Trails from Zero Review (Switch, also on PS4, PC) | Backlog Battle 

Thanks for the nice review! Zero (on Switch) is our first ever console port, and our first physical release as well, so I'm especially happy with how it turned out (and that we could port such a great game).

It's wonderful that people are finally getting to play what is my personal favourite arc in the entirety of Trails! The 'sacrificial lamb' is no more. :) Awesome review as always my man.

Visuals like this have their own artistry and charm to them. Hand-drawn sprites in a 3D background remind me a lot of the PS1 era of RPG's, with Xenogears and Vagrant Hearts, and they lend themselves really well to anime artstyles. The "hand-drawn characters in polygonal 3D backgrounds" look is something we're seeing quite a bit of in the indie scene lately, even in platformers like Demon Turf, Tinykin and Here Comes Niko.

I am very happy that these two games are finally coming to the west! Although it's odd that they were never brought to the west when they were originally released on the PSP. This franchise has always interested me. It's a matter of time before a spend a couple hundred of hours from Trails in the Sky to Arise. I believe it will also be nice to play the game in release order like what was originally intended.

As a long time subscriber I just wanted to say you are killing it woth these reviews Alex! Thank you!

YEEEEES, the day has finally come. This is the first review of yours that I've watched for a game I've already beaten. I am now playing Azure on my Steam Deck. So looking forward to the next 120 hours.

Great video! This will be my first Trails game, I can't wait!

Amazing review! Was waiting for this one. Thanks 🙋🏻‍♂️

What a magnificent review! I'm so excited to start this duology! Thanks again Alex for all your work. This praise must mean this game is something special.

Bought this for the Switch today after watching your review. I've played Cold Steel 1&2, then Sky FC, and a little bit of SC but got too busy and decided to drop it, because I just couldn't give it the attention these games deserve, and that was six months ago. After seeing your video I'm thinking of just playing Zero and going back to the Sky trilogy down the line (I'm one of many people hoping for a console release by then bc my laptop has seen better days). Great review, thanks for reassuring me that this massive series doesn't HAVE to be played in necessarily the "correct" order. Love your content!

Inexpressible amounts of joy from this game officially coming out. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one! The SSS really are the best party, it's great that you get to stick with them for so long and learn everything about them.

Wow some really strong praise for this game!! I am even happier that I decided to wait for this release after beating Cold Steel 2. I'm thinking of getting the steam version to play on my steam deck it looks like the game supports 16:10 resolution during gameplay for those that care about that stuff like me.

10:52 dude I totally agree. Every single one of these games puts a spell on me. Like, it’s all I want to do, I just wanna keep playing to see what happens in the story.

I’m glad this seems like such a successful port; I’ve never played any of the series, and I’m only vaguely aware of what it’s about in the first place, so this seems like the perfect onboarding game. Great video, as per usual!

I wanted to thank you. I love the cold steel arc and was waiting for this one but I kind of became unsure if I wanted to play it. I can happily say that I will be Buying Trails from Zero tomorrow morning so I can play it when I get back form work. Thank you for the review.

Thanks for this. I’ve played none of the Trails games yet, so I feel better about starting with it. I also ❤️ an RPG that lets you speed up battles.

Alex thank you SO much for pointing out this was a good place to start in your eyes! I have been putting off starting the Trails series as I don’t have a good way to play the Sky trilogy and the fandom always strongly insists to NOT start anywhere but Sky. Almost to a toxic degree if I’m being honest - like don’t even bother if you’re not gonna start with Sky. But the cult element and availability of this game have really made me want to just start here and I was waiting for someone I trust to give the go ahead that it’s a solid place to start. So I think I will (after I roll credits on FFXVI )

Happy trails from zero release day Alex and everyone! enjoy! just a heads up but in some regions the steam version isn't out yet and might take a bit or a while depending on where you are.

Thanks. Nice review.

So excited to get to the later games :) still on SkySC

Only review I need! I honestly thought this game was months away it crept right up.

These type of rpgs with this kind of art work make me really appreciate the fact that there are games similar to this and octopath traceler making a come back it’s proven graphics don’t mean anything but these beautiful sprite style art is awesome

I haven't started my Trails journey in earnest yet, but this is one of the ones I'm looking forward to the most. I'll probably end up getting both a PS4 and Switch copy. I want to experience both Falcom's Kai version in its original form, and the new Switch version as well! (double dipping on a game isn't anything new for me xD) in a a way, I'm kind of glad I (unintentionally) put it off for so long, since I have the opportunity to play the games in their chronological order :D

back again looking at this to add to the backlog. tempted to do from zero and the next 2, but no time but want to!! grr

Best arc🤩

I will play it on the Steamdeck, that arrived just in time yesterday! Can't wait to finally close this gaping hole in my Trails history

Maybe one day I'll play these games. There's so many of them!

Condensed review. Played the game 2 years ago with a fan patch. The main story of this game is great and *mostly* grounded in reality and pretty unique for a J-RPG. Since you're a detective, it's all about taking on the corruption of Crossbell, which revolves around an Italian mafia like organization and an organization similar to the Chinese triad and the war between the two organizations plus a grand conspiracy that lurks in the shadows, there's also 2 minor gangs that you interact with as well. Crossbell basically has a lot of parallels to real world New York or Hong Kong, which is pretty cool. Plus there's some returning characters from the Sky trilogy and getting to see them again and how their story tied into this game has some major payoff if you played the Sky trilogy beforehand. Gameplay was basically standard Trails gameplay which I've come to know and love with a couple extra gimmicks thrown in, soundtrack was nothing short of a masterwork that you just expect from Falcom JDK Band, dungeon design was awesome as well. The game deserves every bit of praise it gets. From the detailed and immersive setting to the masterful character development and sprawling interconnected narrative that becomes crucial to the story of later entries in the series. This is a game that no J-RPG fan is going to want to miss and I can't wait to play it again as soon as my limited edition gets here in a couple days!

My copies are hopefully coming tomorrow! Hopefully we’ll one day get the Sky games on console. It will nice to actually experience in game some of what’s being referenced in the Cold Steel games. I know they are on PC, but personally I don’t have one to play them on T-T

I just started Cold Steel and I’m head over heels with this series already. I’m tempted to just start zero after CS1 but I’m also thoroughly CS so I may just go backwards. I also don’t have a working PC so Sky is going to have to wait awhile.

Love the battle system. Its reminding me of Lunar on PS1.

Damn.. I saw this and the other Switch Trails games on sale and thought I'd pick them up. Several RU-vid videos later and I now have Trails of the Sky 1-3 on Steam Cold Steel 1 & 2 on PS4 Cold Steel 3 & 4 on Switch Trails from Zero on Switch Looking forward to diving in with more on the way!!

I played through Sky 1 & 2 first, then Cold Steel 1 & 2, and then just this year came back to finish Sky 3 and Zero. Next year will be busy, I'll be playing Azure, and Cold Steel 3 & 4 in rapid succession before Reverie comes out.

God I'm still a little passed with how the PS4 version was treated. I pre ordered the PS4 Special edition way back in January of this year and with getting a PS5 recently, having that power + on a big TV would be a great experience. But to hear that this upgraded texture and sprite work wasn't done to it after this fact just rubs me the wrong way, like I'm gimped for deciding to get this version. Like not all players are going to experience the same "game" due to this weird decision (in a visual sense). I mean it'll still look better then when I played the PSP (before Geofront) version with one of those early english fan patches (memories of "big sister Cecile" XD)

I got the Switch versions by "other" means and bought the PS4 version for the trophies. The Switch versions rule due to all the features. Playing this games after CS is fun as you get a diferent perspective. Timeline-wise, they are parallell so it is quite cool. The PSP look actually adds to the experience imo. That is part of th charm of these old games. And due to that, they have to use many other tools in order to tell the story since there is no 3D to help.

Great review I havent started with any Trails game I hear that its best to play it in order to appreciate the story despite that being said on your personal opinion which do you find better Trails of Zero or Trails of Cold steel? By way of Story and gameplay.

One of THE best trails games.

Great review!! Already played the fan-translation but will definitely be getting this. Not day one, just because I’m so annoyed about NISA’s lack of transparency, but will get it nonetheless. Crossbell are my favourite Trails games so far.

im getting it for the switch

This artstyle always looks better or suits the Switch more than PC and PS4 imo. I will be buying this on Friday and i cant wait

I'm enjoying this game right now and it is top notch

Just platinumed trails from zero.. Took me 3 playthrough but its all worth it.. Best arc in my opinion.. Can't wait to play azure in march

scared to play this because my backlog is already crying and I know trying to get into this entire series would be hundreds of hours lol. Just got my platinum on diofield yesterday and am unsure what to start next. Leaning toward this after the glowing review, but also valkyrie Elysium comes out this week so IDK.

am i the only one who likes the amount of character pool in cold steel? all 3 arcs (sky,crossbell,cold steel) are amazing! but cold steel is still my fave

I have the first two Trails in The Sky games on my Vita. I think I’m going to play those first, then jump into this one. I wish they would rerelease the Trails in The Sky games on modern consoles as well.

You might say these games where trailblazers

I thought the portraits were gonna be animated with lip movements and eye blinks. Was i wrong? That's only for the Evo version?

I am playing Kuro 2 in a couple days.

I’m trying to buy this game digitally on the switch but it’s not giving me the option for some reason?

This looks really good, but I have no idea where to start in this series. My bad, you already mentioned a suggestion.

I cannot see myself playing on switch since iirc CS has no 1-2 on switch. And the save bonus transfer for reverie is gonna be gone since its cs1 to 4 also has bonus for reverie too

Does the switch version have the text log?

Would you consider doing a secret mission location vid?

I dont know if its because I have gotten impatient with age (33) but I hate slow burn stories in JRPGs, because I have so much to play through already. I am currently playing Kuro no Kiseki with the english patch, which is amazing, but I find myself skipping most story stuff or not enjoying it as much, because these games are so long to begin with. Dont know how I feel about this, it kinda annoys me, but I do enjoy the battle system, so I guess thats okay. Thanks for the review!

If all games are so good as this one, they can all have this graphics (and they are cute).

I'm playing on a Steamdeck and :chefkiss: it's perfect!

My next to Cold Steel it's my favorite

Played this one originally when I bought it and applied the geofront patch last year or two I don't remember exactly. I liked it better than Trails in the Sky 1 actually. I guess it just didn't feel as slow as Trails 1. The music and story and characters are excellent. Apparently this game "sucks" compared to the second game but that's fanbases for you I guess. Gotta be so dramatic. I only played a little bit of Azure but I lost my copy of it on my PC when I nuked it for security reasons. I was burned out on playing Trails anyways as I was struggling to care to finish Cold Steel IV hah but did got the best ending too. Maybe someday I'll get to Azure when it gets the official release. That's another thing the loud parts of the fanbase consider this the worst place to start for some reason too because of basically one character. Nice review here though, I definitely recommended the game.

I played FC way back when but forgot everything and Cold Steel ain't quite my thing (bit too tropey) but really want to give Zero a try. Great review

So i can start with this one right even if i havent played sky

Just started playing the sky trilogy. Playing First Chapter with the English dub mod and its making all the difference. This is the second time I tried playing the game and it just didn't stick without the voices. Looking forward to catching up. I've been missing out.

5:26 nooo u didnt read the chest message 😢

Can I play this if I can't whistle along to tunes?

I wanted to get into the trails series recently but am totally overwhelmed.. I don’t actually own a PC so not sure how to play some of them. Can I play this without the other games??

I’m beyond LIVID that I preordered this game via retail, and no one has received shipments. I didn’t want to digitally download this game. I almost don’t want to at this point because physical copies absolutely should’ve been available when they were promised. The ball was dropped, and I’m am not happy.

It looks really nice. Graphically right up my street but 76 hours. That is just too much time. What is there? Something like 9 games. 600+ hours to complete and I usually go way over standard hours so probably 800-1000 hours of story. Anyone over 16 with a life doesn't have 1000 spare hours.

Just play Sky, it's good. Like, really good. Ppl recommend Sky not just because it's the beginning, it's also because it's great.

"next year's reverie". this franchise makes me feel like a world government member.

I want to get this for switch because its a superior version compared to ps4 thanks to Durante but my copies of the cold steel games are in ps4 and I wanted to get these games on a single platform outside pc. Maybe if switch gets english releases for the first 2 cold steel games. Also hoping Sky trilogy gets a collection release for modern platforms

I've never seen Trails in the Sky 2 & 3 in the West. Were they even localised?

Can I play it without playing the other games in the series?

Really wish it didn't cost so much...

Stupid text lengths are the only thing holding these games back from greatest jrpg series ever. Who in their right minds thought to combine lengthy books with video games?

Is this running with 60 FPS on Switch? Doesn't look like 30 FPS.

Is Zero the best JRPG ever made? Lol no. The game scale is pretty small, you only have 4 permanents party members, spend the whole game in 1 city and it's surroundings and don't get to save the world. And to be fair, it's one of my favorite JRPG I've ever played. This game is not for everyone, but I was excited to see how good a JRPG set in a single city would be, and I was not disappointed. At the time, I was hoping to get away from Cold Steel bloated cast and to see a more personal story, it's also quite nice to see how you end up learning who most of the NPCs in the game are since you can always pay a visit to everyone in every chapter.. Zero did not disappointed, it turned out to be exactly the kind of game I wanted to play at the right moment. So if you are looking for something similar, I'm sure you'll love this, otherwise, you can give it a chance, but I can't claim you'l like it as much as I did.

the PC playing in Steam deck is better than switch

See stuffs like this (PS4 version being the worst) + lack of initial games on PS keeps me away from getting into Trails series as much as I would love to. Truly sucks.

I mean u can start with zero, the only problem is that one of the biggest payoffs that has been built over the course of the sky series will simply not hit very hard for people starting with this game(I am of course talking about the scene from the end of the game)

I came into this as having played sky but none others, kind of feels like you are assuming we've played cold steel and none else because you keep bringing up things in cold steel that verge on spoilers :(

Why tell people to start here? I don't get it, this game literally spoils Estelle and Joshua's story arc from Sky.

I still think trails of the sky 1 and 2 are a good start (you can skip 3 if you want as it is a side story) Not only is it the real start and set up for everythink in Crossbell and cold steel. It also not easy to go back to the simple battle system of sky 1 after Steel or Crossbell. Estelle is also the best protagonist of the whole trails serie^^

i liked your review but PLEASE stop recommending people to not play in order, they are only doing a disservice to the series by doing so because they were meant to be played in order sure you can start in zero or cold steel 1 if you want but the way to get the best experience playing the series is starting with sky FC and that’s just a fact.

It’s super scummy that they don’t include any of the improvements on the ps4 version. Looks like i’ll have to buy it twice :/

No english dub? Guess I'm not getting it then.

This is going to be my 1st Trails game, ive only heard good things about this one! I preordered the switch deluxe edition from best buy so I could get the physical edition!