Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter launches September 19 worldwide for PS5, Switch, and PC

I was trying to decide if I want to play this series so I did a bit of youtube research and everyone seems moved by how charming and likeable the main heroine of FC is.

I kept watching vids talking about the game until I got up to the part where the heroine has to take an exam. When she finds out it's a practical exam and she doesn't have to study, she prays a flowery, heartfelt prayer of thanks to God. I thought that was really funny, that moment is what actually sold the game to me.

So I'm in. But I have to wonder, is this is a series that peaks early? Watching vids about how good the first game is, there were a lot of people that liked the other games but liked the first one the most.
 
I was trying to decide if I want to play this series so I did a bit of youtube research and everyone seems moved by how charming and likeable the main heroine of FC is.

I kept watching vids talking about the game until I got up to the part where the heroine has to take an exam. When she finds out it's a practical exam and she doesn't have to study, she prays a flowery, heartfelt prayer of thanks to God. I thought that was really funny, that moment is what actually sold the game to me.

So I'm in. But I have to wonder, is this is a series that peaks early? Watching vids about how good the first game is, there were a lot of people that liked the other games but liked the first one the most.
IMO FC is very slow. SC is where it really pays off though.

As far as peak everyone has their own opinion on that. To me the games are only getting better. Azure/Zero are very popular but I didn't think they were that great compared to the rest of the series.
 
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Still no word of a Switch 2 version or at least upgrade? Wow. Not pre-ordering any of these games until they announce Switch 2 plans (hopefully they aren't key-cards).
 
Still no word of a Switch 2 version or at least upgrade? Wow. Not pre-ordering any of these games until they announce Switch 2 plans (hopefully they aren't key-cards).
If Dragon Quest can't even get on a regular game card, this game has zero chance of getting a proper Switch 2 release.

It would be nice to know if they'll do a Switch 2 upgrade though, even if it's not free.
 
If Dragon Quest can't even get on a regular game card, this game has zero chance of getting a proper Switch 2 release.

It would be nice to know if they'll do a Switch 2 upgrade though, even if it's not free.
We already know that Falcom's other planned release for the Switch 2 this year is coming on a game key card. So even with a different publisher handling TitS 1st Chapter for the west, the chances of the game being fully on cart for a potential Switch 2 release are quite slim. I do hope I'm wrong though, because I want a proper Switch 2 release (most of the Trails games I own are on Switch).

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If Dragon Quest can't even get on a regular game card, this game has zero chance of getting a proper Switch 2 release.

It would be nice to know if they'll do a Switch 2 upgrade though, even if it's not free.
If Marvelous could do it I'm not counting anyone/any game out until its officially announced. I dont know what's going on behind the scenes but hopefully something changes where publishers try for at least some of their games to be actual physical. Can't see how Nintendo would be okay with this if it actually started to affect sales negatively
 
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I was trying to decide if I want to play this series so I did a bit of youtube research and everyone seems moved by how charming and likeable the main heroine of FC is.

I kept watching vids talking about the game until I got up to the part where the heroine has to take an exam. When she finds out it's a practical exam and she doesn't have to study, she prays a flowery, heartfelt prayer of thanks to God. I thought that was really funny, that moment is what actually sold the game to me.

So I'm in. But I have to wonder, is this is a series that peaks early? Watching vids about how good the first game is, there were a lot of people that liked the other games but liked the first one the most.

Afaik most people think the first game is one of the weaker ones. I agree - the gameplay systems don't have all the kinks ironed out (hopefully fixed by this remake!) and the story is very slow to get started. I think First Chapter has a story that gets better and better, in leaps generally, as it goes on, to an ending that is one of my favorites in the series, but that beginning is a slog - I just don't care what's going on.

Each subseries in Trails has its own strengths. Sky's is character writing, Zero-Azure is political drama, and Cold Steel on is scope, although many feel Cold Steel peters out or don't like it at all. A lot of people like the new Daybreak series - It's fine imo and better than the worst of Cold Steel but not a return to the series' peaks.

My personal favorites are Sky 3, Azure, and Cold Steel 1, the third, fifth, and sixth games out of the eleven I've played which should say a lot about where I think the series' overall strengths are, but I'm still having a good time. The community's a little divided on Cold Steel (I think it gets really, really bad by the end), but the generally consensus is that the earlier games are good. Sky 2 and Azure are probably the overall favorites in the community, followed up maybe by Cold Steel 3? (there's a sizeable contingent of people who really like that game).
 
Man, why is this publisher that handles the western release so fucking dumb? Like WHY!? Just fuck off with this bullshit. Falcom should have went with NIS America like they usually do, instead of these clowns from GungHo America.

Edit: They've updated their website. EN/JP dub seems to be available for both consoles and Steam.

The upcoming Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter remake from Nihon Falcom and publisher GungHo Online Entertainment America is making a key distinction between its console and PC releases when it comes to voice language options. As confirmed by updated listings on the official website, the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 versions will include English voiceovers only. In contrast, the Steam release will support both English and Japanese voice options at launch.

This difference comes as a surprise given the series' deep roots in Japanese audio, especially considering the original trilogy released on PC in the West with Japanese voice acting. The new remake, however, is taking a more localized approach for its console versions. This could also be a typo on the page or the result of licensing issues.

 
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Man, why is this publisher that handles the western release so fucking dumb? Like WHY!? Just fuck off with this bullshit. Falcom should have went with NIS America like they usually do, instead of these clowns from GungHo America.



wtf is the reasoning for that? 🤦🏼‍♂️
 
Man, why is this publisher that handles the western release so fucking dumb? Like WHY!? Just fuck off with this bullshit. Falcom should have went with NIS America like they usually do, instead of these clowns from GungHo America.



Very weird move but doesn't affect me at all.

Have we ever been given a release date for Trails beyond the horizon? They said Fall and that's it. I'm afraid these two games are going to come out way to closer together.
 
Switch 2 is basically a digital console that can also play Switch 1 physical games at this point.
If the next big 3D Mario and Zelda games are also "game key card exclusives", I'm fucking done with consoles.

If I have to go digital only, I'm gonna do it on PC.
 
If the next big 3D Mario and Zelda games are also "game key card exclusives", I'm fucking done with consoles.

If I have to go digital only, I'm gonna do it on PC.
I think Nintendo will just bite the cost of shipping on larger carts, so I don't think we'll see the next Zelda or Mario release as a Game Key Card. But third party games - based on what we've seen so far - will pretty much for the most part be digital.

Yea, I'm with you on that. My digital library feels more secure on PC in terms of long term accessibility. I'm not completely opposed to buying digital games from the eshop, I have a few on Switch not many, but only ones I don't mind losing if it all disappears one day.
 
Excited for this. I should finish daybreak before that hopefully.. I hope they make sc too since i haven't actually played that.
 
EU pre-orders are up via Clear River Games.

 
I was trying to decide if I want to play this series so I did a bit of youtube research and everyone seems moved by how charming and likeable the main heroine of FC is.

I kept watching vids talking about the game until I got up to the part where the heroine has to take an exam. When she finds out it's a practical exam and she doesn't have to study, she prays a flowery, heartfelt prayer of thanks to God. I thought that was really funny, that moment is what actually sold the game to me.

So I'm in. But I have to wonder, is this is a series that peaks early? Watching vids about how good the first game is, there were a lot of people that liked the other games but liked the first one the most.
I think SC is the most goated online. Reason this is such a big deal is Trails series is not a "jump in anywhere" kind of thing. FC is going to be a perfect jump in spot and also a modern game.

It's like Trails is a big cruise ship but it only docks every decade or so to let new people get on. This is finally newbies chance to get on the ship.
 
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I think SC is the most goated online. Reason this is such a big deal is Trails series is not a "jump in anywhere" kind of thing. FC is going to be a perfect jump in spot and also a modern game.

It's like Trails is a big cruise ship but it only docks every decade or so to let new people get on. This is finally newbies chance to get on the ship.
awesome but is there a chance they won't remake SC?
 
IMO FC is very slow. SC is where it really pays off though.

As far as peak everyone has their own opinion on that. To me the games are only getting better. Azure/Zero are very popular but I didn't think they were that great compared to the rest of the series.
Personally I liked the Trails in the Sky trilogy and Azure/Zero duology quite a bit and would easily recommend them to anyone who is ok with the older look and lots of text.

However, I wasn't a fan of Cold Steel at all as I found the main character annoying, the main "heroine" even more annoying and overall story convoluted and mediocre. At least that's from playing CS 1&2 and trying 3 (never finished 2 or 3).

I tried the new Daybreak arc and noped out from the first game as well. So YMMV and a lot of people like Cold Steel, but for me the earlier games were much better.
 
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Personally I liked the Trails in the Sky trilogy and Azure/Zero duology quite a bit and would easily recommend them to anyone who is ok with the older look and lots of text.

However, I wasn't a fan of Cold Steel at all as I found the main character annoying, the main "heroine" even more annoying and overall story convoluted and mediocre. At least that's from playing CS 1&2 and trying 3 (never finished 2 or 3).

I tried the new Daybreak arc and noped out from the first game as well. So YMMV and a lot of people like Cold Steel, but for me the earlier games were much better.
I found Cold Steel 3 and 4 to be better than 1 and 2, I prefer the new Class VII by far. Cold Steel 4 has some of the best hype moments in Trails ever, even if it can feel overwrought at times due to the massive amount of characters involved.

Reverie is the Trails with the best pacing, not all routes are equally good but in general every chapter is interesting.

Daybreak has the best crew and character interactions, I just love seeing these characters interact with one another.

Azure is probably the most well rounded game overall. While I like SC, it felt pretty fillery in the first half, and at the time I was surprised at the massive amount of asset and location re-use. This is a staple of Trails now but I was not aware at the time, so I was taken aback by that.

I don't think there is really a consensus on the best arc/game with Trails, the community has vastly different opinions in general.
 
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I always thought it was Zero/Azure, by a fairly wide margin.
For sure Azure and SC are the most popular choices. But a big part of the fan-base got introduced to Trails via Cold Steel, so those games are massively popular. There are plenty of Cold Steel 4 stans around (me, lol). A lot of people put Trails 3rd towards the top too.

It would be nice to have a pool, but I think maybe around a dozen people on here played all Trails games... :messenger_grinning_sweat:
 
It would be nice to have a pool, but I think maybe around a dozen people on here played all Trails games...
I'm working my way through.

I've played all of them except for Reverie and Daybreak 2.

I had fully planned to play Reverie after I finished CS4 but I got distracted and the next thing I knew, Daybreak was out so I decided to play that instead of Reverie.

I'd like to finish both games before Horizon releases early next year
 
For sure Azure and SC are the most popular choices. But a big part of the fan-base got introduced to Trails via Cold Steel, so those games are massively popular. There are plenty of Cold Steel 4 stans around (me, lol). A lot of people put Trails 3rd towards the top too.

It would be nice to have a pool, but I think maybe around a dozen people on here played all Trails games... :messenger_grinning_sweat:
The issue for Cold Steel IV is being able to get through 200-300 hours of mediocrity in Cold Steel 1-3. To me that's a pointless endeavor.

And I did try Daybreak and was thoroughly unimpressed by the characters and storytelling. Combat though improved but vast majority if people aren't playing Trails games for combat, that's Ys series.

Out of all recent Falcon games (recent being a very stretched out term, lol), my most favorite (besides Azure and Zero remakes) were Ys VIII and Tokyo Xanadu Ex+. I found both quite entertaining and story in Xanadu was pretty solid.

Edit: This is all "IMO" of course and plenty of folks liked the recent Trails titles.
 
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He looks like teenager, and he is supposed to be 25 here. Same about Schera
He and Schera look younger than the original for sure but they don't look like teenagers at all. Same with Agate, he looks slightly younger since they changed his design (short hair instead of long hair).

You should use Estelle and Joshua as comparison. They look like teenagers, since they are.

Zin looks older, he's almost the same as he is in Daybreak.
 
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