I have been playing Nihon Falcom’s Trails franchise for over 10 years. From the Trails in the Sky series, to Trails of Cold Steel, eventually working my way to the current Trails Through Daybreak set. Now, we return to where it began (at least in the west) with a revamped entry of the first game in the Trails in the Sky trilogy.

Trails in the Sky 1^st Chapter is a remade and revamped version of Trails in the Sky, now sporting a fresher combat system, fresh visuals, and more. In essence, Trails in the Sky 1^st Chapter lines up a bit more with what you’d expect from the Trails Through Daybreak games, with a hybrid of both real-time action and turn-based combat depending on what you prefer.

The story (as with the original) puts you in the shoes of Estelle and Joshua Bright as they try to climb the ranks of the Bracer Guild. Joshua is Estelle’s adopted brother, and as they try to rise through the ranks, more of Joshua’s past is revealed. What starts as a straightforward journey turns into political intrigue and turmoil, truly bringing you deep into the world of Zemuria and the continent of Liberl.

Trails in the Sky 1^st Chapter also contains full voice acting in both English and Japanese. This doesn’t cover the text-heavy parts of the books and lore information that can be found all over. However, it does make the story elements more accessible for people who have trouble with large amounts of text. The voice acting helps flesh out the cast of colorful characters, both NPCs and party members alike.

After all, while the combat and RPG elements are enjoyable, the story and world-building are where this franchise truly shines. With that said, if you like action RPGs or Turn-based RPGs, this entry in the franchise has options for both. Enemies show up in the field, and you can attack them openly in real-time, or attack them to stun them and then switch to Turn-based mode to hit them with potent crafts or magical abilities.

Both options are useful and important, so Trails in the Sky 1^st Chapter (like Trails Through Daybreak and its sequel) benefits from a hybridized approach. The controls should be familiar to fans of the Trails franchise’s later installments, but they’re easy to understand if you’re new to this sort of play as well.

Visually, it feels like Trails in the Sky 1^st Chapter got a full upgrade. While the cute anime-esque vibes are still there, the details are much more pronounced. Things like the characters’ eyes and expressions are much more detailed. The visuals, combined with the soundtrack, really make Trails in the Sky 1^st Chapter feel like more than just a simple remaster. It is familiar but also enhanced. The previously mentioned voice acting also works to pull you into the world of Zemuria even more this time around.

Overall, Trails in the Sky 1^st Chapter is a great start to what I hope is a completely revamped take on the Liberl arc of the series. The original Trails in the Sky trilogy just hasn’t aged super well, but this first entry is very well done. If you are looking to get into the franchise, this is a great starting point. Also, if you have an RPG lover in your life, this is a great gift idea in time for the holiday season.

A PC Review copy of Trails in the Sky 1^st Chapter was provided by GungHo Online Entertainment for the purposes of this review.

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Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

$59.99

10

Score

10.0/10

Pros

• Gorgeous detailed visuals
• Added story elements
• Well-done voice acting
• Solid combat refinement
• Great entry point for the franchise