The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is widely regarded as a timeless classic JRPG that offers deep and engaging gameplay, a rich story, and memorable characters. Players praise its turn-based combat system, which provides a lot of customization and strategic depth through the orbment/quartz system. The worldbuilding is detailed and immersive, with NPCs that contribute to a living, breathing environment. The narrative unfolds slowly but rewards patient players with a compelling plot and strong character development.

While the graphics are dated and simple, many players find charm in the art style and appreciate the native PC features like ultrawide support and extensive quality-of-life options. The game has a cozy, inviting atmosphere that encourages exploration and thoughtful play. However, the pacing can be slow at times, especially early on and during the final dungeon, which some find frustrating. Overall, it is a must-play for JRPG fans who enjoy story-driven games with tactical combat.

Highlights

The combat system is highly praised for its fun, challenging, and customizable nature, especially the orbment/quartz mechanics. The storyline is engaging and detailed, with excellent worldbuilding and character interactions. Players appreciate the game's immersive atmosphere and the lively NPCs that enhance the game's depth. The music and writing are also noted as strong points. Additionally, the PC version's native support for ultrawide displays, numerous save slots, and keyboard/mouse controls are welcomed features.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the slow pacing at the start and during the final dungeon, which some players find tedious. The graphics are considered outdated and simplistic by some, and the lack of default voice acting is noted, though voice mods are recommended. The difficulty spikes in the final bosses and some grind required on harder modes frustrate certain players. Additionally, the heavy reliance on reading and lengthy dialogues may not appeal to everyone, and some players find the story's ending underwhelming or clichéd.