RPGs are among the videogames with the most widespread appeal, the Trails games being no exception. In a narrative-based game like the original Trails in the Sky released in 2004, players of the later installments of the series can run into problems with following the story set up so long ago. This is one of the many draws that the game’s remake, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, has going for it.
Developed by Nihon Falcom, the remake sticks closely to the base game’s story, with small changes in the ways certain ideas are expressed or translated. The game follows the journey of two siblings, Estelle and Joshua Bright, as they investigate the disappearance of their father and train to become bracers, peacekeepers in the game’s kingdom setting. The journey takes the heroes across different regions of the continent, a staple of the genre. Players can also expect to appreciate a graphical update to the game’s magical, futuristic setting up to their exploration.
While the game’s story is mostly left unchanged, this gave the developers time to improve upon other aspects of the original game, including gameplay. The game places an emphasis on the stats, progression, and team building that lies at the heart of the genre, while also mixing in a turn-based combat system into a 3D environment. The game emphasizes a combination of strategy and placing yourself in the action. The various combat animations also add a lot of charm to the remake, making combat feel larger than life and exciting each time. The 3D overworld has also been adapted into the modern age, letting players traverse through a more realized Zemuria.
The scale of the Trails games has become larger and larger with each newer installment, so it might be refreshing for players to return to a simpler look at the franchise. The game promises itself to be a great place for newcomers to get into the series as well. The game released fully today onto PS5, Nintendo consoles, and PC.