Big-budget video games are increasingly being compared to prestige television, as evidenced by adaptations like The Last of Us for HBO. This trend extends to various PlayStation franchises, with Ghost of Tsushima becoming a film, God of War slated for Prime Video, and Horizon Zero Dawn transitioning from a Netflix series to cinema. These adaptations reflect a growing recognition of the significant investment in high-profile games, which often necessitate cross-media presence.
In contrast, Nihon Falcom, a smaller Japanese developer, has demonstrated a different approach with its Trails series. Spanning thirteen games, this series weaves intricate narratives across the fictional continent of Zemuria, exploring both personal relationships and broader historical themes. Falcom, which operates with a modest team size of 68 employees, prioritizes storytelling over high production costs, creating a unique identity that sets Trails apart from its larger competitors.
While many big-budget games seek to emulate prestige TV dynamics, Falcom’s titles resemble soap operas, characterized by devoted fan communities and complex narratives, even with limited visual appeal. The Trails series has sold around 8.8 million copies, showcasing its niche success. The stories in these games often blend personal conflicts with significant political undertones, making them particularly engaging for players.
Under President Toshihiro Kondo, Falcom has sought to bridge the gap between Japanese releases and global audiences by collaborating with other studios and remaking earlier titles. The upcoming release of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, a remake of the original game, promises to modernize gameplay while preserving its foundational narrative.
As gaming evolves, the diverse approaches to storytelling and design suggest that quality can arise from various methods, emphasizing that the connection with players often transcends production budgets. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter will launch on September 19th on multiple platforms.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/games/781492/trails-in-the-sky-1st-chapter-switch-ps5-steam