Switch

Might be the best Trails game.

100%PC

A fantastic adventure.

90%PC

Such a great game. And we'll get an official release on GOG soon, so don't hesitate to buy it once it is out.
I rated Trails from Zero a bit lower, but this one is a really good conclusion. Sure, it isn't realistic, but characters and story entertwine in such a great fashion that we can appreciate the whole story with most side-quests giving hints towards the grander scheme of things.
Some parts were predictable, some parts were quite the opposite. But overall, a conclusion that lives up to the expectations of what we got in the Liberl Arc.
Now I got to finish the Cold Steel Arc, now fully translated with two games to go, Trails of Reverie to conclude Rean and Lloyd's stories before the Calvard Arc, maybe the ending of our visit to the world of Zemuria.

50%PC

The first 5 chapters are really boring with some interesting lore and moments sprinkled in. This game is also way more 'anime' than the older titles. Basically Lloyd builds a harem, it's not as egregious as other games but it still sucks to see. All of the characters development hinges on Lloyd. Their identity is way too adapted to him, none of them come into their own because of it like in Zero. The SSS aren't shown to have any real relationship with the other members but Lloyd. They even insert the beach episode from shitty anime's. I don't know why I was expecting Trails to Zero level music but it's probably the worst in the series so far.

They do a good job building the scale of the world with all the politics, and new characters but it never is actually executed well. In the final chapter, we get the goofiest twist imaginable, it just had me laughing. How Lloyd treats his enemies is very annoying. It was present in Zero but it just goes into overdrive here. He's just constantly lecturing the bad guys. You don't need a stupid monologue every time. It's the same way the game handles politics, basically lecturing you. Through the dialogue, it tells you over and over that Crossbell's independence isn't worth shedding blood for. The game is about imperialism and yet it plays it as safe as possible. After all that what do I like about this game? I still have a soft spot for some of the characters, the gameplay is fun and the lore is interesting. To give credit where it's due, chapter 6 & 7 were excellent and even some of the final chapter. I also loved the closure they gave Renne, good stuff.

90%PC

The 2nd best trails game. Nearly Perfect.

100%PlayStation Portable

After playing through the Trails in the Sky trilogy, I moved straight into the Crossbell duology. While I found Zero to be an excellent game, this title took it a step farther. There were so many continent-spanning events taking place all the time and of course all those Falcom plot twists and guests from other games are all over the place. Still find these to be the best of Kiseki, as while the rest of Zemuria is talked about, all the main action is focused on one single city and surrounding areas. I don't mind going to the same store 20 times and doing a mission for that owner as I get to know that NPC and their role in the city and the game. It's focused, it's excellent. My only gripe is near the end there is SO SO many dungeons to do, and really not much gets resolved (guess it's on to Cold Steel) globally, but the story is amazing and the characters are excellently written.

60%PlayStation Portable

Overrated as hell, the game is hold back by a clumsy storyline and annoying gameplay

100%PC

All the JRPG cheesiness is forgiven as the writing of this game is absolutely incredible. One of the best RPGs I've ever played.

100%PC

Best one out of all the games in the series in terms of story.

90%PC

A very well done series, I really enjoyed the Crossbell saga and its up there as my top 2 Trails games. You feel apart of the story and you feel like you make a difference in the world, plus its nice to see the police side of things. I am looking forward to the future! :) Thank you to all the translators that translated the game to English for us to play, you guys are awesome!

100%PC

Honestly, this game is pinnacle Trails experience. Although it has some pacing issues towards the end and lot of battles that you can't win on a normal playthrough, it's one of the best jRPG ever made. It has a lot of plot twists, epic fights and one of the best OST together with Zero no Kiseki

80%PlayStation Vita

one of my favorites, I hope it gets a proper port someday.

100%PlayStation Portable

Just check my review for the Zero no kiseki game as it's basically the same.

I just want to add these things I love that they added the master quartz. It's now easier to appoint which quartz for each person. That they also added the bond option is a bonus also as a canon I shipped the protagonist of course with the obvious one one the first of the series. But when I played the second one there is another girl who's cute side was unmatched and to add up Lloyd's dense it was just so cute and funny.

The only thing I hate about this is it's just a duology. and that I would never be able to see Kea smile anymore....

very heavily recommended to TLOH fans.