The second and final game in the “Crossbell” series, Trails to Azure does everything Trails from Zero has meticulously built.Needless to say, you can simply Must Play Zero before diving into this direct sequel. Seen as his two parts in one big story, Zero and Azure make for a wonderfully engaging experience.
I can safely say that this is a near-perfect sequel. Azure reuses, but many The storytelling for some of Zero’s assets (for example, there are only a handful of new environments to explore) takes plot points and character-driven development from the first game and runs to incredible heights here. The rewards of the story are sometimes really outstanding.
Once again, fill the worn out shoes in the Special Support Section (SSS for short). Following the events of Zero, the SSS find themselves in high demand, but their newfound fame hasn’t changed the way they operate. I am still doing my best to protect it. Crossbell is a technologically advanced city-state sandwiched between two very powerful nations.
Political tensions are at an all-time high across Azure, and the game does a great job setting the scene. Get a glimpse into the wider world from Crossbell’s unique perspective. With a very important trade conference soon to be held in the land of Crossbell, we know that the city’s relative peace will not last long.
Despite the looming threat, SSS is still poised to solve the region’s problems. From slaying pesky monsters to investigating missing persons, the game retains the typical Trails structure. Each chapter begins with an introduction to the upcoming story her beats and launches optional missions. Some of these side quests lean into somewhat tedious territory, but whatever you decide to tackle will help further establish the title’s already impressive world-building. Through it, we get to know a huge cast of secondary characters, which are reflected in all the political and social themes of the main plot.
But, as alluded to, it’s the core story segment that pushes Azure even further. Especially the impactful development in the second half of the game is a masterpiece. From the individual moments of character development to the seismic events that help shape the trail’s lore, it’s some of the property’s absolute best storytelling, and that’s high praise.
What’s even better is that Zero and Azure add so much context to the Trails of Cold Steel series. While it’s possible (as many Western fans already know), seeing Lloyd and the gang unfold really enriches the details of Cold Steel’s equally dramatic events. Sometimes I think developer Falcom must be mad about creating a complex story that spans so many different games, but the emotional impact of the larger story arc is undeniable.
When it comes to gameplay, Azure doesn’t do much to differentiate itself from Zero. The turn-based combat system hasn’t changed much in terms of mechanics, but it feels more balanced overall. It tends to be better designed with some amazingly unique mechanics that add layers.
That said, the system as a whole feels like a step back from what Cold Steel games have to offer.Totally understandable, given that the original his Crossbell title predates his Rean Schwarzer adventures by several years, but you might be familiar with the “modern” Trails game here in the West. For fans of Combat can It seems a little basic.
However, Azure still has rewarding tactical adjustments. More quartz choices boost stats and enhance abilities, allowing you to customize your party in many ways. Finding effective quartz combinations is always a lot of fun, and comes dangerously close to unbalancing combat.
Throw in things like super-powerful optional bosses and long, demanding dungeons into the mix, and there’s a lot more room for strategic expression than Zero. This is like Crossbell’s combat system breaking free of its chains, and we’re certainly not complaining.
However, I should probably complain about Azure’s visuals. In case you didn’t know, both his Crossbell titles came out on his PSP over a decade ago and boy does that show. Despite being a “remaster”, some of the graphic quality shown here is just awful. It’s a real shame that Azure doesn’t boast the visual upgrade that the newly ported Nintendo Switch and PC versions do like the PS4 re-release of Zero. You shouldn’t, and I’d be lying if I said the PS4’s poor visuals greatly detracted from the overall enjoyment.
Conclusion
Trails to Azure is a great sequel. Alongside an expanded combat system, it takes all the storylines Trails from Zero has cultivated and brings us to a series of incredible conclusions, both for individual characters and for the narrative of the franchise as a whole. When it comes to impactful plot points, Azure ranks high among the best Trails titles. This is a twist, turn and grip RPG that should really be considered a classic.
