Game news site a9vgpublishedin early August an interview with Toshihiro Kondo, most notably talking aboutHajimari no Kiseki, its sequel, and a bunch of other Nihon Falcom related subjects. The interview was translated by Japanese blogHokanko, which in turn allowed me to read it. We’ve got a summary below. Let’s take a look.Hajimari no Kisekihas over 50 playable characters, and nearly all of them have been introduced now by Falcom, on the game’sofficial site, or throughDengeki Online(each time with exclusive comments from Kondo). Most of them are returning characters from pastKisekigames. However, Kevin wasn’t introduced. He won’t be appearing much inHajimari,if at all. Kondo already mentioned in the past that the Septian Church is one of the only organizations who know the secrets of Zemuria. And starting the games afterHajimari no Kiseki, the Septian Church and its knights like Kevin will play a bigger role. That’s why we won’t really see Kevin inHajimari.Balancing all the characters' strength inHajimari no Kisekiwas difficult. The game features playable characters that are extremely strong according to the story, so they were made strong in gameplay too, and you might feel overpowered in the early parts of the game. However, it doesn’t mean that the characters other than these are weak though, and you’re able to freely make your favorites stronger with items.Characters fromAkatsuki no Kisekidon’t appear inHajimari no Kiseki. It’s possible popularAkatsukicharacters will appear in future games though.Toshihiro Kondo already mentioned in the past Falcom is working on an in-house new game engine.Hajimari no Kisekiis the final game running on Sony’s PhyreEngine, which was also used forTrails of Cold Steel IV.Falcom will start using the new engine with the game followingHajimari. This new engine will make the games look much more beautiful than they are now. There are actually a few scenes inHajimari no Kisekiwhich use the new engine as well. When PS5 launches,Hajimari no Kisekiwill also receive an update that adds PS5 support.Kondo said if Falcom ever develops remakes for theTrails in the Skytrilogy, orZeroandAo no Kiseki, it’ll be on this new engine.TheYsteam proposed adding a distinct Photo Mode for futureYsgames. TheKisekiteam didn’t show interest at first but now they’re considering it too. FutureKisekigames afterHajimariwill probably include a Photo Mode. (It’s funny how a lot of Japanese games already did Photo Modes in the past, but now that western AAA do it too it became cool.)Right now, Falcom doesn’t have the leeway to make spinoff games like a newYs Vs Kisekigame. The developers are focusing on switching to the new engine.Toshihiro Kondo also reiterated what any person into Falcom games knows. The company doesn’t have the leeway to make PC and Switch ports itself for now. So these will only keep happening through collaborations with other companies.Hajimari no Kisekiis a PS4 game and there are no plans for ports. Though it could happen in the future thanks to other companies.Kondo was also asked about how theKisekiseries is too long and complicated which makes it hard to get in. He explained Falcom tries to make each beginning of a new arc an entry point, and try to bring in new players. This allows to grow the fanbase. And now they have middle-aged fans who started sinceTrails in the Sky, a bit younger fans who’re playing since Zero Ao, and younger players who got in withCold Steel.This means the game afterHajimari,which will start a new arc, will similarly be a new entry point in the series.Lastly, Toshihiro Kondo praised the work of Clouded Leopard, who made possible the simultaneous releases of the Traditional Chinese and Hangul versions ofHajimari no Kiseki. He also stressed out JRPGs since the last 5-6 years got a renewed popularity and sell pretty well now in Asia and Europe.
The Legend of Heroes: Hajimari no Kisekiis launching on August 27 in Japanese, Chinese and Korean, exclusively on PS4. you may read additional details on the game, most notably how it’ll include DLC VR scenes,with our past coverage.We also translatedToshihiro Kondoâs first video interviewon the game.
Time didn’t permit me to cover the details Falcom recently revealed about the game. However, we’ll soon be publishing a guide compiling all the information Falcom published onHajimari no Kisekiprior release. to help those who are importing the game. Or simply for those who are curious and don’t mind spoilers regardingCold Steel 4.
A live stream will also be held on August 26 at 2100 JST, to celebrate the release ofHajimari no Kiseki. We’ll be covering it as soon as we can.
The Legend of Heroes: Hajimari no Kiseki was first teased by Falcom inÂMarch 2019,alongside its sequel which will start a new arc. It was furthermore teased withscreenshots and story hints in June 2019, at theÂKisekiÂSeries15th Anniversary Event. Lastly, FalcomÂmentioned in November 2019 that a newÂKisekigame would launch by September 2020.
Western releases of the 2020 PS4 remasters ofZeroandAo no Kisekiwereteased multiple times,but nothing was officially announced yet.Zero no Kisekialso recently gota new fan patch.
Lastly,The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IVwill launch on PS4 in the west on August 10, 2025. Switch and PC version will also launch in 2021. You can preorderTrails of Cold Steel IVon Amazonto support DualShockers. (Be sure to select the correct platform).
