After months of anticipation, Trails in the Sky: First Chapter has finally arrived in its remake form, and the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The game quickly climbed the eShop charts on Nintendo Switch 2, earning praise from both long-time fans and newcomers for how faithfully it preserves the original while elevating it with modern visuals and performance. Across forums and early reviews, players have highlighted its rich storytelling, polished combat system, and revitalized presentation as proof that Nihon Falcom’s classic still stands among the best JRPGs today.
At its core, Trails in the Sky: First Chapter introduces the beginning of the expansive Zemuria saga through the eyes of Estelle and Joshua Bright. Their journey to find their missing father, Cassius, starts as a simple bracer assignment but quickly evolves into a story that reveals the political and personal struggles shaping the entire continent. What makes this remake compelling is not just the preservation of every quest, side story, and cutscene, but the way these elements are presented with greater fidelity and emotional clarity. The upgraded visuals and animations allow character expressions and narrative beats to resonate more deeply, making Estelle and Joshua’s adventure feel as fresh today as it did when the series first began.
The visuals in Trails in the Sky: First Chapter have been completely revitalized using the engine from Kuro no Kiseki, and the results are striking. Environments across Liberl feel alive in a way the original could never achieve, with forests layered in dynamic lighting, bustling city streets filled with movement, and mountain paths that create a genuine sense of scale and atmosphere. Scenes that once relied on flat, 2D animations now unfold with cinematic detail. For example, Estelle and Joshua’s first encounter with Tita gains new emotional weight thanks to expressive facial animations and the fluid motion of her orbal cannon in battle.
This is not just a facelift; the remake captures the warmth of the original art style while presenting it in crisp, modern detail. Character models show subtle expressions that reinforce personality, and cutscenes are framed with a level of cinematic polish that elevates storytelling. On the Nintendo Switch 2, the game runs with sharp resolution and stable performance, delivering smooth handheld play without sacrificing detail.
Lately, whenever a Trails game was ported to a Switch console, frame drops often hurt the experience and reduced the high-definition look of the environments and character animations. On the Nintendo Switch 2, everything changes. Across exploration and cinematic scenes, the rendering is sharper and more consistent, making the world of Liberl feel more immersive than ever, proving that Nihon Falcom can modernize a classic without losing its soul.
Furthermore, the character designs appear more suited to today’s visual standards, as they are given a more realistic 3D presence that accurately conveys how characters react and express emotion. On the Nintendo Switch 2, the game maintains a stable 60 frames per second in both handheld and docked modes, with loading times reduced to just a few seconds. In handheld mode especially, the visuals look sharp and fluid enough that I didn’t even need a TV to appreciate the cinematic detail. The game can also be played smoothly in either 4K resolution or 1080p depending on your preference, and I can only imagine how stunning it will be on PC or PlayStation 5. I would even say this remake looks better than previous entries, and it gives me hope for the kind of visuals Falcom will bring to future titles like Ys and beyond.
The combat system is very important to take notice especially in JRPG games. Players will be able to take down enemies in various types of combat. Switching between Quick and Tactical modes creates a dynamic rhythm that balances immediacy with strategy, a design choice that modernizes Trails’ combat without losing its roots. This type is your typical turn-based combat, Tactical mode delivers the strategic depth that Trails fans expect, especially in tougher encounters against bosses, while Quick mode keeps battles fast and engaging.
An example is the use of Craft. This feature allows players to consume skill points that help unleash a fury of attacks or cause massive buffs to ensure their strength. My favorite would be Joshua’s Crafts, where I can easily delay the incoming attacks of my opponents and lower the defenses of my enemies. In the Crafts, there is something called S-Crafts. They are known to be ULTIMATE Attacks that can do 200% or more damage than the usual attacks or can heal your party to greater heights. This promising skill has helped me survive multiple challenging boss battles and is not only fun to use but also great to watch, as there are cinematic scenes that showcase its effective use.
A big part of this game relies not only on leveling up your party to obtain new crafts and bond points, but also on the Orbment System. Those familiar with the Trails series should recognize the importance of this, similar to that of FFVIII’s Materia system. Each character in the game has a total of 6 orbment slots that can grant characters a variety of new stats, buffs, and even new magic spells known as Arts. There are various orbs that players can craft or scout around the various regions of the game. Some are even unlocked only by completing sidequests and increasing one’s rank as a Bracer. Another method is getting new orbs is by upgrading them as well, making them more effective in both combat and exploration. It is recommended that players take part in completing sidequests, as it gives players a means to grow stronger and even manage to unlock hidden areas that will surely prove to be useful.
Grinding in Trails in the Sky: First Chapter feels rewarding rather than repetitive, because every encounter gives meaningful payoffs. There have been places that give tons of opportunities for players to earn more level experiences and earn in-game currency. There are hidden areas found in every chapter, and with more treasure chests that not only spawn rare materials and items, but also challenging enemy battles that really put me in a bind, and tell me that farming is important. When farming, players not only earn experience points, but also get a chance to unlock new craft abilities as well. Bond skills are also unlocked as they help improve the teamwork and layout on how you want to finish a battle quickly. Depending on your lineup, great rewards and unexpected scenes will be shown in every boss you encounter. This steady sense of growth makes preparation just as exciting as the battles themselves.
Another reason why grinding is important is to collect resources. There will be a ton of sidequests that require players to find certain items that you will need to deliver to clients. Most of these can be either obtained through battles or unlocked through various chests, or by destroying crates or bushes. Completing them will give players great rewards such as equipment, accessory rings, and also rare quartz that help unlock new spells that can either buff, debuff, or cast elemental attacks on your enemies. Because of these new features, I had an enjoyable moment to make sure my team is strong enough to survive against the main bosses.
Compared to its predecessor, this game has managed to surpass it even further and makes me excited to see what other titles in the Trails series Nihon Falcom would remake. I am hoping that if they do another remake, it will be either on Trails from Zero or Trails to the Azure. If I were to recommend this game to a fellow JRPG gamer who wants to get into the Trails series, this game is the perfect chance for them to start. Why, you may ask? First of all, this game gives players a brief intro on how this series started. Not only that, there will be characters in this game that will play a significant role in the later series, and knowing them well will help players understand the whole arcana of what this series is all about. Plus, the gameplay and game engine used in this game are easy enough to use for beginners, and you can easily master them after a few hours of grinding and practice.
Localization is always critical in JRPGs, and here it holds up where it matters most. Across my playthrough, I noticed only a handful of small grammar slips or inconsistent terms, usually tucked away in optional notes and item descriptions. The main story dialogue, quest logs, tutorials, and combat text are clear and consistent, so objectives, character arcs, and mechanics are never obscured. Estelle’s optimism, Joshua’s dry humor, and the broader emotional beats all land exactly as intended, showing that the heart of the Trails series survives intact.
Because these errors are limited to polish-level details, they never interrupted my immersion, pacing, or understanding of the game’s systems. The in-game notebook keeps key terms and lore clear at all times, so even with a few minor slips, the experience stays smooth and accessible. Taken together, the localization is strong, and the minor stumbles are blemishes rather than barriers, not nearly enough to detract from what is otherwise a masterfully presented remake.
From everything that I have said in this review, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is absolute cinema. In terms of both gameplay and visual presentation, this game is what I would consider a perfect opportunity for gamers to know how the Trails series started, and it would help players understand more about how definitive this game is. Trails in the Sky: First Chapter is more than just a faithful remake; it is a benchmark for how classic JRPGs can be reborn for modern players. By combining an intricate story, expressive visuals, cinematic cutscenes, and a refined combat system, it delivers both nostalgia for long-time fans and accessibility for newcomers. The result is a game that not only preserves the heart of the original but also elevates it into something timeless. If 2025 has a defining JRPG, this is the one.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter (Nintendo Switch 2)
Trails in The Sky 1st Chapter is the perfect game to introduce players to the whole Trails series, and the joys of its turn-based combat. I can not stop recommending this game as it is suited for all consoles.
The Good
- Gameplay is simple yet outstanding
- Visuals and graphics are well suited for the next-gen consoles
- Character rendition is stunning
- Modernized combat gameplay based on current standards
- Nostalgic for players of the original game
The Bad
- Certain translation and terminology issues
