Trails and Ys Localizations Coming Soon

NIS America Accelerates Western Releases of Trails and Ys Series

Good news for fans of Falcom's acclaimed Trails and Ys JRPG franchises! NIS America, the publisher bringing these titles to the West, has pledged to significantly reduce localization times. This commitment follows the recent release of Ys X: Nordics and the upcoming release of Trails Through Daybreak II in early 2025.

In an interview with PCGamer, NIS America's Senior Associate Producer, Alan Costa, confirmed the company's efforts to streamline the localization process, although specifics remain undisclosed. He highlighted that the 2025 release of Trails Through Daybreak II, originally released in Japan in September 2022, represents a considerable improvement over previous timelines.

Historically, the sheer volume of text in these games has resulted in lengthy delays. The Trails in the Sky trilogy, for example, faced a seven-year gap between its Japanese PC debut and its Western PSP release. Similarly, Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure took twelve years to reach Western audiences. This was largely due to the immense translation workload, as previously explained by former XSEED Games Localization Manager, Jessica Chavez.

While a two-to-three-year localization period remains the target, NIS America emphasizes maintaining quality alongside speed. Costa stressed the importance of balancing rapid release with accurate translations, a challenge the company has actively addressed.

The past challenges, including the one-year delay of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana due to translation issues, underscore the risks of rushing the process. However, the improved turnaround time for Trails Through Daybreak II and the positive reception of the game suggest NIS America is successfully navigating this balance. This faster release schedule, coupled with high-quality localization, points towards a brighter future for Western fans of the Trails and Ys series.

For a comprehensive review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak, please see our review below.