I didn’t believe this day would come. Almost 12 years have passed since Trails from Zero’s Japanese launch and many JRPG fans had given up on the idea of an official western release. We had fan translations, sure, and while Trails fans know localisation waiting pains all too well, Zero and its sequel felt destined to remain out of reach. Until last year’s announcement, that is. NIS America did what many had thought impossible, and personally I could not be happier.
My own journey with Trails began in 2020. Having finished Ys VIII, a friend recommended Trails of Cold Steel and a year later – Reverie and Kuro aside – I’d finished the wider series. Considering Kuro No Kiseki’s just kicked off the second half when there were 10 games before it, you can appreciate the sense of scale we’re working with here. Yet, I’d struggle to name a bad entry. Between stopping sinister forces in Liberl, ending a civil war in Erebonia, even landing in hell on one occasion, life was never dull. I’ve seen incredible tales and worldbuilding has always been Trails’ biggest strength, but it’s the telling of a grand story across so many games that sees Trails really stand out – a rare level of commitment for a continuing saga.
Nihon Falcom is out to create one of gaming’s most ambitious series, leading the way with some fantastic character arcs. I’d argue no entry better exemplifies that than Trails from Zero. Playing as Lloyd Bannings, our journey begins by heading up a new police unit called the Special Support Section (SSS). Joined by Ellie, Randy, and Tio, Zero kicks off Trails’ second arc by taking us to Crossbell, an autonomous state inspired by Hong Kong. Here, we find this land stuck in a decades-long geopolitical dispute between the continent’s two major powers, Erebonia and Calvard. With each nation claiming sovereignty over Crossbell, that intriguing worldbuilding’s at play from the get-go. However, Crossbell’s biggest charm is, undeniably, itself. From the worn down SSS building to the outskirts like Armorica Village, there’s real character to it all.
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