This review contains spoilers
The worst part of this game is easily the final boss.
Anyways, what a game. 10/10 narrative the whole way through, and the entire experience is up there with the best of the best in JRPGs. The Trails series has always excelled in it's "Second Chapters," and this game is no exception, easily the best of the three second chapters that have been released in the states thus far.
Spoilers
While not as series-defining as Loewe, Arios is definitely up there among top antagonists in the series. His history with the Bannings and the final battle against him is another moment that feels truly earned in this game.
The reveal of the Azure-Zero project, with KeA at it's center, is bone-chilling. Having played the Cold Steel games prior to this, I knew Bella was a member of Ouroboros, but I didn't see Grimwood's betrayal coming despite the constant hints.
Finally, the reveal of the alternate timeline that KeA created, which reverted the timeline back to "Zero," is a stroke of genius. Recontextualizing the opening of Trails from Zero and granting the entire duology a sense of completeness.
I had already suspected the naming "Trails from Zero" and "Trails to Azure" to have some deeper meaning, and the confirmation at the end of the credits was all I needed to know I had played something special. Don't start with this game, but do give "Zero to Azure" a shot. It'll be worth it.
Anyways, what a game. 10/10 narrative the whole way through, and the entire experience is up there with the best of the best in JRPGs. The Trails series has always excelled in it's "Second Chapters," and this game is no exception, easily the best of the three second chapters that have been released in the states thus far.
Spoilers
While not as series-defining as Loewe, Arios is definitely up there among top antagonists in the series. His history with the Bannings and the final battle against him is another moment that feels truly earned in this game.
The reveal of the Azure-Zero project, with KeA at it's center, is bone-chilling. Having played the Cold Steel games prior to this, I knew Bella was a member of Ouroboros, but I didn't see Grimwood's betrayal coming despite the constant hints.
Finally, the reveal of the alternate timeline that KeA created, which reverted the timeline back to "Zero," is a stroke of genius. Recontextualizing the opening of Trails from Zero and granting the entire duology a sense of completeness.
I had already suspected the naming "Trails from Zero" and "Trails to Azure" to have some deeper meaning, and the confirmation at the end of the credits was all I needed to know I had played something special. Don't start with this game, but do give "Zero to Azure" a shot. It'll be worth it.