Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Reviews
Rarely do I get so invested in an ongoing, long-running story and lore-based series like this, but the mix of interpersonal melodrama and larger-scale politics was handled immaculately here, to the point where I’ve had to fight myself from looking up what happens to certain characters on fan wikis in the hopes that I won’t be waiting too long until a hypothetical 2nd Chapter. Pair that with one of the most interesting, fluid, and fast-paced battle systems I’ve experienced in the genre, one which was constantly introducing new wrinkles and tools to play with, and you can consider me a full-on Trails fan now
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a wonderful game and an absolute must-play for all fans of the genre. It has all the essential elements of a model JRPG, and instead of trying to impress with flashy graphics, it captivates through an excellent story, engaging gameplay, and a unique atmosphere. It’s another title that proves to modern developers that in the race for innovation, it’s sometimes better to stop and look back. I sincerely hope Nihon Falcom will give us the joy of experiencing the later entries in the series, which until now have been reserved only for Japanese players.
Review in Polish | Read full review
There’s no better time to jump into The Legend of Heroes than now as Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, as the name suggests, is a reinvention of its opening story. And what an excellent remake it is!
Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter proves it is more than just a simple remake, but the definitive way to experience the origins of one of JRPGs’ most beloved sagas. With vibrant visuals, refined combat, and thoughtful quality-of-life updates, it respects the original whilst also ensuring that it stands out to modern gamers. Sure, the slow pacing and some dated side content won’t be for everyone, but the heart, charm, and sense of adventure on offer here are simply undeniable. For newcomers, it’s the perfect place to start, and for veterans, it offers a fascinating return to where the journey first began.
Trails in the Sky is truly fantastic, paving the way to the moments I adore across the series. This remake is easily one of the best in years, as while it brings new mechanics and systems to help modernize a now 20-year-old game, it maintains its essence almost perfectly. If you were holding out on the series due to the history and baggage that is found in the later games, this is hands down the way to do it. With a teaser trailer of its next entry to view once the credits roll, I am beyond pumped to continue this adventure with Estelle and Joshua, and everyone else I adore.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter revitalizes the series’ origin, pairing charming leads with refined battle mechanics, rich customization, and the deep world-building that fans and newcomers will adore.
Trails in the Sky the 1st may have a few minor shortcomings here and there, but overall it’s a highly ideal remake that lets you fully experience the very first entry in the Trails series. The long-standing issue of visuals has been polished to the point where they’re no longer a distraction, the combat is engaging, and the quality-of-life improvements make the whole experience pleasantly smooth. That said, the main story feels somewhat short in volume, and the lack of long-term replayability is disappointing. Still, it’s a fantastic remake that significantly lowers the barrier of entry for newcomers to the Trails series.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter isn't just a new take on the first stone of the Trails Series, but an entirely new way to enjoy the game that started it all. Accessible, modernised and incredibly well-written, this remake manages to pay homage to its original trilogy satisfying both passionate longtime fans and newcomers. It's a beautiful declaration of love to the series, but it's also a new start, finally allowing everyone to embark on an unforgettable journey that is already a landmark in the JRPG genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a remake that respects the original RPG and manages to elevate the experience with its changes without forgetting its essence. It's a laudable example of how to reimagine a game, reaching an unbelievable balance between faithfulness and modernization.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is special. Giving a game new life without losing its original essence and personality is rare in this industry. Following and reliving Estelle and Joshua's adventures through Liberl is heartwarming, just like the original game. One of the best video game franchises is now accessible to a new audience with a true entry point.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky remake is a masterful modernization of a cult classic, with a big-budget presentation and combat that expertly balances turn-based depth with action. While the voice acting can be inconsistent and the pacing slow at first, it's a stellar entry that honors the original while providing welcome quality-of-life improvements for both veterans and newcomers.
It may have taken me a long time to get here, but I have to admit that I’m so happy I did. Falcom did an amazing job with this game. The characters felt authentic, the story was engaging, and the battle system was a lot of fun. Repackaging something older in a way that appeals to newer audiences but manages to retain its original charm is harder than it sounds, so hats off to them for the success of this remake!
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is everything I hoped and dreamed it would be. It's the perfect introduction to Trails, with an outstanding cast, engaging gameplay, and a world impossible not to get invested in. The slow-burning narrative, while very enjoyable, can lead to monotonous sections of the game, but this is just a minor gripe considering the massive adventure at hand. New and old fans alike will fall in love with what is assuredly one of the best RPGs of the year.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is the best entry point into a franchise with more than 13 interconnected games. By modernizing and updating a game from 2004, Nihon Falcom shows why it is one of the best JRPG studios today, proving that when a developer is dedicated to and values their product, the player wins with an excellent game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Minor issues with certain mechanics aside, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a worthy remake that brings the first game in the series forward into the modern era with stunning graphics and a great story that keeps you riveted from beginning to end.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter doesn't just join the modern JRPG scene; it soars above it, letting players enjoy one of the genre's most famous stories the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Despite minor blemishes, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter sticks the landing as a faithful yet ambitious remake. Though slow-paced, Falcom's stunning retelling of the series's origin is the new definitive starting point for your Trails journey, and an excellent RPG in its own right.
Ultimately, I walked away from Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, 50 hours in tow, not regretting a single bit of it. It’s an amazing RPG til the end and the remake only enhances the original experience. Not many games can keep my interest this long, especially when it comes to combat and elongated story scenes—and the lore behind it all is both well-thought out and incredibly imaginative. Don’t miss this one for the “skies”. ∎
As a fan of Sky FC, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter feels like a rather lovingly made remake. It lines up with the modern Trails games while not compromising too hard on keeping true to the original in areas where it mattered most, and there are plenty of changes I openly welcome. Trails in the Sky has always been one of my favorite games thanks to its characters, world, music, and combat systems, and I had a blast coming back to Liberl. While it is quite a different way to play through the first chapter of Estelle and Joshua’s journey, it is nonetheless one that keeps a lot of the heart. I don’t see it as a replacement for the original, and it is inevitably going to draw comparisons, but I think this version suffices in capturing much of the same spirit of the game that got me into this behemoth of a series. There are plenty of spots I wish would have been more polished, but 1st Chapter got a good amount of the most important areas right. As this is but one side of the coin, I look forward to Sky’s Second Chapter, just as much as I look forward to hopefully seeing this game impact new players the way the original did for me.
Gatekeeping veterans will definitely show shade at some of the things that were taken away from the original game, but at its core, as a full JRPG released in 2025–this is one of the best games of the year, and as a longtime fan myself, I hope this is the beginning of the series getting the full attention and love it deserves.