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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Releasing worldwide on September 19, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter will mark the rebirth of the Trails series' origin point, 2004's The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Though the full 3D remake isn't even out yet, you can't really blame fans for being curious about Nihon Falcom's plans for further remakes, especially when it comes to Trails in the Sky SC, a sequel that had a big job to do after the first game's colossal ending. AUTOMATON recently got the opportunity to interview Nihon Falcom's president Toshihiro Kondo, who talked to us about the company's future plans.

"Since Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a remake of the first Trails in the Sky," Kondo says, "If we didn't follow up with a remake of Trails in the Sky SC, people would go, 'You've got to be kidding me.' So, we do want to do a remake along the lines of Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter. Back in 2004, we ended up keeping players waiting quite a while for SC after the release of Trails in the Sky's PC version. This time, we want to avoid such a long gap. As for remakes beyond that, I'd say it depends on fan demand."

Kondo also commented on Nihon Falcom's plans for brand-new releases. The Trails series' latest entry, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon, launched in Japan in September 2024, with an English version scheduled to come out in January 2026. This game, Kondo comments, "is in a similar position to the first Trails in the Sky story-wise, so we are, of course, preparing a sequel." This sequel is being developed in parallel with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, but Nihon Falcom isn't ready to make formal announcements about it quite yet.

Commenting on his overall strategy for the Trails franchise's development, Kondo says, "Before depicting the series' climax in Kai no Kiseki, I wanted us to remake the first Trails in the Sky. The Trails series has become something of a veteran-oriented franchise, and I don't want my staff to become too accustomed to just making sequels. Also, the Trails team had grown a bit tired, so I felt we needed a step where we could recharge our batteries."

While continuing to develop new mainline installments, Kondo explains, Nihon Falcom hopes to also put more titles like Trails in the Sky the 1st, which can serve as an entry point for newcomers. "I think that both kinds of titles – those aimed at new players, and those for longtime Trails fans – are something the series can't survive without. We're approaching a time when game development and sales methods will no longer work the way they have in the past, so it's going to be trial and error for us, but we'll do our best."

If Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter doesn’t get a sequel, our fans will go “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Nihon Falcom CEO on future releases - AUTOMATON WEST

Nihon Falcom CEO and president talks about the company's future plans for remakes and new entries in the Trails series.

automaton-media.com

 

[Power Pro]

Well no shit...

If they weren't already in late pre-production of 2nd chapter, I'd think they were idiots. From what I hear about these games, you can't just make chapter 1 and call it a day

 

[Skifi28]

I never really doubted it's getting one. The series is very difficult to get into and they've been actively trying to do something about it for years. The only questions are if the third game is getting a remake since it's not really important for the overall story (perhaps they can incorporate parts of it to the second game) and if they'll be remaking the Crossbell games considering they've released remasters on all platforms, unlike Sky.

 

[jshackles]

I never really doubted it's getting one. The series is very difficult to get into and they've been actively trying to do something about it for years. The only questions are if the third game is getting a remake since it's not really important for the overall story (perhaps they can incorporate parts of it to the second game) and if they'll be remnaking the Crossbell games considering they've released remasters on all platforms, unlike Sky.

But the third game in the series

Spoiler: Trails in the Sky 3rd Chapter Spoilers

focuses on the character of Kevin Graham, who is featured pretty prominently in next year's Trails Beyond the Horizon. It also reinforces how Estelle and Joshua are searching for Renne, in addition to giving tons of backstory to recurring characters like Zin and Tita.

 

[Skifi28]

But the third game in the series

Spoiler: Trails in the Sky 3rd Chapter Spoilers

focuses on the character of Kevin Graham, who is featured pretty prominently in next year's Trails Beyond the Horizon. It also reinforces how Estelle and Joshua are searching for Renne, in addition to giving tons of backstory to recurring characters like Zin and Tita.

Indeed, which they could all be added to the second game to get the message across, maybe a lengthy epilogue. I really don't think we need an entire new game just for that considering how much extra content they seem to be adding to Sky remake nearly doubling its original length. Personally I'd rather they put those resources on something more important.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Well no shit...

If they weren't already in late pre-production of 2nd chapter, I'd think they were idiots. From what I hear about these games, you can't just make chapter 1 and call it a day

Well, it's good to have an official confirmation, since this remake seems to have a higher budget than the other recent Trails games so it comes with a higher financial risk. Hope they remake the 3rd entry in the series too.

 

[Toots]

Sure this time they will go "you've got to be kidding me" instead of assembling killdozers with custom Estelle Bright paintjobs in their mom's basement like they usually do.

 

[Skifi28]

Sure they will go "you've got to be kidding me" instead of assembling killdozers with custom Estelle Bright paintjobs in their mom's basement as they usually do.

 

[StereoVsn]

Well, it's good to have an official confirmation, since this remake seems to have a higher budget than the other recent Trails games so it comes with a higher financial risk. Hope they remake the 3rd entry in the series too.

I mean I really like TitS 3, but I have some doubts on a remake making financial sense. They should just spruce it up like Zero and Azure to release on modern platforms besides PC, IMO.

 

[mèx]

I never really doubted it's getting one. The series is very difficult to get into and they've been actively trying to do something about it for years. The only questions are if the third game is getting a remake since it's not really important for the overall story (perhaps they can incorporate parts of it to the second game) and if they'll be remnaking the Crossbell games considering they've released remasters on all platforms, unlike Sky.

I hope they stop at remaking SC and move on by focusing on developing new entries.

Going into the rabbit hole of remaking the Crossbell and Cold Steel games would slow everything down considerably and it would be extremely disappointing.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

I mean I really like TitS 3, but I have some doubts on a remake making financial sense. They should just spruce it up like Zero and Azure to release on modern platforms besides PC, IMO.

Yeah, you're probably right. I guess I can be content with just an enhanced port/remaster for modern consoles and PC.

 

[Skifi28]

Going into the rabbit hole of remaking the Crossbell and Cold Steel games would slow everything down considerably and it would be extremely disappointing.

I agree. Part of me really wants to see how Cold Steel 1 would look on their modern engine, but at the same time the game is modern and accessible enough as it is. I wonder what their plans are once the Trails story is finally over which shouldn't be too long now.

 

[StereoVsn]

I hope they stop at remaking SC and move on by focusing on developing new entries.

Going into the rabbit hole of remaking the Crossbell and Cold Steel games would slow everything down considerably and it would be extremely disappointing.

IMO, they need a new IP. The current 20 game saga is getting too convoluted to newcomers. Imagine looking at Trails in the Sky 1 and seeing 10+ more games to play through afterwards.

A new IP alongside Trails could do well for their finances if managed properly.

Edit: and it will improve morale of their writing staff and devs as it's fun to work on something new.

 

[Fabieter]

I only finished cold steel 1 so far. I already own cold steel 2-4. Cant buy more of the series before I finish some of the stuff I already own unless this is easier to get into.

 

[Toots]

You know the guy in your gif despise dragon-lady lovers, in and outside of character.

 

[StereoVsn]

I only finished cold steel 1 so far. I already own cold steel 2-4. Cant buy more of the series before I finish some of the stuff I already own unless this is easier to get into.

Trails in the Sky 1&2 have better writing and characters. Personally I enjoyed these games a lot more vs Cold Steel (dropped on second game).

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

I played a handful of hours of the PSP version to get a feel for the game. I must say that it's a MUCH better introduction to the Trails games then Cold Steel 1 (as it should be seeing as it's the first, but still), so it's great that it's finally avalible on modern systems. Might actually pick up the remake down the line.