Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Dev Not Quite Sure Which Classic RPG to Remake Next

Following the debut of the almost universally lauded Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter in September, it was disclosed that developer Falcom was already well underway with crafting another complete remake featuring Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter.

While there isn’t an official release timeframe for it, the revamped sequel is anticipated to be released next year — and the expectations are sky high (pun intended) considering the immense affection for the original game.

So, what follows after 2nd Chapter? You might assume that Falcom’s most apparent route would be to then recreate the third installment in the Sky trilogy — Trails in the Sky The 3rd. The title essentially aligns perfectly with the remakes and such!

However, it appears the matter isn’t as straightforward as expected. In a recent interview with Dengeki Online (translated by Automaton), Falcom’s CEO Toshihiro Kondo acknowledges that the studio is actually split regarding which nostalgic Trails title they should remake next.

“We’re undecided on whether to proceed with Trails in the Sky The 3rd or Trails from Zero next – viewpoints are mixed within our team,” he remarks.

“Some team members are suggesting that it would be preferable to remake from Zero prior to The 3rd.”

Trails from Zero is set chronologically after the Sky trilogy. It features a largely new ensemble of characters and a distinct location.

Initially, one might reason that advancing to the subsequent saga in the franchise makes zero (pun intended, once more) sense — but it seems the difficulty stems from The 3rd being a particularly unconventional Trails entry.

Without giving away too much, The 3rd ties up many loose ends from the Sky games and its related narratives, yet its unconventional, dungeon-centric format makes it a rather unique entry.

“I believe we should undertake a remake of The 3rd eventually, but there are several ideas regarding how it might be redesigned,” mentions Kondo, hinting at the potential for reimagining the game’s layout.

Additionally, these remakes aren’t the sole Trails endeavors that Falcom is developing. The forthcoming title in the Daybreak saga — the game following Trails beyond the Horizon, set to release in the West in January — is currently in deep development.

Falcom’s schedule is only becoming busier, making it intriguing to observe how it balances these extensive remakes with the projects that will shape the future of the series.

What are your wishes for what comes next from Falcom? Is The Third the one? Would you prefer a remake that alters its distinctive design? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.