Trails From Zero’s simple visual style has never been more at home than on Nintendo Switch, making it a must-play for handheld JRPG enthusiasts.
In a gaming landscape that’s constantly taking advantage of ever bigger screens, resolutions, and graphical fidelity, the Nintendo Switch version of Trails From Zero has reminded me that sometimes, there’s magic to a smaller screen.
I became a little obsessed with The Legend of Heroes (or Kiseki) franchise after blasting through the first two Trails of Cold Steel games on PS4. Here, the eclectic mix of school-based socializing and danger-filled, politically driven field trips that hint at a nation on the brink of civil war kept me hooked for well over a hundred hours’ total playtime.
Ever since, I’ve been hotly anticipating the release of Trails From Zero on Nintendo Switch. The game predates Cold Steel by several years, but this latest port marks the first time Trails From Zero has been made available outside of Japan.
That’s wonderful news if you’re a JRPG enjoyer – whether you’re a Trails veteran or dipping your toe into the series for the first time. But I think there’s an equally valid win here for Nintendo Switch owners – particularly those who primarily play the console in handheld mode.
Trails From Zero is a perfect fit for Switch. Its charming low-poly visuals look far more appealing on the Switch’s sharp 720p screen than when blown up on an ill-fitting 4K display. The latter of which runs the risk of putting the game’s upscaled PSP-era visuals in a pretty unflattering light.
Trails From Zero sidesteps this almost entirely on the Switch’s portable screen, making it a must-play if you’re after a highly polished, turn-based adventure to play on the go.
What immediately struck me with Trails From Zero wasn’t the familiar sights and sounds of the continent of Zemuria.
