Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is finally here, and now both newcomers and fans alike can experience the beginning of the Trails series in the best way possible! For years, only those with a PSP, Vita, or PC could truly experience the beginning, and there is no denying that the original style and gameplay can be off-putting in today's world. Unfortunately, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is in fact only the first of three Sky titles, so upon completion, fans will have to wait to continue.
Or do they?
If you enjoyed Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and you do not want to wait for the sequel, there are actually some options to consider if you want to keep going. While we personally feel that it is better to wait and play the entire series in order, it is ultimately your choice and here is how you could jump in.
Option 1: Play the Original Trails in the Sky Second Chapter
Your first choice is none other than simply picking up the original Trails in the Sky Second Chapter. It is dated and not the flashy and refined experience of the Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter remake, but it is still a great game. The classic art style, original battle system, and story still hold up to this day, and the PC version does contain a speed-up mode to help make things faster. Again, it isn't as refined as the titles releasing today, but those who can look past that will discover a one of a kind unforgettable adventure.
Of course, those who finish 1st Chapter may not want to 'go backward' by playing the original, so there are some other options.
Option 2: Trails of Cold Steel
The original Trails of Cold Steel is the title that contains the least amount of spoilers for the series and is the game us Western fans received shortly after the long-awaited English translation of Trails in the Sky SC. Unlike the Sky series, Cold Steel takes place in the Empire of Erebonia and follows a mostly new cast of characters. Timeline-wise, there is a time skip between Sky and Cold Steel, but the game avoids going into full detail regarding what happened in Sky.
That being said, there are some spoilers that cannot be avoided.
The biggest spoiler concerns a character from the Sky series who also plays a major role throughout Cold Steel. We will not be naming this character, obviously, but it is a pretty big reveal that happens late into Trails in the Sky SC. While knowing this piece of information doesn't ruin how events play out in Sky, some fans may want to keep it a surprise.
Outside of this, Cold Steel takes place during the events of Trails from Zero and part of Trails to Azure—the follow-up titles to Trails in the Sky. These titles take place in the city-state of Crossbell, which has a complicated relationship with Erebonia. Events occurring in Crossbell, as in during Zero and Azure, are discussed in the in-game paper in Cold Steel, but again, details are kept to a minimum. There are specific world events that will be revealed in Cold Steel, which were initially shown in Zero and Azure, but it doesn't ruin the overall plot. In fact, some events are more impactful when seeing them firsthand in Cold Steel versus reading about the events in Zero and Azure.
As for Zero and Azure themselves, it is strongly recommended not to play them before finishing the Sky series. While the Crossbell arc does contain original characters similar to Cold Steel, it also features characters from Sky and serves as a direct story sequel to the events of Trails in the Sky 3rd. It will spoil Sky, and there is no avoiding it.
Option 3: Trails Through Daybreak
Trails Through Daybreak is the beginning of the latest story arc, and once again is seen more as an "entry point" for new fans. While we do not recommend starting here at all, it is one of the titles that focuses on a new cast of characters, and a new main plot focused on them. That doesn't mean this isn't a sequel however, as Daybreak is in fact the 11th entry in the overall series. Plot lines initially started in Sky, with characters who appeared in Sky, once again return for this entry, and there are quite a few callbacks to Cold Steel as well. With everything that has happened up to this point in the story, it is impossible to not spoil some major events, but the game itself can still be enjoyed by newcomers.
That being said, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter uses the gameplay and battle system first featured in Daybreak, so fans of 1st Chapter will feel much more at home with this title and its sequel. Even so, everything that came before Daybreak is still important for Daybreak's story, with some events and major reveals hitting much harder if players fully understand the context behind it. Especially recommend playing Sky 3rd and Zero and Azure before this one, but that's all we can say on the matter.
Option 4: The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails
The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a unique title in the series. The game is an action game, more in line with Falcom's Ys series, and it takes place in a very different world with all new characters. To this day, it isn't 100% clear if Nayuta connects to the rest of the Trails series, but the main character does share a familiar last name. There are some other hints and plot points that do suggest it could share a connection, but where the game could take place within the timeline is still a question.
Even so, The Legend of Nayuta is a great game and one that fans shouldn't overlook. It can't be compared to the rest of the series because of how different the overall game is, but it does still capture a lot of what makes the series so enjoyable. For those who want to keep playing Trails without any spoilers whatsoever, then this is the title to check out.
Games to Avoid Playing Out of Order!
Whatever you personally decide to look into next, there are some games we strongly recommend avoiding playing out of order!
Any Sequel Title
This should go without saying, but if it has a 2, 3, or 4 in its title, simply avoid playing it before the previous game. These games are extensions of the previous entry, and are not meant to be played as stand alone entries. Most of them begin the moment the previous entry ended, and this is typically after anywhere from 50 to 100 hours of gameplay. There are recaps in the menus, but reading text isn't enough to fully convey what happened, and what is currently going on.
Trails into Reverie
Trails into Reverie is not a stand alone title, and is none other than the ending to three story arcs that converge for a "conclusion." Trails in the Sky, Zero and Azure, and Cold Steel all come to a head here, and it is intended to be played last. There are nine titles worth of story information the game expects you to be familiar with, and it does in fact spoil nearly every major plot twist. If you have any interested in the series what so ever, this is the game that should be avoided at all costs unless you want nearly everything ruined.
Trails Beyond the Horizon
Trails Beyond the Horizon is the third entry in the Calvard arc of the story, but it is also in a similar situation to Reverie. This is a game that ties in plot points and characters from everything that came before, and is the setup for the "ending" of the Trails series. The game launches in 2026 in the West, but it has been out in Japan since 2024.
Zero and Azure
To a lesser extent, it is still recommended not to play Zero and Azure until finishing the Sky series. While it does tell its own story with its own cast of characters, the game itself is also a direct follow up to Sky in many ways. As previously stated, both titles feature characters who appear in Sky, and some key plot lines even have their conclusion shown within these two titles. Because of that, major events from Sky are flat out shown to the player, and it expects everyone to be familiar with the overall plot. While it is possible to still enjoy it for its own story, it isn't a game new fans should play out of order if they can avoid it.
And there you have it, our recommendations for what you could possibly play next, but to be perfectly honest, it is best to experience this full series in order as it was intended. Western fans didn't have this option for so long, but now newcomers have the chance we long time fans missed out on. Of course it is your choice however, and hopefully the above recommendations can at least point you in the direction that works best for you.
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