Over the last couple weeks, Falcom has released footage of Trails of Cold Steel IV, with the latest coming out last Thursday. I'd like to take this opportunity to show off the recent footage that was released, as well as warn you that it will have spoilers. If you are interested in seeing how the game plays, it's pretty much the same as Cold Steel III... additionally, at the end of the article, I will be writing the profiles of two characters that people have been waiting for a long while. One of these is of the series' protagonist, Rean Schwarzer. These profiles, at least in terms of content, will still avoid major Cold Steel III spoilers. However, the second one will contain a major spoiler just by existing. So, I don't blame you for avoiding this article. You have been warned.

With that in mind, let's start with six minutes of gameplay that includes footage from the very beginning of the game. Skip to 2:53 for actual gameplay.

Second, we have the footage from last Thursday, where battle gameplay takes place, giving us a look at the battle theme. The second half has some event scenes, including the full reveal of a favorite bracer from Trails in the Sky.

Many thanks to users Trails of Cold Steel (unofficial) and Frokenok3 for the footage, so I didn't have to go digging through a 3 hour live stream to find it. Last, but not least, we have a 15-second TV spot that is filled to the brim with spoilers. If you look closely, you might see the glimpse of another favorite Trails in the Sky character.

A couple months ago, when I was doing the profiles for Ouroboros, I went on a little rant about how the worst spoilers would come because of two characters that didn't show up yet. Well, guess what? They're here. So, with that being said, let's begin.

Huh, he's in his ogre form in the main visual. That isn't alarming at all. Rean is the main character of the entire Cold Steel saga and the awakener of the Divine Knight Valimar. Being in the forefront of the series, he was pushed into the leadership role of Class VII and his role of the Ashen Awakener allowed him to be the hero who saved the country during the Erebonian Civil War. In Cold Steel III, he became a teacher at Thors Military Academy Branch II, in charge of the new Class VII. In Cold Steel IV, well, can't really say much. You'll just have to watch and see.

What did you expect? For me to mention another character who looks similar to him and be cryptic about it? It's obvious that the above person is Crow. Originally acting as the leader of the Imperial Liberation Front, Crow is the awakener of the Azure Knight, Ordine. Despite suffering an unfortunate incident at the end of Cold Steel II, he is back in Cold Steel IV as a playable character.

With Crow out there, I might as well show off the box art, too.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel (Sen no Kiseki) IV ~The End of Saga~ will release on PS4 in Japan on September 27th. There is currently no word on a western release of it or it's prequel. Check out our gallery if you are interested.

• Gematsu

• Trails of Cold Steel IV Screenshots