I think Trails does world building amazingly well. The problem, for me, is in how they present it to the player. In both the Sky and Cold Steel duologies (not counting 3rd) there is a formula that is as follows:
-These are the characters you play as. They are new to the world, and a rookie bracer/student.
-These are the super powerful big players in the world. You aspire to be like them.
-Go around and learn about the world. Be reminded you are a fish in a pond by having the more capable characters frequently show up and make you aware of how far the lead characters have to go.
-Once all areas have been visited, the plot REALLY begins.
-Massive, no holds barred end sequence.
-Rinse everything from Game 1. Game 2 now has you repeat Game 1, but you're capable of standing with the big leagues now.
The major issue with this is that the beginning and middle parts feel like you are going around and reading books about the country. It's not even masked a little bit - in Cold Steel you are on literal field studies to learn about the country. There are much more organic ways to introduce the player to the world than having them basically research it before things happen.
Some thoughts about the Crossbell arc and how it's a bit different from the other games.
Spoilers for Crossbell arc structure: WARNING, WALL OF TEXT!
What I like the most about the Crossbell arc is that the main location you visit in the game is the city itself with a few trips to nearby farms, hospitals etc. Most of the game occurs inside the large city and this makes for a very tight narrative. Instead of going around the country like bracers, you are resolving problems within the city and that means learning quite a lot about this place compared to the other games in the series where you learn a bit about these and these places. The game really makes you feel for the city as the main protagonists do, at least for me.
Playing as the police also connects them to the politics of the city and its problems with Erebonia and Calvard competing for influence. You really get to know how little power Crossbell really has and how its just a puppet state for its two neighbours who both claims ownership over it.
As for the plot, it really feels like a mystery or detective novel. Each arc focuses on one or several main characters and gives them development while progressing the main story itself. The development of the city ties directly to the mystery of Lloyds' brother, the pasts of Elie, Tio, Randy and it's just endearing to watch it unfold. Developing the city means developing their plotlines and slowly uncovers the mysteries until the finale exposes most of them in an eventful and fantastic ending.
That we also sees the ending of several plotlines from previous games makes the arc very fulfilling and it made me cry several times while having 3rd in my thoughts.
The pacing is maybe the best of the series and that is maybe due to how every chapter directly and indirectly lead into the climax of the story. You won't notice it, but the game foreshadows the rest of the arc from the first chapter. It's also the game which takes place in a relatively modern setting with the Orbal Network, hacking, databases etc.
The many plot twists and revelations are also very interesting and changes the dynamics between the main characters and other people like their superiors etc. There are betrayals, enemies becoming allies, allies becoming enemies, clashes between mafia, jaegers, assassins.
It has also quite a few very tropey plotlines regarding the mafia and hackers in general, but god, I really love them nevertheless.
The fact that there are only a few characters in your party also lead to better development of them like the first games. The fact that the main characters are tied so deeply to the main plot is also one of its strengths, especially in Zero which also is pretty conclusive, but leaves the door open for a sequel.
A point that is a bit different from the other games is that the main characters have role-models, but in most cases, they are not there. When you need them the most, they are not present, forcing the main characters to act themselves and how the characters overcome that is a delight to watch. There is a reason why "Get Over the Barrier" is one of the main themes of the Crossbell arc, both thematically and musically
Playing as the police also connects them to the politics of the city and its problems with Erebonia and Calvard competing for influence. You really get to know how little power Crossbell really has and how its just a puppet state for its two neighbours who both claims ownership over it.
As for the plot, it really feels like a mystery or detective novel. Each arc focuses on one or several main characters and gives them development while progressing the main story itself. The development of the city ties directly to the mystery of Lloyds' brother, the pasts of Elie, Tio, Randy and it's just endearing to watch it unfold. Developing the city means developing their plotlines and slowly uncovers the mysteries until the finale exposes most of them in an eventful and fantastic ending.
That we also sees the ending of several plotlines from previous games makes the arc very fulfilling and it made me cry several times while having 3rd in my thoughts.
The pacing is maybe the best of the series and that is maybe due to how every chapter directly and indirectly lead into the climax of the story. You won't notice it, but the game foreshadows the rest of the arc from the first chapter. It's also the game which takes place in a relatively modern setting with the Orbal Network, hacking, databases etc.
The many plot twists and revelations are also very interesting and changes the dynamics between the main characters and other people like their superiors etc. There are betrayals, enemies becoming allies, allies becoming enemies, clashes between mafia, jaegers, assassins.
It has also quite a few very tropey plotlines regarding the mafia and hackers in general, but god, I really love them nevertheless.
The fact that there are only a few characters in your party also lead to better development of them like the first games. The fact that the main characters are tied so deeply to the main plot is also one of its strengths, especially in Zero which also is pretty conclusive, but leaves the door open for a sequel.
A point that is a bit different from the other games is that the main characters have role-models, but in most cases, they are not there. When you need them the most, they are not present, forcing the main characters to act themselves and how the characters overcome that is a delight to watch. There is a reason why "Get Over the Barrier" is one of the main themes of the Crossbell arc, both thematically and musically