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Lurker123
Joined: 12 Apr 2023
Posts: 1
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:48 am
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This is just a spinoff like Sky 3rd, right? Meaning I can safely skip it? (because Sky 3rd is frankly boring) Doesn't seem like it offers a lot in terms of story progression, just some dungeon crawler and silly mini games to pad the content out, along with the heroes from previous series coming together as fan service of some sort. Feel free to correct me though. If it indeed has some significant plot point(s) and is good enough even as a stand-alone, I might consider preordering it.
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Andrew Cunningham
Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Posts: 527
Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:58 am
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There are three storylines and two of them are pretty dull, rehashing character arcs they had in their own series. The third storyline is much better and relatively important, since it directly plays into Kuro 2.
However, I'd definitely rate 3rd, this, and Kuro 2 as the three weakest games in the series.
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Touma55
Joined: 22 May 2021
Posts: 243
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 1:51 pm
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Lurker123 wrote: | This is just a spinoff like Sky 3rd, right? Meaning I can safely skip it? (because Sky 3rd is frankly boring) Doesn't seem like it offers a lot in terms of story progression, just some dungeon crawler and silly mini games to pad the content out, along with the heroes from previous series coming together as fan service of some sort. Feel free to correct me though. If it indeed has some significant plot point(s) and is good enough even as a stand-alone, I might consider preordering it. |
As another poster said the game is fairly dull and one of the worst games in the series with Kuro 2 being the only worse game imo. Looking up a summary sometime after release would likely be good enough and would save you a lot of time. God I wish this series was as good as it used to be
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flamemasterelan
Joined: 17 Apr 2022
Posts: 497
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 2:41 pm
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Lurker123 wrote: | This is just a spinoff like Sky 3rd, right? Meaning I can safely skip it? (because Sky 3rd is frankly boring) Doesn't seem like it offers a lot in terms of story progression, just some dungeon crawler and silly mini games to pad the content out, along with the heroes from previous series coming together as fan service of some sort. Feel free to correct me though. If it indeed has some significant plot point(s) and is good enough even as a stand-alone, I might consider preordering it. |
The 3rd wasn't a spinoff. It's the epilogue to the Sky series, the setup for Crossbell, and it introduces the most lore of any game up until then, and for a long time afterwards. Falcom literally paused their plans to develop the Crossbell games because they felt The 3rd's story was necessary.
Reverie is also not a spin-off. It's the epilogue to the entire massive arc that started with Zero and ended with Cold Steel 4.
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Vanadise
Joined: 06 Apr 2015
Posts: 534
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 2:48 pm
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Lurker123 wrote: | This is just a spinoff like Sky 3rd, right? Meaning I can safely skip it? (because Sky 3rd is frankly boring) |
I... what? I don't know understand people can say stuff like this about 3rd.
Trails in the Sky the 3rd is the fastest-paced game in the whole series. It tells a complete story in a single game in under 40 hours, adds a ton of character development for characters who got little to none in the first two games, and it sets up the foundation for plot threads that would run all the way through the end of the Cold Steel games, on top of having the best-balanced combat in the whole series. I wish Falcom would make games like 3rd again instead of >100 hour monstrosities that are 80% padding just so they can have a few plot twists and tease a sequel right at the end.
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Artemis X
Joined: 03 Feb 2017
Posts: 99
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 2:49 pm
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Lurker123 wrote: | This is just a spinoff like Sky 3rd, right? Meaning I can safely skip it? (because Sky 3rd is frankly boring) Doesn't seem like it offers a lot in terms of story progression, just some dungeon crawler and silly mini games to pad the content out, along with the heroes from previous series coming together as fan service of some sort. Feel free to correct me though. If it indeed has some significant plot point(s) and is good enough even as a stand-alone, I might consider preordering it. |
Omg lol. Saying TOS the third adds nothing to the story progession is like a sin in the trails community. So allow me to give you some clarity here before you hurt your self. I think why alot of people hate TOS the third is for its rather linear gameplay taking place in a singular dungeon without the world building and seamless open gameplay and interactivity, but don't let that fool you, because in terms of the story, its the one game in the TOS arc that sets up future scenerio's and plot developments across all 3 arcs of the series. Its told through expository writing through the use of visual novel and dialogue cutscenes that provides forshadowing and setup for the overarching narative for future arcs in the series including crossbell, cold steel and even Kuro. In order to fully understand the context and implications of specific plot events, the third is necesssary viewing. If you don't want to play it I understand, you can just watch it then but I would not skip it entirely.
Now speaking in terms of Reverie, its set up to be similar to TOS the third in away. I have never played it my self, but I have heard from the Communities and KONDO him self, that the game not only provides a final capstone closure to the cold steel arc, resolving all loose threads but also sets up future arcs in the series.
Both of these games are considered part of the mainline trails series. A spin off game would be something like The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails which is like an Arpg or Ys Vs Trails. These games are basically fanservice for fans that have alot of familiarity with the series or it could be just someone looking for a cool game with action mechanics but TOS the third and Reverie are crucial parts of the series.
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flamemasterelan
Joined: 17 Apr 2022
Posts: 497
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 3:29 pm
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Vanadise wrote: |
Lurker123 wrote: | This is just a spinoff like Sky 3rd, right? Meaning I can safely skip it? (because Sky 3rd is frankly boring) |
Trails in the Sky the 3rd is the fastest-paced game in the whole series. It tells a complete story in a single game in under 40 hours, adds a ton of character development for characters who got little to none in the first two games, and it sets up the foundation for plot threads that would run all the way through the end of the Cold Steel games, on top of having the best-balanced combat in the whole series. I wish Falcom would make games like 3rd again instead of >100 hour monstrosities that are 80% padding just so they can have a few plot twists and tease a sequel right at the end. |
TBH, the only "boring" part of Sky 3rd I can remember is that first door with Tita. It's like 30 minutes long and all cutscene, and I fell asleep there the first time I played it. Really don't know why they decided that was the best foot to start the player off on, because the majority of the remaining doors were great.
Erika is still a great addition to the cast, though.
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Sandstar
Joined: 06 Dec 2006
Posts: 196
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 3:35 pm
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Lurker123 wrote: | This is just a spinoff like Sky 3rd, right? Meaning I can safely skip it? (because Sky 3rd is frankly boring) Doesn't seem like it offers a lot in terms of story progression, just some dungeon crawler and silly mini games to pad the content out, along with the heroes from previous series coming together as fan service of some sort. Feel free to correct me though. If it indeed has some significant plot point(s) and is good enough even as a stand-alone, I might consider preordering it. |
No, you can't skip it. You can't skip any of these games. It's not a spin off, it ends the erebonia and crossbell arcs, as well as sets up kuro. I don't get why people are looking to see what games they can skip in a series that's all about how all the games are interconnected. The third is one of the most important games in the series, and sets up what turns out to be the emotional pay off for zero. Skipping the third makes zero an infinitely worse game.
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everydaygamer
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 3:51 pm
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I've played alot of these games and can confidently say yes they can be skipped but you probably shouldn't. Every game assumes you've never played the others and will either explain things you need to know or provide a recap of the previous games events. At worst some references and call backs will just fly over your head.
Fans will say don't skip any but let's be serious, these are long games, are you really gonna be able to keep track of everything that happens in them even if you do play them all? I say play the ones that interests you.
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Fluwm
Joined: 28 Jul 2009
Posts: 1059
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 4:51 pm
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I just fundamentally don't understand people who view any of these games as "skippable." I guess if all you care about is the broader, over-arcing plots? While simultaneously not caring about the characters?
I dunno, but I feel like the biggest appeal of the Trails series is the characterization and character development, whereas the plots thread in through the games has never been very compelling to me.
flamemasterelan wrote: | The only "boring" part of Sky 3rd I can remember is that first door with Tita. |
Nah, some of the mini-games can be quite tedious, too, especially the poker minigame. Just ground everything to a screeching halt.
But, yeah, The 3rd is excellent, and is worth it just for the Kevin factor alone.
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NeverConvex
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Joined: 08 Jun 2013
Posts: 2571
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 5:02 pm
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Fluwm wrote: | I just fundamentally don't understand people who view any of these games as "skippable." |
Yeah, puzzled by this. 3rd wasn't my favorite game -- Sky 1+2 blow everything else away, for me -- but skipping games in a series where one of the biggest selling points is that it tells one massive interconnected, sprawling epic just seems weird to me. Feels like cheating yourself out've part of the point---maybe so much so that it's not even worth the experience? To each their own, I suppose, though.
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flamemasterelan
Joined: 17 Apr 2022
Posts: 497
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 5:04 pm
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Fluwm wrote: | Nah, some of the mini-games can be quite tedious, too, especially the poker minigame. Just ground everything to a screeching halt.
But, yeah, The 3rd is excellent, and is worth it just for the Kevin factor alone. |
Perhaps? I don't really have that experience. There were minigames I didn't really like (the Capua shooter, for example), but none of them really lasted long enough for me to feel bored by them.
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LuScr
Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 143
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2023 7:28 pm
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Sky The 3rd is a bit of an oddity. It has one of the best stories and casts, but easily the worst gameplay of the entire series (a boring single-dungeon slog, with no towns and endless manual party balancing--16 characters, only four of whom can be in your party at any one time, and just in case you were tempted to just pick your favorites and stick with them, there are multiple sections in the game where you have to use everyone at once--you have to keep everyone's levels and equipment up to date, which means more grinding than any other Trails game, in the one Trails game that has nothing to distract from the grind).
But skippable? Not in any way, shape, or form. (Renne alone makes it a mandatory installment, and our first introduction to Osborne is nothing to sneeze at, either.) You're probably better off watching a Let's Play than trying to get through it yourself, but the world building, long-term storytelling, and character development are indispensable.
Worst case scenario for Reverie would be something similar, but I seriously doubt the gameplay will be anywhere near as bad.
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Sandstar
Joined: 06 Dec 2006
Posts: 196
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Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2023 5:50 am
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everydaygamer wrote: | I've played alot of these games and can confidently say yes they can be skipped but you probably shouldn't. Every game assumes you've never played the others and will either explain things you need to know or provide a recap of the previous games events. At worst some references and call backs will just fly over your head.
Fans will say don't skip any but let's be serious, these are long games, are you really gonna be able to keep track of everything that happens in them even if you do play them all? I say play the ones that interests you. |
Who the fudge would want to start with reverie? Just wait for kuro, if you're that determined to not give a shit about the most important part of the series (the interconnectedness of the all the games) and then skip kuro and all the rest of the games in the series, because these games aren't for you.
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