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Game Information​

Game Title: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Platforms:

• Nintendo Switch 2 (Sep 19, 2025)
• Nintendo Switch (Sep 19, 2025)
• PlayStation 5 (Sep 19, 2025)
• PC (Sep 19, 2025)

Trailers:

• Story Trailer - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
• Battle Trailer - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
• Promotional Trailer - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Developer: Nihon Falcom

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 91 average - 100% recommended - 13 reviews

MetaCritic - 88/100 - PlaysTation 5 - 5 Reviews

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Critic Reviews

Console Creatures - Matt Sowinski - 9 / 10

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a sensational remake, staying true to the heart of what made the original so memorable, while adding on elements that just fit perfectly.

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INVEN - Korean - 8.5 / 10

While some inconveniences in control and outdated systems may occasionally be noticeable, these aspects are easily overlooked as mere nostalgia for JRPGs. If you've heard of the "Trails" series but hesitated to jump into its epic flow, "Trails in the Sky: The 1st" deserves your attention. Estelle and Joshua's adventures might at times feel clichéd, or perhaps even familiar, making them seem a bit daunting. But as they say, familiarity is scary. Once you're immersed in "Trails in the Sky: The 1st," you'll be captivated by its youthful, yet fresh adventures, all the way to its climax, where you'll face a conspiracy. And I think I will definitely be standing in line with old fans waiting for the next remake.

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Noisy Pixel - 9 / 10

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a lovingly crafted remake that modernizes a beloved JRPG while preserving its emotional core, offering a vibrant, voice-acted journey through Liberl with standout character dynamics, rebalanced combat, and welcome quality-of-life updates that make it the ideal starting point for newcomers and a heartfelt return for longtime fans.

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PS4Blog.net - Ceidz - 9.5 / 10

A faithful and polished remake that stands out as one of the year's best JRPGs

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Push Square - Robert Ramsey - 9 / 10

Falcom has outdone itself with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. This is an incredibly heartfelt recreation of a classic RPG - a remake that retains all of the charms of the original game, while also delivering one of the best, most polished adventures in the entire franchise.Whether you're a Trails veteran or a curious newcomer, 1st Chapter is a must-play instalment.

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Rice Digital - Isaac Todd - Unscored

Barring my qualms with the localisation, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is still going to be the best way for most new players to experience the start of the Trails saga. Its story remains faithful to the original, with gameplay tweaks offering a more modernised experience. I just hope that, even if it doesn't happen for 1st Chapter post-launch, 2nd Chapter gets a more consistent localisation that doesn't clash with future games.

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Video Chums - A.J. Maciejewski - 8.5 / 10

I can't believe how much better Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter looks, sounds, and plays compared to the original. It may not be as epic as some of the more recent games but what's here is certainly charming and satisfying enough for any RPG fan to easily fall in love with it.

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Dualshockers - Murillo Zerbinatto - 9.5 / 10

Back in the day, Trails in the Sky hinged on its story and world-building to make up for its other lacking characteristics. Twenty years later, Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter not only brings back the full heart of what made the original a classic, but it can now stand tall beside any other heavyweight JRPG. The visual presentation is beautiful, the mix between real-time and turn-based battles is a blast, and the quality-of-life additions adhere to present-day audiences. I can confidently say that Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter is a quintessential JRPG that should be cherished by every fan of the genre.

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Hey Poorplayer - Andrew Thornton - 9 / 10

Players entering Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter without any experience with these games should note that this is only the first part of a larger story. While there is some resolution to certain plot points, others are wide open even upon finishing the game, with a few new ones even being presented in the final hours. Still, based on what the development team has said and a few hints present within the game, I don't expect we'll have a terribly long wait for the rest of this incredible journey. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter may be missing a bit of the charm of the original English translation, but it makes up for it with a deeper and more fully realized combat system, a ton of style, and the most fully realized version of an incredible game. New players couldn't ask for a better place to start, and returning players will be thrilled to find the developers nailed this reimagined take on a classic.

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Gamespot - Alan Wen - 8 / 10

As faithfully one-to-one as the remake is, there is a downside that means there isn't new gameplay content if you've experienced the story before. Any activities you find, such as cooking recipes (which do include new cooking animations), are what were in the original game, including moments you're given multiple choices to respond to. While it's still an interesting way to gauge your judgement as a bracer, it would have been better to update it to something more meaningful, so that you're also rewarded with more than just bonus BP, which is easy to build up during quick battles anyway.

If 1st Chapter is a bit lighter and less complex than its later iterations, then that is also in keeping in the spirit of the original game as the beginning of an epic saga. If you've always wanted to experience the wonder of the Trails series but didn't know where to start, then there are no excuses as this faithful remake is the definitive way to begin that long and winding trail. Hopefully, the remake of its second chapter follows up swiftly.

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Consolecreatures - Matt Sowinski - 9 / 10

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a sensational remake, staying true to the heart of what made the original so special, while adding on elements that just fit perfectly. The quality of life improvements, like the mini map and fast travel, make things flow well, while the added action combat on top of reworked tactical combat feels the best it has so far. The voice acting is terrific, and the graphics are superb, even if the slower pace may turn some off. It's totally worth the journey and is the perfect spot to jump on for new players. Just be warned, if and when you play the 1st Chapter, you'll be on the hook for the next 12 games and counting that follow. It's that good, as you fall in love with this world and the characters that call it home, with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter being the perfect place to start.

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Tech-gaming - Shane Nakamura - 9.3 / 10

Unquestionably, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter stands as the ideal entry point for newcomers and a welcome renewal for devoted Falcom fans. The game's blend of updated battle systems, attractive visuals, and top-tier storytelling come together, delivering an enchanting role-playing experience. By celebrating its legacy and injecting innovation 1st Chapter is a requisite title for anyone who appreciates layered stories and rich gameplay.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter isn't just a revival of a classic JRPG. It's also a reminder of the power of patient storytelling and poignant character bonds. With refreshed combat, quality-of-life upgrades, and one of the genre's most memorable casts, 1st Chapter is an essential experience for both returning players and newcomers.

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Game8 - L A R Opalec - 8.6 / 10

What I will say is that it's cozy in its own way, even if its combat has more bite than the slower pace might suggest. It's not the kind of game I'd recommend to anyone chasing the "best JRPG ever," but if you want something heartfelt, it's hard to go wrong here.

Of course, playing it almost comes with the unspoken agreement that you'll need to move on to the 2nd and eventually 3rd chapters once those remakes arrive, since this is just the first act of a much bigger story. That might make it harder to recommend casually, but it also makes it feel special. You're starting something that grows with you, and by the end, you might see yourself getting attached to Estelle and Joshua more than you'd like to admit. For me, that was enough; and that might be enough for you, too.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

 

[StereoVsn]

Seems like Falcom did a good job converting the game into modern Engine (well, modern-ish ).

I will definitely pick it up in the next couple of weeks, probably will grab a PS5 copy.

Edit: Also, this is an amazing OT!