This review contains spoilers
My first Trails game, a series that's a bit out of my comfort zone, but if CS is any indication should be fun all things considered.
Killer soundtrack, interesting combat and cool little character interactions kept me going all the way. Very convenient too, with built-in fast-forwarding, quick travel options, and sidequests that are fairly easy to keep up with.
The geopolitical focused narrative didn't do much for me, though. Don't get my wrong, I was paying attention; it's just not my kinda thing.
(I opted to use the spoiler warning for this next section.)
I also prefer games that stick to a "confined" narrative where most of the plot is tied up by the last few minutes, and Cold Steel's ending is anything but. By the time the credits were rolling it felt like I was at best halfway through the story. It's not an objectively bad thing, just, y'know. What I said up there. (Also part of the reason why I can't be bothered with FFXIV anymore)
And I guess that's an apt way to put it. Pretty fun, kept me engaged all the way through; but the aforementioned geopolitical heavy plot mixed with certain tropes aren't exactly my cup of tea either.
Killer soundtrack, interesting combat and cool little character interactions kept me going all the way. Very convenient too, with built-in fast-forwarding, quick travel options, and sidequests that are fairly easy to keep up with.
The geopolitical focused narrative didn't do much for me, though. Don't get my wrong, I was paying attention; it's just not my kinda thing.
(I opted to use the spoiler warning for this next section.)
I also prefer games that stick to a "confined" narrative where most of the plot is tied up by the last few minutes, and Cold Steel's ending is anything but. By the time the credits were rolling it felt like I was at best halfway through the story. It's not an objectively bad thing, just, y'know. What I said up there. (Also part of the reason why I can't be bothered with FFXIV anymore)
And I guess that's an apt way to put it. Pretty fun, kept me engaged all the way through; but the aforementioned geopolitical heavy plot mixed with certain tropes aren't exactly my cup of tea either.