Trails in the Sky SC is distinct in that it is in every sense a direct sequel to its predecessor, the aptly named Trails in the Sky (you know, minus the SC). That means, if you’re interested in this game at all thanks to the building buzz and fervor over its unlikely release, go play the other game first. Seriously, there is no choice—it is absolutely necessary to play the first game before this. The story picks up the day after the first game ends, and it has no interest in providing a recap. Trails SC hits the ground running, and thank goodness it doesn’t waste any time because this game is huge.

Like, for real, it’s really big. Hence the horror stories about the localization process.

Saying anything about the story would spoil the first game for newbies, so let’s just say that the heroine of the first Trails, Estelle, is searching for answers. Those answers are entwined with the politics of Trails’ world, so finding them is kind of a big deal. A lot changes in the world as time passes in the game, but the familiarity and re-use of the same assets and locations (especially early on) has a huge impact on the player. Saying that is weird, as asset re-use is generally seen as lazy, but it works. The world is so well-built that finding myself in the exact same places was more heartwarming than disappointing. It also helps that it’s been about four years since the first game hit the PSP.

The appeal of these games is how well-written and translated they are, down to every NPC and all the flavor text for the items, even emptied treasure boxes. This is a dense script, and only about half of it is plot. NPCs, for example, will stick around and their little stories will develop. You can find one guy in a town early on, and he’ll continuously react to the story’s events, and may even relocate to another area. Also endearing is how these memories tie into Estelle’s development as a character, as she grows less and less raucous and absent-minded over the course of the first game, and it shows in SC as she remembers people by name and interacts with them based on her (and your) memories of the first go-around.

Mechanically speaking, there isn’t much new here. Trails in the Sky was an older Falcom game, as many of XSEED’s late PSP releases were, and that’s tangible enough in the game’s systems. It’s turn- and grid-based, but not irreplaceably so, as placement really only affects whether or not characters reach each other. Not reaching frankly just extends combat an extra turn and very rarely does it save the player from a tight spot. Otherwise, it’s a pretty standard JRPG affair with fireballs and stabbing and the like.

The one addition SC goes out of its way to introduce is a small combo ability each character has that allows the player to spend some points and call in a second character for a bigger attack. It’s pretty useful, but ultimately trumped by the huge special attacks earned from stockpiling those points. Just like the first game! No seriously it’s basically the same game, but with more story, which is great because the whole selling point is the story.

If I had to turn my nose up at anything, it would certainly be the lack of a recap. Both Trails are enormous, and replaying the first leading up to the second is not an easy fit into a busy schedule. Retaining knowledge beyond the key plot points is not super likely, but the game expects it at times. This especially becomes problematic when a location is thrown at you and you’re more or less expected to remember how to get there, and Trails fans know that the way the roads are structured makes it a huge pain the butt sometimes. But the internet exists, so reminding yourself where a specific road or location is will be a trivial undertaking.

Trails in the Sky SC is a simple recommendation. It’s a low-ish budget JRPG with super-dope writing. It’s also a sequel that takes place immediately after the first game, which is a point that cannot be stressed enough. Do not play this game without the first. Do. Not. That said, if you enjoyed the first game, and I’m pretty sure that’s a default response to playing it at all, then Trails in the Sky SC is a must-have. Seeing these characters and their world continue to expand and evolve is a treat.

Hint: Hopefully you’ve kept your save data from the first game. If you managed to get Estelle to level 40 and import that save, she’ll get to start there. Otherwise she starts at level 35. That’s a pretty significant power boost.

by Lucas White