Taking place on the same continent as Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel gives players a chance to delve deep into the inner political conflicts of this powerful empire. In the game, players take on the role of specially-selected elite military students at a time of great turmoil, enjoying school life and bonding with fellow students to earn abilities in battle, then utilizing those abilities via speedy, tactical turn-based combat. The standalone story also delves into the expansive lore that has become synonymous with the series.