The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II Reviews
Trails of Cold Steel II is everything that you could want from a sequel to the first game. Although experience with its predecessor is nothing short of a necessity, this unapologetic approach to sequel storytelling is what makes Cold Steel II so compelling. It's remarkable how such a huge cast of characters can come together to deliver such a memorable narrative, and it's all thanks to the in-depth world building that Falcom has seeded over the course of two games. As far as turn based Japanese RPGs go on PS4, Trails of Cold Steel I and II are genre essentials.
We enjoyed Trails of Cold Steel II as much as the first chapter, and that's a great compliment, as we're talking about two of the best JRPGs available at the moment for PS4. Just be sure to play Trails of Cold Steel first.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While not a perfect port, this incredible entry in the Trails series lands on PS4
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II manages to hit both the best and worst parts of JRPGs. Where gameplay and visuals feel dated, even when it was brand new, it's hard to argue with the story. It's deep, engrossing and all about giving players a reason to invest in an otherwise okay adventure. For some this won't be enough, but if you can put up with an average gameplay experience, you'll be rewarded with story that more than makes up for it.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II is, honestly, one of the best JRPGs ever released for the PS4. The way the game handles a story even more mature than its predecessor and the connection the player has with the characters, which are very well-developed, and the turn-based combat system perfectly tuned make it a true masterpiece.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
All things considered, unless you’re a completionist, want that new swag, or were simply looking for a good excuse to replay it, the new PS4 version of Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II probably isn’t worth your time.
There’s a satisfying combat system, a halfway decent story, and a lot of weird little activities to keep you busy. I was just hoping for some more growth between the first game and the second one.
This is the best way to play The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II. Visuals remain relatively the same as the PS3 version, albeit upscaled to higher resolution. The biggest changes come from perfect performance and Turbo Mode. Both add the kind of quality-of-life an epic-sized RPG such as this needs in order to feel as fresh as the first time you played it.
It doesn’t win out over Trails in the Sky SC, it comes really damn close. The unfortunate fact that you have to slog through the low points of the first game to get to the expansive high here is a bit of a blemish…but I’d say it’s worth a little bit of pain.
Those who typically have doubts about sequels can rest assured that this is quite the great title that fans of the series, or even just the first game, are sure to enjoy.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 2 is a worthy sequel. The stakes are higher, the bonds of Class VII remain a high point, the combat system is as engaging as ever, and the port is perfectly executed. I cannot recommend this series enough.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II is an excellent JRPG and a more than worthy continuation of the saga, thanks to a gripping story, well-developed characters, and engaging battle system. While the gameplay experience hasn't changed much, with only some small enhancements to the battle system and an airship customization system, the game manages to be slightly better than its predecessor, mostly thanks to some interesting and unexpected plot twists and a story that doesn't end in a huge cliffhanger like its predecessor. Highly recommended to all JRPG lovers
For every 20 lazy console ports, once in a while there comes a game that really gets what PC gamers want. This is that game.
An excellent port that makes the PC Version the definitive way to play the game.
More a continuation of the events of the first game than a proper sequel, Trails of Cold Steel II is "more of the same" done right, as the basic gameplay of the prequel didn't need changes. While a no brainer for veterans, this second chapter is not recommended for newcomers, who should pick up the first title to have an understanding of the world and characters.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Not so much a sequel, as the second episode in an epic saga.
It's definitely more "continuation" than "sequel," with Trails of Cold Steel II following on from not only the story of the prequel, but also with the already accessible (by JRPG standards) battle mechanics and character customisation features, which prove to work well to add a little strategy to the proceedings. Despite some shortcomings, there is a lot to like here, especially for Persona fans who have become so familiar with the calendar-based narrative and party member bonding sessions that affect gameplay, with a mature storyline that doesn't stray too far from its anime roots, but strikes a perfect balance with its wonderful characters.
Another engrossing example of traditional Japanese role-playing, that’s still accessible enough for anyone to enjoy – as long as they’ve played the first one.
A compelling sequel that should not be missed for fans of the Legend of Heroes series.
Trails of Cold Steel 2 might not be a flawless title, with its few cheesy story moments aside, the game never lets down the strong momentum it built up from the predecesor. Falcom has proven time and time again that it can make an engaging JRPG, which while sticking to the norms of the genre, is polished enough to stand out from the crowd.