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The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III

PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Android • 2020

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Quick resume

Experience an epic story developed across three titles, and crafted for new and old fans alike. Also includes an interactive introduction to catch up new players to the ongoing story so anyone can dive right in to the world of Trails of Cold Steel.

Global score

91/100

Genres

Role-playing (RPG), Turn-based strategy (TBS), Strategy, Adventure

Pros

  • Deep and engaging story
  • Strong character development
  • Improved graphics and presentation
  • Strategic and customizable combat
  • Extensive content and long playtime

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for newcomers
  • Some pacing issues and slow segments
  • Combat can become too easy late game
  • Story heavily reliant on previous games
  • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative play

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    3

    "Players have freedom to customize characters and choose battle strategies, with new mechanics like Brave Orders and Master Quartz customization enhancing control."

  • Competence
    3

    "Combat offers strategic depth and skill development, with difficulty settings allowing for challenge; some complaints about late-game ease."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on story and personal progression rather than competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    5

    "Long playtime (often 100+ hours), habitual engagement with series, strong attachment to characters and story."

  • Cooperation
    -2

    "Single-player RPG with party-based combat; limited multiplayer or cooperative social gameplay."

  • Creativity
    2

    "Customization of characters and combat builds through quartz and orders allows creative approaches within structured gameplay."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared story and character growth rather than exerting power or superiority over others."

  • Escapism
    5

    "Highly immersive fantasy world and story provide strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and passion for the series and genre."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "New combat mechanics and character builds encourage trying different strategies and combinations."

  • Exploration
    2

    "Exploration of new areas and revisiting familiar locations with added content, though some linearity noted."

  • Expression
    2

    "Character customization and equipment choices allow personal expression within game constraints."

  • Fantasy
    5

    "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative fiction, mechs, magic, and an overarching fictional narrative."

  • Fellowship
    1

    "Strong community and series fandom, but gameplay is primarily single-player focused."

  • Growth
    4

    "Character development, skill acquisition, and story progression emphasize learning and personal growth."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of JRPGs with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires sustained attention and engagement over long play sessions."

  • Intimacy
    2

    "Emotional connections to characters and story foster deeper feelings, though social interaction is limited."

  • Leadership
    1

    "Player leads party and guides new Class VII as instructor, but no multiplayer leadership roles."

  • Progression
    4

    "Strong emphasis on character leveling, item collection, and story advancement."

  • Relaxation
    2

    "Generally balanced pacing with moments of tension; some players find it relaxing, others note slow pacing."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Enjoyable audiovisual presentation with improved graphics and memorable soundtrack."

  • Status
    -3

    "Focus on personal story and progression rather than social recognition or popularity."

  • Story
    5

    "Highly narrative-driven with deep lore, character development, and interconnected plots."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Turn-based combat with tactical depth, requiring planning and problem solving."

  • Thrill
    2

    "Some suspense and plot twists, but gameplay is mostly controlled and predictable."

  • Value
    4

    "Players report strong value for time invested due to extensive content and story."

  • Violence
    3

    "Combat involves battles and defeating enemies, including boss fights with tactical violence."

  • Survival
    1

    "Combat involves managing threats and resources, but generally low risk compared to survival games."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026