Trails franchise (Trails In The Sky, Trails Of Cold Steel etc)

So back at the guild, we check if we have any updates on where those Jaegers took Dr. Wily, and in comes Dorothy conveniently enough with a photo of the airship.

But it takes all of them a while to realize the airship the Jaegers escaped on. I love how Dorothy gave us the clue about major army corruption completely by accident.

The fortress in question is THE HQ for the Liberl airforce, and it's REALLY suspicious that the airship just happened to fly right next to it. Logically, Liberl would have some air traffic protocol, what with all the airships, therefore that particular military base not trying to stop that ship is really not a good sign for the moral integrity of the Liberl air force and perhaps the entire military. The mole might not be operating alone.

So off we go to the fortress!!!

RIGHT AFTER I DEAL WITH THIS STUPID BOSS. I miss having more than 2 party members.

A couple of tries later, and we're here at the fortress, where we are greeted by Cid from Final Fantasy.

Wait, what the hell are you doing here?

Anyway, el Cid in charge is acting REALLY suspicious, stating how all of the Imperial intelligence officers are unavailable, and he can't tell us about. Which would be fine, but this is fiction, so there's a more sinister plot afoot.

And against my better judgement, I just have Estelle show him the photo and uhhh that gets an EVEN more suspicious reaction since el Cid reacted in fear when told that we found out proof of where those Jaegers went. El Cid promptly confiscates the photo, and makes up more bullshit about how that ship slipped the radar because they were all busy looking elsewhere for the professor, and the ship went to the Empire, so this is all clearly an Empire plot.

Ummm what? Do you really expect me to believe that? Are you stupid?

Yep, something sinister is afoot, and Estelle and friend decide to do some snooping.

Edited by RedHunter543 on Mar 25th 2024 at 3:25:59 AM

AH HA! The gate just happens to malfunction eh? Right when Dr. Wily just happens to have an orbment that can shut down orbal tech?

THE JIG IS UP! Either Imperial intelligence officers like Richard are behind this, OR are victims as well could go either way albeit my money is them being on in on this, and el Cid is certainly hiding something.

And so the heroes piece together the conspiracy as well! It's great figuring out the plot around the time the heroes do too, makes things feel more immersive.

.....Uhhhh just ignore Agate and Tita hanging out on the doorway. They aren't supposed to be here yet.

And in comes Agate and Tita, Agate is feeling better and now feeling pumped after hearing those Jaeger people might have been military men in disguise. Presumably, this is part of his tragic backstory.

....Unfortunately as per the rules of the Bracer guild, we can't arrest politicians or other members of the government.

But turns out that rule was basically created to create some tension for a few seconds as Kilika then notes that since the higher priority of the Bracer guild is to protect civilians, then Estelle and friends can go infiltrate the fortress and get Dr. Wily out of there.

I swear, this game is going to end with us fighting a government official and then some bullshit happens so that we can arrest them.

So wait, all of these stolen books weren't from from Bleublanc then?

Huh, I would have thought he was behind this, but it's just some other fellow.

...Suddenly Kilika being the receptionist got a WHOLE lot more sinister. This is like if Lechter was the operator for the SSS. I seriously doubt this plan was provided for by the guild.

So the plan is to basically hid in the cargo, use Dr. Wily's device to bypass any scans, and then get in and get out.

So uhhh.... do we have any kind of escape plan? Like this plan is pretty solid, but I haven't seen any talk of how we get Dr. Wily out safely.

Also Agate is coming with us. Yes child, come with us to the military base to commit all sorts of crimes. Sure, this is anime land, where little girls can carry bazookas but this is absurd.

But I need party members so welcome aboard!

WHAT!? Seems like some internal sabotage is going on. Wonder if Klaudia is doing anything about this.

Of course, tough brooding guy has a dead sister, and the annoying kid he interacts with reminds him of her.

So now we begin our infiltration! Gotta say, this is going to be one hell of a time.

AH HA! Smoking gun! I knew Colonel Richard couldn't be trusted!

...Boy, would have been REALLY embarrassing if Estelle and friends were wrong about Dr. Wily being here.

Now that aside, Gospel? Hmmmmmm...

Oooooh..... they AREN"T JAEGERS?! Well awfully convenient for them to just narrate out loud who they are.

Someone has a grudge. Well that fight was pretty easy. Pretty suspiciously easy.

Yay, Tita rescued her grandpa!

Dr. Wily explains that he's been forced to work on the black orbment which is called Gospel, and that Richard is plotting to start a coup for whatever reason.

Wait a damn minute. Based on Richard's appearance looking like Dieter, I can take a stab at his motivations.

.....It's to take over Liberl and use the Gospel as a deterrent against invasion isn't it?

Richard even mentioned that whoever gave him the orbment would prefer to be anonymous.

It's Ouroboros isn't it? Really reminding me of the Ascians from Final Fantasy XIV. Just giving people all sorts of gifts and stepping back and watching the chaos.

Like, the story lays it on thick that Richard is affable and that he cares about Liberl, so he's def not doing this for UNLIMITED POWER.

Bah, either way, we'd better get out of here!

...It's never easy.

OF ALL THE PEOPLE! IT"S YOU CLOWNS!! Oh it's been too long.

Wait, so this must mean Colonel Richard had you losers arrested to make himself look better. That's hilarious.

Seem Cid has been having some major doubts and covers for us by hiding us in his office. He goes on to exposit that colonel Richard has seized power within the military and arresting anyone major leaders who don't get with the program, with general Morgan being one of those people.

Cid is basically forced to cooperate but his heart REALLY isn't in it. So he helps Estelle and friends escape through a hidden corridor that has a boat waiting at the end.

Well now the group argue on what to do next, with Agate telling Joshua and Estelle to split up from the rest of the group so they all have a better chance of escaping, and that it's better that those two remain unidentified.

Estelle initially objects but Dr. Wily manages to convince her to flee and warn the queen of Richard's coup.

Pretty smooth brain there, professor.

Dawww. Tita is adorable and she did grow on me during this chapter.

Alright, Chapter 3 done.

Damn, things are getting serious now. Cold Steel def owes a lot of it's DNA to this game. There's a coup against the leaders of the country while the main characters are caught in the middle of it.

Granted, I don't see Joshua suddenly revealing he's a member of Richard's forces and having a mech duel with Estelle at the end of the game.

VERY curious to see what happens next, but I'm out of time once again.

On to the capital!

How much game do I have left?

About 7 hours, give or take. Chapter 4 is longer than the others, but it's almost all plot with minimal sidequests.

How long did it take you to get this far in the game, Red?

About a month.

Remember I’ve had to take a break because I’ve been learning Spanish. With a great degree of difficulty.

I don’t have the same free time I had for Zero and Azure.

Oh shit, things are getting real! So Julia and Kloe are fleeing from some unknown enemies, and Kloe is forced to leave her behind.

Turns out those enemies are THE ROYAL INTELLIGENCE DIVISION. Oh shit, the coup is happening! Duke Cayenne is going to take over the count-I MEAN Dieter Crois has declared himself pres- I MEAN Richard is starting his coup!

Very big oof. The princess is caught! Oh dear, and it seems things have only started getting worse.

Kloe even drops the comment about how bold it is that the ROYAL INTELLIGENCE are fully operating in the open. So they must be assured of victory.

What next?

...Shit, is Osborne up to something as well? That Vita comment finally going to pay off?

OH MY GOD OLIVER!!!!!!!

So after some light teasing towards Mueller, they discuss attacks on Bracer guilds across Erebonia.

Yeah, I'm a bit lost on who they are talking about, but I presume this whole convo will make sense after the game.

Hey, they FINALLY name dropped Jaeger. I don't think the audience would know what that means tho at this point in time.

So Mueller notes that the storm Oliver predicted is coming, and he wants the prince to get out of here but Oliver retorts with this:

So glad to have a vote of confidence from the man himself.

So Estelle and friend attempt to board an airship to Grancel to warn the queen, but all flights are cancelled as per army's orders.

SHIT! Better get there on foot.

Estelle, this is a pretty weird time to start thinking romantically about Joshua. There's a COUP going on, and we're trying not to get caught by the military.

I can just hear Alfin going " But that idea makes the love more beautiful! "

Uh oh.

Damn, limiting the ability of both your enemies in one fell swoop. Pretty devious of you Richard.

Luckily, Professor Alba shows up and bails us out of getting searched by the guards. Whew, you know what? No shitty nicknames for you.

Oooof. This is relatable, seems I've got a kindred spirit in interests that aren't profitable. Alba saw we were in trouble and decided to help, and luckily his identity is actually fully legit so we have an excuse to go with him to Grancel with perfectly legal means.

So Professor Alba decides to join us on our quest.

Huh, he isn't a party member. I was expecting him to be more relevant after that life saving stunt.

Oh well, onwards to Grancel!

Edited by RedHunter543 on Mar 26th 2024 at 8:03:33 PM

Sweet, seems this chapter will be smooth sailing on the quest front.

....He's running the country? I think he'll do more damage than Erebonia ever could.

Oh... I see, useful idiot. Granted, I don't even think he knows what's going on based on his comments about oversleeping after a night of drinking, eating, and reading manga.

LET ME IN DAMN IT! I WANT OLIVER BACK IN MY PARTY!!!

So we arrive in the coliseum for the inevitable tournament and we watch a team battle.

...Yeah, my money was on the bracers with individual names and costumes over the generic military men who all look the same and wear the same uniform.

Don't I know it.

Zin knows that the more outnumbered you are, the weaker the enemies are.

Uuhhhh..... so he's actually a good speech giver? Even coming off as benevolent? Didn't see that coming.

Estelle once again mirroring my own reactions.

So apparently, the prize for winning this grand tournament is an invitation to a grand banquet.

....Wait a damn minute, is THAT why Zin is just one guy? So Estelle and Joshua have an excuse to join him and the tournament.

Well played writers.

Every time I see Anton, it's like staring into my soul.

....Game, please stop calling me out.

OLIVER MY MAN! FINALLY!

.....And then Estelle knocks him out after he finishes expositing where's been, because he teased her having a crush on Joshua.

And now it's just Estelle and Joshua again, COME BACK OLIVER!!!!

I love going to talk to the NPC in the window in that scene.

..Estelle, I'll never forgive you for screwing me over another party member.

Alright, that's it, I declare Rean to be the best protagonist now.

So we saved this nun from some rampaging monsters.

And of course, more monsters show up but then Zin takes them out in a cutse- oh wait, we're actually fighting all these bees?

Huh, well that's certainly one way to advertise he's a party member. Unlike that stupid Arios!

Oh so that's going to be his quirk eh?

And so so the Jaeger looking intelligence spec ops soldiers show up, start blustering, and then escort the nun back to the city.

And then Estelle starts lampshading what I've been thinking about stealthy people wearing uniforms that identify them.

Yeah, why would you even wear outfits that identify you as spec ops?

So back at the town, Estelle and Joshua tell Zin about their plan and he's down to clown but states we could use another party member to even things out.

OLIVER! FINALLY, WELCOME ABOARD!

Interestingly enough, Zin instantly picks up on the fact that he's a marksman so that will do wonders for our team.

Granted, I think Oliver is better at arts than just shooting, so what the hell, I've got all sorts of quartz that Oliver can use.

Finally, best character is back, now I'm even more hyped for the tournament.

Just out of curiosity, how does Olivier feel like to play?