The Bracers Guild

[Mandrake42]

No spoilers, but over the course of the story do we get to find out why all the bracers guilds are closing down in Erobonia?

[Oostin]

Yes, that is all I will say.

[Mandrake42]

Originally posted by Oostin:

Yes, that is all I will say.

Thanks, and thanks for no spoilers too, I appreciate it :)

[Stabbey]

I think the Trails in the Sky games also get mention that as well. It's not required to understand, but it does give some additional context.

[Mandrake42]

Originally posted by Stabbey:

I think the Trails in the Sky games also get mention that as well. It's not required to understand, but it does give some additional context.

I think I vaguely remember it being mentioned but at that stage I didn't realise I was going to be eventually playing a game set in Erobonia so I just kind of let it go into the rest of the background lore in a series that is PACKED with it.

[Mandrake42]

Some rampant speculation I have been harbouring for some time:
Sara is a former bracer. It all adds up. Her skills, the way she is setting up Class VII to essentially go on the same kind of tour of the country young bracers have to go on to earn their place. Her kind of disregard for military disciple. The way she drinks like she and Scherazard are long lost sisters....

No need to confirm or deny, that speculation has been bubbling away for a while now though :P

[Mandrake42]

Ooh! I was right. I also picked that (Um, spoilers in case the spoiler tag wasnt a give away)
Misty was Vita Clotilde

Ok sure so Im not exactly Sherlock Holmes but it was still satisfying to be right on both counts :)

[Hat8]

I doubt you'll be able to predict the endings.

[Mandrake42]

Originally posted by 4240876367:

I doubt you'll be able to predict the endings.

Goodness, I hope not. The ending of Trails in the Sky FC was a shock and I would be disappointed if the ending of ToCS was predictable!

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Originally posted by Mandrake42:

Originally posted by 4240876367:

I doubt you'll be able to predict the endings.

Goodness, I hope not. The ending of Trails in the Sky FC was a shock and I would be disappointed if the ending of ToCS was predictable!

This series focuses on development that endures multiple playthroughs rather than shocking twists that lose their novelty after the first. I'd say that most of the reveals in Crossbell and Cold Steel weren't meant to be shocking, so much as they were built up to make the player ask "how could you do this" as the fateful moment they dreaded approached.

[Mandrake42]

Originally posted by Val the Moofia Boss:

Originally posted by Mandrake42:

Goodness, I hope not. The ending of Trails in the Sky FC was a shock and I would be disappointed if the ending of ToCS was predictable!

This series focuses on development that endures multiple playthroughs rather than shocking twists that lose their novelty after the first. I'd say that most of the reveals in Crossbell and Cold Steel weren't meant to be shocking, so much as they were built up to make the player ask "how could you do this" as the fateful moment they dreaded approached.

Wait so you weren't surprised by the ending of Trails in the Sky FC?

I appreciate that this games are slow build, I have played all three games in the Trails in the Sky series. But that ending was amazing............and then I had to wait over a year for them to translate the next game.

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Originally posted by Mandrake42:

Originally posted by Val the Moofia Boss:

This series focuses on development that endures multiple playthroughs rather than shocking twists that lose their novelty after the first. I'd say that most of the reveals in Crossbell and Cold Steel weren't meant to be shocking, so much as they were built up to make the player ask "how could you do this" as the fateful moment they dreaded approached.

Wait so you weren't surprised by the ending of Trails in the Sky FC?

I appreciate that this games are slow build, I have played all three games in the Trails in the Sky series. But that ending was amazing............and then I had to wait over a year for them to translate the next game.

The ending was a shocking swerve; there was no buildup to the moment, and I was never invested in that character. As such, I focused on the technical implications of the event rather than any character development brought about by it.

The games since then have treated their character betrayals differently, with the emphasis on the character and not the plot. You see it coming a mile away (as it was built up throughout the game, rather than just coming in at the end), yet I was far more invested in their characters and was torn when those moments finally came.

[Mandrake42]

Originally posted by Val the Moofia Boss:

Originally posted by Mandrake42:

Wait so you weren't surprised by the ending of Trails in the Sky FC?

I appreciate that this games are slow build, I have played all three games in the Trails in the Sky series. But that ending was amazing............and then I had to wait over a year for them to translate the next game.

The ending was a shocking swerve; there was no buildup to the moment, and I was never invested in that character. As such, I focused on the technical implications of the event rather than any character development brought about by it.

The games since then have treated their character betrayals differently, with the emphasis on the character and not the plot. You see it coming a mile away (as it was built up throughout the game, rather than just coming in at the end), yet I was far more invested in their characters and was torn when those moments finally came.

Ahh, ok. See I was really quite fond of Estelle and Joshua and indeed the whole Bright family so it obviously had a greater impact for me.

Edit: I also think it is a little unfair to say there was no warning for the ending. It was definitely a big surprise the first time, but on replaying there are hints and seeds sprinkled throughout the game. It isn't a total deus ex machina.

[Hat8]

A surprise can be hinted at and still be surprising. I'd say that FC had quite a few hints to what was about to happen and wasn't just something that came out of left field.