Trails of Cold Steel 2 - September 6th (NA)

[TheEnd]

IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED THE FIRST TRAILS OF COLD STEEL, STAY AWAY FROM THIS THREAD. IT'S PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE TO DISCUSS ANYTHING ABOUT TOCS2 WITHOUT MENTIONING KEY TOCS1 SPOILERS.

XSEED delivers once again, ladies and gentlemen.

Official site

Getmatsu article

XSEED's Trails facebook page

Apparently the European release is scheduled for November 11th or something.

Trails of Cold Steel II (originally Sen no Kiseki II) is a direct sequel to Trails of Cold Steel, much like Trails in the Sky SC was to the first Trails in the Sky. Following the events of the first game, Rean finds himself near his hometown, separated from his friends, after being out cold for a month... yeah, that means you aren't going to school this time.

While Trails of Cold Steel 1 worked pretty well as a stand-alone game (cliffhanger ending aside), you absolutely can't say the same of ToCS2. It pretty much assumes you've gone through the first game, and the references to events of the Crossbell arc are even more obvious, as things go wild in the neighboring city-state.

Personally I wasn't very fond of the first Cold Steel, but this sequel surprised me very pleasantly. Except for the interlude. That part was terrible, but thankfully it was short too. Notably, ToCS2 does away with ToCS1's repetitive and predictable plot structure, and lets you build your party pretty much freely.

Edited August 17, 2016 by TheEnd

[Crimson Red]

oh hey bud NICE THREAD (I just happen to see it cuz i happened to be visiting the forums today on business and this happened to be the first thing but now i don't have to pm you yaaay)

i'm happy but i'm not even close to beating CS I in English and this is coming way sooner than I thought so this is going to have to wait lol

[TheEnd]

Git gud Blazer

Meanwhile I've played neither CS1 nor SC in English yet, gg

Edited August 17, 2016 by TheEnd

[Kieranosaurus]

Ahhhh, yes! I'm so excited. I really enjoyed the first game.
I'm happy it's coming out sooner than I expected.

[Crimson Red]

Git gud Blazer

Meanwhile I've played neither CS1 nor SC in English yet, gg

you wouldn't be you if you weren't an unjustified jerk now would you

sure i'll 'git gud' just take my work shift for me for the next like 8 months plz /s

Ahhhh, yes! I'm so excited. I really enjoyed the first game.

I'm happy it's coming out sooner than I expected.

:D 1st one sucks compared to this so git hyped lol

I'm only not happy cuz i'm weird and like when games get delayed so i have more time to put them off without feeling bad that they've been sitting on my backlog lol

also you seem cool, I used to like Tales of... (before Zestiria, well before Xillia moreso but eh), and Kiseki is awesome and Persona is pretty rad. (P4 was ok but P5 looks way better). JRPGs are great. we should be friends. lolol

I enjoy being silly it's more fun than being stoic like TheEnd, don't mind me

Edited August 17, 2016 by Crimson Red

[TheEnd]

you wouldn't be you if you weren't an unjustified jerk now would you

sure i'll 'git gud' just take my work shift for me for the next like 8 months plz /s

Nope

But I like my 6-hour shift... perhaps I should actually work on playing those English releases now that I've left the database that mmo behind. Though there's also Nep... decisions, decisions.

Ahhhh, yes! I'm so excited. I really enjoyed the first game.

I'm happy it's coming out sooner than I expected.

You might like knowing this isn't the end of the Erebonia arc just yet, either... though the third game might be a PS4 exclusive.

[Crimson Red]

Nope

But I like my 6-hour shift... perhaps I should actually work on playing those English releases now that I've left the database that mmo behind. Though there's also Nep... decisions, decisions.

You might like knowing this isn't the end of the Erebonia arc just yet, either... though the third game might be a PS4 exclusive.

does a 6 hour shift count as a full-time job

i need to stop importing games myself because honestly i totally know the feeling of 'i've already played the game in Japanese there's no rush to play it in English', at this rate the aforementioned possibly-PS4-exclusive Sen III will be out before I beat ToCS I

[TheEnd]

does a 6 hour shift count as a full-time job

i need to stop importing games myself because honestly i totally know the feeling of 'i've already played the game in Japanese there's no rush to play it in English', at this rate the aforementioned possibly-PS4-exclusive Sen III will be out before I beat ToCS I

Yes, part-time jobs aren't a thing here

Or you could learn Nipponese

Don't tell me you're planning to take a full year to finish that game

[Kieranosaurus]

:D 1st one sucks compared to this so git hyped lol

I'm only not happy cuz i'm weird and like when games get delayed so i have more time to put them off without feeling bad that they've been sitting on my backlog lol

also you seem cool, I used to like Tales of... (before Zestiria, well before Xillia moreso but eh), and Kiseki is awesome and Persona is pretty rad. (P4 was ok but P5 looks way better). JRPGs are great. we should be friends. lolol

I enjoy being silly it's more fun than being stoic like TheEnd, don't mind me

Ah, really? Well, that's good to hear! It just makes me more excited to play the second game.

Regarding my interests, I've only played a few games from each (more Tales than the others) and I'm completely new to the Kiseki series honestly.

I do plan on trying the older ones in the future. (I'm more interested in the Crossbell games). But yeah, JRPGs are great! Imreallyawkwardthough

You might like knowing this isn't the end of the Erebonia arc just yet, either... though the third game might be a PS4 exclusive.

Yeah, I'm aware! I'm glad there's a third game and that we're not done with Erebonia. I'm hoping we'll see new locations.

I'm hoping to get a PS4 someday before it gets localized although I'm not sure how transferring works in that event since I only have a PS3.

Edited August 17, 2016 by Takeru

[TheEnd]

Yeah, I'm aware! I'm glad there's a third game and that we're not done with Erebonia. I'm hoping we'll see new locations.

I'm hoping to get a PS4 someday before it gets localized although I'm not sure how transferring works in that event since I only have a PS3.

I'm expecting ToCS3 will take place in western Erebonia as well, personally. CS2 mostly takes place in the areas you've already explored in CS1.

CS2 can kind of import clear data through the cross-save function, so I'm guessing they'll use that in CS3 too.

[Water Mage]

Man, I so pumped for this!

I'm expecting ToCS3 will take place in western Erebonia as well, personally. CS2 mostly takes place in the areas you've already explored in CS1.CS2 can kind of import clear data through the cross-save function, so I'm guessing they'll use that in CS3 too.

What does cross-save affects?

[Crimson Red]

Yes, part-time jobs aren't a thing here

Or you could learn Nipponese

Don't tell me you're planning to take a full year to finish that game

I've never had a full-time job and don't think I really want one so that sounds terrible lol

Not sure what to make of this joke, I totally know Nipponese. At like an N5 level

I'm not planning to take a full year to finish the game, but given how it's almost been a year and I haven't made much progress yet, nothing's for certain. If I could roll my eyes at myself right now I would, but alas, I don't feel like walking to a mirr-oh look I can see my reflection on my TV monitor. you're such a bum, Blazer

There, I did it so you don't have to.

Ah, really? Well, that's good to hear! It just makes me more excited to play the second game.

Regarding my interests, I've only played a few games from each (more Tales than the others) and I'm completely new to the Kiseki series honestly.

I do plan on trying the older ones in the future. (I'm more interested in the Crossbell games). But yeah, JRPGs are great! Imreallyawkwardthough

Yeah, I'm aware! I'm glad there's a third game and that we're not done with Erebonia. I'm hoping we'll see new locations.

I'm hoping to get a PS4 someday before it gets localized although I'm not sure how transferring works in that event since I only have a PS3.

ahh, cool cool... but I hate to say it, you really need to play TitS. seriously how could you not I can't even

I think they'll figure out something for the save data transfer, it seems pretty important to them too. there are ways... such as being lazy and eliminating it all together

I'm expecting ToCS3 will take place in western Erebonia as well, personally. CS2 mostly takes place in the areas you've already explored in CS1.

CS2 can kind of import clear data through the cross-save function, so I'm guessing they'll use that in CS3 too.

wow dude way to spoil

Man, I so pumped for this!

What does cross-save affects?

level... ... ... ... you know, it's sad that I not only don't remember what it affects, but I'm not entirely sure I ever knew, at least for CSI->CSII.

rip, TheEnd is going to shame me again

[TheEnd]

Man, I so pumped for this!

What does cross-save affects?

Cross-save is simply how they called the feature of using ps3 saves on the vita game and vice-versa; so, you should be able to import save data from a vita version of CS1 even if you just get CS2 for PS3, for instance. (Though there's a catch - I think you actually need a working save before the final battle instead of the clear save for the cross-save importing to work.)

I'm guessing you're asking for the save carryover bonuses: basically, you get a few extra items (based on your academy rank and Rean's level) and improved dialogue. Your level and stuff aren't actually carried over, though. And you eventually get to choose your waifu partner again in CS2, even though it takes note of your CS1 choice at first.

Not sure what to make of this joke, I totally know Nipponese. At like an N5 level

Back in my time N5 didn't even exist Okay, it existed when I took N2, but not when I got 3-kyuu

wow dude way to spoil

Gotta get that disappointment out of the way already Edited August 17, 2016 by TheEnd

[Renne]

Oh right, cross saves exist in Sen 2. I just kinda skipped through that menu now. Hopefully they do that for the PS4 version so I can import that one too.

Yes, I'm invading your thread, TE. To say Sen 2/TOCS2 is great.... even if I don't fully comprehend what's going on and the politics and those stuff. But I know uh, the gist? of things? I still know it's great!!

[Fruity Insanity]

Sen II is a good game.

Not as good as the Sky trilogy, though.

[eclipse]

I am SO hyped! The premise looks amazing, and it's great to see mostly everyone in new clothes.

What's the title of the song that played in the Japanese trailer?

[TheEnd]

Oh right, cross saves exist in Sen 2. I just kinda skipped through that menu now. Hopefully they do that for the PS4 version so I can import that one too.

Yes, I'm invading your thread, TE. To say Sen 2/TOCS2 is great.... even if I don't fully comprehend what's going on and the politics and those stuff. But I know uh, the gist? of things? I still know it's great!!

You know what's even greater? The Sky games

I am SO hyped! The premise looks amazing, and it's great to see mostly everyone in new clothes.

What's the title of the song that played in the Japanese trailer?

You mean the opening theme, Senkô no Yukue?

[eclipse]

You mean the opening theme, Senkô no Yukue?

Yes, that's it, thanks! Doesn't quite bump out Silver Will, Golden Wings, but it's definitely up there!

[Renne]

You know what's even greater? The Sky games

Not to me.

eclipse's post reminds me how great the soundtrack is. I've never listened to a game's soundtrack as much before.

[TheEnd]

Yes, that's it, thanks! Doesn't quite bump out Silver Will, Golden Wings, but it's definitely up there!

Violins are hard to beat

Not to me.

eclipse's post reminds me how great the soundtrack is. I've never listened to a game's soundtrack as much before.

You need to play more Falcom games then

[Crimson Red]

Cross-save is simply how they called the feature of using ps3 saves on the vita game and vice-versa; so, you should be able to import save data from a vita version of CS1 even if you just get CS2 for PS3, for instance. (Though there's a catch - I think you actually need a working save before the final battle instead of the clear save for the cross-save importing to work.)

I'm guessing you're asking for the save carryover bonuses: basically, you get a few extra items (based on your academy rank and Rean's level) and improved dialogue. Your level and stuff aren't actually carried over, though. And you eventually get to choose your waifu partner again in CS2, even though it takes note of your CS1 choice at first.

Back in my time N5 didn't even exist Okay, it existed when I took N2, but not when I got 3-kyuu

Gotta get that disappointment out of the way already

ahh yeah items and dialog right I DID know that my awful memory strikes once again

I remember they advertised how they'd make the dialog with your chosen partner in Sen I diff and stuff in Sen II back before Sen II was released lolol

Oh right, cross saves exist in Sen 2. I just kinda skipped through that menu now. Hopefully they do that for the PS4 version so I can import that one too.

Yes, I'm invading your thread, TE. To say Sen 2/TOCS2 is great.... even if I don't fully comprehend what's going on and the politics and those stuff. But I know uh, the gist? of things? I still know it's great!!

this sounds like me back with Sen I. I guess I've improved a bit

Violins are hard to beat

You need to play more Falcom games then

ya

ya

scrubs

[DragonFlames]

This is what I've been waiting for! I bought the first game on a whim, because I thought the cover looked awesome (yes, that's actually why I bought it. I knew nothing of the franchise beforehand) and I loved it so much that I was stoked to find out that there was a sequel coming (that cliffhanger ending though... holy hell).

Trails of Cold Steel 1 definitely had some of the best world building I have ever seen in any game I have ever played and the characters were interesting and likeable as well, and lets not forget the awesome story... And here I go again, gushing over the amazingness of this game...

I haven't played the other The Legend of Heroes games, though I've heard they are also very good.

I was thinking of picking up Trails in the Sky for the Vita in the PS Store to pass the time until ToCS2 comes out. Good idea or bad idea?

Edited August 17, 2016 by DragonFlames

[TheEnd]

ahh yeah items and dialog right I DID know that my awful memory strikes once again

I remember they advertised how they'd make the dialog with your chosen partner in Sen I diff and stuff in Sen II back before Sen II was released lolol

I remember something about them giving up because forcing you to stick with Sen I choices was troublesome

This is what I've been waiting for! I bought the first game on a whim, because I thought the cover looked awesome (yes, that's actually why I bought it. I knew nothing of the franchise beforehand) and I loved it so much that I was stoked to find out that there was a sequel coming (that cliffhanger ending though... holy hell).

Trails of Cold Steel 1 definitely had some of the best world building I have ever seen in any game I have ever played and the characters were interesting and likeable as well, and lets not forget the awesome story... And here I go again, gushing over the amazingness of this game...

I haven't played the other The Legend of Heroes games, though I've heard they are also very good.

I was thinking of picking up Trails in the Sky for the Vita in the PS Store to pass the time until ToCS2 comes out. Good idea or bad idea?

The PC versions are better, but I don't know how you play your games. Yes, picking up Trails in the Sky is definitely a good idea, though be warned it has a somewhat slow start.

[DragonFlames]

I remember something about them giving up because forcing you to stick with Sen I choices was troublesome

The PC versions are better, but I don't know how you play your games. Yes, picking up Trails in the Sky is definitely a good idea, though be warned it has a somewhat slow start.

I don't have a gaming PC nor do I have the money to get one, so I always play on console.

I'm used to games with slow starts. Pretty much any JRPG starts out slow and then there's the incredibly lengthy opening sequence of Okami. As long as the premise is interesting, I think I'll manage. Thanks :D

[Pull My Devil Trigger]

The Sky games are really lightweight so you shouldn't really need a gaming PC, even some mid/low end PCs from a few years back could probably play them fine

Unless the Vita portability is a priority for you, I'd recommend giving that version a try, besides being able to play with better image quality and framerate, the PC version has more up to date script (also 3rd will only be releasing on PC in English, so knowing you have an option to play that would be good)

Edited August 17, 2016 by Tonton