Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

40 to 100 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Grows on you"

My initial impression of Trails in the Sky was hard to describe. When you start the game, the missions and sometimes endless bantering can get to be tiresome and repetitive.

But for some reason, I kept coming back.

For the first time in a long time, I had a huge drive to finish every "Bracer assignment" in this game, even though you don't have to. The characters really began to grow on me, showing a depth and personality that almost all in-game characters these days lack, and although they tend to talk for very lengthy periods of time, the conversations are sometimes extremely hilarious and you start really looking forward to them.

The story starts off slightly cliche but is filled with twists-and-turns that keep you constantly on the edge of your seat savoring for more. The combat system is a bit more advanced than your typical "Fight, Magic, Item" in that it includes a movement grid and several other variables. Most of the game was relatively easy but some of the boss fights were indeed intense and thoroughly enjoyable. If you lose a fight, the option to retry is offered to you, rather than having to reload -- a big plus.

The art style is very nice, although a bit dated (pretty much why I gave it a 9/10). There is a bit of customization, but it is slightly limited by the lack of available spells, something that I think is fixed in the later installments.

Overall, if you have ever liked or still like JRPGs, this game is DEFINITELY for you. It's a bit slower paced (it took me 50 hours to beat it) but it has a very rewarding feeling when you finish it and it leaves you craving for the next installment.