The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

About The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

A large RPG with deep lore and tactical combat, Trails in the Sky kicks off the Trails series. Developed by Nihon Falcom and released in 2004, it follows siblings Estelle and Joshua as they become Bracers in the kingdom of Liberl. Their journey blends political drama, mystery, and personal growth as they search for Estelle’s missing father. Set in a world of airships and guild politics, it balances turn-based battles with strategic resource management. The PS Portable and PC port brings this classic to modern audiences. A 40-50 hour story with branching choices and character-driven side quests.

Gameplay

Combat alternates between active turn-based menus and strategy-based positioning. You manage a team of four, adjusting to enemy weaknesses with elemental attacks and status effects. Outside battles, you navigate cities via a top-down map, solving cases for Bracer clients to level up and earn materials. Dialogue options and inventory management matter, choosing the wrong item mid-battle can break a strategy. Missions vary from rescuing hostages to investigating disappearances. Side content includes fishing, monster-hunting, and relationship-building with NPCs. Controls are intuitive, with a focus on menu navigation. Pacing shifts between action and downtime, requiring patience for grinding weaker areas.

What Players Think

Metacritic scores it 85/100. PlayPile data shows 68% of players finish the main story, with an average playtime of 47 hours. 22% earn all achievements, including the 10-hour “Complete the Side Quests” challenge. Community moods: 42% “satisfied,” 15% “frustrated” with grind intensity. Reviewers praise character depth, with one calling it “a masterclass in serialized RPG storytelling.” Criticisms focus on dated visuals and repetitive battle music. 78% of players return post-beat for second runs. 12% cite the Bracer license exam mini-games as the most memorable.

PlayPile's Take

A must-play for RPG fans who enjoy layered narratives and tactical combat. The 45-hour core story justifies a $30 price tag, with 30+ achievements for completionists. Not for players averse to grinding or open-ended side quests. Its legacy as the Trails series foundation is undeniable, but modern newcomers might need patience. If you value character growth and political intrigue in a JRPG, this is your pick.

Storyline

In the kingdom of Liberl, a man named Cassius Bright serves as one of the land's greatest Bracers, a freelance organization dedicated to keeping peace and helping those in need. When he is called off to business in the neighboring country, his daughter Estelle and his adopted son Joshua take on his work as upcoming Bracers. But when the airship he was traveling on vanishes, his children seize the task of discovering the truth behind the incident, and rescuing their father.