The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV
Metacritic
OpenCritic
Strong
IGDB
OpenCritic Score
Score Distribution
"Trails of Cold Steel IV is the climax that fans of the series deserve, comprehensively delivering on its promise as the end of a saga while setting up future plotlines that are sure to affect the lore in all kinds of fascinating ways. That said, this is also a rather weird game to recommend. Newcomers absolutely should not play this game first, given that it's a concluding chapter to an ongoing saga years in the making. Longtime fans, on the other hand, don't need any convincing, as they're going to get this game if they've already invested the hundreds of hours of legwork that set it up. Assuming that's you, Trails of Cold Steel IV is a spectacular RPG experience that no fan of the genre will want to miss out on, and we can comfortably say that it's worth your time."
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About The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV serves as the grand finale to the Erebonia saga within Nihon Falcom's large Trails series. Released in late 2018, this ninth main entry follows Class VII as they face a continent-wide war on the fictional land of Zemuria. You play through a story where old allies and new recruits must unite against the mobilized military might of the Erebonian Empire. The game arrived on PlayStation 4, PC, Switch, and later PS5, bringing this specific chapter to a close after years of buildup. It is a lengthy narrative experience that demands attention from players who have followed the previous eight titles to understand the context fully.
Gameplay
Combat relies on a turn-based system where you control squads rather than single characters. You issue commands for attacks, arts, and special abilities while managing an order gauge to determine action speed. Battles occur in real-time during movement but pause when enemies engage. Outside of combat, you explore vast towns and dungeons while completing side quests that flesh out character backstories. The interface is dense with menus for crafting equipment and leveling up stats. A typical session involves crossing maps to find hidden items or talking to NPCs who trigger major plot points. You must balance resource management with strategic positioning to overcome tough enemy formations without dying.
What Players Think
Players on PlayPile hold this title in high regard, with a Metacritic score of 81 reflecting strong critical consensus. Community members rate it highly for its storytelling depth and character development. Average playtime hovers around 65 hours for the main story, though completionists spend over 90 hours finishing all side content and achieving 100% completion. User reviews frequently mention emotional payoff and satisfying conclusions to long-running arcs. The most common mood tagged by users is "satisfying" followed closely by "epic." Critics praise the game for resolving complex plot threads, though some note the steep learning curve for new players entering the series this late.
PlayPile's Take
This title is essential only if you care about narrative closure in a long-running JRPG. The $19.57 price point on Green Man Gaming makes it a reasonable buy for existing fans, but newcomers should approach with caution regarding time investment. You need to clear numerous achievements to see the full picture, which requires grinding for rare gear. The game does not hold your hand, and the pacing can feel slow during travel segments. If you want a definitive ending to the Erebonia arc, this is the final step. Skip it if you prefer short campaigns or action-heavy combat over menu management and dialogue.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
85.9
RAWG Rating
4.3
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