Legend of Heroes, The - Trails of Cold Steel (USA)
PlayStation Vita
🇬🇧
Reviewed in 2015
74
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✪ Reviewed on January 12, 2025
69
Trails of Cold Steel is a masterful Falcom JRPG with a remarkable combat system and deep military academy story. Well-written characters, rich world. A Vita JRPG essential.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
Rean Schwarzer joins a special military class and uncovers a plot shaking the Erebonian Empire in this tactical JRPG. Published by Xseed Games, released in the United States in December 2015. Turn-based JRPG with ARCUS combat system, Erebonia world to explore, detailed narrative and endearing characters. US edition.
Legend of Heroes, The - Trails of Cold Steel review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
Signed by the Falcom Sound Team jdk, the music unfurls a repertoire of wild generosity, from the fiery rock battle theme to moving town melodies. Each region gains a memorable sonic colour, carrying a sprawling story with rare coherence. This melodic richness, celebrated by fans, remains a peak of the JRPG.
A cadet at a military academy in an empire on the verge of breaking, a young man forges bonds that war will put to the test. A sprawling tale of rare density, it depicts class tensions and imperial politics with remarkable care. This patient writing, attentive to every character, magnificently rewards your investment.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"Mild"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Weaving bonds with your classmates and alternating school life with turn-based tactical battles drives a dense political plot that always leaves you wanting more. Growing in power and forging relationships reward each day. Its measured pace and its slow stretches ask for patience, but the richness of its world hooks you bit by bit and never lets go.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Joining an elite military class and untangling an imperial conspiracy unfolds a JRPG of rare scope, rich in bonds to forge and side quests. The long main quest, the turn-based battles and the exploration feed dozens of hours. That narrative generosity, a Trails signature, offers a lifespan RPG fans cultivate.
Technical info
💾2,6 GB📅22/12/2015
Published by XSEED Games
Legend of Heroes, The - Trails of Cold Steel (PS Vita) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
Trails of Cold Steel emerged as one of the most in-demand physical Vita JRPGs, its XSEED run far outpaced by the late surge of love for the Trails saga. The lack of a boxed reissue on the console, paired with a community that devours the series in order, pushed its North American value well beyond launch price.
An underrated gem
The hefty first installment of a sprawling saga, this Falcom JRPG takes its time settling its cast and military academy before unfurling a dense political tale. Its slow start and niche reputation deterred plenty. If you love richly built worlds and bonds woven patiently, it's the start of an epic of rare richness.
Is Legend of Heroes, The - Trails of Cold Steel still worth playing in 2026?
A JRPG from Falcom, The Legend of Heroes - Trails of Cold Steel follows Rean Schwarzer and his class of cadets in a military academy of an empire on the brink of upheaval, through a dense political plot, polished bonds between characters and tactical turn based battles. The remarkable writing, the depth of the Trails world and the quality of the play system make it a reference of the modern JRPG. The long form narration rewards investment. For a fan of narrative JRPGs or of Falcom, the title keeps a perfectly preserved richness and depth.
