Nihon Falcom’s Trails series makes a trade-off: rather than try to match blockbuster RPGs on graphics and production scale, it leans on long character arcs, political change, and a shared world that develops across many games. That approach asks players for patience—and helps explain why the series has built a committed audience despite its daunting size.
What “doing everything wrong” means here
The phrase is provocative framing from Joshua Rivera’s September 19, 2025 feature in The Verge, not a neutral verdict that Trails fails at RPG design. The series’ apparent disadvantages—modest presentation, familiar mechanics, and a large installment count—are part of the contrast Rivera draws with its strength in serialized storytelling.
Trails, developed by Nihon Falcom, unfolds across Zemuria, a continent whose nations, relationships, politics, and technology change over time. The appeal is cumulative: events in one game can matter in later stories, and characters have room to develop across arcs rather than being confined to a single adventure.
Why a smaller-scale approach can work
Story is the distinguishing investment
Rivera describes Falcom’s visuals and technical presentation as modest compared with larger RPG productions. In the feature, Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo explains the studio’s thinking: “As time progressed, other companies began putting a lot more manpower into graphics. We realised we’d need well over 100 people solely focused on that,” he said. Kondo also recalls the founder’s emphasis on writing: “But our founder [Kato] realised if we can get a writer who knows how to write good stories, and is able to build up their knowledge as a writer, that’s something we can make a sales point going forward.”
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- Take flight into the 1st Chapter of the legendary series from Falcom. This stunning JRPG reimagines the beloved classic with new breathtaking visuals and refined gameplay.
- Swap seamlessly between traditional turn-based combat and an all-new real-time action system to suit your style of adventure.
- Meet unforgettable characters brought to life with brand-new voiceovers.
- Discover the story that redefined the JRPG genre and set the Trails series on its legendary path!
- Enjoy English and Japanese in-game voice and English, French, German, and Spanish in-game text
That is a strategic choice, not evidence that narrative automatically compensates for every technical shortcoming. Rivera’s feature argues that the series’ extensive storytelling and character arcs give it a distinctive appeal even when its production values do not compete with the biggest RPGs.
A world that changes between games
The connected setting lets the series follow more than one cast or local conflict. Different games and sub-series visit regions of Zemuria, while political developments and technological progress contribute to a sense of history beyond an individual protagonist’s plot. For players who enjoy watching consequences accumulate, continuity becomes a reward in itself.
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- Experience the expansive combat system, richly-realized world, and stirring story of the 2nd chapter of the Trails series! By carrying over your clear data from 1st Chapter, you can obtain exciting bonus items that will help you on your journey.
- Overpower your enemies with new Crafts and S-Crafts! Link your characters' attacks during Quick Battles with the new Brave Rush, and make full use of the orbment system for access to Arts.
- Dive into an intricately woven narrative to uncover the conspiracies threatening the Kingdom of Liberl.
- Enjoy a variety of new content in the sequel, including minigames like fishing and poker, cooking with your companions, and fan-favorite characters joining as playable party members.
- Like Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, this remake will have updated English and Japanese voice, and English, German, French, and Spanish text language support.
Familiarity can serve the long story
Rivera points to familiar mechanics and design quirks alongside the narrative ambition. That mix can feel less novel than a blockbuster built around a new combat spectacle, but it can also leave the series’ writing and recurring world at the center. The feature does not offer a controlled comparison or gameplay benchmark; this is an interpretation of Falcom’s creative approach.
The trade-off: investment and navigation
Continuity is also a barrier. At the time Rivera’s feature appeared, it described Trails as thirteen games deep. That is a count from September 2025, not a current total. Multiple sub-series, settings, platform differences, and references between installments can make it difficult to know where to begin or how much background is expected.
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- Presentation: Players seeking cutting-edge visuals or a consistently polished blockbuster scale may find Falcom’s modest production values a drawback.
- Narrative: Players who like long character arcs, political developments, and details that carry between games may find the connected world unusually rewarding.
- Gameplay: The series’ familiar mechanics may suit players who value continuity over constant reinvention. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter adds a choice between action encounters and turn-based play, as described by Rivera.
- Commitment: A single entry can be a manageable start, but following every arc takes sustained attention and some platform research.
Is Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter a good place to start?
Rivera presents Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter as an on-ramp: it remakes the first game, updates its presentation, and offers both action and turn-based combat options. Its central story follows Estelle and Joshua Bright; the remake covers the first half of their story, so it is an introduction rather than a shortcut through the wider series.
The feature reported a September 19, 2025 launch on Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Those are launch details, not a guarantee of current availability, editions, or regional listings; check the relevant platform store for what is offered where you are.
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- Epic RPG Adventure: Immerse yourself in the beloved first chapter of the Trails in the Sky saga, featuring a rich narrative-driven experience with deep character development and an engaging storyline that unfolds across the kingdom of Liberl
- Strategic Turn-Based Combat: Experience tactical battles with a unique orbment magic system that allows you to customize your characters' abilities and elemental powers, creating diverse combat strategies for every encounter
- Enhanced PS5 Performance: Enjoy this classic JRPG optimized for PlayStation 5 with improved loading times, enhanced visual presentation, and smooth gameplay that brings this timeless adventure to modern gaming standards
- Expansive World Exploration: Traverse diverse regions filled with memorable NPCs, hidden treasures, and side quests that reward thorough exploration, offering dozens of hours of content beyond the main storyline
- Character-Driven Storytelling: Follow the journey of Estelle and Joshua as Bracers-in-training, encountering a cast of unforgettable characters with fully voiced dialogue and intricate personal stories that interweave with the main plot
What the success figures do—and don’t—show
Rivera’s feature reported that Trails had sold 8.8 million copies and that Falcom had 68 employees, attributing both figures to Bloomberg. The feature does not specify when either figure was measured, so they should be read as figures reported in September 2025, not as current sales or headcount. They help illustrate the scale contrast behind Rivera’s argument, but they do not by themselves prove why players stay with the series or establish its present commercial performance.
For the interview context, see Bloomberg’s August 15, 2025 interview/newsletter item with Toshihiro Kondo. The series analysis, quoted figures, and remake details discussed above come from Rivera’s September 19, 2025 feature.
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- It's a race to Willamette Valley as you join the wagon train and seek your fortune in the West!
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- For 2-4 players, ages 14 and up
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