Trails of Cold Steel (and the Kiseki series in general)

[Briar King]

Well I didn’t really know what was happening.

I just assumed that Roaring Lion was a nugget of one of the other games I’ve not played. I remember Gaius talking about priest in 1 but it’s been awhile since then and I didn’t really pay much attention to him during it

 

So mostly I was just like: ok

Hopefully it’s expanded upon later.

[aneonfoxtribute]

Nope. The Roaring Lion isn't a character in another game. He is a member of a group who is veryimportant, the Gralsritter

[Briar King]

Did he mention him in 1 or was he just being general about traveling priest in Nord?

Much like Malazan these games will have to be replayed at some point in the future.

[aneonfoxtribute]

I think he just said wandering priest in CS1 

[Briar King]

Yeah I thought it was something like that.

[aneonfoxtribute]

Oh right also something to note. I don't know if I've said this yet or not but this game does something absolutely baffling. It hides plot behind New Game+. There is a scene at the very end of the game in New Game+ that gives REQUIRED INFORMATION for future games. It is so dumb and baffling and I don't understand why they did it. I'll give you a link after you beat the game

[Briar King]

I slowed down big time after hearing how much further I had to end..

I just finished the 1st Stratum though and it was probably one of my favorite moments thus far of the games.

[Briar King]

Son is here so very little time to play. I did clear 2nd Stratum just now and it was a very fun fight. Clear Moon Gem is epic in these boss fights. At lvl 129. I just want to goooooooo go go but no it’s GTA time. Grr

[Briar King]

Ummm yea I got utterly rusting stomped on 3rd Stratum end. Honestly don’t even know how I’m going to pass this bit. Hopefully I don’t have to weaken. I’m just ready to move on to next game. *sigh I guess I have to try and grind a bit more but it’s getting hard to hit next lvl now. Just hit 130 with main group.

I will feel so cheap if I have to take that weaken route here. Haven’t had to yet this game but this is probably the biggest test here....

[Weltall]

Go in with protection against Burning or better yet, as much of your team as possible loaded up with an all-immunity effect like a Grail Locket because that will counter his Deathblow and special status condition as well. Once you don't have to worry about that, he's a lot easier to handle. He's supposed to be tough but literally no fight in this series requires you to use the Retry Offset option... when it even is an option because it sometimes gets disabled on high difficulties.

Edited February 1, 2021 by Weltall

[Val the Moofia Boss]

If you want to cheese the game, just equip stack as much delay on Rean, Fie, and Gaius (the quartz are: impede 1, impede 2, and Zeus gem). Then spam their delay crafts: Arc Slash, Bullet Cyclone, and Savage Fang. This will delay the enemy's turn for as long as possible, giving you more turns to recover between attacks. Also remember to cast buffs twice, like Chrono Drive for 50% speed increase on your team, giving you even more turns.

Edited February 1, 2021 by Val the Moofia Boss

[Briar King]

Got it on 3rd attempt. I think it was all mostly luck that let me prevail. I had to use Emma to revive so many times in that hours long 15 min long battle.

The part afterwards. Very very very fun. Wish my son had been able to see that part.

[Briar King]

Looks like I’m here! I see I have a hella big battle segment for ending so I’m gonna pause for an hour and recharge so I can be ready for my normal 4pm session.

Phew I’m ready.

[Briar King]

This is BS. Curb stomped before I can even do anything really. Ugh guess I have MORE grinding to do.

 I’m never gonna finish this series 

[Briar King]

I just couldn’t take it anymore. I wasn’t going to just grind another few lvls for a few hours when at only a few hundred pts each battle now. I was getting beat down so much and I just want to be done with this game so I broke down...weaken option it is..ugh 4 times. FOUR TIMES!

Im at a pause point in game now before next rounds start. It’s almost ambien time so I must not go into this fuzzy headed. I will wait for tomorrow and finish the battles and prepare myself for the hours of story still left after.

I really hope I can make it once without weaken option. I’m 2 out of 4 games now. Was sooo close but that was impossible for my style of play at 131 apparently.

[aneonfoxtribute]

I'm not really sure what the problem is. What do your characters look like? I've NEVER had that much trouble basically ever in CS.

[Briar King]

I called so much of this stuff lol.

In epilogue now. Umm ok my head is spinning like crazy.

[aneonfoxtribute]

The final scene before the epilogue is so insane and it's amazing. 

[Briar King]

It was groovy. CS2 finale stuff

Called it Osborne wasn’t dead and was Rean’s father who I also think is a descendant of Emperor D. I thought Crow may be Rean’s brother though.. not convinced he is dead either but so be it if he is.

So I’m in Crossbell in control of some cop and the Opera singer whose name I recognize from the Vice Principal’s fan crush sessions from 1&2.

[aneonfoxtribute]

Just now, Briar King said:

It was groovy. CS2 finale stuff

  Hide contents

Called it Osborne wasn’t dead and was Rean’s father who I also think is a descendant of Emperor D. I thought Crow may be Rean’s brother though.. not convinced he is dead either but so be it if he is.

So I’m in Crossbell in control of some cop and the Opera singer whose name I recognize from the Vice Principal’s fan crush sessions from 1&2.

 

Spoiler

Fun fact, we actually already knew that Osborne was alive coming into this game because Azure actually tells us he is. But Osborne isn't a descendant of Driechels. He was a commoner, whereas Driechels' descendants are the Arnor family, the current crown.

Those two are Lloyd and Rixia. Lloyd is the Crossbell protagonist and Rixia is one of the party members in Azure. Rixia isn't an opera singer, she's a dancer/stage performer.

 

[Briar King]

Yeah I was thinking of Vita on that part but knew she was a star regardless.

[Briar King]

I’m in a maze and I do NOT like it.

I also suspect that if I had played

Crossbell I’d have lost my rust in delight at this unexpected stuff.

Edited February 2, 2021 by Briar King

[aneonfoxtribute]

Can confirm I sure did. This was fanservice extraordinary.

[Weltall]

Yes, you definitely would have, as well as extra geeking out over just plain seeing several characters and bits of Crossbell in 3d.

Oh yeah, so Ys IX is officially out today. Still waiting for my LE to arrive and I seem to be in that group that didn't get theirs a day or two early but also didn't get an email warning of delays, so hopefully it'll find its way to my doorstep soon. Right now I'm enjoying the reactions of people who have already started playing. And Sorcerian Advance should hit the eshop tomorrow.

[aneonfoxtribute]

Oh right have I ever said that Osborne is probably my second favorite villain ever? Because he is