The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

 PSP
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Pocket Gamer UK
    Nov 15, 2011
    90
    With staggering depth and surprising accessibility, Falcom have succeeded in making a traditional JRPG that both die-hard veterans and those uninitiated with the genre will love.
  2. GamesRadar+
    Apr 19, 2011
    90
    A pleasant bastion of everything that drew so many to this genre long ago. Amusing characters, a rich setting and great mechanics all smoothly coalesce to create a surprising and thoroughly enjoyable tale, prompting us to speculate that our little PSPs are far from retirement. We're ready for part 2.
  3. RPG Fan
    Mar 29, 2011
    88
    Trails in the Sky is not a game in which the gameplay shines, but rather the story and characters. It isn't deep nor compelling by any stretch of the imagination, but it is fun and extremely charming.
  5. Vandal
    Nov 25, 2011
    85
    Although it isn't a very original game, behind its relaunch appearance there is a good and well-executed roleplaying strategy game. Combat is fun, there are lots of customization options and the story shows charming characters.
  6. Worth Playing
    Apr 26, 2011
    85
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is the first of a trilogy, and it makes a strong case to bring the rest of the story arc to North America. Though some of the core design feels left behind compared to modern standards, the story line is very impressive and the title manages to be quite fun even as it sticks closely to traditional JRPG mechanics. If you're looking for a lengthy, meaty RPG you can take with you wherever you go, this title will make a fine option.
  7. Game Informer
    Apr 18, 2011
    83
    For everyone else, though, Trails in the Sky plays out like beloved JRPGs from the late '90s: dramatic, character-focused, and detailed. This is a world in which almost every townsperson has a unique name and personality and in which every treasure chest in the game can be examined a second time to provide a unique message reminding you that you've already robbed it of its spoils. Little additions like this don't individually make or break a game, but in Trails in the Sky they add up to an incredibly charming and absurdly long experience.
  8. Games Master UK
    Dec 16, 2011
    82
    Gorgeously animated tactical RPG that'll charm and challenge in equal measure. [Jan 2012, p.85]
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  9. GameFocus
    Apr 19, 2011
    81
    For those looking to spend a lofty amount of time with a good-ol fashioned JRPG, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky delivers.
  10. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jan 8, 2012
    80
    It's also nicely balanced in gameplay terms. [Jan 2012, p.101]
  11. Eurogamer Spain
    Dec 9, 2011
    80
    This might be the best portable RPG published this year, plenty of quality and personality.
  12. 3DJuegos
    Nov 17, 2011
    80
    The Legend of Heroes Trails in the Sky is an exceptional game for fans of JRPG.
  13. SpazioGames
    Jul 11, 2011
    80
    The Legend of Heroes Trails in the Sky is an old school RPG with good storyline made for fans of JRPG.
  14. GameSpot
    May 15, 2011
    80
    Trails in the Sky is a satisfying adventure that blends an exciting plot with smart gameplay.
  15. RPGamer
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    While it'll never be the most technically impressive or original game, its creators clearly understand what works and what doesn't. The excellent music and fun combat combine with the charming characters to create a game that has a certain intangible feel, a spirit that pervades it and makes it more than simply the collection of things seen before it may appear at first glance. As the PSP enters its twilight years, most RPGamers would find few better sendoffs than this.
  16. GamePro
    Apr 4, 2011
    80
    But these flaws can't keep Trails in check for too long. The game delivers a lot of what JRPG fans want -- a long, epic story (which, it should be noted, doesn't end with this game), lots of fun dialogue, and an engaging combat engine -- and does so in a charming, enjoyable fashion. It might be a crowded market on the platform, but Trails in the Sky manages to soar well above many of its peers.
  17. IGN
    Apr 4, 2011
    80
    Although this 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.
  18. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Mar 31, 2011
    80
    A fantastic addition to the already large level of great RPG's available on the PlayStation Portable. What separates it is the engrossing story, and relatable characters. Throw in ridiculously addicting mechanics and you have yourself a winner.
  19. Play UK
    Jan 25, 2012
    75
    A pleasant last hoorah for your PSP. [Feb 2012, p.83]
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  20. games(TM)
    Jan 9, 2012
    70
    Here's hoping the rest of the trilogy also heads west. [Issue#117, p.122]
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  21. Metro GameCentral
    Dec 21, 2011
    70
    A perfect example of the sort of game only the PSP can provide and a surprisingly progressive Japanese role-player to boot.
  22. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    May 6, 2011
    70
    Gamers who want an RPG they can dig into and play, however, probably won't have a problem. [June 2011, p.82]
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  23. GameCritics
    May 24, 2011
    60
    As the first entry in a planned trilogy, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky has technically done its job. The game has built my anticipation for the next installment, in spite of itself. Granting that, I'm not interested in a rerun. A clever battle system can distract for only so long, and the value of semi-persistent society is limited by the appeal of the world in which it exists. I'm sure that it's hard for creators to not fall in love with the product of their labor, but navel-gazing is only entertaining for the owner of said navel.

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PSP Game of 2011
6
#6 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2011
4
#4 Most Shared PSP Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 120
  3. Negative: 14 out of 120
  1. frantisek
    Mar 29, 2011
    10
    I played the Japanese version years ago, and this is by far one of the best story-driven jrpgs ever created. Its pacing may seem a bit slow atI played the Japanese version years ago, and this is by far one of the best story-driven jrpgs ever created. Its pacing may seem a bit slow at first, but its setting and characters need to be introduced in such a way since this game is only the first chapter in a massive series encompassing many titles (the first three have already been announced by xseed)..

    The world (aka the Liberl kingdom) is explored directly and is really vast (the cities are especially great because of their details), the setting is so full of lore it rivals some of the best fantasy novels and computer rpgs (you can find informations on practically anything you are interested into, and there are many books to read and newspapers that details the kingdom of Liberl's events), the battle system is a unique and extremely enjoyable mix of turn based combat and strategical depth and the characters can have many possible setups thanks to the quartz, somewhat like final fantasy 7's materia. Somewhat like computer rpgs series like Dragon Age and Mass Effect, Trails allows you to use the final save data in the next game, retaining your levels and slightly altering its events depending on the quests you have done.

    Every fan of jrpgs with a powerful and deep story, a great battle system and a believable world would do well to buy it and its even more awesome sequel, Trails Second Chapter, when it's released.    … Full Review »
  2. Raniki
    Mar 31, 2011
    10
    Fans overseas probably know Falcom best for their Ys series, thanks largely to XSEED's efforts in bringing over some of their newest PSPFans overseas probably know Falcom best for their Ys series, thanks largely to XSEED's efforts in bringing over some of their newest PSP titles. What they might not know (yet) is that Falcom has a second flagship series that is even more popular in Japan and Asia generally, this being Legend of Heroes. The series began as an offshoot of Dragon Slayer, a massive franchise that includes Xanadu, Drasle Family and the original Sorcerian, all of which had English releases in one form or another. Legend of Heroes began as the sixth Dragon Slayer game but has since become a franchise of its own. The third through fifth games were ported to the PSP and localized by Bandai, though anyone who has played those games should NOT assume that they're representative of what a LoH game should be. The poor localization ruined the best part of those games: the characters and story. Fortunately for us all, XSEED has done right by this franchise and given the first game in the Kiseki/Trails franchise the localization it deserves.

    Oh yes, make no mistake that this is a franchise within a franchise. The four (soon to be five) games in this saga are among Falcom's most popular, so much so that the most recent game sold out on preorders before its release date and Falcom announced an early stock price increase based on that success. The fifth game is expected to do just as well and in the meanwhile Interwise is going to the effort of producing a high-definition PC version of the fourth game for Chinese gamers.

    So, what do gamers in Japan and China know that gamers overseas don't yet? Simply that these are without hyperbole some of the best RPGs you'll ever play and take place in what might be the most intricately detailed world to ever appear in a video game. This title takes place entirely in Liberl kingdom but don't let that put you off. Most RPG kingdoms have a city, maybe a town or two and no particular reason for existing aside to give mapmakers something to fill in the blanks. Every city in Liberl exists for a reason and every person has a reason for living there. This is quite simply a dream game for anyone who wants to really get sucked into a world.

    One reason this game has resisted translation for so long is the sheer size of the script: Over 1.5 million characters in Japanese. Your typical Final Fantasy game doesn't even have half that. With a script that size, this game is very dialogue-heavy. While a lot of text goes into the main story, there are also a huge number of variant lines for NPCs, giving the player the sense of existing in a real and evolving world. The prologue alone has about ten different sets of dialogue for its NPCs and I encourage everyone to go and see all those variants. Not only will you learn more about the world and its inhabitants but you never know when someone will have a quest or an item, most of which are extremely time-limited.

    As you might gather from the above, this game focuses very heavily on the story but that doesn't mean the gameplay is neglected. Battles are fought on a grid, all eight characters have a unique mix of Crafts and the Orbment system allows you a measure of customization. One feature of particular note is the S-Break. When you have 100 CP or more, you gain access to powerfu S-Crafts (not all of which are offensive but all of which are useful) and you can trigger them at any time, even during an enemy turn. Doing so allows you to interrupt the turn order and provides many potential advantages. Later games in the series add even more features so if you like the system here you'll love the later games.

    As anyone who's played the Ys games knows, Falcom does good music. Really really good music. This game is absolutely no exception. When multiple fan contests on both sides of the Pacific decide that a song from this game should occupy the #1 slot, that should tell you something. As good as Silver Will is, the rest of the soundtrack more than manages to keep up.

    Being a Legend of Heroes game, the plot and characters are the heart of the game and XSEED's translation delivers both with all the emotion they should be presented with. Rather than sing their praises I encourage everyone to check it out for themselves. The beginning is a little slow but once you get to Chapter 2 you'll be hooked. These are not cookie-cutter characters (and if you try to mentally place them in a box, they'll probably jump out and stomp the box) and the plot has some amazing developments, especially at the end. When the credits roll, you'll find yourself hoping for the second game to be released yesterday. It will be a massive undertaking and I wish XSEED all the best. When you get to the end I'm sure you will too. In closing, I have three words to say about Trails in the Sky: Believe the hype.    … Full Review »
  3. coldkgon
    Mar 29, 2011
    10
    Trails in the Sky is a 2004 PC RPG ported into PSP in 2006. It the first story in a sequential set of three games, with a new game set in theTrails in the Sky is a 2004 PC RPG ported into PSP in 2006. It the first story in a sequential set of three games, with a new game set in the same world released 2010 and another one for release late 2011. For 6 years this gem remained hidden due to the language barrier, but thanks to the monumental efforts by Localization company extraordinaire XSEED, English-speakers now have the chance to experience this game, created by a niche company and marketed by word of mouth only to become one of the staples of RPG genre in Japan. Animation â… Full Review »
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