Info about The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II:

Official game description:
Peace is but a memory.  
In the wake of the Noble Faction’s occupation of Heimdallr, civil war has broken out across Erebonia. The provincial armies, loyal to the aristocracy and the Four Great Houses, have claimed many of the nation’s great cities in the name of the Noble Alliance. The Imperial Army, called back from the four corners of the Empire, has only just begun its sweeping counterattack.  
After Rean managed to escape Trista with Celine and Valimar, he awakens in the mountains near his hometown uncertain what fate befell his friends, who bravely threw themselves in harm’s way to buy him time to flee.  
Though the road will not be an easy one, Rean decides to take up his sword again, journeying across Erebonia with his Divine Knight, Valimar, in search of his friends from Class VII and a way to end the conflict before its price becomes far too dear…  
\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Taking place on the same continent as the fan favorite Trails in the Sky offshoot of Nihon Falcom’s storied The Legend of Heroes franchise, Trails of Cold Steel II (Sen no Kiseki II in Japanese) is a direct sequel to Trails of Cold Steel, picking up one month after the decisive collision that changed the fate of the entire nation of Erebonia. The speedy, tactical turn-based combat with the newly-developed “ARCUS” system returns with all the bells and whistles together with the new Overdrive mode, new means of transportation both across the land and sky, new allies, new dangers, and a renewed sense of hope as Rean tirelessly works to right the wrongs that have led the country to disarray.
KEY FEATURES
------------
*   _A Direct Sequel that Remembers the Past_  
    Clear data from Trails of Cold Steel carries over into Trails of Cold Steel II, granting players bonuses, and most importantly, remembering the many relationships cultivated during time spent at Thors Military Academy, allowing for more personalized conversations throughout the story.  
*   _Take to the Land and Sky in New Modes of Transportation_  
    Fast travel isn’t just for Trista anymore; a personalized airship now allows players to swiftly choose and descend upon both familiar and foreign destinations alike—and on land, horseback riding not only returns, but players can now customize and utilize Angelica’s orbal bike for fast transportation across the map.  
*   _The Link System Returns with a new Overdrive Mode_  
    Bonding with allies continues to pay off with the Combat Link System, netting a variety of combat benefits including healing, guarding, and more, and the new Overdrive mode allows linked characters to attack up to three turns in a row for new strategic battle options.  
*   _Experience the Game as Never Before_  
    50% more lines of English voice-overs have been added to the PC release, bringing a fresh experience to even those who have played it before on console. New features for this release include ultrawide aspect ratio support, turbo mode, and an instant resume feature that allows players to launch directly from Steam to their most recent save.

Release date: Feb 14, 2018

Categories: Turn-based RPG, Character Progression, Character Customization, Story-driven Gameplay, World-Building, JRPG, Mecha Combat, Open-World Exploration

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 100; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The user feedback highlights significant issues with the game's navigation, farming mechanics, and complex gameplay systems. Players frequently need to rely on external guides to understand basic navigation and complex mechanics, which severely impacts the user experience. Additionally, the need to farm specific items or relationships adds another layer of frustration.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game has mixed reviews regarding its performance on the Steam Deck. While some users report that it runs well out of the box, others have experienced issues with controller support and stability. There are also reports of performance issues related to game balance and resource management.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $29.99 - $39.99
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a mix of opinions on the game's value at full price. Positive reviews indicate that the game is worth buying at full price, suggesting that the fair price is at least $39.99. However, negative reviews describe the game as a waste of money at full price, implying that the fair price could be lower. Given the balance of opinions, it is reasonable to conclude that the community considers a fair price range to be slightly below the current full price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 80.0h
  - Story completion: 50.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 20.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple references to the total playtime required for game completion, story completion, and endgame content. The quotes mention specific hour counts for completionist runs and general playthroughs, which help estimate the typical playtime metrics. The references to lengthy campaigns and extensive content support the reasoning for the provided playtime hours.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is a slow burner that gradually becomes more enjoyable as players progress, with key elements like minigames, combat systems, and character development contributing to the fun.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Completing initial fetch quests and exploring the world
  - Time to anchor: 3h 0m
  - Friction: Initial fetch quests; Exploring the world; Slow pacing
  - Unlock drivers: Familiar voice actors; Well-developed characters; Fascinating combat system
  - Conditions: Engaging in minigames; Exploring the world; Character development
- Player Archetypes:
  - Completionist Optimizer (sale)
    - Motivation: To experience everything the game has to offer and optimize their gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Uses guides and mods to ensure a complete and efficient playthrough.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: completionist; optimizer
    - Reference games: The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel I; The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
  - Story-Driven Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To immerse themselves in a compelling narrative and character-driven story.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on story progression and character interactions, often engaging in multiple playthroughs to fully experience the narrative.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: story lover; character fan
    - Reference games: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky; Final Fantasy
  - Lore Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: To explore and understand the extensive lore and interconnected stories of the game series.
    - Playstyle: Engages in multiple games within the series to fully grasp the lore and overarching narrative.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: lore enthusiast; series fan
    - Reference games: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky; The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and impactful story (weight 0.69): The story is engaging, fast-paced, and has emotional impact. It includes interesting themes and plot twists, with a well-written script and a satisfying continuation from the previous game.
- Improved turn-based combat (weight 0.69): The combat system is turn-based and has been improved with more diversity, freedom to build your party, and new features like Overdrive and mecha battles.
- Well-developed characters (weight 0.66): Characters in the game are well-developed with full personalities. They are interesting, well-written, and feel like real people.
- Outstanding soundtrack and audio (weight 0.53): The game features an excellent soundtrack, praised as one of the best in the franchise. It includes powerful music, great voice acting, and excellent dialogue.
- Positive overall reception (weight 0.47): The game is generally well-received, with high ratings and positive feedback. It is considered a good installment in the series and a great sequel.
- Excellent world-building (weight 0.23): The game features extraordinary world-building, detailed lore, and enjoyable environments. It is part of one of the best world-building experiences in video games.
- Solid performance (weight 0.12): The game runs smoothly with solid 60fps performance and no FPS drops, even on 4K resolution.
- Recommendation for the series (weight 0.11): The game is part of an amazing series that is highly recommended for its story and overall quality.

Common complaints:
- Story pacing issues (weight 0.79): The story has significant pacing problems, particularly towards the end where it drags on and feels padded. Some acts, especially the second act, can feel tedious and drawn out.
- Poor character development (weight 0.41): Many characters, including the main antagonist, lack development and feel underdeveloped. Character interactions and behaviors can also feel unrealistic.
- Reused assets and gameplay (weight 0.33): The game heavily reuses assets, maps, and gameplay mechanics from the first game, leading to a lack of innovation and a sense of repetition.
- Large and overwhelming cast (weight 0.22): The game features a large cast of characters, which can be overwhelming and leads to some characters being sidelined or marginalized.
- Uninteresting mecha battles (weight 0.15): The mecha battle mechanics are uninteresting and unsatisfying, adding little value to the gameplay experience.
- Repetitive tasks and quests (weight 0.15): The game features repetitive tasks, fetch quests, and dialogue, which can make the gameplay feel monotonous.
- Disappointing ending (weight 0.15): The ending of the game is disappointing, leaving more questions than answers and feeling rushed.
- Lack of innovation (weight 0.15): The gameplay lacks innovation and feels repetitive, with little change from the previous game in the series.
- Inconsistent difficulty in battles (weight 0.11): The difficulty in battles can be inconsistent, with some battles being too easy and others being too hard, leading to a lack of balance.

Gameplay feedback:
- Character development and customization (weight 0.28): Players enjoy the character building, development, and customization aspects, which allow for personalized progression and unique gameplay experiences.
- Turn-based tactical combat (weight 0.23): The game features a turn-based combat system with strategic and tactical elements, appreciated by players for its depth and engagement.
- Mixed feelings on gameplay (weight 0.17): Opinions on gameplay are mixed, with some finding it clunky or too similar to the predecessor, while others find it very good and enjoyable.
- Difficulty and complexity (weight 0.17): The game's difficulty settings and strategic complexity are mentioned, indicating a game that offers a challenge and requires strategic thinking.
- Enjoyable mech combat (weight 0.16): The mech combat is a highlight for many players, with calls for more mecha battles and enjoyment of the Gundam-like mechs.
- Revisiting previous locations (weight 0.15): Players appreciate the ability to return to and explore locations from the previous game, adding a sense of continuity and depth to the game world.
- Minigames and side activities (weight 0.14): The game includes various minigames and side activities such as fishing and snowboarding, adding variety and enjoyment to the gameplay experience.
- Open-ended exploration (weight 0.12): Players desire more open exploration opportunities, suggesting a preference for a less linear and more expansive game world.
- Combat upgrades and improvements (weight 0.12): Combat upgrades and improvements are well-received, with players appreciating the enhancements made to the combat system.
- Character interactions and relationships (weight 0.12): The relationships and interactions between characters are noted as a significant aspect of the game, enhancing the narrative and player engagement.
- Unique and refined combat system (weight 0.09): The combat system is praised for its uniqueness and refinement, offering a distinct and polished gameplay experience.
- Civil war backdrop (weight 0.08): The civil war setting is praised for its immersive and engaging backdrop, adding depth to the game's narrative and world.
- Quartz variety and inflation (weight 0.08): Players note the variety and inflation of Quartz, which adds flexibility and complexity to the game mechanics.
- Overdrive system (weight 0.08): The Overdrive system is a noted mechanic, adding a unique element to the combat and gameplay.
- New animations and mechanics (weight 0.08): New animations and mechanics are appreciated, enhancing the visual and interactive aspects of the game.
- Boss fights with unique mechanics (weight 0.08): Boss fights are highlighted for their high health and specific mechanics, providing challenging and engaging encounters.
- Story pacing (weight 0.08): The pacing of the story is mentioned, with some players finding it slow-paced while others appreciate a faster pace.
- Filler quests (weight 0.07): Some players mention the presence of filler quests, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.

Performance notes:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.2): Multiple reports indicate that the game frequently crashes, affecting stability and gameplay experience.
- Solid 60FPS performance (weight 0.2): The game runs smoothly at 60 FPS with no drops, even in 4K resolution, providing a stable experience.
- Audio lag and balance (weight 0.12): Audio issues include lagging OST and balance problems, affecting the overall experience.
- Minor graphical issues (weight 0.11): Some players report minor visual bugs and rough graphics, though these issues are less frequent.
- Improved animations and NPCs (weight 0.09): Animations have improved, and issues with bugged NPCs and 3D models from previous versions have been resolved.
- Softlock and conversation bugs (weight 0.08): Specific bugs causing softlock and issues with skipping conversations during scene transitions have been reported.
- Minimal load times (weight 0.08): The game features minimal load times, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Turbo mode issues (weight 0.08): There are reports of problems specifically related to the Turbo mode feature.
- Runs well on Steam Deck (weight 0.05): The game runs smoothly on Steam Deck, indicating good performance on various hardware.
- Frame rate options available (weight 0.05): Players can choose between 60 FPS and unlimited frame rate options, providing flexibility in performance settings.
- Low system requirements (weight 0.05): The game has low system requirements, making it accessible to a wider range of hardware configurations.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for series fans (weight 0.65): The game is highly recommended for fans of the series and JRPGs, but may not be as enjoyable for those new to the series.
- Play previous games first (weight 0.59): Players are advised to start with the first game in the series or other related games to fully appreciate the experience.
- Improvement over the original (weight 0.23): The game is considered a vast improvement over the first one, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoyed the original.
- Worth the price (weight 0.12): The game is considered worth buying even at full price, offering great value for its cost.
- Highly praised JRPG (weight 0.09): The game is praised as one of the top JRPGs of all time, indicating high regard within the genre.
- Mods and enhancements (weight 0.08): Mentions of specific mods like SenPatcher and HD Texture replacements that can enhance the gaming experience.
- Worth experiencing despite flaws (weight 0.05): The game is considered worth playing despite its flaws, suggesting that its strengths outweigh its weaknesses.
- Japanese voice acting recommended (weight 0.05): Players are recommended to experience the game with Japanese voice acting for a better experience.
- Take breaks between games (weight 0.04): It is recommended to take breaks between playing different games in the series to avoid fatigue.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.31): Players are frustrated primarily due to the game's pacing issues, including long, dragging scenes and excessive filler conversations. Repetitive gameplay elements, such as mecha battles and forced unwinnable battles, along with technical issues like bugs and crashes, also contribute significantly to this frustration. Additionally, the final boss difficulty and the lack of save points are notable pain points.
- Excitement (weight 0.23): Players express excitement mainly due to the engaging story and character development. The intense and challenging journey, along with improvements in gameplay mechanics and combat systems, also contribute to this excitement. Anticipation for future installments and the seamless continuation of the story add to the overall enthusiasm.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.23): Satisfaction stems from the improved gameplay mechanics and character development. Players appreciate the strategic combat, customization options, and the satisfying ending. The game's overall quality and the fact that it is seen as superior to its predecessor also contribute to this sense of satisfaction.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.23): Enjoyment is derived from the overall quality of the game, including its combat system, story progression, and character development. The unique characters, improved gameplay, and the engaging storytelling contribute to a positive experience. Players also enjoy the music, voice acting, and the detailed world-building.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Disappointment arises from the story progression and character development not meeting expectations. Players feel let down by the overall story quality, messy story structure, and lack of memorable moments. The game's failure to live up to the expectations set by its predecessor and issues with writing and pacing also contribute to this disappointment.
- Joy (weight 0.06): Joy comes from the overall positive experience with the game's story, characters, and gameplay. The emotional impact of the game and the positive feelings towards the characters and the series contribute to this joy. The enjoyable RPG aspects, narrative, and character development also play a significant role.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): Nostalgia is evoked by the feeling of playing through the Trails series and seeing its evolution. Familiar characters, emotional investment, and fond memories of playing previous games contribute to this sense of nostalgia. The emotional impact of the story and the connections between characters also play a significant role.
- Anticipation (weight 0.05): Anticipation is driven by the excitement for the next installment in the series. Players look forward to future games, updates, and releases, which keeps them engaged and eager for more content.
- Happy (weight 0.03): Happiness is derived from enjoying the story, emotional impact, and RPG aspects of the game. The robots, music, and character development also contribute to a positive and happy experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.02): Players feel disappointed due to dissatisfaction with the story and character development. This emotion is driven by unmet expectations in these key areas.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Frustration is caused by experiencing game crashes and technical issues. Difficulties with certain battles and gameplay mechanics also contribute to this frustration.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's features and story, which are highly praised. Positive comparisons to other beloved JRPG games also contribute to this enthusiasm.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is caused by the final dungeon difficulty and disappointment with the story. These aspects of the game significantly impact the player's experience negatively.
- Dread (weight 0.01): Dread is evoked by seeing how the story was butchered, leading to a negative emotional response.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0.01): Mixed feelings arise from appreciating certain aspects of the game despite its flaws. Players have a complex emotional response due to both positive and negative elements.
- Conflicted (weight 0.01): Players feel conflicted about recommending the game due to its mixed qualities. This conflict arises from the game's strengths and weaknesses.
- Angry (weight 0.01): Anger is driven by the poor writing quality, which significantly impacts the player's experience negatively.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Disappointment comes from not enjoying the game as much as the first one. Players feel let down by the overall experience.
- Emotional involvement (weight 0.01): Emotional involvement is driven by the story and characters, which deeply engage the players.
- Investment (weight 0.01): Investment in the game comes from the story and improvements, which keep players engaged and interested.}