A really silly question about the series as a whole

[GeekyJuuu]

So, I may/may not be burned at the stake for this, but I'm a Falcom-nooblet. Ys: OiF on Steam, of all things, was the first time I was exposed to the general glory that is Nihon Falcom products. So, I'm getting into these series KINDA late. And I just had one question regarding the continuity for the Kiseki series specifically...

Just what ARE Zero and Ao no Kiseki? XD It's so silly, but my knowledge gleaned from some searches basically extends to "Yep, they're in the series. Yep, PSP and some PC ports, Zero's was a disaster." I figured I'd get the best responses from series fans. :> I get that FC-SC-TC are all direct-ish sequels to one another [correct me if I'm wrong], but where do Zero and Ao fall in the continuity? Spinoffs, like Nayuta? Do they play different [like how Nayuta seems to be Ys-style action with an expansive Trails story]?

Though it'll be a LONG time before these are out there in English, I'm just curious, as I just LOVE amassing a large knowledge of general game trivia [I swear this will help me on a game show one day! ;p] and I really have no idea. xD Plus, we may always see the series come to Steam someday...right? ;D

tl;dr: What are Zero/Ao no Kiseki like, how do I Nihon Falcom!?

[PlasmaJelly]

So, I may/may not be burned at the stake for this, but I'm a Falcom-nooblet. Ys: OiF on Steam, of all things, was the first time I was exposed to the general glory that is Nihon Falcom products. So, I'm getting into these series KINDA late.
tl;dr: What are Zero/Ao no Kiseki like, how do I Nihon Falcom!?

I'm in the same boat. Ys Steam was my first Falcom game, hopefully the series will be released on Steam, really want to try it out.
And yeah, I'm also curious about Zero/Ao.

[Wyrdwad]

Unlike Nayuta, Zero and Ao play *exactly* like the Trails trilogy (though with a couple extra gameplay additions, like the Xenosaga-esque ability to sneak up on enemies or incapacitate them before battle), and story-wise, they take place after Trails 3. They feature a new set of main characters... but then again, so does Trails 3, but it's still pretty connected to everything else that happens in the series.

Basically, you can think of Zero and Ao as Trails 4 and Trails 5. They may not be AS directly connected to the series as the Trails series proper... but I still wouldn't recommend playing them without first playing through all three Trails games. Their connection to the series is pretty significant.

-Tom

[GeekyJuuu]

Awesome! Makes sense. So they're moreso continuations that get a little name change. Still important, valid series entries. Thank you for clearing it up. :]

[Serge]

Though it'll be a LONG time before these are out there in English, I'm just curious, as I just LOVE amassing a large knowledge of general game trivia [I swear this will help me on a game show one day! ;p]

Yeah me too! I'd like to use this knowledge somewhere too :P

[Chaosblade]

Though it'll be a LONG time before these are out there in English,

More of a huge "if" than a "when," I'd love it to happen though.

Plus, we may always see the series come to Steam someday...right? ;D

I'd assume it's a given for the trilogy if it all gets localized, even if XSEED hasn't/can't confirm anything. And there's this, which the pessimist in me isn't expecting anything from, but...

[GeekyJuuu]

Yeah, a long time if ever was probably best wording, mm? :P

But indeed, it's nice to hope. No different than looking forwards to all of the other wonderful games that won't make it out here, right? Heh.

[The Shadow Court]

I'd rather have the "when" than the "if" regarding localization.

But yeah, as it has already been said above, Zero is the fourth game and Ao is the fifth game.

[belmont]

What about Nayuta then? Is it a sixth game or we don't know yet?

[Wyrdwad]

Well, technically, it is the sixth Kiseki game, yes. And we know that it has SOME connection to the previous titles. But we don't know how strong that connection will be just yet.

-Tom