Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Review – A Proud Return

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Review

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is a follow-up to Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and the second game in the series’ Liberl arc. As a remake of 2006’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, it sheds new light on an older title.

Is it worth a play? Absolutely. The pacing is snappier, the stakes are higher, and Estelle Bright is more determined–and endearing–than ever.

Estelle Bright has always wanted to become a bracer, a peacekeeping adventurer, and protect the kingdom of Liberl. After the first game, she’s achieved that dream. But a painful separation leaves her confidence damaged.

Meanwhile, Joshua Bright is in the wind, seeking to put his tormented past to rest. He never intends to see Estelle again. But his desire to keep her out of things is nothing compared to her determination to find him.

Estelle’s quest will take her across Liberl as she hunts down both Joshua and his target: the mysterious Ouroboros organization. Along the way, she’ll encounter lots of complex fantasy geopolitics, a cast of larger than life villains, and a conspiracy that will rock her world a second time.

A Proud Return

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is an action-JRPG that features both real-time and turn-based combat. Players travel across the kingdom of Liberl, pursuing quests, advancing the story, and searching for collectibles.

The gameplay loop involves fighting monsters, gathering sepith, and synthesizing new Quartz. The Quartz you equip changes which spells a character can use.

You can clear out small groups of enemies on the map in real-time Quick Battles. Large groups and boss fights take place in turn-based Command Battles. Each format demands different strategies and preparations.

Entering Command Battle at the right time gives you a hefty advantage. Enemies can also force you into one at a disadvantage, though. A variety of additional attacks and follow-up options make combat feel a bit like a rhythm game.

During quests, the game prompts players to answer questions and deduce clues. A correct answer earns extra rewards and raises Estelle’s rank.

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Raises the Stakes

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter opens with some lengthy cutscenes, as usual for a Trails game. Unusually, they focus less on fantasy worldbuilding and more on the Bright family drama. At least, until the church exposition kicks in.

The fallout of the first game leaves Estelle alone and furious. But some guidance from a quirky priest brings her comfort, and she’s soon back on the road. It’s good to see her back in action: Estelle is definitely one of the most entertaining JRPG protagonists I’ve seen.

One of the main appeals of the Trails series is the continent of Zemuria. Its complex worldbuilding and the disparate characters that inhabit it are on full display here. It’s a joy to wander around cities talking to everyone and uncovering secrets.

High-Speed Mode continues to be a blessing for exploration, level grinding, and talking to every NPC on the map. This is important because the NPCs have new things to say as the plot advances. And some of those optional interactions feature interesting clues and insight into the characters.

This is a very meaty game full of collectibles, optional dialogue, and plenty of sidequests. It’s also just fun to play. With six difficulty modes from Very Easy to Nightmare, there’s a challenge level for everyone.

Liberl Unfurls

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is more than the sum of its parts. The voice acting is solid, and Estelle’s voice actor is as stubborn and expressive as you’d expect. Sadly, only the cutscenes are voiced, and sometimes, only one character will be given spoken dialog. I can’t say I’m a fan.

The graphics are only decent, though the character designs have a nice retro JRPG flair. The direction, however, is excellent and makes the game look much better than it would otherwise. The cinematic framing makes sitting through 20-minute infodumps, recaps, and emotional processing quite engaging.

This game also features a very nice soundtrack, especially the battle tracks.

The dungeons are sprawling and a bit same-y, which can make it easy to get turned around. Fortunately, the map is easy to follow and updates as you go, so it’s hard to miss anything as long as you check regularly.

All in all, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is a great update to a legendary title. I had a great time plunging back into Liberl, and I think you will, too.

***Steam code provided by the publisher***