The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel - PS Vita

Ok so I pre-ordered this after only seeing a trailer online and wasn't really sure how it would be. It looked interesting, but I was a little skeptical as most JRPGs that I have played are overly complicated. I couldn't have been more wrong about this one. It is simply amazing. I can't tell how far I am into the game (maybe half way), but it feels like this is one of the best RPGs I have ever played. Nothing about this game is overly complicated. All the tasks are laid out simply, and even the extras are easy to do. The game features a fast travel ability on the map to help you avoid all the crazy walking around and it even highlights quest items on the map so you don't have to endlessly search for things (similar to an mmorpg). Below are some thoughts on different areas of the game. Story - 9/10 Its hard for me to rate this a 10 since I haven't seen the ending, but I must admit the story line is rather compelling. If it ends well I will definitely give it a 10. There are times where I feel like I can't put down the game because I want to know what will happen next. Hours go by and it seems like only minutes. Gameplay - 10/10 This game has one of the easiest and best combat systems I have ever seen. It combines turn based combat (like a final fantasy game) with move limitation (like fire emblem, except without the spaces). You also have magic (artes), special abilities (crafts, although you don't actually craft anything so that is kind of misleading), and super power attacks which decimate bosses. I started playing on the easiest setting, but honestly I think it is too easy because of the latter abilities. That said, the easy setting seems pretty relaxing. One of the neat features is that you can fight enemies that are in front of you outside of combat. Doing so will allow you to stun them and get an advantage in the battle, or simply avoid combat altogether as you stun them. Characters - 10/10 This is probably one of the strongest points of the game. Normally in a game like this there are characters I simply don't want to use. That isn't the case with this game. I like all the characters and often find it difficult deciding which ones to use (although sometimes this is arbitrarily decided for you by the games story). You get friendship points, similar to a dating sim, where you build your relationship with the characters. As you do so you get into their lives and you also gain combat advantages as you level up your bond. Its a neat twist that rewards you for getting more involved in the characters lives. Graphics - 9/10 Some of the scenes in this game are gorgeous, which is not something you generally expect from a portable console. That said, some of the backdrops seem overly simplistic. When in areas there really isn't much of anything to interact with, but that is mostly a limitation of the console and so it really isn't fair to ding the game too much for that. Sound - 10/10 The soundtrack for this game is also one of the stronger points. Not sure who wrote it, but it is good. The combat music and boss music really gets you motivated for the fight. Then there is the voice acting. Generally this makes or breaks a game. In this case it really makes the game so much better. Many of the voice actors are actually doing English dub animes. I absolutely love the voices being added to the game and their acting is very fitting with each of the characters personalities. Overall - 10/10 If you have a PS Vita, and you like RPGs, this is DEFINITELY one worth playing. Take it from someone who was unsure. It is really a gem. I feel like I could play it over and over again and still love it. I probably will play it over and over again and change characters just for different twists on the story. My only cautions on this game are that is seems really long. Again, I have no idea how far I am through the game, but I am pretty sure I have put in around 40 hours and am probably only half way through the game. Most people say it is around 70 hours. Also, some of the scenes run long and don't have save points (anywhere from 30 mins to one hour), so just be aware of that. That said, this game is incredibly fun to watch and has definitely earned a place in my all time favorites (up there with games like FF7, Chronotrigger, etc.).

I have been looking to play a good JRPG for a while and this game fits the bill. The story take a bit to take off, but once it does, you'll want to continue playing it until the end. The gameplay is very entertaining and interactive. It has its similarities with the Persona series in that you can build relationships with other characters outside of battle. What makes this aspect interesting is that the more you build these relationships, the stronger you become in battle. The graphics are dated for a Vita game, but they are charming and and get the job done. I highly recommend this game to any RPG enthusiast!

Admittedly I have not gotten around to playing the other trails games as of yet but I went ahead and grabbed this since I heard it didn't really matter. Combat is quite good and interesting with a materia like system allowing you to customize your characters with different active or passive skills and craft new orbs to edit your loadout. In between combat areas though you have a school life very similar to persona with links to other characters, side quests around town, etc. I was not expecting this and wanted more of a normal RPG but it can be an interesting passtime inbetween though I feel it detracts from the main gameplay a bit. As for the voice acting, it is not the greatest but is not completely awful. I found a few characters voices don't quite seem to match them all that well but it isn't so terrible as to force me to turn off voices completely. Overall its pretty enjoyable and if you like stuff like Persona give it a go.

I wasn't sure what to think of The Legend of Heroes when I heard about it on Gamefly. I have never played any game in the series. That being said I was hungry for a new RPG and a new game that I could play on my Vita. I did some research and through the vine I noticed a comparable link to Persona. Having read that I immediately made my purchase. The first 20 minutes showcases a thrilling and exciting battle as you lead a ragtag group of teens as they battle through countless soldiers at a military base. Upon a certain even that happens, the game flashes as you take control of Rean Schwarzer as he begins study at Thors Academy. He quickly meets the other classmates of Class VII and the through some quick tutorials you are introduced to the game mechanics. Speaking of the mechanics, as I mentioned earlier the game bears a resemblance to the Persona series in that you have the opportunity to establish and strengthen relationships with your fellow classmates. This will quickly translate into boosts as you go into battle. Gameplay is very much like a turn based RPG as you take turns attacking your enemies. I have played 3 hours so far and I like what the game has to offer. The beginning is slightly slow so I hope it picks up. Graphically it looks pretty good on the Vita. This is also available on the PS3 although I heard the graphics on that platform do not differ from the Vita much. If you are a fan of Persona and turn based JRPGs, give this game a try and support XSEED as they bring unique JRPGs to the west.

This game is amazing. A great JRPG. It starts off real slow, but if you're patient it will be worth it! I loved this game! The cast was really good and so was the story. The combat is really good as well!

So long boring PS Vita library. So glad they brought this over from Japan. Hope they continue the series. Has literally everything you could want from a JRPG

This game is a remarkable gem, especially for a system that hasn't released a lot of newer physical games. Old School RPG feel

Been playing these Legend of Heroes games since back in the PSP days and they've yet to disappoint.