I’ve been a JRPG fan since I was a young gamer, loving the stories and characters to the point of crying when one left the story. So I was excited to see Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter land in my Steam library, a faithful retelling of the popular Trails/Kiseki series. I dove in and can now share my impressions as a first time player of the series. I promise I’ll spare major spoilers and be vague in situations so you can pick it up yourself later.
Editor’s note: This is a first review by a new writer, Halios, and goes off-style from our usual reviews. His next articles will be back in the regular LifeIsXbox template you’ve come to expect.
ℹ️ Reviewed on PC | Review code provided by PR/publisher. This review is the personal opinion of the writer.
| Developer | Nihon Falcom |
| Publisher | GungHo Online Entertainment |
From the start, it felt like I was watching an anime series. The opening scenes introduce the main characters in a quirky, almost immature way. Cassius Bright, a renowned warrior and Bracer, returns home from his latest expedition carrying a large package: a boy named Joshua. Soon after, we meet Estelle, Cassius’ daughter, who comes across as a bit of a brat in this cutscene. She playfully bullies Joshua after he awakens, demanding answers to her questions in a childish manner. Cassius even jokes that she runs the household, and somehow, I found a sense of realism in that statement.
Trails then presents an amazing title cutscene, showcasing some of the characters you will meet along the way along with stylish, fun moments. I was genuinely impressed by how well this cutscene was executed, as it built excitement for what lay ahead. It reminded me of the opening to one of my favourite anime series, the kind I would queue up for a binge session.
In some instances, I feel the game may have tried too hard. As someone who never played the original, the dialogue sometimes feels outdated or even a bit cringeworthy during heavier moments. The relationship between the two main protagonists, in particular, could have been written with a stronger tone or adapted to more modern language.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the story and I’m eager to uncover all the little secrets of the world of Liberl. Still, I feel that a few more careful adjustments could have improved the overall experience.
Speaking of the dialogue, the voiceovers were a welcome surprise. So often in RPGs I’ve wondered what a character would truly sound like. Would he have a mighty voice, roaring in battle alongside his companions, or would he be squeaky, like Mickey Mouse on one of his famous rides? I only wish there had been more voice acting overall, as some cutscenes feel awkward when one character speaks while the others remain in written dialogue, only for another voice to suddenly chime in. At times, it almost feels like a jump scare.
The voice work adds a great deal, brought to life by excellent actors such as Matthew Mercer and Fawn, who truly put emotion into their performances. For a real surprise, try switching to the Japanese voices and notice how differently the characters are portrayed. Both versions deliver an impressive and well-crafted experience.
The world feels fleshed out and well developed, with townsfolk busy at work or moving through their daily routines. Since the game is an adaptation of one released years ago, I wasn’t sure if this detail was part of the original, but it was a welcome addition if not. I love an RPG that makes you feel important to the story while also showing that the NPCs have lives and histories that existed long before you arrived.
Even the attacks feel satisfying, providing enough impact to convey how powerful a strike is or how acrobatic a move can be. I can twirl a staff around, but Estelle makes her Hurricane technique look flawless. It’s clear the developers put a lot of effort into making the combat flow smoothly between attacks, and it really pays off.
The combat system initially threw me off. The game presents a huge amount of information all at once, especially with mechanics like Orbs, and I quickly felt overwhelmed. My head was full, and I couldn’t process any more. After taking a break and researching the system, where a fellow content creator agreed it was a lot to learn, especially for newcomers, I finally began to understand what I could and couldn’t do.
I’ll do my best to explain it here in a simple ‘Trails for Dummies’ style so you can get a better feel for it.
You enter combat in a real-time stance, where you can run around, dodge enemy attacks, and strike or counter them. It’s genuinely fun, giving you the sense that you have full control over the situation and your survival.
The goal is to fill the enemy’s stun bar, then switch to Tactical Mode, where you essentially gain a free attack because they are stunned. This allows you to link or combo your attacks, bringing other characters into the fight. These moments create fun cutscenes and playful dialogue that I really enjoyed.
The beauty of the system is that it lets you play in your own style. If you enjoy the action of an active combat field with dodging, you can stick to that and never use Tactical Mode. If you prefer the strategic depth of moving on your turn and planning attacks, you can remain in Tactical Mode the entire time. It truly allows you to approach combat however you like
How long to beat the story? ~50 hours
How long to achieve 100% | 60-80 hours
You’ll love this game if you like these | Suikoden & Final Fantasy.
CONCLUSION
Trails in the Sky First Chapter really surprised me. It feels true to the source material, cringeworthy moments included, while still offering an excellent introduction to the world of Liberl for both new and returning fans. If you enjoy JRPGs, RPGs, or tactical games, this could easily be an instant buy.
Score: 90/100
