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The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV

PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4 • 2021

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Quick resume

The long awaited finale to the epic engulfing a continent comes to a head in the final chapter of the Trails of Cold Steel saga!

Global score

91/100

Genres

Role-playing (RPG)

Pros

  • Deep and immersive story
  • Large and evolving world with many characters
  • Strategic and customizable turn-based combat
  • Emotional character development and bonding
  • High replay value and long playtime

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for newcomers
  • Some pacing issues and filler content
  • Story sometimes relies on tropes and contrivances
  • Combat can be exploited or become easy
  • Lack of weapon customization and some voice acting changes

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have freedom to customize characters, choose travel options, and build diverse combat strategies, indicating high autonomy."

  • Competence
    4

    "Combat is turn-based with strategic depth, boss fights require skill and builds, and players receive feedback on performance."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on story and personal progression; minimal evidence of competitive modes or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    5

    "Players report hundreds of hours played, emotional attachment, and desire to replay or continue the saga."

  • Cooperation
    2

    "Combat involves link attacks and team strategies; cooperation with AI teammates is important, but no multiplayer cooperation noted."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Character builds and quartz customization allow experimentation and creative strategies."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared goals and mutual respect; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism
    5

    "Players use the game to escape real-life stress, especially during COVID lockdowns, immersing in a rich fictional world."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and personal desire to follow the saga."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Players try new character builds, experiment with combat mechanics and quartz setups."

  • Exploration
    4

    "Players explore a large world with many towns, new areas, and NPC stories that evolve over time."

  • Expression
    3

    "Character customization includes cosmetics, bike colors, and importing saves for additional options."

  • Fantasy
    5

    "Strong fantasy elements with divine knights, mechs, curses, and a fictional continent with rich lore."

  • Fellowship
    4

    "Strong community feeling through shared saga experience, character bonds, and fanservice for longtime fans."

  • Growth
    4

    "Players develop skills, learn combat strategies, and experience character growth and story progression."

  • Health
    -5

    "Game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention during combat and story; not designed for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy
    3

    "Bonding events and romantic subplots foster emotional connections with characters."

  • Leadership
    2

    "Players manage large parties and make strategic decisions, but no evidence of leading other players."

  • Progression
    5

    "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring items, upgrading gear, and unlocking abilities."

  • Relaxation
    3

    "Game balances challenge and flow; some players find it relaxing and immersive despite occasional tension."

  • Sensation
    4

    "Rich audiovisual experience with emotional music, detailed graphics, and impactful combat visuals."

  • Status
    -3

    "Focus is on individual story and progression rather than social recognition or leaderboards."

  • Story
    5

    "Deep narrative immersion with interconnected plots, character development, and overarching saga."

  • Strategy
    5

    "Combat and character builds require careful planning, tactical thinking, and problem solving."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Some suspense and tension in boss fights and story moments, but overall controlled gameplay."

  • Value
    5

    "Players report hundreds of hours of content, emotional payoff, and high replay value."

  • Violence
    2

    "Combat involves battles and destruction, but also cooperative team attacks and strategic defense."

  • Survival
    3

    "Players manage resources and avoid failure in challenging battles, especially on higher difficulties."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026