All Game, No Filter

Image Credit: Title artwork sourced from the official Trails in the Sky GOG page – https://www.gog.com/en/game/the_legend_of_heroes_trails_in_the_sky

Playtime: ~80 hours
Completion: Main story finished | Nearly full achievement run (missed 1 chest 😤)
Platform: Steam
Genre: JRPG / Turn-Based / Story-Driven Played: 2024 | Reviewed: 2025
Final Score: ★★★★☆ (8/10)

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🧠 First Impressions

I actually finished Trails in the Sky last year, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It’s one of those games that quietly lingers — not just because of its story or systems, but because it reshaped how I look at RPGs.

I didn’t write about it right away, partly because I needed some distance to appreciate what it really did. But now, after playing a bunch of other games since, I realized just how special this one was — and why it deserves a proper spotlight.

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⚙️ Gameplay & Progression

The first few hours were rough. I was lost, the controls felt clunky, and choosing grid positions during combat (especially for Arts) was frustrating. Even turning the camera was awkward. But once the systems clicked? Smooth sailing.

The game rewards attention to detail. Combat is tactical and surprisingly deep, with a nice mix of S-Crafts, turn manipulation, and movement strategy. It’s not flashy, but it’s smart — and boss battles in particular require real planning.

I clocked around 80 hours on my playthrough because I was chasing full achievements (and still mad about the one chest I missed out of 163). But if you just want the story, you can probably clear the game in 15–20 hours.

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🎵 Music, Art, and Atmosphere

Let’s talk music — because Trails in the Sky has one of the best JRPG soundtracks I’ve heard.

🎧 Favorite Track: “Silver Will”
It absolutely slaps. The OST blends mood and momentum across every region and scene, and there’s real emotional punch in the way tracks are used.

The art might look dated, but for its original release? It was way ahead of its time. Towns feel alive, sprite work is expressive, and the world is richly layered despite the technical limits.

Image Credit: Steam store page

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✍️ Story & Dialogue

This is where the game earns its legendary status. There’s a lot of dialogue — sometimes too much — but none of it feels meaningless. The characters grow on you, the pacing stays tight, and by the end, you care way more than you expected to.

World-building is where Trails shines most. Even random NPCs have evolving storylines. Cities feel lived in. Every new chapter adds depth to the setting instead of just pushing the plot forward.

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📝 Category Breakdown

• 🎵 Music: 10/10 – Banger after banger
• 🎨 Art: 7/10 – Dated now, but excellent for its time
• 📖 Story: 10/10 – Incredible pacing, strong writing
• ⚔️ Combat: 8/10 – Tactical and fresh, but a bit clunky early on
• 🧾 Overall: 8/10 – I wanted to give it a 10, but I’ve got to be honest

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✅ Final Verdict

Trails in the Sky starts slow — but if you give it time, it delivers one of the richest JRPG experiences out there. It’s not just about stats and spells. It’s about world-building, character growth, and a sense of place that’s rare in games today.

Even a year later, I’m still thinking about it — and that’s the mark of something great.

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🔥 Clay’s Take

“This game changed how I evaluate RPGs. It’s not about spectacle — it’s about soul.

Also, I’m still not over that one chest.”

Final Score: ★★★★☆ (8/10)
Recommended?: Yes — especially for fans of story-rich JRPGs or anyone curious about where modern turn-based RPGs draw their root

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🧭 What’s Next?

Falcom recently announced a full remake of Trails in the Sky, and you can bet I’ll be diving in day one.
Expect a full remake vs. original comparison right here — I’m excited (and curious) to see what they change.

Image credit: Steam store page

If you’re familiar with the Legend of Heroes series, I’ll be posting separate reviews for each game to track my journey — from the classic Sky arc all the way to the latest entries.

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