Cold Steel is my second least favourite Trails game in English, I still love it to bits - the difference between the worst and best Trails game isn't *that* large imo. It's entirely possible for CS to be someone's favourite.
As a general rule, I'd say that if a plot question involves another country (specifically either Liberl or Crossbell), then it probably is answered in another game. There's two other plot points besides those locations that's worth mentioning?
The Enforcers (Like Sharon at the end there) are better introduced in other games, although the general gist is explained by Sara in a minor conversation in chapter...5?
And then also there's the section of the game that's glossed over by the narrative. If you want to know what happened there, there's a translation of a drama cd on Xseed's website. (ONLY READ WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED THE GAME) http://www.trailsofcoldsteel.com/cs2/memoirs1.html
DON'T READ THAT LINK UNLESS YOU BEAT TRAILS OF COLD STEEL 1 and there's a second story for the second game. I didn't read that story as I haven't played the second game yet.
Why couldn't that first story be in the first game? I was fully expecting to visit that area of Erebonia for some reason but it didn't happen. It gives Rean some good character development even though he was already a well developed character. I would've loved to play that.
Thanks for posting the link and giving me that info!
Yeah, Trails in the Sky on PC is much, much better than on the PSP. In addition to an improved localization and Turbo mode, it also has widescreen support, auto-saves, high-def menu art and high-def movie cutscenes.
DON'T READ THAT LINK UNLESS YOU BEAT TRAILS OF COLD STEEL 1 and there's a second story for the second game. I didn't read that story as I haven't played the second game yet.
Why couldn't that first story be in the first game? I was fully expecting to visit that area of Erebonia for some reason but it didn't happen. It gives Rean some good character development even though he was already a well developed character. I would've loved to play that.
Thanks for posting the link and giving me that info!
It was initially meant to be. The first game actually has a semi-completed map of Ymir in its game files. (you'll visit it properly in the sequel) Falcom was struggling with their deadlines while creating the first game and that part had to be cut, so they turned it into a drama CD instead. (though I'd argue that the inclusion of that part after Chapter 6 would have done a real kill job on the pacing)
The more I play cold steel the more I wanna play the Sky games and the Crossbell games once I play/finish CSII. I ain't touching CSIII until then I think, haha.
Yeah, Trails in the Sky on PC is much, much better than on the PSP. In addition to an improved localization and Turbo mode, it also has widescreen support, auto-saves, high-def menu art and high-def movie cutscenes.
It was initially meant to be. The first game actually has a semi-completed map of Ymir in its game files. (you'll visit it properly in the sequel) Falcom was struggling with their deadlines while creating the first game and that part had to be cut, so they turned it into a drama CD instead. (though I'd argue that the inclusion of that part after Chapter 6 would have done a real kill job on the pacing)
I agree about the pacing part if they would've kept it as it's in the Drama CD. If they would've condensed it to just a brief Story element without the playable part and cut out the Class VII meeting in the beginning it could've been good in terms of pacing.
It's a minor complaint though.
I must've played and beat the ending 4 times yesterday. I enjoyed the last couple of fights. I need more battles like that moving forward.
I agree about the pacing part if they would've kept it as it's in the Drama CD. If they would've condensed it to just a brief Story element without the playable part and cut out the Class VII meeting in the beginning it could've been good in terms of pacing.
It's a minor complaint though.
I must've played and beat the ending 4 times yesterday. I enjoyed the last couple of fights. I need more battles like that moving forward.
BTW, the part of Ymir that got Drama-CD'ed? Cold Steel II actually assumes you've read it. The game, especially fairly early on, repeatedly refers to events that took place in the Drama CD and players who didn't read that part will be like "huh, wait what?".
Ahhhhhhh chapter 3 strikes again.
This chapter just keeps going and going and going and it's not very interesting at all.
I loved chapter 2 but my god chapter 3 just slams the brakes on every play through of this game for me.
Finished the game a few hours ago and wooooow can we just get CS2 like... NOW?
This game was amazing in so many ways. Loved the characters, the music and the setting. Combat system was also great but easy to break?
The more I play cold steel the more I wanna play the Sky games and the Crossbell games once I play/finish CSII. I ain't touching CSIII until then I think, haha.
Finished the game a few hours ago and wooooow can we just get CS2 like... NOW?
This game was amazing in so many ways. Loved the characters, the music and the setting. Combat system was also great but easy to break?
It gets easier to break in the sequel. If you thought this was a bit easy, I'd definitely recommend playing on hard at least for CS2. Unless you're going for Max AP, none of the fights are too tough, but are still challenging enough unless you know the busted CS2 strats.
And it gets worse still that the third game assumes you've seen the plot-important NG+ cutscene that's only triggered if you collect all of those NG+ only highly missable books and handed them in to the right person, then spoke to said person before finishing the game. Falcom fuckery at its best.
If anything if I just want the story I could play on normal but yeah, there,s something about this serie that compells me to see the rest of their world building. I wanna be prepared for III and eventually IV.
The final chapter all the way up to the save clear file is just.....wild.
So drained....
I will say that I'm VERY GLAD I played the crossbell games before 2. Because that part of the game was truly special...
It's kind of funny how even though AO spoiled a big moment in CS2 at the very end, there was another plot twist I did not see coming at all.
Overall CS2 was a great game, solid all the way up to the ending, then it went crazy. However Zero, and especially AO had crazy **** going throughout the game. And I love the SSS crew. So Crossbell > Liberl > Erebonia(so far). All three arcs are great though
Now for the DREADFUL wait for CS3 this fall. *SIGH*
Watched the opening for it, and with the new graphics it was kinda hard to tell who was who. I did notice a couple people who I'm very happy to see are there.
Fucking hell, the battle at the end of Chapter 6 was tough. I think I have a good idea who "C" might be. It seems unlikely given their normal personality, but if I'm reading the clues, right....
Fucking hell, the battle at the end of Chapter 6 was tough. I think I have a good idea who "C" might be. It seems unlikely given their normal personality, but if I'm reading the clues, right....
Guys, I'm trying to catch the final fish in the last chapter and I'm finding it impossible. I've caught all the other fish with no problem but catching this one is a different story. Is the 60FPS causing this?
Guys, I'm trying to catch the final fish in the last chapter and I'm finding it impossible. I've caught all the other fish with no problem but catching this one is a different story. Is the 60FPS causing this?
I've only played the Vita version so I can't really compare too much but the last fish is a big jump in difficulty compare to the others, the only advice I can give is to just jam the buttons as much as you can and pray.
I've only played the Vita version so I can't really compare too much but the last fish is a big jump in difficulty compare to the others, the only advice I can give is to just jam the buttons as much as you can and pray.
Fucking hell, the battle at the end of Chapter 6 was tough. I think I have a good idea who "C" might be. It seems unlikely given their normal personality, but if I'm reading the clues, right....
I started a second play though. I'm not sure if I'm going to go all in and beat it from beginning to end a second time before Cold Steel 2 launches so soon after beating it for the first time.
What's the deal with the fishing mini game? I tap the shit out of the button highlighted which isn't a problem but then no buttons are highlighted and I loss all my progress.
I started a second play though. I'm not sure if I'm going to go all in and beat it from beginning to end a second time before Cold Steel 2 launches so soon after beating it for the first time.
What's the deal with the fishing mini game? I tap the shit out of the button highlighted which isn't a problem but then no buttons are highlighted and I loss all my progress.
Yeah it's supposed to do that, as I mentioned above there's nothing you can really do besides bash the hell out of the prompts when they do appear, they're generally not to hard aside from the last one.
The fishing in Sky/Crossbell was a little better, you select the right rod and bait combo and then it was a matter of timing to pull the rod in, no button bashing.
I started a second play though. I'm not sure if I'm going to go all in and beat it from beginning to end a second time before Cold Steel 2 launches so soon after beating it for the first time.
What's the deal with the fishing mini game? I tap the shit out of the button highlighted which isn't a problem but then no buttons are highlighted and I loss all my progress.
Right now I'm playing Trails in the Sky SC. Currently at chapter 3.
One thing that the Sky games are lacking are an option for Cursor Memory for battle menu selection. This isn't really an issue if you play with only your mouse but annoying if you play with a controller.
The turbo feature makes these games so much easier to digest. I remember playing FC on my PSP and the battles were such a slog.
Yeah it's supposed to do that, as I mentioned above there's nothing you can really do besides bash the hell out of the prompts when they do appear, they're generally not to hard aside from the last one.
The fishing in Sky/Crossbell was a little better, you select the right rod and bait combo and then it was a matter of timing to pull the rod in, no button bashing.
Yeah, I'm probably going to give up on the fishing mini game. Lol.. I'm a disable person and I can't smash buttons good at all. I can't even catch one fish nonetheless can imagine catching what you guys are describing as the hardest fish to catch.
It gets easier to break in the sequel. If you thought this was a bit easy, I'd definitely recommend playing on hard at least for CS2. Unless you're going for Max AP, none of the fights are too tough, but are still challenging enough unless you know the busted CS2 strats.
I actually played this one on hard and will do the same in CS2 but wow so 2 is even easier to break? I have a bit of love/hate for that aspect to be honest. It's cool that using X tactic can destroy a boss while Y will get you KO:ed in a few rounds. But I feel like I'm cheating when a boss never even gets a turn haha.
Right now I'm playing Trails in the Sky SC. Currently at chapter 3.
One thing that the Sky games are lacking are an option for Cursor Memory for battle menu selection. This isn't really an issue if you play with only your mouse but annoying if you play with a controller.
Wait, I'm confused. That's already present in the games, or at least it is for me. Regardless of whether I'm using a mouse or a gamepad, the game remembers what menu selection each character used last and also what specific art/craft they used.
Unless you mean you want to be able to disable it, in which case, I agree. I wouldn't turn it off myself since I like that option in turn-based games, but having the choice would be nice for those that don't.
Yeah, to turn it off. When I have one or two enemies left on low HP, I just want to quickly finish them off with normal attacks, while holding down the turbo button.
I actually played this one on hard and will do the same in CS2 but wow so 2 is even easier to break? I have a bit of love/hate for that aspect to be honest. It's cool that using X tactic can destroy a boss while Y will get you KO:ed in a few rounds. But I feel like I'm cheating when a boss never even gets a turn haha.
It's a problem with the series sadly enough and is a consequence of the flexibility of the Trails combat system. There are so many different combination of quartz and CS especially with the MQ that some kind of broken combination will inevitably peak out that just destroys everything in the game.
It was easier to mask in Sky since there is less to work with in FC and early SC (and for a lot of people it's their first Trails game too), but once you understood it's systems well enough, you can cheese a lot of those games bosses too.
Enjoy it, CS3 is a long wait :(. If you haven't started yet I recommend playing the two crossbell games before CS2. You don't need a high end computer to play them either.
I just finished Cold Steel, this godamn end so much happened ALL AT ONCE. @_@
Tempted to play the first crossbell title but I read it's a bit confusing if I didn't play the Sky games so I think I'll purchase the first Sky game on GOG and play this until CSII is out.
I'm at chapter 6 now. I really like the game. My first impression is that it feel like Trails of the sky meet Persona. The school setting, bonding event, the calendar. It feel like persona but made to be more traditional and linear.
Anyway, just wondering. Does the game has romance option like Persona or it's all predetermined by the story?
I'm at chapter 6 now. I really like the game. My first impression is that it feel like Trails of the sky meet Persona. The school setting, bonding event, the calendar. It feel like persona but made to be more traditional and linear.
Anyway, just wondering. Does the game has romance option like Persona or it's all predetermined by the story?
i just google the romance options. now I'm disappointed that I tried to even out the bonding point rather than choosing which one I want to max first :(
Can anyone advise if it would be worth it to get Trails in the Sky SC and the 3rd Evolution versions and try the English patch?
I happen to have a PS VITA TV lying around, but i'm wondering if its really worth the hassle versus just going with the vanilla Steam versions available to us.
Can anyone advise if it would be worth it to get Trails in the Sky SC and the 3rd Evolution versions and try the English patch?
I happen to have a PS VITA TV lying around, but i'm wondering if its really worth the hassle versus just going with the vanilla Steam versions available to us.
I just finished Cold Steel, this godamn end so much happened ALL AT ONCE. @_@
Tempted to play the first crossbell title but I read it's a bit confusing if I didn't play the Sky games so I think I'll purchase the first Sky game on GOG and play this until CSII is out.
i just google the romance options. now I'm disappointed that I tried to even out the bonding point rather than choosing which one I want to max first :(
What? I'm on new game plus and I'm maxing out everyone's bonding but I still want to keep the first romance option I chose previously. Ofcourse my bonding event is still maxed out with her but I thought the "pairing" was heavy influence by choosing your choice over the others in events through out the game and mostly towards the end of the game.
What? I'm on new game plus and I'm maxing out everyone's bonding but I still want to keep the first romance option I chose previously. Ofcourse my bonding event is still maxed out with her but I thought the "pairing" was heavy influence by choosing your choice over the others in events through out the game and mostly towards the end of the game.
Well I'm on my first playthrough, already in chapter 6 which I imagine is near the end. And I only have 1 party member at max bond level. Granted that is the one I intend to pick as romance option, but apparently having max bond level will add more scenes when you do save transfer for the sequel.
To clarify on bonding point stuff:
To access the final bonding event for a character, you need to meet two conditions:
You need to reach the required bonding level for that character (For most it's level five, but for certain characters it's less. Spoiler free version, if a character isn't around as much for whatever reason, it's accounted for, and could be level 4 or even level 3)
And then you need to either:
Attend a bonding event in chapter 6
Choose them for a certain event in the final chapter
The motorbike scene
Or choose them twice for another event in the final chapter.
The festival dates
Any one of these three will meet the second requirement.
As for stuff for the sequel, it's honestly pretty minor so don't worry about it, but vague details:
Whoever you actually pick will be acknowledged as such.
and whoever you *could* have picked will still act like you're besties or whatever and have seen their end game scene.
... which is honestly a little confusing but whatevs. Nothing important anyway.
To clarify on bonding point stuff:
To access the final bonding event for a character, you need to meet two conditions:
You need to reach the required bonding level for that character (For most it's level five, but for certain characters it's less. Spoiler free version, if a character isn't around as much for whatever reason, it's accounted for, and could be level 4 or even level 3)
And then you need to either:
Attend a bonding event in chapter 6
Choose them for a certain event in the final chapter
The motorbike scene
Or choose them twice for another event in the final chapter.
The festival dates
Any one of these three will meet the second requirement.
As for stuff for the sequel, it's honestly pretty minor so don't worry about it, but vague details:
Whoever you actually pick will be acknowledged as such.
and whoever you *could* have picked will still act like you're besties or whatever and have seen their end game scene.
... which is honestly a little confusing but whatevs. Nothing important anyway.