The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC

If you didn't play the first game, this game will make no sense, it is about the most direct sequel I've ever played. The plot picks up about 6 hours after the first game ended, so if you haven't finished the first game....well, you've been warned. Took me 92 hours to finish, completing every quest I could find and exploring pretty thoroughly. If you played the first one, you know exactly what you are getting here. Tons of "flavor", unique dialogue from virtually NPC (though most of it is filler and not necessary to move the plot along), interesting (if sometimes slow) tactical combat. You will be revisiting the same locations, seeing the same people, fighting some of the same monsters. If you loved the first game, this one will scratch the itch....if you were lukewarm on the first one, know that this one is more of the same. The first game is basically an extended introduction to the plot, this game is where the story really comes to fruition. It's very clear that the two games were originally meant to be one massive game, but it would have come in at 150 hours or more and even I am put off by that kind of commitment. I personally enjoyed the story to this game much more than the first, as the stakes are much larger and it really does feel like an epic story of good vs. evil. The combat is exactly the same as the first, the only difference being the introduction of "chain" attacks, which I might have used 10 times total in the entire game. So again, if you liked the first game's combat, you will enjoy this one. I definitely thought this game was tougher than the first one, there are a couple fights (especially towards the end) that are very challenging, you will need to maximise your team's skills in order to succeed. The final boss is also much more fulfilling and difficult than the first game, in my estimation. It's not a flawless game, the plot is a little cliched in spots, and your mileage with the character tropes may vary. Also the soundtrack is literally the exact same for 85% of the game, so don't expect anything new there. But all in all, if you enjoyed the first Trails in the Sky and really want to see what happens after that ridiculous cliffhanger the first game ends on, you should probably pick this up and see what happens. 4 stars for being fun, but minus 1 for reusing a ton of assets and not exactly expanding on the concepts of the first game.

Trails in the Sky SC is worth your money. If you've read my FC review, let's just flat-out get that out of the way. I got it on sale for 20-something bucks but I should've paid full-price for the conclusion to the epic-in-construction that FC began. The writing is flat-out brilliant in near every respect. The world-building is top-notch, the characters are all lovable and intriguing and this all cannot be stated enough. SC's pacing is pure perfection, and its build-up is perfect for what it wants to accomplish. The ending will leave you just... awestruck. It made me just shout in triumph and cry at the same time in an emotional wellspring of... I don't even know what. I didn't know that a set of games like this could exist. It is the Lord of the Rings of JRPGs in terms of, well, it being a flat-out friggin' epic and *needing* both games to fully realize it, just as LOTR needs you to read them all (and in order too) to understand what's going on and appreciate it. Combined together, FC and SC make an experience like I've never had before in gaming. I forgave its flaws and places where it could be improved. This is a review, not a full critique (thanks 2k char limit) and I'll just flat-out say to just give Falcom and XSEED your money at this point. I *hate* to say something like that but these games are just marvelous and worth supporting; I can't help but gush over them. If you've finished FC and feel it was lacking in terms of its story and closure (which you should because of a certain thing that happens in its ending...), you owe it to yourself to at least try SC and finish it, since these games were clearly meant to be played together, one after another and enjoyed like the masterpiece it is, and SC really just realizes the foundation FC builds into a beautiful epic that proves to anyone and everyone that video games can be art (and also very fun, obviously). Seriously, if you know anyone that lacks faith in the video game industry, have them play these two.

Amazing game, picks up right where the first one left off and this one is easily better than the first in my opinion though that is great as well. This series (Trails in the Sky and Of Cold Steel) has the best story and character development I've seen in any game. I still have some questions on....the professor but perhaps they will be answered later. Characters are so greatly detailed, even ones not a part of your party, but they can be just as important. Also I am glad the game gives you 3 new characters to play as in the final chapter (Right after I dumped my resources to upgrade my party before hand lol). Anyway, excuse the mini revew, as I want to play the third game soon then may do a better review in the future elsewhere. I do highly recommend this series. If you do want to pick it up then I suggest start with Cold Steel or Trails In The Sky, either one is fine. Cold Steel took no effort to get into while Sky 1 I had to force myself to play but I'm glad I did as it ended up being great and the this second one was very exciting to jump into. Cold Steel has a much more refined battle system and is quite a bit dfferent in a number of ways outside that as well but which ever of the two you pick up first, just be sure to play them in order(like sky 1, 2,3 or Cold Steel 1,2,3,4, etc or else you'll be lost and ruining a great experience. P.S. So far I just beat the game and got clear data at over 90 hours of playtime.

I started the Trails in the Sky series after reading all the reviews. After finishing the first game I liked it, but didn't love it. It was good but dated. I started SC just to see where the story went, wasn't expecting too much. But WOW. What an emotional ride. A game and a half of setup and world building all pays off in the second half of SC, and what I thought was a pretty good series jumped into my favorite games of all time list. Sky SC does an incredible job of making complex themes relatable, tacking death, family relationships, politics, war, and more. And while the story centers around two main characters - Estelle and Joshua - never has an RPG made me care so much about villians and side characters.

Just what the title says... a little gem. Sometimes a bit grindy sometimes a bit to much running from a to b, but all in all a little gem for all who loves JRPGs in the oldschool style.