Nihon Falcom’s development team wanted to begin working on Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter before the first remake had even launched — but company president Toshihiro Kondo initially asked them to wait.
Speaking in a new interview published by GungHo, Kondo explained that the idea emerged as development on Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter approached completion. The team reportedly asked him: “Can we start working on 2nd Chapter now?”
However, Kondo was uncertain whether committing to another remake would be financially sensible before seeing the first game’s performance. “Wait! We don’t even know how the first one will do, so how do you expect me to decide that now!?” Kondo recalled telling the developers.
The Turning Point
According to Kondo, the positive reception to 1st Chapter eventually persuaded Falcom to continue. He was particularly pleased that elements the team felt confident about — including the updated cutscenes and graphics — were also well received by players.
The studio also wanted to avoid repeating the long wait between the original Japanese PC releases of Trails in the Sky FC and SC. Kondo said Falcom felt bad about making fans wait at the time, contributing to the decision to move ahead quickly with the second remake.
What’s Next
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter continues Estelle’s search for Joshua following the first game’s dramatic ending. It will launch worldwide on September 17, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Final Word
It’s a rare glimpse into the business side of one of Japan’s most beloved RPG studios — and a reminder that even when creative teams are ready to go, the financial realities of game development can’t be ignored. Fortunately for fans, the gamble paid off.
We’ll have more coverage on Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter as we get closer to its September release.
