Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter [REVIEW] – A Stellar JRPG Revival

The Trails series is notorious for its size and depth, offering a sprawling saga of interconnected stories and characters spread across more than a dozen games, with that scope making jumping in feel a little daunting. More than two decades after the original launched, Falcom has rebuilt Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter from the ground up – and the result is both a welcoming entry point for new players and a lovingly faithful remake of a classic release for long-time fans.

Check out some screenshots down below:

The story follows Estelle Bright and her adopted brother Joshua as they work toward becoming full-fledged Bracers – guardians who protect civilians from both everyday problems and larger political threats. Like a lot of RPGs, their journey begins small, with missing items, minor disputes, and routine patrols to deal with, before gradually widening into a tale of conspiracies and national intrigue where the stakes are REALLY high. Like the original release, this is very much a slow-burn way to get the narrative going, and it can take dozens of hours before the plot kicks into high gear. However, this design choice pays off, with each chapter immersing players in a different region of Liberl, allowing them to absorb the local culture, meet new characters, and gradually build connections with the world around them. There’s a lot to take in, but when the larger conflicts do emerge, it’s more impactful because the groundwork has been so carefully laid.

What truly anchors the story is the central relationship between Estelle and Joshua. Their contrasting personalities – Estelle’s boundless optimism against Joshua’s more cautious reserve – creates a dynamic that feels authentic and compelling throughout. Supporting characters bring plenty of charm as well, ensuring the cast is colourful, memorable, and full of personality. The remake also adds in-field voice lines and richer interactions, which help make conversations between the party feel natural and endearing. On top of that, every town has its own history and flavour, with NPCs often updating their dialogue as the story progresses. It’s a small touch, but one that helps Liberl feel like a real, evolving nation.

Of course, the leap to a modern 3D engine has transformed Liberl into one of the series’ most striking settings to date. Towns and cities retain the layouts veterans will remember, yet the added detail, cel-shaded vibrancy, and expressive character models make them feel more alive in a way the old sprite-based presentation couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always love the art style of the original game, but seeing it re-invented here in such a colourful and richly detailed manner feels special – it might not have the same production values, but the sense of awe is on par with that I felt when playing Final Fantasy VII Remake.

“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.”

Quality-of-life updates also make exploration so much smoother than before, with fast travel points, mini-maps, and quest markers ensuring that everything is easy to track down, all whilst leaving room for discovery. Some long-time fans may argue that these conveniences reduce the sense of accomplishment that came from combing every corner of the original, but everything feels more finely balanced and intuitive enough that players can spend their time focusing on the most important aspects of the game. This remake isn’t just about giving the original a fresh lick of paint, but also making it a better experience for modern players… it’s impressive.

Perhaps the most significant update comes in combat, with Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter blending elements of real-time action with its classic turn-based system. Players can strike enemies in the field to gain an advantage or simply directly engage in tactical turn-based encounters where positioning, buffs, and elemental affinities all matter. This new hybrid approach is carefully balanced, and relying purely on action attacks won’t carry you far, as many enemies resist them or require proper turn-based strategies to defeat.

The Orbment system, which lets players customize spells by slotting elemental Quartz, returns with clearer communication and more rewarding experimentation, whilst Arts remain powerful and Crafts give each party member a distinctive combat identity… they’re basically your magic and character skills, if you’re unfamiliar with the terms. Battles often come down to using your abilities at just the right moment, creating a satisfying balance of risk and reward that keeps combat engaging right to the finale. It all comes together to make for a robust and intricate combat system that brings plenty of action to go with its tactical nuances, and it helps make battling enemies a blast throughout.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Presentation-wise, Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter is fantastic, with vibrant landscapes bringing the world to life, expressive animations bringing out humour and drama in story scenes, and character portraits and voice acting strengthening each emotional beat. The English voice work is generally strong, with standout performances for Estelle and Joshua, whilst the soundtrack, already beloved in its original form, is faithfully updated here. Players can even swap between different arrangements including the classic score, so you can go for familiarity if you’re a returning player.

Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter really does make for a wonderful experience, but it does have some quirks. As mentioned, the story’s deliberate pacing won’t appeal to everyone, and some stretches feel overly slow at times. Some of the side content can feel a little dull too, so it would have been nice if they were revamped in this remake. They’re minor issues in what is otherwise a brilliant RPG experience though, and whilst it may not be flawless, this remake respects its roots while making them shine brighter than ever. Whether you’re a series veteran or a first-time adventurer, this is Trails at its best – and the perfect place to begin.

Developer: Nihon Falcom
Publisher: GungHo
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
Website: https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10013078