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As the seasons change and it gets even colder in places like North America, Europe, and Japan, this feels like prime time video game time for me. Holidays like Thanksgiving may be about food and family, but it is also about free time to play video games all day long. In addition, there is Black Friday right after. As such, gaming on Thanksgiving and Black Friday holds some of the most precious memories for me.

Here is what our staff has to say about the best Thanksgiving and Black Friday gaming deals and memories we still well.

Siliconera Speaks Up: Best Thanksgiving or Black Friday Gaming Memory 6y26w

When it comes to Thanksgiving, I still avoiding the family gatherings and playing games I just got like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. That is where my love for RPGs began when exploring Vivec City, as it still remains tied with Crossbell from The Legend of Heroes series for my favorite video game city. As such, I will never forget that particular Thanksgiving many years ago.

I also ironically have fond Black Friday memories, as I typically saved much of the part-time money I made for that particular day. One of my favorite purchases was buying a PSP on sale finally with the money I saved from my teen job. The PSP really started my love for JRPGs as I got to play titles like the PS1 Final Fantasy games, Persona 1-3, and more. I getting Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and Final Fantasy VII to start with my PSP on Black Friday. Many of my best memories in gaming happened surprisingly around Thanksgiving and Black Friday, even though I generally am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving. -- Cody

What are some of the best gaming memories you have on Black Friday and Thanksgiving? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Thanksgiving 2024 begins on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Black Friday 2024 follows up the day after on Friday, November 29, 2024.

The post What’s Your Best Thanksgiving or Black Friday Gaming Memory? appeared first on Siliconera.

Kotobukiya has opened pre-orders for its figure of Tio Plato from Nihon Falcom's The Legend of Heroes: Trails series. The character's appearances in the Crossbell duology of Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure will serve as the base design for this figure. The 1/8 scale figure will have an overall height of 257mm (~10.1 inches), which includes Tio's staff weapon.

The Japan-exclusive Kotobukiya Online Shop revealed an alternative face plate featuring a smiling Tio as an exclusive bonus. However, its fine print suggests that this bonus may also be available in some of the overseas sales and future restocks.

Other than ing local retailers, people from all around the world can also place pre-orders on AmiAmi, which s international shipping. While the figure has a normal price tag of 20,900 yen (~$139.50), AmiAmi provides a discount that reduces the price to 17,550 yen (~$117).

The two Crossbell titles originally came out for PlayStation Portable in Japan as Zero no Kiseki in 2010 and Ao no Kiseki in 2011. After a long wait, NIS America published the official English releases of Trails from Zero in September 2022 and Trails to Azure in March 2023 for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The 1/8 scale figure of Tio Plato from The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure will be officially available in May 2024.

The post 1/8 Scale Tio Plato Figure Pre-Orders Opened appeared first on Siliconera.

For those following The Legend of Heroes games since XSEED picked up The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, Trails to Azure is something to be celebrated. While the reliable stream of recent releases is appreciated, it wasn’t always such a given. The Crossbell duo is a long absent missing piece, only rectified after Trails from Zero finally appeared worldwide in 2022, 12 years after its original PSP debut. Trails to Azure is a long-awaited piece of a puzzle providing context fans longed for, and as expected it’s a solid conclusion and appreciated RPG.

That is, for people who do have all this context. This isn’t for people who haven’t played Trails from Zero or, ideally, kept up with the Crossbell, Liberl, and Erebonian Empire events. Go play the first game or one of the other titles and come back in 120-360 hours.

Trails to Azure even begins with a story segment that helps tie it to the first game and wrap that “case” up a bit more clearly. Lloyd Bannings and Noel Seeker are working with Alex Dudley and Arios MacLaine to apprehend Ernest Reis and Hartmann, who are apparently after the vestiges of the D∴G Cult’s power. So right away, you’re seeing the Special Section (SSS) leader, the soon-to-be-SSS-member but still current Crossbell Guardian Force person, a Crossbell Police inspector, and a Bracer’s Guild A-rank member all working together. Not to mention the Gralsritter Dominion Kevin Graham pops up at the end, introducing a number of different factions coming into play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPAQQLf8PY&ab_channel=NISAmerica

Once that’s tied up, Lloyd explains to Noel that due to the fall of Revache, the mafia that basically helped keep order despite being a criminal enterprise, and possible political instability that might come from the rise of new mayor Dieter Crois, Crossbell’s independence, and the approaching West Zemuria Trade Conference. The SSS is bulking up by adding Noel and the mysterious Wazy Hemisphere to their ranks, as well as by having existing like Elie building up more ties with possible allies. This also, of course, means encountering all of the groups above and the Septian Church, not to mention people from other countries.

Right from the outset, it’s establishing that Trails to Azure isn’t a game for you if you haven’t been keeping up. It brings in person after person who was critical in the first part of this duology, expecting you to be up-to-date. It will also reference characters from the Trails in the Sky series, organizations present in all recent The Legend of Heroes series, and even drops Ries’ appearance with little introduction. It 100% is a game that requires context. Which means it is great and feels like a connected part of a vibrant world if you are aware of everything! It relies on Nihon Falcom’s well-built foundation. Not to mention if you do know people, they do still feel true to themselves and in-character.

At the very least, playing Trails from Zero is mandatory. This is because a character introduced in it, KeA, is a central figure throughout Trails to Azure’s plot. It’s handled in a very good way, and I really appreciated playing a The Legend of Heroes offshoot that can wrap up its plotlines relatively succinctly in two games following the four-part Trails of Cold Steel.

Okay, well, that’s 500 words alone trying to explain exactly how many spinning plate plot points come up in Trails to Azure without major spoilers. It’s a lot! Fortunately, the actual gameplay isn’t nearly as overwhelming. Like Trails from Zero and the Trails in the Sky series before it, Trails to Azure is a turn-based RPG. You have a party of characters who can use Arts as a result of equipped quartz in each person’s Enigma II tactical orbments, as well as special craft abilities tied to each person. Characters can use team attack Combo Crafts with certain allies. There are also S-Crafts, essentially limit breaks, that can be used at any time once the proper gauge is filled. Also, while it involves a fairly straightforward, turn-based battle system, each unit’s position also matters to determine range of attacks and area of attack effects. Also, there are casting times for arts to consider. So really, it’s all much more strategic and thoughtful than most turn-based games.

That thought extends to the SSS missions themselves. You’ll always get some optional and other “urgent” requests. The former can and will disappear if you don’t get to them when they show up. The consequences usually mean missing out on some rewards or even an interesting sequence of events. The urgent requests advance the story and are always labeled as such. So there’s this distinction that allows people a lot of freedom when choosing what to do and which, which I appreciated.

It’s also great that, like in other The Legend of Heroes recent released, Trails to Azure also offers these more lighthearted elements and events. Bonding returns, allowing you to connect to certain allies. You can customize your orbal car and get items for allies’ rooms. There is an amusement parks and beach to visit, though these feel more event-geared than something like the actual Pom! Pom! Party! puzzle minigame, and opportunity to once again fish.

Not to mention how it preserves the continuity. In some games with multiple parts, carrying over save data might just mean additional items or costumes. Trails to Azure acknowledges things you experienced and did in the previous game, as well as bonding events. In my case, I was fortunate to pick up from the Switch version of Trails from Zero, which means I noticed differences in Lloyd and Elie's relationship because I maxed out their relationship before. It's a fantastic "reward." You paid attention to this series and spent the 50-odd hours necessary to beat Trails from Zero and connect, so Nihon Falcom rewards us for it.

Trails to Azure also looks rather good on the Switch. Yes, I noticed some textures that didn’t look as great in some dungeon areas or during some Craft sequences. But in general the characters and environments look great, considering the original age of the game. There can sometimes feel like there’s some disconnect when you compare the visual direction and style of some monsters to people in your party. But in general, it looks and sounds great.

But even if it didn’t look exceptional or was more dated than it appears, finally getting Trails to Azure feels like a special occasion handled with the honor it deserves. This is a JRPG that I didn’t think we’d ever see released worldwide about 10 years ago, and now it’s here. It’s a joy to play. As long as you’ve been keeping up with the series over the last decade, it will likely delight you as well.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure will come to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC on March 14, 2023 in North America, March 17, 2023 in Europe, and March 24, 2023 in Australia.

The post Review: Trails to Azure Closes Out the Crossbell Chronicles appeared first on Siliconera.

NIS America has confirmed its release plans for two Nihon Falcom titles: The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure and the PS5 edition of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. Azure will launch on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC via Steam on March 14, 2023. Meanwhile, Ys IX lands on the PS5 in Spring 2023.

Check out the story trailer for The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPAQQLf8PY

Trails to Azure is the fifth game in the Trails series and the second of the Crossbell arc. Set in the City of Crossbell, it takes place several months after The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (which NISA launched in late September 2022). The game continues the story of aspiring hero Lloyd Bannings and the Special Section (SSS). Though a temporary peace has settled on Crossbell, multiple factions with their own motives are driving up tensions once more. In particular are pressures faced by both the Erebonian Empire and the Republic of Calvard.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is the latest game in the long-running Ys series. It puts players in the role of Adol Christin once more. Adol's latest adventure takes place in Balduq, a "prison city" menaced by mysterious individuals called "Monstrums". The PS5 release will include all prior cosmetic DLC released.

Check out the announcement trailer below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41RrYkKfP20

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure releases on Switch, PC, and PS4 on March 14, 2023, in North America, March 17th in Europe, and March 24th in Oceania. The previous game, Trails from Zero, is available now. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is available on PC, Switch, and PS4, and will arrive on PS5 in Spring 2023. Ys X is in development.

The post Releases for Trails to Azure and Ys IX: Monstrum Nox PS5 Port Announced appeared first on Siliconera.

There’s a chance to learn more about the next The Legend of Heroes game. NIS America shared a new Trails to Azure trailer going over its characters and story and showed off its limited edition. It shows what happened next after Trails from Zero.

First, here’s the Trails to Azure video showcasing its characters and briefly touching on the story. Since this is a sequel, many of the faces are familiar. The Crossbell State Police Department Special Section folks all show up. First, there’s a look at hero Lloyd Bannings. After that, we see how Elie MacDowell looks in this installment. That’s followed with a moment set aside for Noel Seeker. Wazy Hemisphere’s segment comes after that. Tio Plato, another returning heroine, shows up next. Finally, it closes out with series staple Randy Orlando.

As for the Trails to Azure limited edition, it is a fairly typical NIS America collector’s edition. People get a copy of the game, hardcover art book, SteelBook case, and 10-song soundtrack. There is also an acrylic stand with new characters Noel and Wazy. People get a cloth poster with all six major characters on it.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure will appear on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC in early 2023. Trails from Zero, the first part of the story, will appear on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC on September 27, 2022.

The post Trails to Azure Characters Trailer and Limited Edition Shown appeared first on Siliconera.

NIS America officially announced the localization of four different The Legend of Heroes games. This includes The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero, The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie, and The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails. Each of these titles will arrive in a staggered release, with the localizations handled by NIS America and Geofront.

Due to a leak through the Epic Games Store, these titles were confirmed for a PC release. However, these four titles will also appear on other platforms. This includes PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Additionally NIS America will be using the fan translations provided by The Geofront for the official Western release of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero and The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure. The Geofront previously provided fan translations for these two titles specifically. The patches are now no longer available to . An official post from the group states that they would love to consumers to the official release.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero will release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and on PC through the Epic Games Store, GOG, and Steam in Fall 2022. Trails to Azure, Trails into Reverie, and The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails are in development and scheduled for release in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC.

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The Epic Games Store leaked the planned localization of three new titles in The Legend of Heroes series--Trails to Azure, Trails into Reverie, and The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails. Likely planned for a reveal at the Falcom 40th Anniversary Livestream event set to air on June 24, 2021, the games are being published in English by NIS America. This follows the announcement of a localization for The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero.

The Epic Games Store pages for Trails to Azure, Trails into Reverie, and The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails are still up. Each shows teaser trailers, screenshots, and summaries of the games. While Trails From Zero is tagged for a Fall 2022 release window, the other three are all set to release within 2023.

Trails to Azure is a sequel to Trails From Zero. It continues the story of Lloyd Bannings and the Special Section. It is also the finale of the "Crossbell Arc" of the larger Trails storyline. The game will allow importation of saves from the previous titles.

Meanwhile, Trails into Reverie is touted as the "climactic chapter" in the whole Legend of Heroes series. Players will gain control of protagonists Rean Schwarzer (main character of the Trails of Cold Steel series) and Lloyd Bannings, as well as a new character named "C". Using a system called "Crossroads," players will explore the "intertwining fates of three figures in Zemuria." They'll also experience storylines simultaneously, as well as recruit characters, play minigames, and challenge procedurally-generated dungeons. Bonuses can be unlocked by importing saves from Trails To Azure.

Finally, The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails appears to have no explicit connection to the other games. It's described as a "different kind of Trails" game, with a lighter, more fantasy-based story that emphasizes discovery. The game follows Nayuta, a boy who dreams of leaving his home island and exploring beyond the horizon. He encounters a fairy-like girl named Noi, who asks for Nayuta's help in recovering some stolen object.

Trails to Azure, Trails into Reverie, and The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails are in development and scheduled for release in 2023. The localized editions are confirmed for PC releases, and their Japanese originals also released on PS4, PSP, and Nintendo Switch.

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