Trails, known as Kiseki[a] in Japan, is a series of science fantasy role-playing video games by Nihon Falcom that is a part of their larger The Legend of Heroes franchise.

The series was conceived by Falcom to have the most ambitious narrative in gaming, with producer Toshihiro Kondo considering it his life's work.

Trails is a series of role-playing video games by Nihon Falcom set in a science fantasy universe.

[7][8][9] Trails is set across several locations on the continent of Zemuria, such as the Liberl Kingdom, the city-state of Crossbell, the Erebonian Empire, and the Calvard Republic, among others.

[3][10] Zemuria is home to several groups, factions, and organizations, such as the Bracer's Guild, the Septian Church, and the secret society of Ouroboros.

[4][10] This led to a technological revolution caused by the invention of Orbments, mechanical devices varying greatly in size and scope that run off orbal energy, powering everyday appliances up to mecha and other large machinery.

[7][12] Combat takes place on a large grid, with characters only able to move across a set number of squares or perform a single ability each turn.

When full, players can use it at any time to bypass the turn order to perform skills such as dealing large amounts of damage or supporting their party with healing and buffs.

They are set within the Liberl Kingdom and primarily follow Estelle Bright and her adopted brother Joshua, members of the Bracer's Guild, a civilian peacekeeping and monster-hunting organization.

[15] The second game, Trails in the Sky SC,[e] continues the plot of the first and was released in Japan for Windows in 2006 and the PSP the following year.

[15] A 3D remake of the first game, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, is scheduled for release worldwide for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Windows in late 2025.

It follows rookie police investigator Lloyd Bannings and the Special Support Section, consisting of himself, Elie McDowell, Randy Orlando, and Tio Plato, as they protect the city from criminal activity and the geopolitical situation that looms over it.

[23][24] The Trails of Cold Steel arc follows Rean Schwarzer and Class VII, a specialized group of students attending Thors Military Academy in the Erebonian Empire.

The third and fourth games, Trails of Cold Steel III and IV, follow Rean in his new role as an instructor of a new Class VII at a branch campus of Thors.

[41] A 12-episode anime series produced by Tatsunoko Production, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War, aired in early 2023.

[61] Trails has been praised for its character arcs and worldbuilding,[1][2][4] with its scope and sense of continuity being compared to the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R. R. Martin,[7][8] the Forgotten Realms setting for Dungeons & Dragons,[11] and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

[3] Despite the series' English localization being praised for their quality, their slow release pace has been criticized, with them tending to lag years behind the original Japanese games.

[10][12] Characters or other elements from Trails have been featured in crossover promotions with other games, including Monster Hunter Frontier G,[64] Chain Chronicle V,[65] Dead or Alive 5,[66] Fantasy Earth Zero,[67] Langrisser Mobile,[68] Utawarerumono: Zan,[69] Valkyrie Anatomia,[70] and a few Japanese mobile games.

[71][72][73] Characters from the series were also featured in a 2019 collaboration event with VREX, a virtual reality game arcade and café in Japan.