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

At a media presentation held in Tokyo on the 7th, Nihon Falcom President and Producer Toshihiro Kondo took the stage. Expressing his 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 new Viewer Mode, early-purchase bonuses, and the physical 'Ouroboros Box' limited edition.

Estelle and Joshua Reunited, and the Confrontation with Ouroboros

President Kondo identified the greatest achievement of the previous title, First, not as its graphics or combat, but as the fact that it created an 'entry point' for the series. He noted that because the series is so long, he was constantly asked by Asian media where new players should start. It always weighed on him that he could only ever suggest they play the latest release. He emphasized that his biggest accomplishment with First was finally being able to offer a title he could confidently recommend as the place to begin.

The 2nd centers on the story of Estelle and Joshua, who were separated 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 noting, '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 entry features quests centered on fan-favorite side 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 something fresh to enjoy.'

In terms of combat, the system that seamlessly transitions between quick battles and command battles has been inherited, while enemy behavior has become significantly 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 Tool to Official Feature: Creating Scenes with 'Viewer Mode'

A feature detailed 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,' and suggested that players could even take 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 his hope that players would create scenes the staff never imagined, much like how the developers have been sharing their own creations on social media.

Original FC Included: Early-Purchase Bonuses and the 'Ouroboros Box'

A variety of bonuses have been prepared. Players with clear data from the 1st can use the 'Classic Style FC' costume, a 3D recreation of the original FC outfits. 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, 'Doesn't it evoke a strange sense of nostalgia.'

The biggest topic of conversation was the early-purchase bonus for the physical package. It includes 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 was part of the inspiration.' 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, they managed to secretly port 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 to make it more comfortable to play than the original.

Note that this ported version will be provided in Japanese only. Along with this, an Estelle-exclusive costume was revealed. A newly designed costume for Joshua is 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 members of Ouroboros play a major role in the 2nd, the team wanted to create a case that felt dark, mature, and stylish. The contents include 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 Costume Set,' which transforms party characters into mascot-suit versions of themselves.

Kondo revealed the physical Ouroboros Box he brought from the office. He urged fans to act quickly, noting, 'Pre-orders have already started, and there is very little stock left on our official online store,' warning that it might be difficult to obtain later.

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

Kondo shared his sincere thoughts on completing the remake. 'While remaking Trails in the Sky this time, I realized anew that this is our origin,' he reflected. He described it as a work filled 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 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 stating that the company's official stance is 'undecided,' he laughed and said, 'The staff seems to have already moved ahead. I caught a glimpse of the screen and saw characters not 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 becomes to bring those projects to life, and asked everyone to enjoy the 2nd to the fullest.

He also delivered a message to Asian fans. Unlike the original SC, the 2nd will be released just one year after the 1st, without the long wait. He acknowledged that players curious about the aftermath of the 1st's somewhat shocking ending have been anxious. This title begins immediately after the 1st, and he promised that the story will weave together in a truly 'Trails-like' fashion, starting with a careful depiction of the two separated characters and Estelle's state of mind. He asked 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.