During Spring this year, NIS America will be bringing Trails of Cold Steel III, the latest installment in Falcom’s long-running “Trails” series of RPGs, to the Nintendo Switch. Until now, “Trails” has never appeared on a Nintendo console before–and with its arrival, RPG fans should have reason to celebrate!

This is where we’d *love* to tell you that Cold Steel III is the perfect place to jump in. If only that were the case! Whereas the likes of Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem and Dragon Quest (usually) begin a new storyline with each new title, so knowledge of previous titles isn’t necessary, games in the Trails series all occur in the same world, with the same characters–everything is deeply intertwined.

Looking at the title, one can guess that Cold Steel III is the “third game”, but it goes further than that. “Trails of Cold Steel” as a whole is the third sub-series of the main Trails series. Prior to that, there was Trails in the Sky, which had its own trilogy, then there was the Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure duology. That means Cold Steel III is actually the, let’s count… 8th title in the Trails series!

Think of it this way, entering the Trails series with Cold Steel III is sort of like watching Endgame as your first Marvel film. Nobody’s going to stop you from doing so–and you’ll probably enjoy the experience. That said, you’ll be missing out on *so many* character backstories, motivations, histories, the whole shebang–all of which were explored in previous titles.

Before you run off in fear, come back! We know most of you probably don’t have the time and/or patience to play through the other 7 games to get up to speed. That’s perfectly OK. It doesn’t help that the other games aren’t on Nintendo systems. Plus, at the time of writing, Zero and Azure don’t have official English versions. So even if you wanted to fully experience the series from beginning to end, you can’t unless you’re bilingual.

To make things *slightly* easier for you, here’s a concise, as spoiler-free* as possible, recap of the entire series so far. So you’ll have a bit more background knowledge before you step into Cold Steel III.

* There will be some unavoidable spoilers–which you’ll probably find out in Cold Steel III anyway.

Trails in the Sky

The very first game in the series debuted on Windows way back in 2004, but it wouldn’t be released in English until 7 years later. At the time, it wasn’t uncommon for publishers to avoid translating Japanese RPGs because of the sheer amount of effort involved. Trails was notorious for having enough dialogue to fill multiple novels; it was basically a miracle that somebody–Xseed–stepped up to take on this noble task.

The story follows a pair of young adults, Estelle and Joshua, as they travel the verdant kingdom of Liberl, on a quest to become fully fledged Bracers–upholders of justice who operate beyond borders. A decade ago, Liberl was invaded by its neighbour, the mighty Erebonian Empire, but the two nations now co-exist in harmony. Along the way, the pair stumble upon a conspiracy that threatens to end Liberl’s peaceful days.

Notable Characters

Estelle Bright The main heroine of the game. A fearless and energetic, if slightly air-headed lass from the small town of Rolent. She’s the daughter of Cassius Bright, who’s a renowned Bracer; her mother perished in the Erebonian invasion. Her weapon of choice is the stick, because it hurts if you’re hit by it.

Joshua Bright Estelle’s foster brother, who was discovered by Cassius Bright a few years ago and adopted into his family. He’s calm and collected and, as the more sensible sibling, he’s always looking out for Estelle. Yet, despite his friendliness, he seems to have more than a few skeletons in his closet.

Keywords

Zemuria This is the name of the vast continent that the Trails series takes place on. Liberl is but one of the many nations on Zemuria. Others include the Erebonian Empire to the north and the Calvard Republic to the east. So far, the Trails series has only really explored the western half of Zemuria.

Orbments Mechanical devices that convert the natural energy stored in crystals called Sepith into Orbal energy, which is used in everyday life. People like Bracers are fitted with combat Orbments, which enhance their abilities and grant them powerful magic, dependent on the Sepith that’s attached.

Trails in the Sky SC

This second chapter (which is what “SC” literally stands for) takes place immediately after the first. SC is not only a direct sequel, but the hugely anticipated conclusion of the Liberl storyline. If translating the first game was a mammoth task, this game is twice as long–and has more than double the amount of dialogue. Needless to say, those who worked on the humongous script didn’t come out unscathed. Poor things.

Previously, Estelle and Joshua safely resolved the coup d’etat that ensnared Liberl. But just when things were looking up, Joshua was forced to confront his past and made the difficult decision to abandon Estelle. Now a senior Bracer, Estelle travels across Liberl again, in search of Joshua. However, she must also deal with an even more dangerous threat than before: a secret society known as the Ouroboros, who are plotting to unearth something big.

Notable Characters

Renne An innocent young girl who’s traveling in the Liberl region with her parents. She’s well-mannered, if playful, and quickly takes a shine to Estelle. This little angel may seem sweet, but you should never judge a book by its cover (this will be a recurring theme throughout the series).

Leonhardt Enforcer No. II of the Ouroboros, a gifted swordsman known as the “Bladelord”. Under an alias, he steered Liberl towards chaos during the coup d’etat. Now he’s returned with other Ouroboros members for an even greater master plan. It seems he’s connected to Joshua somehow.

Keywords

Ouroboros A sinister society that lurks in the shadows, manipulating various events; apparently they had a hand in Liberl’s coup d’etat. Among their ranks include the Enforcers, elite soldiers who are stronger than most armies. Above the Enforcers are the Anguis, the seven commanding apostles.

Jaegers Hunting corps that originate from North Ambria, a country that now lies in ruins. They are ruthless mercenaries who fight for the highest bidder. One of the corps, Jester, was responsible for attacking Bracer Guilds in Erebonia, forcing Cassius to depart from Liberl to deal with the mess in the first game.

Trails in the Sky the 3rd

Yes, that is quite the subtitle. Earlier, we said that SC concluded the Liberl storyline, so what’s the deal with the 3rd? Well, this game takes place after the events of SC, but it’s a “bridge” game that connects the Trails in the Sky games with the next installment, Trails from Zero. Actually, it’s more than that–some of the things in this game allude to events in the Cold Steel series, even Cold Steel III.

At the end of SC, Estelle and her friends managed to avert the international crisis that surrounded Liberl. Following the collapse of the Liber Ark, a strange artifact was discovered. Kevin Graham, one of Estelle’s allies and a member of the Septian Church, comes to retrieve this artifact. What happens next is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination, as he and his friends are sucked into another dimension known only as Phantasma.

Notable Characters

Kevin Graham By day a wacky and wise-cracking priest in service of the Septian Church, by night a sombre and no-nonsense member of the Gralsritter. Known as the “Heretic Hunter”, he is one of the church’s strongest soldiers, traveling with his assistant Ries to support the church both openly and in secrecy.

Ries Argent A squire in the service of the Gralsritter and Kevin’s childhood friend, as well as assistant. She generally keeps a calm composure and has the difficult task of reining in the unpredictable Kevin. Despite her petite appearance, she knows her way around a fight, wielding a whip-like “templar sword”.

Keywords

Septian Church The religious body that oversees the Zemurian continent’s major religion; its headquarters are located in the Holy City of Arteria. Unknown to most, the church has a secret order of knights known as the Gralsritter, who investigate and secure artifacts from Zemuria’s lost age.

Sept-Terrion A set of seven artifacts left behind by the ancient Zemurians. Each is attuned to one of the seven elements and possesses power beyond that of mortal ken. One of the Sept-Terrion, Aureole the Shining Ring, was discovered in Liber Ark, but it mysteriously vanished.

Trails from Zero

After the Trails in the Sky trilogy came to a close, the spotlight moved to a new region and a new cast of characters. Starting with Trails from Zero, the series jumped ship from Windows to the then-flourishing PSP. Afterwards, a PC port was released for Chinese audiences and this PC port was later re-released for Japan. At the time of writing, Zero and its follow-up aren’t available in English.

One year has passed since the strange incidents at Liberl. Thanks to the intervention of Liberl, the Crossbell state, which is sandwiched between Erebonia and Calvard, continues to maintain its independence. This new duology focuses on the exploits of Lloyd Bannings, a newly recruited member of Crossbell’s police, who becomes involved in events that will forever change the landscape of Crossbell, nay, the entirety of Zemuria.

Notable Characters

Lloyd Bannings A rookie member of the Crossbell police, who has recently returned home from abroad. Upon his arrival, he’s drafted into a makeshift division called the Special Support Section (SSS), whose main role is to assist the civilians. He’s an earnest lad who fights wielding tonfas.

KeA A mysterious young girl who Lloyd and friends discover during a covert operation. She has no recollection of her identity or past, which is a telltale sign that she’s important. After her rescue, she’s put in the custody of the SSS. She’s bubbly and friendly–in fact, she’s almost *too* nice.

Keywords

Crossbell A bustling city-state that, similar to Liberl, is located between Erebonia and Calvard–two significantly larger nations. But unlike Liberl, it lacks the power to stand up against either and has historically been their little political battleground. A big reason is due to its plentiful Sepith reservoirs.

Orbal Network A joint technological project between Crossbell and the Epstein Foundation, which uses a wide array of orbal cables to quickly transmit data between computers. In other words, an early form of the Internet. The SSS uses a terminal connected to the Orbal Network to receive their missions.

Trails to Azure

This is the direct sequel to Trails from Zero and the conclusion of Crossbell’s story (kind of). Similar to how Trails in the Sky SC resolved all the loose ends in the first Trails of the Sky, Azure does the same thing for Zero.

Following the events of Zero, Lloyd and the other members of the SSS have become minor heroes within Crossbell. However, their greatest trials–and Crossbell’s–have only just started. In the coming months, Crossbell will be hosting the West Zemuria Trade Conference, where the leaders of Erebonia, Calvard, Liberl and others will be attending to discuss the future of Zemuria. Soon after, Crossbell’s very existence will be at stake.

Notable Characters

Arios MacClaine An experienced Bracer affiliated with the Crossbell guild, renowned as the “Divine Blade of Wind”. The people of Crossbell look up to him, as their one and only guardian. During the events of Zero, he crossed paths with Lloyd and the SSS in their shared attempts to protect Crossbell.

Rixia Mao An up-and-coming dancer who performs for the famous Arc en Ciel troupe. In the previous game, she received Lloyd’s assistance. However, like many entangled in the affairs of Zemuria, she harbours a deadly secret–and a hidden identity–which threatens to be blown wide open.

Keywords

Red Constellation The name of a notorious jaeger group that’s been sighted in Crossbell. Led by Sigmund Orlando, they are among the strongest forces on the continent and, like their name, are known to leave a bloody trail in their wake. There are rumours that a certain nation has procured their services.

D∴G Cult A malicious underground group that was finally thwarted in Zero. Believed to be demon worshipers, its members performed unthinkable experiments. Its presence was such a blight that an international team was created to stop them; even Ouroboros and the Gralsritter were forced to step in.

Trails of Cold Steel

We’re getting closer to the present! The Trails of Cold Steel sub-series saw Trails hop on board the PS3 and Vita train (and later PS4). At long last, the Erebonian Empire–mentioned since the very beginning–takes centre stage, in a tale that initially occurs concurrently with Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure.

It’s the start of a new academic year at Thor’s Military Academy, where many of Erebonia’s promising youth enroll–and that includes Rean Schwarzer, the son of a minor baron. However, his future is anything but minor. From the onset, he’s placed in the unique Class VII, where the normally divided nobility and commoners are expected to work together. Together with Class VII, Rean will travel to learn about his beloved country, while saving the day here and there.

Notable Characters

Rean Schwarzer The adoptive son of Baron Schwarzer from the northern territory of Ymir. He’s positive and friendly–the type of guy people tend to gravitate towards. In other words, your typical JRPG protagonist. In battle, he fights wielding a tachi and is a novice practitioner of the “Eight Leaves One Blade” style.

Giliath Osborne Erebonia’s chancellor; an extremely influential man known as the “Blood and Iron Chancellor”. Within Erebonia’s political circle, he’s the figurehead of the Reformist Faction, who aim to modernise society by disposing of tradition. But his forceful methods have created many foes.

Keywords

Erebonian Empire One of the largest and most powerful nations on Zemuria, rivaled only by the Calvard Republic. Despite its prosperity, there is increasing friction between nobles and commoners. At the forefront of this divide are two politically opposite sides: the Noble Faction and the Reformist Faction.

Thor’s Military Academy A prestigious institution founded two centuries ago, located in the Trista region. Historically, the academy is split into six classes, with those of noble birth allocated to Class I and II, while commoners are put in Class III to VI. But the introduction of Class VII promises to shake things up.

Trails of Cold Steel II

The second game in the Cold Steel sub-series concludes the conflict that started at the end of the first game. It also begins halfway through the events of Trails to Azure, eventually progressing the Trails timeline beyond Azure. Of course, this is also the last game you need to know about before Cold Steel III. So hang in there!

Civil war has gripped Erebonia, following the political assassination at the capital of Heimdallr. During the enemy’s assault on Thor’s Military Academy, Class VII valiantly fought back, but they were ultimately defeated. Rean managed to escape with the Ashen Knight Valimar, but in the confusion, he was separated from his friends. Now he must gather his forces again to save Erebonia from destruction.

Notable Characters

Olivert Reise Arnor The eldest son of Erebonia’s Emperor, although not the successor to the throne. He’s respected by the citizens and one of the few people who can stand up to Chancellor Osborne. He originally debuted in Trails in the Sky as a hilarious traveling minstrel; even as a prince, he’s still hilarious.

Crow Armbrust A second year student at Thor’s Military Academy, who became friends with Rean in the first Cold Steel. Despite being a senior, he gives off the irresponsible vibe of a slacker, which also makes him rather lovable. By the end of the game though, he made his true allegiance clear to Rean.

Keywords

Divine Knight These are gigantic humanoid weapons (read: mechs) left behind by the ancient civilisation. Records of them existed in Erebonian folklore, but it wasn’t until recently that their existence became known to the public eye. Valimar, the Ashen Knight, is one of the Divine Knights.

The Courageous A crimson high-speed airship unveiled by Prince Olivert in the previous game. Its presence symbolises a third power, neither Noble or Reformist. The design of the airship is based on Liberl’s royal airship, the Arseille. Compared to the original, it’s slightly slower, but carries light weaponry.

Trails of Cold Steel III

Finally, we reach the game we’ve been talking about since the start! Originally released for the PS4, the 3rd game in the Cold Steel sub-series will be releasing on the Nintendo Switch (and Steam) in the near future. Although Cold Steel II resolved the Erebonian Civil War, ’twas but a small stepping stone in the grand scheme of things.

Peace has returned to Erebonia, after Rean and his allies brought an end to the civil war. As things start to return to normal, Rean–who’s now graduated–is transferred to a branch campus of Thor’s Military Academy and serves as the instructor for the newly established Class VII: Special Operations. Little does he know that the peace he fought so hard for won’t be lasting long, as the Ouroboros slither once again.

Notable Characters

Tio Plato The young Chief of Research at the Crossbell branch of the Epstein Foundation. In Zero and Azure, she assisted Lloyd and the SSS, while helping to study the Orbal Network. Evidenced by her title, she’s wise beyond her years. Although she’s more than a little obsessed with Mishy.

Arianrhod Ouroboros’s 7th Anguis; aka the “Steel Maiden”. An imposing woman clad in white armour, wielding a gigantic lance, who’s combat prowess is almost inhuman. She leads the Stahlritter, a group of knights who rival the Enforcers, and has arrived in Erebonia to fulfill a certain objective.

Keywords

Derfflinger An armoured freight train bestowed to Thor’s branch campus by the Railway Military Police. It’s used for transporting students for field studies. After arrival, the train also doubles as a base camp, with facilities including a briefing room, dining hall and sleeping cabins. Talk about convenient!

Panzer Soldats Humanoid combat vehicles that were developed for the Noble Faction during the Erebonian civil war, based on the Divine Knights of yore. After the civil war, the Imperial Army seized the enemy’s Panzer Soldats. Some of them were transported to Thor’s for educational purposes.

The Future…

Wait, there’s more! After Cold Steel III, there’s Cold Steel IV to look forward to! At the time of writing, it’s only available on the PS4 (and in Japanese), but if sales for Cold Steel III are good, hopefully it’ll come out on Nintendo Switch (and PC) as well. Cold Steel IV will wrap up Erebonia’s story for good. Again, kind of…

Because after Cold Steel IV, there’s Trails of Beginnings, the latest game in the series, which will be released in Japan during Summer of this year. This game marks the roughly *halfway point* of the Trails series. It follows three protagonists, including Lloyd from the Crossbell arc and, gasp, Rean from the Erebonia arc.

That’s the end of the trail so far–excuse the pun. If you’ve managed to keep up with our little(?) history lesson, you have our thanks! Hopefully we’ve lit up a fire of interest. Although there are many JRPG franchises out there, Trails has always stood out. But at the same time, it’s fairly niche and we believe it deserves to do a lot better. Anyway, if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got worlds to save!