Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter PC Review

Trails in the Sky is the first game in the Trails series, and has become a staple of the JRPG space and one of the longest-running modern JRPGs. As such, the series has spawned several sequels, remasters, and a dedicated fanbase. Now, after several decades, the game has been remade for modern consoles and PC through Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. The remake serves its purpose phenomenally, as it not only presents the package with new bells and whistles, but these additions also accentuate the narrative in all the right ways. However, some slightly annoying features still remain.

A Slow Start But an Epic Evolution

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter follows Estelle Bright and her adoptive brother, Joshua, two teenagers who live in the Liberl Kingdom. They aim to follow their father’s footsteps as Bracers, adventurers that help citizens in all manner of ways, from fighting monsters and criminals to running errands. The two succeed at becoming Junior Bracers at the start of the game and complete several of these tasks. While their lives as Bracers start off simply, the narrative gradually expands into a tour across the kingdom of Liberl, where they encounter new cultures, challenges, foes, and allies. 

Their adventures slowly evolve into political tension and hidden dangers. With each mission, hints of a deeper threat emerge, weaving a narrative that is both comfortably complex and engaging throughout. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter’s narrative is incredibly gripping and lays a solid foundation for the upcoming sequels. However, like many Trails games, one glaring detriment to the narrative is how incredibly slow it takes for the story to kick into high gear. Players will control the pair for a significant portion of the game, completing various missions as Bracers. However, it takes about ten hours before the real narrative kicks in, which may deter some players. When the story gets going, however, it remains phenomenal and engaging throughout.

The Same Great System Now Advanced

In terms of gameplay, the remake remains faithful to the original game and the series as a whole. Like many Trails games, players fight various monsters and enemies in dungeons and open-world fields by using a variety of skills called Arts and Crafts, along with weapons, with each party member using a different weapon type. Crafts are instant-use skills that players can execute once they’ve collected enough CP, while Arts take a turn to execute but are usually stronger and have a larger variety. However, unlike the original game, the remake includes the modern combination of both real-time and turn-based combat. Players can fight monsters with real-time attacks without ever having to switch to turn-based mode. Though they can switch to turn-based mode instantly at any point during combat. However, the real-time combat mode notably has more limited moves and weaker attacks in exchange for speed. Despite this, the real-time mode is a godsend, especially when navigating dungeons in a rush and fighting enemies below your level.

That said, Trails in the Sky is not an easy game by any means, as players will have to stay focused from the start to have any chance of succeeding in combat.  Players will have to grind for levels in the first few hours alone. Additionally, some bosses are not only tough, but are also annoying to fight due to added levels of depth and things you need to keep track of. This includes avoiding a sudden self-destruct at the end of a boss fight, among other things. However, the frustrating elements are also what make combat and boss fights engaging and feel rewarding.

Great Gameplay, Warts and All

Additionally, like other games, players will need to invest time in learning the Sepith, Quartz, and Orbment system, as they are tantamount to a painless combat experience. The Orbment system is used for equipping Arts, skills, and upgrades that are important for progression, but it’s easy to overlook their existence. Other than that, players will have to juggle using Arts, Crafts, the Orbments, several consumable and upgrade items, and more, and these elements fantastically provide a great JRPG experience.

The remake also adds great modern quality-of-life features. This includes a fast-forward button, the ability to save at any time, high frame rates, multiple PC settings, and more. The most notable aspect of the remake are the graphics. The visuals are simply impeccable. This is chiefly seen through the characters, as every slight movement, animation, and facial expression is incredibly intricate. Character designs are also unique and immaculate, but the backgrounds, while vibrant, look standard for the most part. Trails in the Sky also famously boasts one of the best soundtracks in the series, and in a JRPG, as the BGM  “Sophisticated Fight” alone is one of the catchiest and most recognizable tracks in the genre.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a fantastic remake of an already phenomenal game that enhances the experiences in the best ways for a modern audience. Although it begins slowly, it ultimately provides an excellent and memorable experience.