PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews

There is just something magical about the effort brought into the remake of Trails in the Sky. You can just see that it was made with love and care by people who understand just how special the original Trails in the Sky was. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a must-have for anyone who enjoyed the franchise and all the RPG lovers in the world.

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.

Falcom’s stunning retelling of the series’s origin is the new definitive starting point for your Trails journey, and an excellent RPG in its own right.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a stunning remake that staunchly secures the series’ leading place in modern RPGs.

Trying to remake a masterpiece is never easy, but with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, Falcom manages to not only deliver something on par with the original, but surpass it in several key areas. Every inch exudes the charm and care that made the series so beloved, delivering a finished product of excellence.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the franchise or a complete newcomer, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a must-play for fans of RPGs.

I’m still impressed by how at home Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter feels in its new form two decades down the line. It’s the opening act of an epic, long-running narrative and yet manages to feel down-to-earth and personal. It maintains its tone while updating it to a modern standard of presentation, and despite the stumbles in its dialogue, its characters are relentlessly charming. It’s more than just a great game—it’s a great starting point for a celebrated series, and that’s an utterly invaluable quality for one as daunting as this.

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.

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.

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.