Trails in the Sky: SC 10/10

I actually started playing this in 2023 but finished it early 2024. I was hesitant to start this series because it’s massive and I really wanted to try to play them all. I’m glad I finally got around to it. I loved this game. It’s not for everyone but if you enjoy games with good world building, twists, tons of characters, and of course an amazing soundtrack, give it a go.

Trails in the Sky: The Third 8/10

I almost skipped this one. I’d heard a lot of mixed opinions about it. It’s a very different kind of game from FC and SC. It’s more of an homage or send of kind of for the cast of FC and SC. The story here is good but it’s not a grand scale story with conspiracy, plotting, and intrigue like FC and FC. Other than returning characters it doesn’t tie into the first two much at all.

The whole game also takes place in a dungeon with multiple layers which makes it feel smaller and more confined than the first two games.

The final dungeon almost ruined it for me though. It’s one of those types where you’re forced to use all characters. Fortunately I had enough leveled characters to carry the weaker ones but I still didn’t like it. The balance of the game overall is also just off. Most of it is incredibly easy until the final dungeon, partly because you’re forced to use all characters.

As usual though the soundtrack is great. Overall a good game. If you enjoyed FC and SC definitely give it a chance.

Fire Emblem: Three Hopes 8/10

Took me awhile to get to this one but I’m glad I got to it. It’s a great game. I hadn’t played a Warriors game in years but after playing lengthy RPGs back-to-back, and BG3 not long before, I was looking for a change. The story was kind of hard to wrap my head around and it feels like there’s a lot I missed out on by only playing one route in Three Houses as well as Three Hopes but the gameplay is a lot of fun and it was cool to see characters from Three Houses again. A voiced protagonist was also a nice change and I hope they keep this going after Engage and Three Hopes.

Trails from Zero 10/10

This game is just so good. If there is only one game in the Trails series you play, make it this one. Amazing soundtrack like usual, great world building here too. It’s a bit smaller in scope than FC and SC but manages to find a good balance. I actually liked that the main party cast is much smaller than the previous three, much much smaller than Sky the Third especially.

It’s connected to the first three but is the start of its own arc. It was cool to see some characters return.

I almost took a point off for no Olivier though.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed 9/10

This is DLC done right. It wraps up a lot of loose ends from XC3. It was really great to see old favourites return again. The combat is a lot of fun still and the soundtrack is great. It’s missing some of the depth from XC3 but the collectopedia I think is done better here.

Persona 4 Golden 10/10

I actually played this way back on the PS Vita but never finished it. I decided to finally give it another go and it sucked me in. The story and characters are great, the music is great, and the gameplay is good. The dungeons can get a little repetitive and the balance is kind of off. I found the first two dungeons to be pretty hard but then by about the fourth dungeon things just kept getting easier and easier.

Persona 5 Royal 10/10

P4G but better. I liked the story and characters a lot more in this one. It’s easier than P4G but had a smoother difficulty curve I found. The music is fantastic! It’s loooong though. I was not prepared. I have no idea how people are finishing it in less than 100 hours. Tycoon is easily the best minigame in any game ever.

Echoes of Wisdom 8/10

I was looking for something different after playing a lot of heavy RPGs. I really liked this game! I thought it would a be gimmicky, but it really stands on its own. I loved looking through my list of Echoes and trying to figure out which would help solve the puzzle. Combat kind of sucks when you’re sword energy is empty though because you’re stuck waiting for the Echoes to hopefully do what you need them to.

The Legend of Dragoon - in progress

Just started playing this recently. Really enjoying it. I had played it when I was a kid but just had an urge to play it again.

P5R and The Legend of Dragoon. I put off P5R for so long but I’m glad I finally got around to playing it. It’s so good!

I haven’t played much of The Legend of Dragoon yet but I just had an urge to play it again. I loved that game when I was a kid. Playing on Steam Deck is great!