Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Reviews

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is ranked in the 100th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Hardcore Gamer
Skeith Ruch
Top Critic
4.5 / 5.0
Sep 24, 2025

Falcom's classic JRPG has been remade for a new generation, does this game still hold up under modern standards?

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9.5 / 10.0
Sep 23, 2025

Revisiting the first Trails game was a fantastic and smart decision made by the developer, as the remake, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, is the most well-polished and comprehensive entry to introduce or reintroduce players to its impressive world. Now, this reimagined world feels more expansive and immersive, and while its original story has been left untouched, the developer made smart key changes, including improved localization, quality-of-life updates, stunning visuals, and characters that are captivating from their first appearance to the final scene.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 23, 2025

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a great remake, but it's truly elevated by almost perfectly channeling the original's charm.

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95 / 100
Sep 24, 2025

Trying to remake a masterpiece is never easy, but with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, Falcom manages to not only deliver something on par with the original, but surpass it in several key areas. Every inch exudes the charm and care that made the series so beloved, delivering a finished product of excellence.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Sep 23, 2025

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.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 23, 2025

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

GameSpot
Top Critic
8 / 10
Sep 17, 2025

The very first entry of Falcom's epic JRPG saga has been remade to glowing modern standards while faithfully preserving the original story

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9.5 / 10.0
Sep 17, 2025

Back in the day, Trails in the Sky hinged on its story and world-building to make up for its other lacking characteristics. Twenty years later, Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter not only brings back the full heart of what made the original a classic, but it can now stand tall beside any other heavyweight JRPG. The visual presentation is beautiful, the mix between real-time and turn-based battles is a blast, and the quality-of-life additions adhere to present-day audiences. I can confidently say that Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter is a quintessential JRPG that should be cherished by every fan of the genre.

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9.5 / 10.0
Sep 18, 2025

There is just something magical about the effort brought into the remake of Trails in the Sky. You can just see that it was made with love and care by people who understand just how special the original Trails in the Sky was. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a must-have for anyone who enjoyed the franchise and all the RPG lovers in the world.

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9 / 10
Sep 16, 2025

Falcom has outdone itself with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. This is an incredibly heartfelt recreation of a classic RPG - a remake that retains all of the charms of the original game, while also delivering one of the best, most polished adventures in the entire franchise.Whether you're a Trails veteran or a curious newcomer, 1st Chapter is a must-play instalment.

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RPG Site
Top Critic
10 / 10
Sep 19, 2025

Not just a remake for fans of the original, but an excellent starting point for newcomers to both RPGs and the Trails series itself.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 20, 2025

I’ve played and reviewed a lot of remakes. Many somewhat fall flat on the basis of not saying or doing a damn thing important. Shining out through all that noise in Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. It’s a hallmark in how it recaptures a JRPG classic, steadfast and headstrong in justifying its existence as it invites returning fans and even newcomers to what they’ve been missing out on all these years. Travelling the great unknown with Estelle and Joshua again has been an unbelievable privilege and delight, following their story and connection as a colourful cast joins in tow. There’s barely a bump on the road on the journey, allowing players to soak in the world of Liberl in all its monster-hunting, government-conspiracy-unravelling glory. Job well done, Nihon, you’ve stuck the landing.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2025

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a stunning remake that staunchly secures the series' leading place in modern RPGs.

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Sep 19, 2025

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is the definitive way to start the Trails series. It is an amazing game, and the story and themes are just as relevant today as they were 20 years ago.

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Unscored
Sep 17, 2025

Barring my qualms with the localisation, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is still going to be the best way for most new players to experience the start of the Trails saga. Its story remains faithful to the original, with gameplay tweaks offering a more modernised experience. I just hope that, even if it doesn’t happen for 1st Chapter post-launch, 2nd Chapter gets a more consistent localisation that doesn’t clash with future games.

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9.5 / 10.0
Sep 16, 2025

A faithful and polished remake that stands out as one of the year’s best JRPGs

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 15, 2025

I can't believe how much better Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter looks, sounds, and plays compared to the original. It may not be as epic as some of the more recent games but what's here is certainly charming and satisfying enough for any RPG fan to easily fall in love with it. 📓

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Sep 21, 2025

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.

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87 / 100
Sep 19, 2025

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.

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Cultured Vultures
James Tran
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2025

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.

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