The game's character writing

[Squid Teedy]

I have a question about the series:
Does the character writing ever get better? I'm about halfway through the first game and every single character seems like their personality was picked by a random anime trope generator.. I really enjoy the gameplay, and the direction the plot is going, but holy smokes these characters are easy to read through and make it easy to assume plot points about them before they even happen.

[Ellipsis]

It gets better later on. One of the things that the series does well is introduce characters that only seem like common tropes, but then give them the development that causes them to break out of those tropes. Granted, some characters never lose certain tropey aspects, but as the story goes on, they come into their own.

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Stereotypical characters? bad characters. Tropes are tools. Cliches are shorthand for what a character is supposed to be. Cliches are used as a starting point to establish a character quickly before building upon that base. All characters do this, be it the very best characters like Captain Picard from Star Trek, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, Frodo from Lord of the Rings, or Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist. Bad characters use a cliche, and then never build from there. The cast of Cold Steel are not the later. The LoH games features very large casts, and must use cliches (shorthand) to establish a large amount of characters quickly during the introduction before elaborating on them during their moments.

For the sake of demonstration, I will use Jusis and Machias to illustrate my point. Jusis Albarea and Machias Regnitz are among the very best characters in Trails of Cold Steel, if not the entire LoH series. In just a span of ten minutes of screen time during the prologue chapter, Falcom is able to build Jusis and Machias as one of the most interesting characters in the story, as well establish their character arcs, the state of the world, the themes of the story.

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When we first see Jusis introduced as he arrives at Thor's Military Academy, he decides that he will carry his luggage by himself like the rest of the students, a sentiment later outright confirmed when asked by Elliot. However, in that same conversation, he cynically remarks that the class may be desegregated on paper, he is doubtful that it will be in practice. Back to his introduction: he also dismisses the aid of his butler (despite the upper class students keeping retainers in their dormitory), and orders his to rest before returning to his father's service at home. From the very beginning, It is clear that Jusis is a noble who wants to be recognized for his personal achievements and not his ancestry. Despite his indifferent demeanor, he is compassionate enough to ensure his servant's well being. Later, he derisively "hmphs" at Machias' complaints of class desegregation in Class VII, his only response to Machias' rant at the Old Schoolhouse. Combined with his early behavior, it is clear that Jusis has been tired by over-exposure to class strife for his entire life. He is so drained, that he has put on a mask of indifference and only engages Machias out of what little entertainment he can to lighten his day, as well educate his fellow classmate on any factual errors, another subtle indicator as to his history and personality. When Ms. Valestein informs the students that they must navigate the dungeon to pass orientation, Jusis immediately begins to enter the maze. He is here to push himself forward, and has no intention wasting his time debating with a radical who's mind is already set. Interrupted by Machias, Jusis dismisses Machias' claim and sarcastically invites him to exit the crypt, once again reinforcing my earlier assessment.

Jusis (cont): Jusis has been fighting through the crypt by himself, and detects that the other boys have caught up with him. He "politely" asks them if they need anything. Clearly he doesn't want to bother with more arguments. He is so tired of the strife, he doesn't even care about how he is perceived by his new classmates, and has resigned himself to playing up the arrogant noble stereotype. Partly out of exhaustion from a lifetime of being at the forefront of social conflict, partly because a reaction out of the easily played Machias is his only form of levity. It is here that Jusis reveals that although he is frustrated with the class schism, he remains politically aware of what is going, as he is able to identify Machias as Governor Regnitz' son, and (semi-correctly) deduces that Machias' attitude is a result of being raised in a radical reformist household. This SHOWS that Jusis is very perceptive and knowledgeable, and isn't just pretending to be. When reprimanded by Rean, Jusis doesn't try to one-up him with a remark, and openly admits that his words were uncalled for. Even more surprising, he admits that he isn't mature and still has a ways to go... which is ironically a sign of maturity! At the end of the dungeon, Jusis anticipates the fight with the Gargoyle, and afterwards signs up for Class VII, which is stated to be the most challenging class in the institution. This reinforces his desire to push himself; to be a noble recognized for his personal achievements and not his ancestry. At this point, he no longer seems bothered by Machias' pestering, and in fact seems to derive enjoyment by teasing him. It helps that Machias is so easily played... or maybe Machias ALSO enjoys passive-aggressive competition? Freaking masochists!

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At the very beginning, Machias is introduced as radically dissatisfied with the current class system, and immediately (and ignorantly) takes his rage out on a classmate - whom he was previously friendly with - just because he discovered he was noble. He didn't even consider that Jusis was also dissatisfied with the stratification. When Jusis silently begins to leave for the dungeon, Machias is set upon combating the nobles who he see as the enemy, and demands Jusis to wait. After Jusis' rebuttal, Machias is stunned. Evidently, he may talk like he's a revolutionary, but it's clear that he has not yet been able - or taken the time - to formulate a logical counter argument to noble claims on the spot. Rather than respond, he tries to run from the argument by escaping the dungeon before Jusis. Here, Machias' combativeness is reinforced, as he is still trying to "beat" Jusis in another form. But then, the unexpected happens: Machias manages to subvert what is expected of him, and - after regaining his composure - quietly returns to the group. He even humbly recognizes his fault, and asks for forgiveness from his classmates. It is here that we now see Machias as capable of not only rational thought, but humility and an earnest desire for friends with whom he is amicable with. When he inquires as to his friend's social standing, it becomes quite clear that he must have been raised in a (relatively) hard-line reformist environment. The ideas of class reform have been ingrained in this young man; it instinctively returns to this issue. It is evident that he feels awkward even asking, as he backpedals and tries to explain his question to an eye-brow raised audience. His concern for the girls is established, as well as his ignorance as to their capabilities. In a strange case of unknowing hypocrisy, Machias is revealed to be pushing for equality between commoners and nobles, and yet assumes the girls to be so inadequate as to need help. He even feels shame by being outdone on the entrance exam by a woman. (It should be said though, that it also feels like his concern for the girls is also driven by genuine concern for their well being, not just a feeling that they are not up to the task).

Machias (cont): When the group meets up with Jusis again, Machias is shown to be still in his calm, objective state, and is visibly impressed by Jusis' fencing talent. In fact, the earlier argument is so far from his mind, that it actually takes Jusis pressing the issue for him to enter combative, Noble-hating state. Once again, Machias is unable to formulate a counter-argument to Jusis' implication about being a sheep who follows whatever his dad touts, so much so that the only thing he can think of is to attack Jusis. Within seconds of being restrained, Machias is yet again admits his fault, and backs down from the conversation. At the end, he once again decides to subvert what is expected of him, and is the last to sign up for Class VII. Here, he takes the initiative and challenges Jusis. Oh dear, it seems Machias feels like he wants to prove Jusis that he's just as good as him! For the first time, we see Machias setting a goal not based upon an ideal bestowed upon him by his family's world view, but decides to do something of his own initiative. He too wants to better himself, and for the first time decides to engage Jusis not with fists or words, but by showing how a commoner is just as capable as a noble.

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Keep in mind, during the entire prologue, Jusis and Machias each have a grand total of 5 minutes of screen time. In those five minutes, those two have been thoroughly characterized, their character arcs established. Falcom didn't establish each character in a void. By bouncing the characters off each other, Falcom was able to 1. very quickly characterize both characters far beyond a stereotype. 2. begin extensive worldbuilding (seriously, there's so much you can infer just from their conversations). 3. develop an in-depth relationship between the two. 4. establish motivations. 5. DEVELOP the characters! In the span of five minutes of screen time, Jusis and Machias completed an entire character arc, whereby they went from tired and indifferent noble, burdened by his birthright who just wants to stand tall by himself to an intrigued student, ready to learn and eager to make friends. The thoughtless young man, a sheep who follows what his family has told him, to a student who wants to expand his mind and prove that he isn't a sheep whilst changing the world to benefit the masses. Either one could easily be the description of an epic RPG protagonist... and they are just *side characters! We haven't even considered the incredible stories of the other seven members of the class, let alone the protagonist himself! What makes Rean Schwarzer special? Well, you will just have to play and find out for yourself! You're in for a thought provoking treat. :)

[Debrel]

No one's gonna read that.
Anyway, one of the main charms of these games is the characters being put into tropey situations and then seeing them approach them in realistic ways, almost as if the game was tricking you. Especially in Cold Steel.

[Cynbell]

Yeah, the characters do get a lot better.

Also, i read the wall of text and i totally agree, i love the Jusis - Machias interactions and how are they presented in the prologue.
Very believable characters overall.

[Onizuka]

They are certainly on the weaker side of quality writing, especially when comparing them to the characters from the Sky trilogy. Many of them do get better, but several remain so poor they never come close to acting in a believable manner to the things taking place around them, which can be very immersion breaking..

[Kyle G]

Sorry Val I like you but I can't read that.

[butterbattle22]

Well, I read it. Well said.