The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 coming to Nintendo Switch in Spring 2020 [US/Europe; later in Japan]

[Hero of Legend]

Sean on Discord confirmed Engine Software are porting it to the Switch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_Software#Nintendo_Switch

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Excellent. Despite early reports, I think Ni No Kuni was actually later said to turn out really well on Switch. Caligula Effect Overdose was more so-so, but better I think(?) than Ys 8 in performance? But it did have some ugly downgrades. Either way, the proof is in the pudding and the footage all looks very smooth and clean.

 

[Phil me in]

I'm really interested in the steel series. However how important is it you play the the 3 trails in the sky games first?

 

[Vylder]

I'm really interested in the steel series. However how important is it you play the the 3 trails games first?

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From what I've heard you need to play Trails of Zero and Trails of Azure before playing Cold Steel III (to have a good understanding of the story that is).

Not sure about the Sky trilogy..

 

[logash]

Excellent. Despite early reports, I think Ni No Kuni was actually later said to turn out really well on Switch. Caligula Effect Overdose was more so-so, but better I think(?) than Ys 8 in performance? But it did have some ugly downgrades. Either way, the proof is in the pudding and the footage all looks very smooth and clean.

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Yeah, this looks way better than YSVIII. I was one of those who couldn't play it on Switch because of the performance and the weird shimmer on grass. Full screen on my 65 inch TV the trailer looks great. Devs are getting better at porting.

 

[Deleted member 5596]

I'm really interested in the steel series. However how important is it you play the the 3 trails games first?

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Quite important but not fundamental. Parts of Trails 3rd is basically a prologue of Cold Steel.

I mean, a lot of references and the overaching storyline will be lost, but I guess is not 100% necessary
(and the old trilogy is much better)

 

[AzVal]

I know nothing of this series, have been curious because seem to have an almost cult following status here, but I dont feel like jumping in at game 3.

 

[Phil me in]

Quite important but not fundamental. Parts of Trails 3rd is basically a prologue of Cold Steel.

I mean, a lot of references and the overaching storyline will be lost, but I guess is not 100% necessary
(and the old trilogy is much better)

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Well I'm near the academy on trails FC so half way through the game? The story just hasn't grabbed me yet and the battle system isn't exactly amazing. Cold steel games just look more modern to play.

Also isn't the 3rd chapter just a boring dungeon crawler? Can it be skipped

 

[momerath]

Falcom released 3 on ps4 before porting the other 2. This isn't as dumb as many of you are making it out to be.

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Pretty much this. It's not like PS4 got either of the first two games either.

 

[Hero of Legend]

Yeah, this looks way better than YSVIII. I was one of those who couldn't play it on Switch because of the performance and the weird shimmer on grass. Full screen on my 65 inch TV the trailer looks great. Devs are getting better at porting.

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Ys 8 was ported by what appeared to be the Disgaea team internally at NIS. Fair to say they're not the most experienced with 3D games. I reviewed it on Switch and watched comparison vids and saw that shadows took a big hit, and the framerate and dynamic res was spotty to say the least.

Engine have had loads of experience with Switch (and prior Nintendo systems) ports both big and small. On their site you can see they did Little Nightmares on Switch, Into the Breach, RIVE, and Blossom Tales among others on Switch indie-wise as well.

It's a shame Caligula was a bit rough but that might've been due to factors including timing to get all versions out in the west at the same time, or maybe because they did the PC port at the same time as well (one of the few not done by NIS's Entertainment Support studio). Maybe FuRyu/Historia's code was just a mess despite it being in UE4, who the fuck knows.

 

[Deleted member 10737]

I know nothing of this series, have been curious because seem to have an almost cult following status here, but I dont feel like jumping in at game 3.

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it's not game 3, it's game 8.

 

[Deleted member 9746]

I know nothing of this series, have been curious because seem to have an almost cult following status here, but I dont feel like jumping in at game 3.

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The first two games are available on PS3, Vita, PC and PS4 if you want to start there.

 

[Deleted member 5596]

Well I'm near the academy on trails FC so half way through the game? The story just hasn't grabbed me yet and the battle system isn't exactly amazing. Cold steel games just look more modern to play.

Also isn't the 3rd chapter just a boring dungeon crawler? Can it be skipped

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FC is definitely slow and takes it's time to build it's momentum, but the same happens in CS1. But the last half of FC and almost the entirity of the second game is excellent.

The third one is not exactly a dungeon crawler, but it's story bits and characterization is up there in the best of the series.

Also the lack of it's world map and running back and forth, helps the pacing a lot. For a considerable amount of fans is the best in the series.

 

[Firima]

This is like Kingdom Hearts 3 appearing on Xbox One without any of the others available, except pretend that every game after 2 never left Japan.

Falcom with the 200 IQ release calendar, right here.

 

[Niks]

There's been a couple of reviews from people that played CS3 without playing any other of the previous games, and they were thrilled about it.

It's not ideal, but CS3 is a great rpg regardless if you are new to the story.

 

[pbayne]

This a move that can only be described as nintendoesque.
And its not even nintendo's fault for a change.

 

[Andres]

I honestly knew they'd port this to the Switch before PC. It's a very NISA thing.

 

[Łazy]

By the time this come in Japan falcom will easily release the next one on ps4 lol
Falcom loves its fans but forgets the vita fans like Sony lol

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I'll wait : D.

...I'm one of those 3 Vita fans lol.

Well I'm near the academy on trails FC so half way through the game? The story just hasn't grabbed me yet and the battle system isn't exactly amazing. Cold steel games just look more modern to play.

Also isn't the 3rd chapter just a boring dungeon crawler? Can it be skipped

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It takes A LONG time in FC.
Take it slow, it's bigger than it looks, that's why it looks slow.
You are missing so many details happening by not knowing what happens next.

Then... you'll realize " hoow so this is... this moment... that's why...".

 

[Erpy]

Well I'm near the academy on trails FC so half way through the game? The story just hasn't grabbed me yet and the battle system isn't exactly amazing. Cold steel games just look more modern to play.

Also isn't the 3rd chapter just a boring dungeon crawler? Can it be skipped

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You're close to the point where the game tends to "click" for a lot of first-time players.

Also, 3rd is many people's favorite Kiseki game. Yes, it's a dungeon crawler, but it between the sections of dungeoneering it's also truckloaded with lore-bombs and foreshadowing to other games. Most people who played the game are LOLNO on the skipping part.

 

[Rean]

Well I'm near the academy on trails FC so half way through the game? The story just hasn't grabbed me yet and the battle system isn't exactly amazing. Cold steel games just look more modern to play.

Also isn't the 3rd chapter just a boring dungeon crawler? Can it be skipped

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FC can be quite boring at times, it really gets going only closer to the end. BUT, SC is now one of my fav rpgs of all time, and playing SC made it worth struggling through FC. so just keep going

 

[TK_Shrodes]

Again, surprised no one calls me out to answer questions around here, *huff*.

We're really excited to be working with Engine again. They are doing a terrific job on this version.

Whoever said that Switch is basically where the Vita fanbase went (and then some), cookies for you.

 

[Deleted member 5596]

Again, surprised no one calls me out to answer questions around here, *huff*.

We're really excited to be working with Engine again. They are doing a terrific job on this version.

Whoever said that Switch is basically where the Vita fanbase went (and then some), cookies for you.

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I wonder where the PC fanbase will go.

 

[psynergyadept]

^ LMAO!!!

 

[Deleted member 9746]

I wonder where the PC fanbase will go.

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Oop.

 

[Sabin]

I wonder where the PC fanbase will go.

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[Zen Hero]

From NISA's perspective I can see why this makes sense. It's sad not to have the previous games but this is the best they can do.

That said Trails in the Sky 1 really need to get ported to Switch some way, some how. It's the best starting point and I feel like when people play Trails in the Sky 1, they'll be hooked into playing the rest of the series.

 

[Thuddert]

Whoever said that Switch is basically where the Vita fanbase went (and then some), cookies for you.

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I'm available for cookies.

 

[srtrestre]

Again, surprised no one calls me out to answer questions around here, *huff*.

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[Mgs2master2]

Without dropping the first two games in the series first? Bold strategy, Cotton.

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Thats on Xseed. Nisa is doing this.

 

[GhostTrick]

Again, surprised no one calls me out to answer questions around here, *huff*.

We're really excited to be working with Engine again. They are doing a terrific job on this version.

Whoever said that Switch is basically where the Vita fanbase went (and then some), cookies for you.

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Alright, pc when ?

 

[asd202]

Hopefully CSIV is also next year!

I wonder where the PC fanbase will go.

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lol

 

[Xenoblade 3]

Would have been cool to have 1 and 2 too

 

[Sabin]

Alright, pc when ?

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[Deleted member 17627]

Decided to hold on to my PS4 copy because:

1. Don't think we'll get a full assessment for the Switch version until release, and got my PS4 version for $40, so might as well hold on to it just in case because that's probably the cheapest a new copy for this game will ever be.
2. If the Switch version does end up being good, I'll keep my PS4 copy sealed and sort of as a collector's item given that the print run for this game wasn't that large.

Man, I really miss when print runs for niche stuff such as this were much larger.

 

[Deleted member 5596]

Alright, pc when ?

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Nisa: "PC version available with each copy of the Switch version through Yuzu Emulator! Buy one copy, enjoy it on 2 platforms! 100% guaranteed to run better that if we port it ourselves!"

 

[SiG]

Why not do Trails in the Sky FC and SC in one cart? Common XSeed!

 

[oni-link]

Happy for Switch fans but there are gonna be a lot of people who play this and miss out of so much due to not playing the other games first

Hopefully they drop all the other games on all platforms (Give me the Trails in the Sky trilogy and Crossbell games on PS4/Switch please)

 

[Deleted member 721]

good move, for the next saga they should continue with ps4/switch/pc. trails isnt a series that needs top graphics.
btw is there news of the next game? it will be calvard finally?

 

[Monster Zero]

Again, surprised no one calls me out to answer questions around here, *huff*.

We're really excited to be working with Engine again. They are doing a terrific job on this version.

Whoever said that Switch is basically where the Vita fanbase went (and then some), cookies for you.

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Tora will we be getting the first two games as well?

 

[Erpy]

Thats on Xseed. Nisa is doing this.

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Not necessarily. XSeed was just the localizer. Ys Origin (which XSeed localized and published on PC) was already ported to XBox without XSeed's involvement. Falcom can offer the CS1 and CS2 license for a Switch port to whatever party's interested, including NIS. If NIS wanted to port CS1 and CS2 to Switch they probably wouldn't need XSeed's go-ahead for it, just Falcom's. But since they only own the CS3 license right now and not CS1's and CS2's, that WOULD cost extra money on top of the porting costs.

 

[TK_Shrodes]

Tora will we be getting the first two games as well?

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We only have publishing rights on Trails of Cold Steel III, so I can't comment to that.

 

[oni-link]

We only have publishing rights on Trails of Cold Steel III, so I can't comment to that.

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Can you comment on the chances of other Trails games going to Switch/PS4?

 

[Deleted member 9746]

good move, for the next saga they should continue with ps4/switch/pc. trails isnt a series that needs top graphics.
btw is there news of the next game? it will be calvard finally?

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Not Calvard according to their 15th anniversary stream this year. My money is on a bridge game like Sky 3rd. We'll know for sure when they announce it at their shareholders' meeting this month.

 

[Deleted member 5596]

Not necessarily. XSeed was just the localizer. Ys Origin (which XSeed localized and published on PC) was already ported to XBox without XSeed's involvement. Falcom can offer the CS1 and CS2 license for a Switch port to whatever party's interested, including NIS. If NIS wanted to port CS1 and CS2 to Switch they probably wouldn't need XSeed's go-ahead for it, just Falcom's. But since they only own the CS3 license right now and not CS1's and CS2's, that WOULD cost extra money on top of the porting costs.

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Probably you are right, Falcom can offer CS1 and CS2 publishing/licensing rights to other people, the issue is that XSeed owns the english translations of these games, so it would need to be retranslated which is probably not worth the effort.

 

[Apollo]

Best CS game is going to be soooo cozy on Switch. It's a great fit

 

[TK_Shrodes]

Can you comment on the chances of other Trails games going to Switch/PS4?

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Not ones that we don't own the publishing rights to (which is all but III).

As a series fan? Would love to see it happen.

 

[Mass_Pincup]

this is completely useless without the other games coming first. good job falcom.

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Not really, I'm sure there's a lot of people like me that already played most of the franchise and would prefer the handheld version.

 

[Zedark]

Again, surprised no one calls me out to answer questions around here, *huff*.

We're really excited to be working with Engine again. They are doing a terrific job on this version.

Whoever said that Switch is basically where the Vita fanbase went (and then some), cookies for you.

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I am very happy you guys managed to bring the game to Switch. Gaming takes quite a bit of time, and my time is currently in low supply, so the Switch is the only platform that allows me to play long games like these within any reasonable amount of time, and as a result it allows me to continue to play them. Thank you for bringing these games to Switch!

You guys definitely are on a roll with Falcom games what with YS VIII last year (which I enjoyed a ton on Switch) and now TOCS3 for 2020. Hope you are able to bring YS IX to Switch as well in the future!

 

[cw_sasuke]

Happy for Switch fans but there are gonna be a lot of people who play this and miss out of so much due to not playing the other games first

Hopefully they drop all the other games on all platforms (Give me the Trails in the Sky trilogy and Crossbell games on PS4/Switch please)

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No ? You think the audience this speaks to buys a game called CS 3 on a system like Switch without doing some research what the game is about ? This isnt Fifa or CoD. The target audience is invested in the series and/or JRPGs and knows their stuff.

Every second post in CS3 related threads is about the importance of the first two games to get the full picture of the Story. There seems to be a deep misunderstanding what audience games like these cater to - no Grandmom is buying the game at 60 bucks for their grandchildren only to be surprised that the Story of previous games is an important factor.

Again, surprised no one calls me out to answer questions around here, *huff*.

We're really excited to be working with Engine again. They are doing a terrific job on this version.

Whoever said that Switch is basically where the Vita fanbase went (and then some), cookies for you.

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Keep up the good work !!
Portable versions are always appreciated.

 

[OtakuCoder]

Does CS3 have the Turbo Mode that the PC Trails games have? Because I can't imagine playing one without it.

 

[Flame Lord]

No ? You think the audience this speaks to buys a game called CS 3 on a system like Switch without doing some research what the game is about ? This isnt Fifa or CoD. The target audience is invested in the series and/or JRPGs and knows their stuff.

Every second post in CS3 related threads is about the importance of the first two games to get the full picture of the Story. There seems to be a deep misunderstanding what audience games like these cater to - no Grandmom is buying the game at 60 bucks for their grandchildren only to be surprised that the Story of previous games is an important factor.

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You are really overestimating people; even on the PS4 I saw a lot of people wondering if they can jump in at 3.