Trails of Cold Steel, released in 2013 by Nihon Falcom, is known for its detailed story and more advanced use of 3D graphics compared to earlier games in the Legend of Heroes series. Set in the Thors Military Academy, the game follows class VII, a group of students from both noble and common backgrounds. These students deal with social tensions that reflect the broader conflicts within the Empire of Erebonia. To better represent the diverse society of Erebonia, the game's character cast was expanded significantly. While this allowed for a rich and complex narrative, some players have found the game's slow start challenging, as it requires time to fully develop the story's depth. A key feature of Trails of Cold Steel is the Link System, which lets players unlock special attacks and support abilities by building relationships between characters. This system became a staple of later games in the series. Despite its strong storytelling and technological improvements, the game has had some localization issues. The English version was translated by Xseed and later by NIS America, while the French version of the third episode had notable translation problems. These challenges have not overshadowed the game's significance in the series. Trails of Cold Steel is considered a turning point for Nihon Falcom, helping to raise the company's international profile. It showcases the ability of role-playing games to weave together themes of politics, war, and personal life in a cohesive way. However, the game demands a more patient and reading-focused approach from players, as its narrative is layered and requires careful attention to fully appreciate. The game's impact on the RPG genre and its influence on later entries in the Legend of Heroes series highlight its importance in the medium.