First released in 2004, 'The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky' served as the starting point for the 'Trails' series, which has spanned over 20 years. This coming September, its second chapter, SC, will be reborn as 'Trails in the Sky the 2nd' (hereinafter 'the 2nd').

Nihon Falcom President and Producer Toshihiro Kondo personally attended a media presentation held in Tokyo on the 7th. Expressing gratitude for the success of the previous title, 'Trails in the Sky the 1st' (hereinafter 'the 1st'), he detailed the new features and special editions for the 2nd. The event also showcased the Viewer Mode, first-run bonuses, and the physical 'Ouroboros Box' limited edition.

Estelle and Joshua Separated, and the Confrontation with Ouroboros

President Kondo cited the creation of a 'gateway to the series' as the greatest achievement of the previous title, Trails through Daybreak (First), rather than its graphics or combat. He noted that because the series is so long, he was constantly asked by Asian media where new players should start, and he always felt uneasy having to tell them to just play the latest release. He emphasized that the biggest success of First is that he can now confidently tell people, 'Start playing from here.

The 2nd centers on the story of Estelle and Joshua after they part ways at the end of the 1st. Kondo highlighted their relationship as the game's biggest draw, explaining that the journey of how the two reunite, their conflicts, and their eventual return to adventuring together will be a key highlight. He also raised expectations by stating, 'While the 1st focused on events within the Liberl Kingdom, the 2nd revolves around the confrontation with the Enforcers of the Ouroboros society.'

New content includes numerous quests focusing on popular sub-characters. While the 1st shone a spotlight on other bracers, this installment features quests centered on fan-favorite sub-characters. He mentioned Duke Dunan as an example and hinted that stories for characters who were not playable in the original SC but joined in the PSP version would also be included. He emphasized, 'By adding stories that take place away from Estelle and Joshua, even those familiar with the original will find the experience fresh.'

In terms of combat, the system that seamlessly transitions between quick battles and command battles has been retained, while enemy behavior has become more diverse. Kondo noted that his favorite part of playing the game was seeing enemies perform various actions on the field during quick battles. In particular, enemies now move in much more varied ways, such as suddenly accelerating to charge or using skills like Crafts on the field.

From Debug Mode to Official Feature: The 'Viewer Mode' for Creating Scenes'

A feature revealed in detail for the first time at this presentation is 'Viewer Mode.' It allows players to freely place characters in desired backgrounds to create scenes not found in the main game.

Viewer Mode expands the available characters, costumes, and backgrounds as the game progresses. Players can adjust not only facial expressions but also eye direction and even fine-tune mouth shapes. Kondo explained that it is a major piece of side content, noting, 'You can easily lose an hour or two just tinkering with it,' such as by taking commemorative photos with monsters.

Interestingly, this feature originated as a debug and character-checking tool for the staff. While it was initially difficult to use, the UI was polished to make it accessible to players. Kondo expressed hope that players would create scenes even the staff hadn't imagined, just as the developers have been sharing their own creations on social media.

Original FC Included: First-Run Bonuses and the 'Ouroboros Box'

A variety of special bonuses have been prepared. Players with clear data from the 1st can use the 'Classic Style FC' costume, which recreates the original FC outfits in 3D. While they look similar at a glance, the original versions were designed to have a simpler, more minimalist feel. Kondo laughed and asked the audience, 'Don't you feel a strange sense of nostalgia.'

The biggest topic of conversation was the first-run bonus for the physical package: a download code for the original 'The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC.' He explained, 'Including past titles as a bonus is something we did about 30 years ago with 'Ys Eternal,' so that came to mind.' He revealed that when he visited Nintendo to introduce the 1st, they suggested including the original as well. While they couldn't make the deadline for the 1st, he secretly ported it to Switch 2, PS, and PC for the 2nd. It is not a simple port, either; it has been improved with features like high-speed mode and message logs for a more comfortable experience than the original.

Note that this ported version will be provided in Japanese only. A dedicated costume for Estelle was also revealed. A newly designed costume for Joshua will be provided as a pre-order bonus for the digital version, with pre-orders starting simultaneously in Korea and Japan.

The limited edition 'Ouroboros Box' was also unveiled. Since the Enforcers of Ouroboros play a major role in the 2nd, the team wanted to create a case that felt dark, mature, and stylish. The set includes the 'Memorial Sound Selection' music CD featuring arranged tracks from the series, the 'Liberl Kingdom Complete Character Book' containing information on nearly 500 characters, and the limited-edition DLC 'Moko-Moko Mascot Set,' which transforms party members into mascot costumes.

During the event, President Kondo also unveiled the actual Ouroboros Box he had brought from the office. He mentioned that pre-orders have already begun and that very few units remain in the company's online store, urging fans to act quickly as it may be difficult to obtain once they are gone.

'What We Lost Was Here'... Releasing September 17

Kondo shared his sincere thoughts on completing the remake. 'While remaking Trails in the Sky, I realized anew that this is our origin,' he reflected, noting that the work was imbued with the energy and youth that could only be captured at that time. He also revealed his feelings after finishing the 2nd: 'As I became accustomed to production, I remembered that there was something we had lost, and I hope to share that with the fans.'

Regarding future remakes, he remained cautious but left the door open. While the official company stance is 'undecided,' he laughed and said, 'The staff seems to have already moved ahead. I caught a glimpse of the screen and saw a character who isn't in the 2nd moving on the field.' He expressed his personal desire to continue the remake series, adding that the more fans voice their desire for the next installment, the easier it will be to bring it to life, and asked everyone to enjoy the 2nd.

He also sent a message to Asian fans. Unlike the original SC, the 2nd will be released just one year after the 1st, sparing fans the long wait. He noted that players curious about the aftermath of the 1st's shocking ending will finally get their answers. The story begins immediately after the 1st, and he promised a truly 'Trails-like' narrative that carefully depicts the feelings of the separated duo and Estelle's internal journey. He urged fans to fully experience that story.

Additionally, the full opening video featuring the theme song for the 2nd was revealed for the first time at the event.

'Trails in the Sky the 2nd' is scheduled for simultaneous release in Korea and Japan on September 17. Further information will be released leading up to the launch.