Regular readers will know that we're big fans of Falcom's Trails of Cold Steel games, so we've been keeping a close eye on the developer's brand new project. As you might have already heard, The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki (to give its full Japanese name, which translates to 'Trails in the Dark') runs on an overhauled engine, which boasts some much improved visuals.
The title's two main characters, Van and Agnes, have already been revealed, and now, we can see the pair in action via the gameplay video below.
What's really interesting about this is that players will be able to choose between action and turn based combat — and you can seemingly swap between the two modes at any time. This is quite the departure from previous Trails games, which have all featured a turn based battle system.
Kuro no Kiseki is currently on track for a 2021 release in Japan. Technically, no platforms have been announced — but the newly revealed gameplay footage clearly shows PlayStation inputs. It's safe to assume it'll be a PS4 title, but maybe a PS5 version is in the works as well? We'll have to wait and see.
How do you think this new Trails game is shaping up? Let us know which battle system you like the look of in the comments section below.
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 23
Real Time or Turn Based. One of the many things I loved about Transistor.
Wow, it’s like a cross between Trails and Ys. Can’t say I’m overly fond of the Tokyo Xanadu/new Ys fighting style so I’d probably stick to turn based. Cool to see them going to Calvard even if we have yet another different organisation that seems specifically designed to accept side quests.
@Hyperluminal I played Transistor and don't remember this being an option. May have to revisit.
Regardless I like this approach as long as both are well tuned. Needs a lot of extra development to effectively have two GOOD combat systems.
@nessisonett Haha, I thought the same thing. Always convenient to start your JRPG with a mercenary!
Now thats cool.how you go from turn based and real time is. Amazing.word up son
Trails of Black, not Trails in the Dark
Neither combat variant looked particularly engaging in that snippet. It was strange how mamy actions and how much movement they player had during the turn-based demonstration without the enemies doing anything.
I like the idea conceptually and hopefully it's executed well. They can do both systems well, so there's reason to believe so.
Look forward to never switching from turn based!
Wonder if we'll ever get Hajimari no Kiseki localised. That one seems like a proper sequel for Cold Steel.
@MickOnYourFace I think NISA's probably already working on it, going by the production pattern with past games. Just hope it gets announced soon. I would be surprised if it hasn't been picked up yet, at least.
@Master_Shake Is that the actual translation? I've read that it's literally "Trails in the Dark" in English, but "Trails of Black" definitely sounds cooler.
Now this looks more like my cup of tea since I love Ys games definitely trying this one
It's a good idea since most random battles in turn-based RPGs are pretty mindless things where you just hit "attack" over and over, or even just use auto-battle, yet it's slow and tedious even then. Yet you want turn-based for the more challenging fights with more complexity. I'm playing Yakuza 7 now and, my god, I'm going to have nightmares about being stopped every 20 feet by homeless people that I knock out in one hit.
Happy 40th birthday Falcom! This was released as part of their 40th anniversary stream today. I love the Ys series but have never played a Trails game. I've wanted to get into the series for years, but there are so many games, they're all really long and I just don't have enough time. Maybe one day...
@ShogunRok Technically both, Kuro = the color Black or it can suggest that something is Blackened (Dark). But when the translation is "in the dark" it is normally Kurayami = Darkness. Kiseki = Trails and the "no" can be various things but mostly operates as a connector. So you could call it Black Trails/Blackened Trails/Dark Trails/Trails of Black/Trails of Dark. There has not been a localized name so you just have to go with the translation that sounds appropriate.
@Master_Shake Thanks for the insight!
Does the guy in the pic holding the phone resemble Rean? Anyway I would love to see Hajimari no Kiseki but I guess we will wait a lot for it.
It's nice to see they're still releasing PS3 games xD
Excited for this to be localized in the West come 2025
The Trails and Ys games seem to be merging into each other. The way Ys 9 handled side quests seem very similar to trails in the sky and this combat system looks very Ys 7
hoping the eu/uk get trails to azure/zero soon. i know there's an unofficial translated version out there. im guessing its a sort of convert mission sneaking into what was enemy territory since what happened in trails of cold steel 3/4; without spoiling it too much and hopefully see more returning characters from trail in the sky 2/3 , would love a return of a certain green haired priest
Real excited for this!
Love the Trails series and really am hoping for an English crossover. Loved every Trails Of Cold Steel game. If this one is set in Calvard, well I will feel at home with the events.
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