Japanese RPG developer Nihon Falcom faces an unusual creative crossroads that president Toshihiro Kondo openly acknowledged in a Noisy Pixel interview published November 20, 2025. Following the announcement of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter remake, internal debate has erupted within the 64-person studio about which game to remake next: Trails in the Sky the 3rd, continuing the Sky trilogy chronologically, or Trails from Zero, jumping ahead to the more popular Crossbell arc. Kondo admits the 3rd holds critical narrative importance as the Sky trilogy’s conclusion but acknowledges Zero’s greater commercial appeal and fan demand. This transparent admission reveals fascinating insight into how small Japanese developers navigate franchise management between artistic integrity, fan expectations, and commercial viability while preparing for the Trails series’ eventual conclusion. The decision carries significant implications for Falcom’s remake roadmap and whether they’ll chronologically rebuild the entire interconnected 12-game saga or cherry-pick commercially viable entries, with Switch 2 support confirmed for future releases alongside the company’s broader strategy of slowing development pace to properly conclude gaming’s most ambitious connected RPG narrative.
The Trails Remake Context
Nihon Falcom announced Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter in December 2024 as a ground-up remake of the 2004 PSP game that launched the Trails (Kiseki) series. Unlike simple ports or remasters, this represents complete reconstruction using modern technology, enhanced visuals, quality-of-life improvements, and expanded content while preserving the beloved story that introduced protagonist Estelle Bright and her adopted brother Joshua to players worldwide.
The remake releases in Japan on September 25, 2025, exclusively on Nintendo Switch and PC, with Western release following in 2026. This platform choice reflects Falcom’s strategic shift toward Switch development after decades focusing on PlayStation platforms, recognizing Nintendo’s dominance in Japan and growing global portable gaming market.
Kondo explained Falcom’s motivation for remaking rather than simply porting older Trails games: the series has developed a reputation as niche and inaccessible to newcomers intimidated by 12 interconnected games spanning two decades. By remaking foundational entries with modern presentation and convenience features, Falcom hopes attracting new audiences while satisfying existing fans who want to revisit classic stories without tolerating obsolete mechanics.
However, the announcement raised immediate questions: would Falcom commit to remaking all Sky trilogy games, or would commercial performance dictate selective treatment? Kondo’s recent comments reveal the studio hasn’t decided, creating uncertainty about whether newcomers can experience complete Sky arc through remakes or must switch to older versions mid-story.
The Sky the 3rd Case
Trails in the Sky the 3rd released in 2007 as the Sky trilogy’s conclusion, shifting focus from Estelle and Joshua to Father Kevin Graham, a Gralsritter knight of the Septian Church investigating mysterious phenomena in Phantasma, a realm between dimensions. The game abandons the previous entries’ continent-spanning adventure for dungeon-crawling structure where Kevin’s party explores memory doors revealing character backstories and critical lore advancing the overarching Trails narrative.
The 3rd holds unique position within Trails chronology. While technically the Sky arc’s third chapter, it functions as connective tissue bridging Sky and subsequent arcs, introducing characters and plot threads that become crucial in Trails from Zero, Trails to Azure, and beyond. Missing the 3rd creates narrative gaps when encountering returning characters whose development occurred off-screen.
Kondo acknowledges this importance, noting that fans who played 1st Chapter remake will naturally want to experience the complete Sky story including the 3rd’s conclusion. From artistic integrity perspective, remaking 1st Chapter without committing to the full trilogy risks leaving newcomers frustrated when forced to switch to PSP-era graphics and mechanics mid-story.
However, commercial reality complicates this decision. The 3rd sold significantly worse than 1st Chapter and SC (Second Chapter) in Japan, with its dungeon-focused structure and protagonist change alienating players expecting more Estelle and Joshua adventures. Western audiences who discovered Trails years later appreciate the 3rd retrospectively, but its initial reception suggested many Sky fans weren’t interested in Kevin’s story.
Remaking a commercially underperforming game represents financial risk for Falcom’s small 64-person team. Development resources spent on the 3rd remake could instead fund more profitable projects like Tokyo Xanadu 2 or original IPs the company desperately needs to cultivate before Trails concludes.
The Trails from Zero Alternative
Trails from Zero launched in 2010 for PSP, beginning the Crossbell arc that many consider Trails’ creative peak. Set in the autonomous region caught between the Erebonian Empire and Republic of Calvard, Zero follows Lloyd Bannings and the Special Support Section as they investigate organized crime, political corruption, and supernatural threats in Crossbell City.
Zero and its sequel Trails to Azure enjoy passionate fanbase devotion, with many fans citing Crossbell as their favorite Trails arc for its focused setting, memorable cast, and emotional storytelling. The games received Western releases only in 2022-2023 through ports, meaning English-speaking audiences discovered them years after Japanese fans, creating pent-up demand for modernized versions.
From commercial perspective, remaking Zero makes obvious sense. It’s more popular than the 3rd, represents fresher starting point for newcomers who find 2004’s 1st Chapter too dated even with remake treatment, and creates path toward remaking Azure, completing the beloved Crossbell duology that could sell better than Sky remakes.
However, jumping from Sky 1st Chapter remake directly to Zero creates chronological inconsistency. Players experiencing Sky through the remake would need to play PSP-era SC and the 3rd or skip them entirely before accessing Zero remake, fragmenting the experience Falcom claims to be addressing through remakes in the first place.
This approach also risks never completing Sky trilogy remakes. If Zero’s success leads to Azure remake, then perhaps Trails of Cold Steel remakes given that series’ mainstream popularity, Falcom could indefinitely postpone SC and the 3rd as commercially unviable despite abandoning the narrative continuity that defines Trails’ appeal.
The Internal Debate
Kondo’s admission that Falcom staff is split reveals healthy internal discussion about franchise stewardship versus business pragmatism. Some team members presumably argue for artistic integrity, insisting that remaking Sky 1st Chapter creates implicit promise to complete the trilogy regardless of commercial performance. Others advocate commercial realism, noting that Falcom’s small size and limited resources demand maximizing return on development investment.
This transparency distinguishes Falcom from larger publishers who present unified corporate messaging regardless of internal disagreement. By acknowledging the debate publicly, Kondo demonstrates respect for both perspectives while managing fan expectations that remake roadmap isn’t predetermined but rather responsive to commercial reality.
The decision likely hinges on Sky 1st Chapter remake’s sales performance in Japan and West. Strong performance validates continuing Sky remakes chronologically. Disappointing results might convince Falcom to abandon SC and the 3rd in favor of commercially safer Zero remake.
Switch 2 Support Confirmed
Kondo confirmed future Trails games including remakes will support Nintendo’s Switch 2 console launching in 2025. This represents continuity of Falcom’s Nintendo-focused strategy while acknowledging hardware transitions require supporting new platforms to maintain relevance.
Switch 2’s increased processing power should allow Falcom expanding visual ambitions and technical scope beyond Switch’s limitations. The original Switch’s weaker hardware compared to PlayStation 5 forced compromises in games like Ys X: Nordics and Trails into Reverie. Switch 2 closes that gap, enabling feature parity with Sony platforms.
However, Falcom hasn’t abandoned PlayStation or PC development despite Switch focus. The company recognizes multi-platform strategy maximizes audience reach, particularly in Western markets where PlayStation holds stronger position than Switch among core RPG audiences.
Slowing Development Pace
Kondo revealed Falcom is intentionally slowing development pace as Trails approaches its conclusion. The company previously released new Trails entries annually or biannually, maintaining relentless schedule that demonstrated commitment while risking burnout and quality compromises. Recent titles showed strain, with criticism about reused assets, shorter content compared to earlier entries, and design fatigue.
The decision to release Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter remake and Ys X upgraded port in 2025 instead of new Trails entries signals this strategic shift. By spacing original releases further apart, Falcom gives teams more time perfecting each installment, avoiding the creative exhaustion that plagued recent development cycles.
This approach also allows cultivating other franchises like Ys and Tokyo Xanadu that Falcom desperately needs establishing before Trails ends. The company acknowledges over-dependence on single franchise creates existential risk when that franchise concludes. Diversifying portfolio now prepares for post-Trails future.
The Trails Series Endgame
Kondo has stated Trails is approximately 70 percent complete after Trails through Daybreak II (Kuro no Kiseki II), with the series’ conclusion now visible on the horizon. He previously expressed desire to finish before Trails’ 30th anniversary in 2034, though he’s now less committal about that specific timeline.
The series currently stands at 12 mainline entries spanning Sky trilogy, Crossbell duology, Cold Steel tetralogy, and Daybreak/Kai arc that’s ongoing. If Trails reaches 20 interconnected games as Kondo suggests is possible, that implies approximately eight more entries before conclusion.
At previous annual release pace, finishing in eight years seems achievable. However, the slowed development schedule extends that timeline significantly. If Falcom alternates between new Trails entries, remakes, and other franchise releases, reaching the conclusion could take 12-15 years, pushing toward or past that 2034 mark.
This creates tension between properly concluding Trails and Falcom’s business need to move beyond it. The longer Trails continues, the harder transitioning to other franchises becomes as fans and the company itself remain entrenched in the Trails ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nihon Falcom internally debating?
Falcom staff is split on whether to remake Trails in the Sky the 3rd next (completing the Sky trilogy) or Trails from Zero (jumping to the more popular Crossbell arc), according to president Toshihiro Kondo.
Which Trails remake is Nihon Falcom making?
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter releases September 25, 2025 in Japan for Switch and PC, with Western release in 2026. Future remake decisions depend on its commercial performance.
Why is Falcom remaking Trails games?
Falcom wants to combat Trails’ reputation as niche and inaccessible by modernizing foundational entries, making the series more welcoming to newcomers intimidated by 12 interconnected games.
Will Falcom remake all Trails games?
Unknown. The decision depends on commercial performance and internal debate between completing arcs chronologically versus remaking commercially viable entries selectively.
Is Trails in the Sky the 3rd important?
Yes, the 3rd concludes the Sky trilogy and introduces characters and plot threads crucial to understanding subsequent Trails arcs, making it narratively important despite weaker sales.
Will Trails games support Switch 2?
Yes, Kondo confirmed future Trails releases including remakes will support Nintendo’s Switch 2 console alongside other platforms.
When does the Trails series end?
Kondo estimates Trails is 70 percent complete, with the conclusion potentially 8-15 years away depending on development pace and final game count.
Conclusion
Nihon Falcom’s internal debate about Trails remakes reveals the complex calculations facing small developers managing beloved franchises. The artistic argument for completing Sky trilogy chronologically conflicts with commercial reality that Zero’s popularity makes it safer investment. Kondo’s transparency about this disagreement demonstrates unusual candor that larger publishers would never admit publicly. Whether Falcom prioritizes narrative integrity or commercial pragmatism will define how newcomers experience Trails’ interconnected story and whether the company successfully transitions beyond its flagship franchise before it concludes. For now, the debate continues inside Falcom’s Tokyo office, with 64 employees weighing creative vision against business survival while millions of fans worldwide wait to discover whether they’ll experience complete remake journey or fragmented selection determined by sales charts rather than storytelling needs.