"The Legend of Heroes: Trails..." series ranked
A simple ranking of every game in the "Trails.." franchise I've played to date based on my personal enjoyment as well as a loose evaluation of various criteria such as gameplay, writing, graphics, and sound.
9 Games
- great emotional payoff to the previous game
- well-written character stories
- well-written character stories
1
- outstanding sequel that makes the most out of the previously established foundation
- strong thematic storytelling with some of the best parts in the entire franchise
- strong thematic storytelling with some of the best parts in the entire franchise
2
- competent introduction to the setting and characters
- delightful small-scope adventure on its own
- delightful small-scope adventure on its own
3
- great new characters (for an already bloated cast)
- most engaging story in the Cold Steel arc
- noticeable visual upgrade
- extreme cliffhanger ending
- most engaging story in the Cold Steel arc
- noticeable visual upgrade
- extreme cliffhanger ending
4
- entertaining but often questionable story arc conclusion
- decent progression in the main characters' relationships
- decent progression in the main characters' relationships
5
- excellent introductory game for a more localized setting
- small but great main cast with complementary appearances of established characters
- small but great main cast with complementary appearances of established characters
6
- satisfying conclusion to the first two story arcs
- fantastic protagonist who gets unfortunately overlooked in the other games
- interesting flashbacks for all characters
- shortest game entirely constricted to a dungeon
- fantastic protagonist who gets unfortunately overlooked in the other games
- interesting flashbacks for all characters
- shortest game entirely constricted to a dungeon
7
- solid introduction to a different country utilizing a school environment and regular excursions
- stereotypical main cast
- predictably structured plot progression
- stereotypical main cast
- predictably structured plot progression
8
- refreshing change of pace in structure
- cool characterizations
- lackluster presentation of war
- cool characterizations
- lackluster presentation of war
9