There are those games that you always hear great things about, but the prospect of starting them just feels too intimidating. When it comes to the best JRPGs, there’s a good chance you’ve tried a Final Fantasy or three, and most likely also some Dragon Quest. One of the most revered series has long been a little scary, however. Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter has just landed on Steam, and it’s already sped to an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ user rating with a 96% review score from players. It’s the ideal opportunity to jump on this beloved bandwagon before the train pulls away from you again.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is a gorgeous remake of the second entry in the Trails series, itself the seventh in the broader Legend of Heroes saga. While there are now a terrifying total of 16 games bearing the Trails name, a comprehensive remake of its first installment arrived one year ago almost to the day, and now developer Nihon Falcom has delivered the next piece of the ongoing tale. Picking up shortly after the events of the prior game, returning protagonist Estelle is on the hunt for her missing adoptive brother Joshua.
As you’d expect, it doesn’t take too long for her search to escalate into something much more dramatic, and there’s all the intricate conspiracy-mongering, sinister cabals, and dastardly wartime politicking in store that defined the first Trails outing. I’d be loath to give away much more than that, but suffice it to say that Nihon Falcom’s excellent slow-burn worldbuilding and character work is out in force once more. Once it gets its hooks into you, you’ll be struggling to put it down.
The remake brings all those old-school environments to life in stunning 3D, making the more dramatic story moments all the more impactful. On the combat side of things, 1st Chapter’s blend of real-time and turn-based combat is enhanced with new features such as the Brave Rush, which allows you to bring two party members together for a co-op assault. You’re also free to wander the lands of Liberl to seek out other quests and hidden treasures, hang out with returning characters, or engage with minigames like fishing and poker.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is out now on Steam, with a 10% launch discount meaning you’ll pay just $53.99 / £44.99 for your copy until Wednesday September 23. Grab it here, or download the free demo to try out the first chapter, which allows you to carry your save over to the full game if you decide to keep going.
If you’re reading this early enough and haven’t dipped into the previous game, there’s also currently a 50% discount on 1st Chapter available for another 24 hours. Nihon Falcom has established a winning formula for updating its classic JRPGs for the modern day, and now’s the ideal time to jump in, while the number of games ahead of you still feels somewhat approachable. If you love a rich adventure with strong storytelling, you won’t regret it.