We're very thankful that, over the last decade or so, Japanese companies have finally grown accustomed to releasing their games outside of Japan in a timely manner. Publishers like SEGA are actually going all-in on worldwide release dates, which is a massive step in the right direction when you consider the sheer amount of waiting that the West had to do back in the PS1, PS2, and even PS3 days.
But not every Japanese company has the resources to get the job done — and that's clearly the case with Falcom, the developer that pumps out the largely fantastic Trails and Ys games. Falcom currently relies on NIS America to handle the localisation and selling of its titles here in the West, but for many fans, the backlog is becoming borderline unbearable.
NIS America currently has four Trails games scheduled for release over the next two years. Trails from Zero is due out this September. Its sequel, Trails to Azure, is set for 2023. Also pencilled in for 2023 are Trails of Cold Steel sequel Trails into Reverie, and series spinoff The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails.
As you can see, the wait is already pretty bad, but the real problem arises when you consider Kuro no Kiseki — the new Trails saga that's already pushing well ahead in Japan. The first Kuro no Kiseki released in Japan last September, and its sequel, Kuro no Kiseki II: Crimson Sin, is now gearing up for its launch this autumn.
And that's why it's painful to see fresh coverage of Kuro no Kiseki II — we don't even have confirmation that the first game is coming West. Details on the soon-to-release sequel are starting to do the rounds, complete with a teaser trailer and official character artwork.
Assuming NISA doesn't have any surprises (or at this point, miracles) up its sleeve, Western Trails fans could be waiting until 2024 to get their hands on the Kuro games. It's like we've returned to the early 2000s!
But look, it's not all doom and gloom. Falcom is aware of Western demand for the Kuro games, and we're sure that the company — and NISA — would love to ship them overseas a lot faster. For now, though, we're just going to have to make do with the schedule — and at least the incredibly highly rated Trails from Zero is only a few months away.
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 11
I know it's selfish, but I loved the days when Yakuza games came out months before the western release date. Imports are quite expensive, but it made them really worth it. It definitely made Yakuza 6 very special for me. I haven't felt that excitement for a game for a long time.
I feel the pain but I just try to remind myself that it could be worse. We could not be getting anything at all like Valkyria Chronicles 3 or the remaining Yakuza spin-off games that never made it to the West.
Plus you got to give NISAmerica a lot of credit if they do hit the mark and release those 3 Trails games next year. If all goes according to plan us Trails fans will be eating very well starting in September with Zero.
So hold strong fellow Trails fans!
Given my huge RPG backlog, I can absolutely wait patiently for these games.
I will never understand how Falcom (a fairly small studio of 60-70 employees) can release a giant JRPG every single year. How can NISA be expected to keep up with that production? It truly is amazing and all these games will be well worth the wait.
This is why i wouldnt be sad to see Sony acquire the likes of Falcom and Level-5. It would fill a gap in their library (JRPG's) and would provide these smaller studios with the resources they need for day and date releases.
So, unhappy trails to you?
I assume Falcom need to have the games localized as their making them instead of NIS America doing the localization months or years after the release in Japan? All this depends on staffing capabilities.
Not a problem for me. I've been inching my way through the gigantic Trails in the Sky SC all year. It'll be years before I'm caught up with this series!
this is exactly the reason why i decided to import all of Falcom's games. not only that but Japan always gets awesome store exclusive preorder merch too.
i've also staved off getting a PS5 with plans on getting the revision model (a custom i've always practiced since the PS2 days), but w/ Kuro II being released on the PS5 i'm probably going to buck that trend this year.....assuming i can even get my hands on a system.
This is why I haven't even started the series yet, will wait until all the games are out.
I just finished Trails of Cold Steel 1 yesterday. That ending was great.
It being my first Trails game, I can already see that the world building for this games are both incredible immense and very immersive.
I enjoyed the gameplay loop and characters more than in person5 royal. At first the characters and relationships may come off as tropey, but the more you spend time with them, the more you learn about their other side. The turn-based system in TOCS 1 seems more free-form than in Megami Tensei games.
I also love how the narrative of TOCS1 is told. The story and its narrative is played like a novel. The pacing is quite slow, but the payoffs are worth it.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...