TechRadar Calls Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Another Triumphant Remake
Nihon Falcom’s Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, a remake of the 2006 JRPG, arrived September 17, 2026, for PS5, Switch, Switch 2, and PC. TechRadar praised its performance, visuals, soundtrack, and deep combat while noting melodramatic characters and uneven dialogue pacing.
TechRadar reviewed the PS5 version. It said the remake includes full English voice acting, a visual overhaul, modernized combat, and quality-of-life updates aimed at both veteran players and newcomers. The site noted that Nihon Falcom is on a hot streak and that the game follows the 1st Chapter remake, which launched last year and was among the best RPGs released in 2025.
Gameplay is divided between Quick Battle and turn-based Combat Battles. In Quick Battle, players can rush around the world and attack enemies with Arts and basic attacks, which TechRadar described as rapid and responsive and useful for moving through weaker enemies and longer dungeons. In Combat Battles, players must manage Craft Points and Energy Points, position units, watch turn order, steal bonuses from foes, and decide when to use an all-out team attack.
TechRadar singled out the Orbment system as its favorite part. Orbments string together gems known as Quartz, which determine the Arts available in battle. Curating Orbments for each character is crucial, and optional battles and quests can unlock powerful Quartz, making exploration feel rewarding, according to the review. The game offers difficulty options from Very Easy to Nightmare; the reviewer chose Advanced, between Normal and Hard, and said the Orbment system provided the tools needed to shield allies from devastating attacks.
The narrative follows the 1st Chapter. A recap is available, and players are reminded that Joshua, the adopted brother and possible lover of protagonist Estelle, has fled. Estelle decides to attend a specialist training camp to strengthen her skills and track him down. TechRadar said the story is engaging, though it did not detail every reason behind Joshua’s departure in the review.
The review also listed criticisms. It said the cast’s melodramatic nature may not suit everyone, partially voiced segments still feel unusual, and some dialogue drags, creating pacing issues. Despite those points, TechRadar concluded that Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is another excellent release that just about any JRPG fan will love.
Editor's Summary
TechRadar gave Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter a strongly positive review, praising its performance, visuals, soundtrack, flexible combat, and deep Orbment system. The remake launched September 17, 2026, on PS5, Switch, Switch 2, and PC with full English voice acting and modernized mechanics. Its main drawbacks cited were melodramatic characters, partially voiced segments, and some slow dialogue.