Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Review – Begin Again

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I’ve been a fan of the *Legend of Heroes: Trails* series for almost ten years. I’ve experienced everything from the move to 3D graphics in *Cold Steel*, the exciting cliffhanger ending of *Cold Steel 3*, the somewhat disappointing conclusion of *Cold Steel 4*, the extra story offered by *Trails into Reverie*, and the new beginning with *Trails through Daybreak* (though I didn’t enjoy the time loop plot in *Daybreak 2* as much). The story has become quite complex, but over the years, I’ve loved watching characters develop and connect, and seeing the world of Zemuria become so detailed and vibrant.

I’m really excited to see where the story is heading – it promises an endgame that could be one of the best in RPG history. But it’s also great to revisit a classic – one of the series’ highlights and where everything started. It’s a story about two young Bracers in the nation of Liberl who set out to prove their worth and ended up making a huge difference.

It’s simple to replay *The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC*, but incredibly difficult to recreate the original experience – the warm feeling, suspense, strong friendships, memorable characters, and beautiful music – in a new version. Remakes often face criticism for changing too much or not enough, so how does *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter* handle it? Surprisingly well, finding a good middle ground and erring slightly on the side of staying true to the original.

Falcom had several options for updating the game. They could have simply improved the graphics with higher-quality textures and more detail. They also could have added entirely new content, though it might not have fit perfectly. Or, they could have implemented their newest battle system without considering how well it would fit the game’s story and world.

As a huge fan, I was so excited for *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter*, and it totally delivered! It’s a complete remake of the original, but they didn’t mess with the story – all my favorite moments, conversations, and battles look and feel amazing. It’s a much longer game than the original *FC*, probably more than double the length, and honestly, it’s almost everything I could’ve hoped for, even with a few minor issues here and there.

Okay, so the game starts just like I remembered – you’re watching little Estelle wait for her dad, Cassius, to come home. But it’s different this time! It feels much more personal, like you’re right there with her, and honestly, she’s a really energetic kid – a little clumsy, but adorable. When Cassius finally shows up with Joshua, their scene is way more dramatic and over-the-top, almost like an anime. I was a little worried at first because some of the voice acting and lip syncing didn’t quite match up, and I wasn’t sure if this new way of presenting things would really grab me.

I’m so happy to say this remake really *feels* like Trails in the Sky! Whether it’s the music – they’ve got three different arrangements, including the original score – or just the overall relaxing vibe, it’s pure Trails. That iconic track, “The Whereabouts of Light,” still gives me chills. And honestly, Joshua and Estelle’s back-and-forth is just as charming as I remember. Even something as simple as walking through Rolent and talking to everyone on the way to the Bracer exam feels perfect. It nails the nostalgia of the original while still feeling fresh and new. It just *feels right*.

Even if the initial hours are slow as you learn the game’s systems and world, this game is absolutely worth playing. The characters of Estelle and Joshua are brought to life wonderfully by Stephanie Sheh and Johnny Yong Bosch, and their interactions are a highlight. While the switch between voiced and unvoiced dialogue can be a little jarring, their chemistry still shines through as their relationship develops.

While Falcom isn’t usually praised for cutting-edge graphics, the first chapter of this game looks fantastic. The characters are incredibly faithful to the original designs, and the environments are packed with the same details I remember from the earlier versions.

Other characters remain charming too, like Scherazard’s subtle wit and Kloe’s regal bearing. What consistently impresses me is Falcom’s attention to detail with its everyday characters – they always have fresh dialogue and stories if you bother to chat with them as you play.

The gameplay in *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter* is a big improvement. It uses the combat system from *Daybreak*, letting you choose between fast-paced, action-style battles and more strategic, turn-based combat. You’ll need to use both – turn-based is essential for tough boss fights – but being able to switch between them keeps things interesting. This version also adds follow-up attacks and powerful Chain Attacks, features not found in the original game. Plus, characters can move around the battlefield, allowing you to strategically position them for extra damage from the sides and behind.

Battles still happen in turns, and you can disrupt enemies to gain small advantages, like free attacks or guaranteed critical hits. Luckily, the developers didn’t add too many complicated new features, keeping the system easy to use while still allowing for strategic character builds. Everything flows nicely, especially dodging at the right moment to launch a counterattack or start a special battle sequence. The new menus are easy to learn, though switching equipment felt a little clunky compared to older games. While battles can sometimes feel a bit repetitive (like in a previous game), the story’s emphasis means you’ll spend more time learning and perfecting your characters’ skills – and the game doesn’t shy away from a little wordplay about that!

Okay, I have to say, I’m absolutely loving the way this game looks! Falcom doesn’t always prioritize top-of-the-line graphics, but the first chapter is just gorgeous. The characters look *exactly* like the concept art, and the environments are so detailed – they really nailed the feel of the original games. And honestly, the music? It’s incredible. I’ve been a little worried about the soundtrack in some of the recent games (especially *Cold Steel 4*!), but this is just perfect. From the opening theme to the classic tunes and the battle music, everything sounds amazing. They’ve rearranged the songs so well – it feels fresh and new, but still honors the originals. It’s just a fantastic experience overall.

People might have different thoughts about where the story is going, but whether you’re already familiar with it or just discovering it, it’s a compelling narrative with characters you’ll quickly come to care about.

The game largely stays true to the original, with very little new content added. Essentially, *1st Chapter* is designed to let long-time fans revisit a beloved classic and introduce it to new players. Don’t expect a lot of fresh gameplay or activities. The game also features a completely new translation aiming for greater accuracy to the original Japanese version. Players will either appreciate this faithfulness or miss the familiar, well-known lines and messages from previous localizations.

I don’t have a problem with the new translation; it doesn’t ruin the game. The characters still feel like themselves, and the story remains true to the original. The biggest issue is that some character names have been altered – Armand and Ellie are now Areum and Aria – and these new names will be used in future games. Hopefully, this will be addressed in an update, or perhaps these remakes are considered separate continuities. However, if the plan isn’t to remake the entire series with this new localization, it feels a bit strange overall.

Honestly, even as a remake, *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter* is fantastic. It really shows you what made the original game so special, and it pulls you into this amazing world. And yeah, Estelle is seriously the best! Some people might have different takes on how the story goes, but trust me, whether you’re new to the series or a longtime fan, this is a story you’ll absolutely want to experience. The characters start out a little cliché, but they quickly become genuinely lovable.

This game was reviewed on PS5.

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2025-09-23 17:45