View source for The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

{{short description|2004 video game}}
{{Redirect|Trails in the Sky|the subseries of the same name|Liberl arc}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = {{nowrap|The Legend of Heroes:}} {{nowrap|Trails in the Sky}}
| image = Trails in the Sky artwork.jpg
| alt = A stylized illustration of a group of people posing by a clock tower.
| developer = [[Nihon Falcom]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Nihon Falcom|WW|[[Xseed Games]]|EU|Ghostlight (PSP)}}
| director = Toshihiro Kondo
| producer = Masayuki Kato
| designer =
| programmer = {{ubl|Hideyuki Yamashita|Noriyuki Chiyoda|Takayuki Kusano|Tōru Endō}}
| artist = {{ubl|Haccan|[[You Shiina]]}}
| writer = {{ubl|Hisayoshi Takeiri|Yoshihiro Konda|Shūji Nishitani|Homare Karusawa}}
| composer = {{ubl|Hayato Sonoda|Wataru Ishibashi}}
| series = ''[[Trails (series)|Trails]]''
| engine = <!--Wikidata-->
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Windows]]|[[PlayStation Portable]]|[[PlayStation 3]]|[[PlayStation Vita]]}}
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|June 24, 2004}}|'''Windows'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 24, 2004|WW|July 29, 2014}}'''PlayStation Portable'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 28, 2006|NA|March 29, 2011|EU|November 4, 2011}}'''PlayStation 3'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 13, 2012}}'''PlayStation Vita'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 11, 2015}}}}
| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}
'''''The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky'''''{{efn|Later published as {{nihongo foot|'''''Trails in the Sky FC''''',|空の軌跡|Sora no Kiseki FC|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} and published in Japan as {{nihongo foot|'''''The Legend of Heroes VI: Sora no Kiseki'''''.|英雄伝説VI 空の軌跡|Eiyū Densetsu VI: Sora no Kiseki|{{lit}} "The Legend of Heroes VI: Trails in the Sky"|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}}}} is a 2004 [[role-playing video game]] developed by [[Nihon Falcom]]. The game is the first in what later became known as the ''[[Trails (series)|Trails]]'' series, itself a part of the larger ''[[The Legend of Heroes]]'' series.
''Trails in the Sky'' was first released in Japan for [[Windows]] and was later ported to the [[PlayStation Portable]] in 2006. North American video game publisher [[Xseed Games]] acquired the rights from Falcom, but did not release it until 2011 due to the game's large amount of text necessary to translate and [[game localization|localize]]. A [[high-definition video|high-definition]] port to the [[PlayStation 3]] was released in 2012, while a remaster for the [[PlayStation Vita]] was released in 2015; both were only released in Japan. A sequel, ''[[Trails in the Sky SC]]'', was released in 2006. A remake, ''Trails in the Sky the 1st'', is scheduled to be released on the [[Nintendo Switch]] worldwide in 2025.
==Gameplay==
{{multiple image|image1=Trails in the Sky FC overworld.jpg|image2=Trails in the Sky FC battle.jpg|footer=The two main modes of gameplay involve exploring the field map (top) and engaging in combat (bottom).|width=400|direction=vertical|align=left}}
In ''Trails in the Sky'', the player controls a cast of characters, embarking on quests to progress the story. There are two different types of maps when navigating the overworld, field maps and town maps. In field maps, enemies roam around and a battle ensues if the player comes into contact with one. In town maps, the player can visit various shops to purchase items, replenish health at an inn and, for the major cities, take on and report quests to the local guild. Quests can be a variety of tasks for the player, ranging from defeating monsters in the field map to delivering items and finding lost cats in town. In addition, the player can interact with numerous [[non-playable characters]] (NPCs). A unique aspect in ''Trails in the Sky'' is that each NPC's dialogue changes as the story progresses, allowing players to follow their accompanying side stories throughout the game.<ref name="hardcoregamer" /> The game features 8 playable characters, who apart from the protagonists Estelle and Joshua, rotate in and out of the party while playing the main story. The story itself is split into five different portions, with a prologue followed by four chapters.
Combat takes place on a grid and is [[turn-based]]. The character's turn order is determined by a tracker called the AT Bar. During the character's turn, the player can move or make an attack. In addition to the normal attack, each character also has three other methods available for action: Arts, Crafts, and S-Crafts. Arts are magic spells characters can use to attack opponents or support teammates but must take an additional turn to cast. Crafts are character-specific abilities that are similar to Arts but can be used in the same turn, but they utilize a special gauge called "Craft Points" (CP) for the cost to perform. S-Crafts are powered-up Crafts that can be performed once a character has over 100CP but completely depletes the CP gauge upon using it. Further extending S-Crafts are S-Breaks which allows characters to immediately perform an S-Craft regardless of when their turn order is.<ref name="instructions">{{cite book|author=Nihon Falcom Corporation|author-link=Nihon Falcom Corporation|year=2011|title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Manual|publisher=[[Xseed Games]]}}</ref><ref name="official website english">{{cite web|url=http://trailsinthesky.com/fc/|title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky official website|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref> An additional aspect of combat is AT Bonuses which grant bonus effects at certain turns throughout the battle, visible on the AT Bar.<ref name="instructions" /><ref name="official website english" /> If the player loses a battle, the game is over. The player is then allowed to continuously retry the battle and subsequently lower the difficulty of the battle for each retry. Earlier versions of the game included two difficulty settings, Normal and Hard, while later versions introduced a third difficulty known as Nightmare.<ref name="instructions" /><ref name="official website english" />
==Synopsis==
The game follows protagonists Estelle Bright and her adopted brother Joshua, who journey through the country of Liberl to train to become senior Bracers, members of a non-governmental multinational organization that acts to keep the peace and protect civilians. During their journey, they uncover a plot by Colonel Alan Richard, head of the country's intelligence division, to overthrow the monarchy and obtain an artifact known as the Aureole, one of seven treasures said to be gifted to mankind by the goddess Aidios. Estelle, Joshua, and their allies confront Richard and foil the coup.
During the celebratory party after the incident is resolved, Joshua confronts Professor Alba, an archaeologist the party encountered throughout their quest, and accuses him of orchestrating the coup. Alba reveals that he is actually Georg Weissmann, a high-ranking member of a secret society called Ouroboros, and that he was the one who manipulated Richard into pursuing the Aureole. Weissman also states that Joshua is a former member of the society and restores his memories of his service with them. In fear of endangering Estelle, Joshua decides to leave in order to take on Ouroboros independently. After confessing his feelings to Estelle, he drugs her to prevent her from following him before departing.
== Release ==
''Trails in the Sky'' was initially released for [[Windows]] on June 24, 2004, in Japan. The game was later ported to the PlayStation Portable and released in Japan on October 28, 2006. The PSP version was later released by [[Xseed Games]] in North America on March 29, 2011, and in Europe on November 4. The Windows version was released worldwide on July 29, 2014, and included a number of features from the PlayStation Portable version.<ref name="xseed blog programming" /> A [[High-definition video|high-definition]] update, ''The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC Kai HD Edition'', was released for the [[PlayStation 3]] in Japan on December 13, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/9/26/3410840/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-ps3-hd-version-announced |title='The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky' PS3 HD version announced |publisher=Polygon |date=September 26, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref>
A remaster, ''The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC Evolution'', was released in Japan for the [[PlayStation Vita]] on June 11, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sora-evo-fc.com/|title=英雄伝説 空の軌跡 FC Evolution|access-date=December 29, 2014|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127065649/http://sora-evo-fc.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Evolution'' updates the user interface and incorporates new features such as voice acting, redesigned character portraits, and a new animated opening cutscene.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sora-evo-fc.com/new_features|title=英雄伝説 空の軌跡 FC Evolution New Features|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Sato |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/05/22/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-fc-evolution-recaps-its-new-features/ |title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC Evolution Recaps Its New Features |publisher=Siliconera |date=May 22, 2015 |access-date=August 9, 2013 |archive-date=December 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211175903/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/05/22/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-fc-evolution-recaps-its-new-features/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Localization ===
The game was localized into English by [[Xseed Games]], who had acquired the rights to bring the ''Trails in the Sky'' trilogy to North America in May 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.xseedgames.com/news.php?id=107 | title=XSEED Games Announces Wide-Ranging Partnership with Nihon Falcom | work=xseedgames.com | date=May 14, 2010 | access-date=October 25, 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116230259/http://www.xseedgames.com/news.php?id=107 | archive-date=November 16, 2015 | df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Siliconera Staff |url=https://www.siliconera.com/the-legend-of-the-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-takes-flight-in-march/ |title=The Legend Of The Heroes: Trails In The Sky Takes Flight In March |publisher=Siliconera |date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=August 22, 2022}}</ref> The length of the script for ''Trails in the Sky FC'', which contains approximately 1.5 million Japanese characters, presented a challenge for the team's editors.<ref name="siliconera translate">{{cite web|author=Ishaan|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/02/12/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-has-1-5-million-japanese-characters/ |title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Has 1.5 Million Japanese Characters |publisher=Siliconera |date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=September 13, 2013}}</ref> Jessica Chavez, the game's lead editor, spent nine months working on the script. Chavez stated that she would frequently work over 11-12 hours for six days a week.<ref name="siliconera translate" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://xseedgames.blogspot.com/2011/02/reports-of-my-death-have-been-greatly.html|title=XSEED Games blog: Reports of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated|publisher=XSEED Games |date=February 8, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref> In 2013, Xseed planned a Windows version of ''Trails in the Sky'' to be released in early 2014,<ref>{{cite web |author=Chris Dahlberg |url=http://www.cosmosgaming.com/gaming-news/xseed-games-to-publish-the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-sc-digitally-on-steam-and-playstation-store-first-chapter-to-get-pc-release/ |title=XSEED Games to Publish The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC digitally on Steam and PlayStation Store; First Chapter to get PC release |publisher=Cosmos Gaming |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=August 9, 2016 |archive-date=September 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908083606/http://www.cosmosgaming.com/gaming-news/xseed-games-to-publish-the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-sc-digitally-on-steam-and-playstation-store-first-chapter-to-get-pc-release/ |url-status=live}}</ref> but coding issues forced the release date to be pushed back to July. According to Xseed localization programmer Sara Leen, much of the code needed to be rewritten from scratch because of technical differences between the PlayStation Portable and Windows versions; these changes frequently introduced new [[software bug]]s, further complicating matters.<ref name="xseed blog programming">{{cite web|url=http://xseedgames.tumblr.com/post/92769039590/xseed-blog-the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the |title=XSEED Blog - The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky |publisher=XSEED Games |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref>
=== ''Trails in the Sky the 1st'' ===
'''''The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 1st''''', a remake using the ''[[Trails Through Daybreak]]'' engine, is scheduled for release on the [[Nintendo Switch]] worldwide in 2025.<ref name="Switch2025">{{cite web |last1=Galizio |first1=James |title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 1st launches Worldwide in 2025 |url=https://www.rpgsite.net/news/16224-the-legend-heroes-trails-in-sky-1st-launches-worldwide-in-2025 |website=RPG Site |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hagues |first1=Alana |title=The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky Remake Is Real, And It Looks Amazing |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/08/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-remake-is-real-and-it-looks-amazing |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref> Falcom had previously suggested a remake of ''Trails in the Sky'' was under consideration before it was officially revealed at a [[Nintendo Direct]] presentation in August 2024.<ref name="Switch2025"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Manuel |first1=Tin |title=Falcom Mulling Trails in the Sky Trilogy Re-Releases on Modern Platforms |url=https://www.rpgfan.com/2023/12/22/trails-in-the-sky-to-modern-platforms/ |website=RPG Fan |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Burn |first1=Seth |title=Anime Expo 2024: Falcom President Toshihiro Kondo Talks With Anime Herald |url=https://www.animeherald.com/2024/07/20/anime-expo-2024-falcom-president-toshihiro-kondo-talks-to-anime-herald/ |website=Anime Herald |access-date=28 August 2024 |quote=At Anime Expo, Mr. Kondo mentioned that Falcom is working on something that might be considered a remake.}}</ref>
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC_PC = 85/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky for PC Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
| MC_PSP = 79/100<ref name="MCPSP">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky/critic-reviews/?platform=psp | title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky for PSP Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
| Fam = 32/40
| GI = 8.25/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_legend_of_heroes_trails_in_the_sky/b/psp/archive/2011/04/18/trailsreview.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506044036/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_legend_of_heroes_trails_in_the_sky/b/psp/archive/2011/04/18/trailsreview.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2011|title=Legend Of Heroes Review: An RPG That's Paced More Like A Novel|magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Review: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky|first=Heidi|last=Kemps|date=April 4, 2011|magazine=[[GamePro]]|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218732/review-the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky/|access-date=April 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202181920/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218732/review-the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 2, 2011}}</ref>
| GMaster = 82%<ref>''[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]'', January 2012, page 85</ref>
| GSpot = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-review/1900-6313672/|title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Review|access-date=November 3, 2015|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017145919/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-review/1900-6313672/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GRadar = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-review/|title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky review|date=April 20, 2011}}</ref>
| HCG = 4.5/5<ref name="hardcoregamer">{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/08/05/review-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-pc/97392/ |title=Review: Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (PC) |date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806225530/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/08/05/review-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-pc/97392/ |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |website= Hardcore Gamer}}</ref>
| IGN = 8/10<ref name="ignreview">{{cite web|title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Review|date=April 4, 2011|first=Neilie|last=Johnson|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/115/1159327p1.html|access-date=April 6, 2011|archive-date=April 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407100435/http://psp.ign.com/articles/115/1159327p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| PG = 9/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/The%20Legend%20of%20Heroes:%20Trails%20in%20the%20Sky/review.asp?c=35226|title=The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Review|date=November 15, 2011}}</ref>
| RPGFan = 90%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/The_Legend_of_Heroes_Trails_in_the_Sky/index.html|title=RPGFan Review - The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky|access-date=November 3, 2015|archive-date=January 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121193036/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/The_Legend_of_Heroes_Trails_in_the_Sky/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
''Trails in the Sky'' received "generally favorable" reviews according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPSP"/> Neilie Johnson of ''[[IGN]]'' gave it a positive review, stating that, though "''First Chapter'' is not the most original ever made, like any good [[JRPG]] it offers amusing writing, dynamic combat, interesting tasks, an absorbing narrative, and hours upon hours of gameplay" and concluded that "while the game's 50/50 balance between combat and story may not be to everyone's taste, its charm and overall entertainment value make it well worth the investment".<ref name="ignreview"/> ''Hardcore Gamer'' praised the "rock-solid character writing", noting every character has "their own history, ambitions, and social connections", every [[non-player character]] (NPC) "has their own name and motivations and interpersonal relationships with other NPCs", and the influence of [[Hayao Miyazaki]]'s classic [[anime]] film ''[[Castle in the Sky]]'' on the cast and [[steampunk]] setting. They also praised the open-ended story, quest design, and combat system, and for having "one of the most complete and enthralling worlds ever rendered", concluding it to be "one of the finest JRPGs in the history of the genre".<ref name="hardcoregamer"/>
Despite the series's popularity in Japan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/02/09/falcoms-trails-in-the-sky-series-soars-past-one-million-units-sold/|title=Falcom's Trails In The Sky Series Soars Past One Million Units Sold|access-date=August 9, 2016|publisher=Siliconera|author=Spencer|date=February 9, 2011}}</ref> ''Trails in the Sky FC'' sold poorly in the West upon its initial release for the PSP,<ref name="siliconera1">{{cite web|author=Spencer|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/10/14/whats-going-on-with-the-legend-of-heroes-trails-in-the-sky-second-chapter/ |title=What's Going On With The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky Second Chapter? |publisher=Siliconera |date=October 14, 2011 |access-date=September 13, 2013}}</ref> but USGamer's Kat Bailey described its later Playstation Vita availability and PC port as a useful revenue stream with little overhead for niche publisher Xseed Games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-extra-10-percent-xseed-in-the-age-of-digital-distribution|title = The Extra 10 Percent: XSEED Succeeds in the Age of Digital Distribution|date = October 15, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018003808/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-extra-10-percent-xseed-in-the-age-of-digital-distribution |archive-date=October 18, 2015}}</ref> It was named the best RPG of 2011 by ''RPGFan''<ref>{{cite web | title=Games of the Year 2011: Derek Heemsbergen's Awards | url=http://rpgfan.com/features/go2011/derek.html | work=RPGFan | first=Derek | last=Heembergen | access-date=January 26, 2012 | year=2011 | archive-date=January 12, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112061737/http://www.rpgfan.com/features/go2011/derek.html | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Games of the Year 2011: Dennis Rubinshteyn's Awards | url=http://rpgfan.com/features/go2011/dennis.html | work=RPGFan | first=Dennis | last=Rubinstheyn | access-date=January 26, 2012 | year=2011 | archive-date=January 12, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112061732/http://www.rpgfan.com/features/go2011/dennis.html | url-status=live}}</ref> and among the best games of the year in general by ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/12/best-games-2011/?pid=2333|title=The 20 Best Videogames of 2011|date=December 20, 2011|magazine= [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|first=Chris|last=Kohler|access-date=March 11, 2017|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321104037/https://www.wired.com/2011/12/best-games-2011/?pid=2333|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{official|http://trailsinthesky.com/fc/}}
{{The Legend of Heroes series}}
{{Kinema Citrus}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, The}}
[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:Japanese role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Kinema Citrus]]
[[Category:Nihon Falcom games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Portable games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Vita games]]
[[Category:Sentai Filmworks]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:The Legend of Heroes]]
[[Category:Trails (series)|Trails in the Sky]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
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[[Category:Xseed Games games]]
[[Category:Ghostlight games]]
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