Trails RPG series ranked by Kotaku: Cold Steel 4 at number 13

• In the part discussed, Trails of Cold Steel 4 is ranked No. 13.
• The author calls the series long-running and strong in worldbuilding and characters, and says it is now easier to get into thanks to recent remakes of early entries.

What happened

Kotaku has published an article ranking Nihon Falcom’s Trails RPG series from worst to best. In the piece, the franchise is presented as a series that has been running for decades and is known for its worldbuilding and characters. The author describes it broadly as a long-running JRPG series, with story continuity being one of its defining traits.

The author also writes that the series can feel intimidating for newcomers, but that it is now easier to start than it used to be. The article points to fresh remakes of the earliest Trails titles, although the available excerpt does not specify which remakes are being referenced. So while Kotaku makes clear that the barrier to entry has come down, it does not say exactly which individual games or versions the writer had in mind.

The article is structured as a full ranking of the entire Trails series, but only one specific placement is visible in the excerpt. There, Trails of Cold Steel 4 lands at No. 13. Kotaku describes the game as the conclusion to the Erebonia storyline and says it is not bad, but struggles to make the larger stakes feel truly huge.

At the same time, the author also highlights strengths in the game, including some of the series’ best small character moments and the resolution of several personal conflicts. That puts the game in a mixed light: strong on character-level storytelling, but, according to the writer, less convincing when it comes to delivering a grand finale.

The article also stresses that it contains very few spoilers. As a result, the ranking is presented as something readers can use even if they have not finished the series. The combination of a spoiler-light approach and a full worst-to-best ranking makes the piece useful as either an entry point or a refresher for players looking to explore the franchise.

Background

The Trails series, also known as Kiseki, is a long-running JRPG franchise from Nihon Falcom. Kotaku frames the series in this article as one with a great deal of story continuity, which has traditionally made it harder for new players to jump in. That fits the way the series is often discussed: as a story-driven franchise where earlier events and recurring characters matter a great deal.

In the article, the series is not only presented as old and expansive, but also as one that leans heavily on worldbuilding and character development. That matters for the ranking, because the writer uses it to explain both why the games are appealing to many players and why the series can seem overwhelming to newcomers. The text directly links that reputation to the franchise’s current accessibility, saying Kotaku believes there are now more entry points than there used to be.

The article says the ranking contains very few spoilers. That keeps the overview usable for readers who have not played through the series in full. This is especially relevant because the Trails series is known for its ongoing storylines and recurring cast, which means a standard “best games” list can easily give away major plot details. Kotaku tries to avoid that here.

The visible discussion of Trails of Cold Steel 4 shows how the writer evaluates the game within the broader series context. The title is tied to the Erebonia storyline and to its role as the arc’s finale. At the same time, the author says the game does not fully succeed in conveying the scale of the ending, despite its strong individual scenes and the way it wraps up personal conflicts.

For readers, that means the article is more than just a simple numbered list. It also offers a short explanation of what Kotaku thinks makes the series special. The combination of a full ranking, a spoiler-light approach, and a nod to recent remakes makes the piece especially relevant for players who already know the series or are looking for a place to start within the Trails/Kiseki catalog.

Sources

• Kotaku: “Every Trails RPG, Ranked From Worst To Best”