Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter
This review contains spoilers
Honestly, it pays to just read my review for the original, because most of it still applies here. But I will add a bit.
I was reminded of how evil Renne was. Man, she's terrible in this game (in a good way). I like how she's a genius but she is still a kid at heart, like when she says she'll get out of their way if Estelle says the thing she wants to hear--that she belongs in the Society.
Estelle is lovely. No surprise there. Just like seeing her. She's become my favourite RPG character ever. In one of the Cold Steels there's a battle against Campanella and the banter in the fight made me laugh, when he goes, "Whoa, that's messed up" after he does something where you can hit your own teammate. And to be honest, I didn't think I'd laugh during a fight like that again but in here where Bleublanc is talking about how we should behold greatness or whatever and Estelle yells, "Nobody cares about your scenario!" I laughed pretty hard. I like how Estelle is the brightest person in the universe but she also has absolutely no time for Evil's bullshit.
I still love this hybrid combat.
One thing I noted about the 1st game's remake is that it always feels like you're getting shit and that's true here. It's great. Trails works so well as a story-based game that makes you watch a lot, but then when it gets down to the actual gameplay, it's also awesome. It's just constantly giving you dopamine hits with how often you get things.
Love the OST.
All the scenes I wanted to see in glorious modern graphics just got all that much better, whether it's Estelle hugging Joshua from behind the beach, to Kevin just being an absolutely COLD-BLOODED man, to Estelle and Joshua's kiss near the end--where they then fall and she grabs him mid-air and holds him. To the final bit in Hamel. Hell, even the main menu image after you beat the game is beautiful.
Just what an absolutely beautiful game. Sure, does it have a cliffhanger? Nah. The first game has a better ending for that. But this has an emotionally satisfying one and that matters.
What I like about most Trails games but especially this one is that it also just feels so warm. So much bad shit is going on but it never drowns in sadness, even though it has plenty of that. It always just... makes me feel good about life somehow.
There's so much I could say but I'll end with this. Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is compelling on all fronts. It works as a political story. As a fantasy/sci-fi story. The gameplay is peak JRPG shit. But above all else, there is not a more emotional story in any RPG. Hell, maybe not any game period. There aren't many games that will stick with me like this will.
And now, sadly, my Trails journey comes to an end, outside of maybe playing that Trails/Ys fighting game. I'm both happy and sad.
I was reminded of how evil Renne was. Man, she's terrible in this game (in a good way). I like how she's a genius but she is still a kid at heart, like when she says she'll get out of their way if Estelle says the thing she wants to hear--that she belongs in the Society.
Estelle is lovely. No surprise there. Just like seeing her. She's become my favourite RPG character ever. In one of the Cold Steels there's a battle against Campanella and the banter in the fight made me laugh, when he goes, "Whoa, that's messed up" after he does something where you can hit your own teammate. And to be honest, I didn't think I'd laugh during a fight like that again but in here where Bleublanc is talking about how we should behold greatness or whatever and Estelle yells, "Nobody cares about your scenario!" I laughed pretty hard. I like how Estelle is the brightest person in the universe but she also has absolutely no time for Evil's bullshit.
I still love this hybrid combat.
One thing I noted about the 1st game's remake is that it always feels like you're getting shit and that's true here. It's great. Trails works so well as a story-based game that makes you watch a lot, but then when it gets down to the actual gameplay, it's also awesome. It's just constantly giving you dopamine hits with how often you get things.
Love the OST.
All the scenes I wanted to see in glorious modern graphics just got all that much better, whether it's Estelle hugging Joshua from behind the beach, to Kevin just being an absolutely COLD-BLOODED man, to Estelle and Joshua's kiss near the end--where they then fall and she grabs him mid-air and holds him. To the final bit in Hamel. Hell, even the main menu image after you beat the game is beautiful.
Just what an absolutely beautiful game. Sure, does it have a cliffhanger? Nah. The first game has a better ending for that. But this has an emotionally satisfying one and that matters.
What I like about most Trails games but especially this one is that it also just feels so warm. So much bad shit is going on but it never drowns in sadness, even though it has plenty of that. It always just... makes me feel good about life somehow.
There's so much I could say but I'll end with this. Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is compelling on all fronts. It works as a political story. As a fantasy/sci-fi story. The gameplay is peak JRPG shit. But above all else, there is not a more emotional story in any RPG. Hell, maybe not any game period. There aren't many games that will stick with me like this will.
And now, sadly, my Trails journey comes to an end, outside of maybe playing that Trails/Ys fighting game. I'm both happy and sad.
Mini Review: They made a masterpiece better. The story's emotional and interesting, compelling even though the game is pretty long. Only a few minor annoyances. Graphics are great. Music slaps. I love the hybrid turn-based/real-time battle system. I also like how the game is always giving you stuff. Very satisfying. All the moments from the original work even better here. I am in love with this game.
Watch the Trailer