Legendary JRPG Trails in the Sky's long-awaited remake has a demo available now

From the heavy hitters of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest to more cult classics like Suikoden or the Mana series, many legendary JRPGs are being given new life thanks to remasters and remakes. One I've been particularly eager for, however, is about to arrive. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a gorgeous remake of the 2004 classic, and an exciting prospect; a chance to take a fresh and polished look at the opening to a series that has become famed for its deep, rich storytelling. It's arriving in full next month, but you can try a free demo on Steam right now.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is an ideal way to take the plunge into a series that has long sparked whispered conversations among ardent fans. The series earned a reputation over the years for strong worldbuilding and character development, with each entry having its own merits but the grander payoff for sticking with the full run securing many of them spots as some of the best JRPGs around.

The first Trails in the Sky was the sixth entry in Nihon Falcom's overarching Legend of Heroes franchise and marked the beginning of what we now call the 'Trails' series. In the two decades since that first installment, the developer has built up a catalog of 13 games that bear the name, including Trails of Cold Steel, Trails Through Daybreak, and most recently Trails Beyond the Horizon.

Now, you can experience the start of that lineage in a brand-new and updated form. Follow the tale of protagonist Estelle Bright and her adoptive brother Joshua, two members of a multinational peacekeeping organization known as the Bracers. Naturally, their work and their lives are thrown into peril when they suddenly uncover a sinister conspiracy to overthrow the powers that be. That's just the start, however; expect plenty of twists and turns as events progress.

While the original 2004 game was purely a turn-based RPG during combat, the remake offers the choice between that more traditional style or a completely new real-time battle system. The fresh perspective helps bring the environments of Liberl to life in a never-before-seen level of beauty, and there's even the addition of brand-new voiceovers available in either English or Japanese, featuring many of the original cast.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter launches Friday September 19, but you can play a prologue demo now. Download it here to get an initial taste, which sees you exploring the Rolent region with Estelle, Joshua, and Scherazard, and taking on an early boss battle.

For an extra shot of nostalgia, take a look through the best classic PC games you can still play today. Want to enjoy the stunning soundtrack in its full glory? We've picked out the best computer speakers to suit your budget in 2025.

Are you an ardent Trails fan looking to share your knowledge with budding adventurers as they set out to learn the ropes of this beloved series? Hop in the PCGamesN community Discord server to tell us what makes the series so special to you.