Beginning the trails series

[Adrix]

Should I wait for this game, play the original one or begin one of the other arcs and play sky 1 when this is released?

[Dr. Rudolf von Richten]

I'd say play the original one. This one will most likely release in September, since Falcom always releases their major game of the year in September for fiscal reasons, and while the international versions aren't published by Falcom, this will be a global release.

But what's more, if you like this game, you'll want to play the sequel a.s.a.p., and the remake of the second game (assuming it'll happen, which is likely, but not certain) probably won't come until 2027 at the earliest.

The reason for that is that for 2026 Falcom's mayor games are almost certainly going to be Kai 2 (the 4th game in, and conclusion to, the Calvard arc) and/or Tokyo Xanadu 2, a non-Trails game (yes, Falcom publishes more than Trails or Ys ... occasionally).

So, you'll be left with the choice to either wait 2+ years (and even if I'm wrong and they'll publish part 2 in 2026, it's still gonna be a long wait) or play the original version of the sequel, which is going to be a jarring shift backwards to the old style.

At the same time, the original games hold up very well and are still great fun and perfectly playable, as long as you don't take issue with the old-school graphics and relative lack of QoL features, like a text log and the best aspect ratios for modern screens.

Meanwhile, starting at a later arc isn't recommended, since the continuing storyline means you'll inevitably be spoiled on earlier events, as well as miss out on building an emotional connection with the characters which'll pay of greatly.

If you want to start with a later arc anyway I'd say Cold Steel (CS) 1 & 2 are reasonably self-contained and won't spoiler too much, but after that, you should really go back to Sky and Crossbell, since CS 3 & 4 significantly build on elements explored in those games.

In conclusion, my advice is to play the original Sky games, then Crossbell, then Cold Steel then Calvard, and return to this new version when you've played everything else and/or the entire Sky trilogy is out in this updated format.

But whatever you choose to do; have fun! :-)

[Adrix]

Originally posted by Dr. Rudolf von Richten:

I'd say play the original one. This one will most likely release in September, since Falcom always releases their major game of the year in September for fiscal reasons, and while the international versions aren't published by Falcom, this will be a global release.

But what's more, if you like this game, you'll want to play the sequel a.s.a.p., and the remake of the second game (assuming it'll happen, which is likely, but not certain) probably won't come until 2027 at the earliest.

The reason for that is that for 2026 Falcom's mayor games are almost certainly going to be Kai 2 (the 4th game in, and conclusion to, the Calvard arc) and/or Tokyo Xanadu 2, a non-Trails game (yes, Falcom publishes more than Trails or Ys ... occasionally).

So, you'll be left with the choice to either wait 2+ years (and even if I'm wrong and they'll publish part 2 in 2026, it's still gonna be a long wait) or play the original version of the sequel, which is going to be a jarring shift backwards to the old style.

At the same time, the original games hold up very well and are still great fun and perfectly playable, as long as you don't take issue with the old-school graphics and relative lack of QoL features, like a text log and the best aspect ratios for modern screens.

Meanwhile, starting at a later arc isn't recommended, since the continuing storyline means you'll inevitably be spoiled on earlier events, as well as miss out on building an emotional connection with the characters which'll pay of greatly.

If you want to start with a later arc anyway I'd say Cold Steel (CS) 1 & 2 are reasonably self-contained and won't spoiler too much, but after that, you should really go back to Sky and Crossbell, since CS 3 & 4 significantly build on elements explored in those games.

In conclusion, my advice is to play the original Sky games, then Crossbell, then Cold Steel then Calvard, and return to this new version when you've played everything else and/or the entire Sky trilogy is out in this updated format.

But whatever you choose to do; have fun! :-)

Thanks for the reply! Do you recommend to play Sky 1 vanilla or should I put any mod to have a better experience?

[Kain Highwind]

Everything Dr. Rudolf von Richten has said is valid. If you need secondhand opinion, there is nothing I disagree with in his post.

Originally posted by Adrix:

Do you recommend to play Sky 1 vanilla or should I put any mod to have a better experience?

The base game is very well balanced in my opinion, it's neither too hard nor too easy if you are going in blind. There is one mod called the evolution voice patch, which adds voices to some major text dialogue, as the base game contains no voices outside battle. It's really up to you if you want to install it.

[Dr. Rudolf von Richten]

Originally posted by Kain Highwind:

`
There is one mod called the evolution voice patch, which adds voices to some major text dialogue, as the base game contains no voices outside battle. It's really up to you if you want to install it.

This. I'd argue the voice mod is totally worth it, even if you don't understand any Japanese beyond a few common terms, the voices convey both personality and emotion very well, and are generally of high quality.

[Adrix]

Thanks to both of you for the advice! I'll begin Sky 1 with the voice mod today!

[Dr. Rudolf von Richten]

Originally posted by Adrix:

Thanks to both of you for the advice! I'll begin Sky 1 with the voice mod today!

Good luck and have fun! :-)

[Adrix]

Hello everyone, I just wanted to revive this thread to say that I just finished Sky 1.

It became one of my favourite experiences in gaming and the finale left me crying for quite a while.

Thank you both for recommending this game!

[Kain Highwind]

Glad you enjoyed the ride!

[Dr. Rudolf von Richten]

Originally posted by Adrix:

Hello everyone, I just wanted to revive this thread to say that I just finished Sky 1.

It became one of my favourite experiences in gaming and the finale left me crying for quite a while.

Thank you both for recommending this game!

I'm very happy to hear that. Prepare for more tears in Sky SC! ;-)

[小龙马]

Yeah indeed, amongst the RPG games that I played, the sad love story that i love the most are this and FF10.

[slaaneshgod]

one other thing here. You can use your save from a previous game on the next game in and I do not know if the remake will be capable of that. At least I havent heard anything.

[AceMan#1]

I saw that Ps vita versions are the best, get the English translation romhacks and you get to see amazing opening song and opening video which is way better, new scenes that are super amazing to see and were cut in all other versions, fully voiced game everything was voiced and characters mouths open and close while talking making it more realistic.

[AceMan#1]

Since Gungho is making this remake without full gamepad support I will not be buying it ever, I am super bummed, when all other versions of this game had full gamepad support you telling me this doesn't is pathetic. I have windows gamepad handhelds and only virtual keypad abd I refuse to game with a keyboard since I will have to take my hands off the gamepad and use the keyboard and who knows if it is combat related so could mean life and death for my game character, this is truly pathetic Gungho needs a reality check big time.

[Alex]

If you don't mind 2000-era graphics, play the original, it's cute. Starting from the middle is a no for this series.

[AceMan#1]

Yeah I played the this on my psp and it is still my favorite, the newer games none of them are as good as this at least to me.