Onward, ever onward.

To the Skies, to the Trails in the Sky. To a legend of heroes who are barely old enough to drive, but can fight in an international, cult, war...thing.

Let me put it in a way that isn’t stupid. On Monday, I’m gonna start playing Legend of Heroes: Trails on the Sky SC. I played the first one a few years back after Reddit/JRPG kept proclaiming how amazing the series is. I replayed it again a few months ago, on a whim, because I had no memory of it. I thought it was an alright game. Nothing groundbreaking or terrible. I didn’t buy the hype, but I’m carrying on with the saga, so I guess that means something.

If a slice of life anime could be made into a game, it would be Trails in the Sky (TinS). It’s a trope-filled romp around a small country, rich in history and world building. So, so much world building. Probably too much world building. While I can’t find anything disastrous with the game, my biggest gripe is how much dialogue there is. Every random NPC talks your ears off, and it just drags the game. Not only that, but the characters talk so much between battles that it ruins the action. It’s a long exposition before we go to the dungeon. More talking when we get there. Long speeches before the boss. More afterward, as we leave, and when we get back to town. So much plodding in the plot.

As for the plot, there’s no real threat or gravitas until the very end. It's all just whimsey adventure. It’s about two, by adoption, siblings as they quest around the Liberl Kingdom to begin their role as Bracers, or mercenaries. Their dad is the greatest Bracer to ever brace, so to fill his shoes, they travel, introduce themselves, and accidentally get swept up in chaos. Not only monster slaying, but in sky pirates, corrupt mayors, and espionage. Just for fun, they join.a gender-bending school play in chapter four. They also get caught in an ancient civilization revival brought on by an assassin guild to start a World War. Some teenage couples get pregnant. Estelle and Joshua save the world.

The graphics are cute; modern day sprites. I wish the main characters had a bit more contrast to everyone around them since I often can’t tell the difference between them and a random NPC. It’s a very bright and colorful world, and it all just kinda blends together. It’s stuff that will age well and looks good.

The music is, likewise, colorful and cheery. It’s all so peppy and upbeat that I kinda hate it. It’s not bad, but I’m secretly an edgelord, and I refuse to enjoy any of it. If you’re feeling down, find some playlists, and it’ll kick you up.

The battle system is...interesting. It’s a mix between Final Fantasy Tactics with FFVII’s materia system. You put magic rocks into a medallion, and they allow you to cast magic. A proper combination lets you cast an ever expanding repertoire of more powerful and interesting spells. There are also fun special attacks and techs unique to each character. I have problems with it being repetitive and exploitable, but I’ve played worse and it’s only game one. The battle sequences are a grid like floor where you move your characters as far as needed to reach or position yourself, similar to a TRPG. There are not height positions, it's all just flat, so it's not like a good TRPG.

So I just spend 30 minutes saying how I didn’t enjoy the game so, why am I playing the sequel? I like grand epics: operas, books, concept albums, video games. The idea of a grand story is why I played the Xenosaga games. It’s why I cling to grand franchises like Final Fantasy and Star Ocean. I think most people are actually. Brand loyalty, sports teams, the Marvel Universe, even politics are all multipart, grand journeys. While Trails in the Sky got good at the end, the ending made me curious. What's the deal with Orobolus? Estelle and Joshua’s relationship? The ancient civilization and the pending war? It’s part one of a three part journey. It wasn’t supposed to change the world, only introduce you to it, and make you ask questions. And it’s worked its magic on me. I don’t know if I’ll hang out ‘til game three, but I’m looking forward to this. Don’t fail me r/jrpg.