Nihon Falcom is one of the most overlooked RPG developers to exist which I can say despite the fact that I know how devoted their fanbase is. Falcom's games are excellent, and the lack of recogniton for them is upsetting. The developer has been creating RPGs since the 80s, created the action RPG genre with the Ys games, and has perhaps created the most complex world in the Trails games.
I have experience with the entire Falcom catalog, and making my list of favorites has been one of the most difficult things I have had to do. The entire collection is extremly consistent, and I wouldn't be surprised if other developers used their weakest games as the standard. The difference with Falcom is the world-building, character development, and perhaps the most obsessive scoring in the business.
This is your roadmap to Falcom RPGs. Feel free to disagree with the list, that is part of the fun. For information regarding the games, we have a list of JPRGs broken down into tiers, and for the stories we have a list of JRPGs with the best stories. For context on where these games sit in the broader genre, check our JRPG tier list.
10. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA
Ys VIII has taken an already great franchise and taken its good elements and wrapped them up in a narrative of survival, solidifying every system in the game. You start the game as a shipwrecked passenger on a ship and get stuck on a cursed island. You explore, save other shipwrecked passengers, and create a base settlement that supports your progression in the game. Each castaway you save unlocked a permanent settlement NPC like a blacksmith, tailor, or doctor, and as your village grows you can explore deeper into the island.
Ys VIII was my first Ys game and I thought it would be a pretty average single-player action RPG, but instead I experienced amazing and expertly crafted game pacing, especially with the DANA sequences, where you control a character in a different era of the island, and it adds a dual-timeline mechanic that gives context to every monster and ruin you've come across, and in the last act, the two timelines come together and it's very emotional.
The combat is fast, and very responsive. Falcom has always focused on the action in action RPGs and the Ys series has always nailed that. Deliberately switching and interrupting party members during combos to exploit enemy weaknesses is an overwhelming mechanic. The Switch version isn't the best, and you should focus on PC or PS4 to get consistent frame rate.
“Ys VIII is the game that turned me into a Falcom fan. The island exploration loop is addictive, and DANA\'s story is beautiful.”
9. Trails from Zero
As the first game in the newly released Crossbell arc of the Trails series, Trails from Zero has the tough task of taking the grand world building done in the highly praised Sky trilogy and focusing it all in a single city. Crossbell State finds itself in the precarious position of being a small nation between two large and powerful empires. As the player, you will take on the role of what is likely the most junior member of the police force, and it is up to you to try and bring positive change to a system that is completely corrupt. This may sound like a small scope, however, the incredible writing here makes Crossbell one of the most thoroughly constructed settings in all of JRPGs.
Due to the years of fan translation, and the resulting years of building hype, I entered this game with some skepticism, but I quickly found that the excitement for this game was very much justified. From the Sky series, Zero has some strong callbacks, and if you have played that series, it will reward the investment.
The Special Support Section, your makeshift police unit, has some of the best character interactions in the series. I hold the opinion that Lloyd Bannings is a more grounded and realistic main character than Estelle, and I will take that opinion to my grave.
With changes for the better, the English version of the game for the PC and Switch is the best sales version. They have done a much better job with localizing this game than they have done with the the first two and for the first time you can actually play this game without squeezing your eyes together to try and see everything with the addition of user interface improvements and a turbo mode.
“Crossbell might be the best fictional city in gaming. I know every street, every shop owner, every back alley.”
8. Ys Origin
Set 700 years before the events of Ys I, Ys Origin does something really clever with its structure. You play through the same tower three times with different characters and each run reveals a different part of the story. Different story elements and gameplay styles are offered with magic and melee combat by Hugo and Yunica respectively. The third character gives you the full picture.
Each run takes around 6 hours so a week to complete all three routes is not bad considering the tight combat gives enough enjoyment to justify the multiple runs. The design of the bosses is some of the best I have ever seen. Really, each floor is a lesson and how well you learned it will determine whether you succeed. The difficulty is punishing, but fair.
The game is more refined than a lot of modern games. There is no overwold, crafting system or social links. There is only a pure action RPG experience where success is determined by your movement, timing, and pattern recognition. if you are looking for a demonstration of what Falcom does best with combat design, this is it.
“Ys Origin is a masterclass in boss design. Every fight feels fair, every defeat feels earned.”
7. Trails in the Sky SC
Trails in the Sky SC is a sequel to the first game in the series, and it is the best game in the franchise by far. Everything that was seemingly mundane in Trails in the Sky FC, like the NPC conversations or political setup, all pays off in SC. The final emotional climax of SC is a phenomenal moment that will remain one of the best of all time in the genre of JRPG's.
When I completed SC, I stood in silence and reflection for twenty minutes. The final dungeon is long, but every floor of the dungeon adds a little more to the story. Each boss fight is tied to a character story arc and isn’t just a wall of difficulty. Then, after the final boss is a chest that is one of the most expected and game earned romances in all of gaming.
SC and FC must be played in order as they form two halves of the same story. The combined runtime of the two games is 100 hours and the final game pays off all the anticipation, Finally, Falcom takes its time to create great stories, and SC is a prime example of that.
“100 hours across two games. Worth every second. SC\'s ending is the best payoff in RPG history.”
6. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
Ys IX brings its protagonists to a city rather than ruins or islands. Setting its scene in Balduq, an ancient city turned prison, lets players explore its walls using a new mechanic called Monstrum, which includes climbing walls, gliding, and teleporting. This new gameplay increases verticality and creativity in your movement while exploring for the first time in the Ys franchise.
Although I found Balduq's environments a bit more claustrophobic than the open settings found in Ys VIII, I eventually learned to appreciate the individuality each section of the city provided. Grimwald Nox mini-game defense missions alternate between the other dimensions to mix combat activities, and Balduq is also home to a Monstrum ensemble cast whose supernatural powers feel meaningful due to the trauma of the characters.
In comparison to Ys VIII the level of narrative ambition is higher. While it may not be as consistent as before, each secret of the prison and of Balduq will provide strong rewards for players who have the patience to endure the slower stages of the game. Although Switch players may experience problematic lag and lowered frame rates, the best option is to play on the Switch for a smoother experience.
“Ys IX\'s city design is incredible. Different from VIII but equally great.”
5. Trails to Azure
The most anticipated title in the franchise, however, is still Trails to Azure, the sequel to Trails from Zero and the narrative finale to the Crossbell arc. Most of the fan base views it as the best title in the company’s history. I share that sentiment. Trails to Azure expands upon everything that was built in Trails from Zero — characters, the political intrigue, the city — and pushes them to a magnitude that rivals the Rean's conclusion from Cold Steel and Sky arcs. It’s the most intense final act Falcom has ever produced.
What makes Trails to Azure so special is how on the brink of disaster Crossbell is. The two bordering empires no longer serve as lore, but military threats. The sacrifices the player makes in the SSS directly impact the city. The city where you spent dozens of hours building friendships. The NPCs you interacted with in Trails from Zero personally respond to the crisis.
Additionally, the game’s combat system has evolved significantly. It’s got the best boss fights in the series and a built-in tactical system more advanced than Trails from Zero’s Master Quartz and combo system. The Switch and PC versions have the same improvements as the remaster of Trails from Zero. If the Trails saga is a book, Trails to Azure is the addictive chapter.
“Azure might be the best Trails game. The final act had me gripping my controller. Crossbell deserved better.”
4. Trails in the Sky FC
Falcom's grand experiment began with Trails in the Sky FC. At first glance, it seems like just another simple JRPG featuring a girl who joins a guild. However, it turned out to be a building block for a narrative universe that has over a dozen games that comprise thousands of hours of content. Every NPC in the game has a name, a schedule, and their dialogue changes after every story event. FC showcases the effort for creating the world of Liberl that Falcom hopes will make us feel like visiting a real location.
I first played FC in 2012 and I was immediately drawn in by Estelle. She is without a doubt one of the best JRPG protagonists. Throughout the story, she is portrayed as impatient, rash, and sometimes even a bit clueless. Estelle is easily relatable and she grows a lot by the end of the game. The relationship between her and Joshua is the emotional core of the entire Sky trilogy, and FC scatters a few of the strong emotional elements that SC picks up; including some that are quite devastating.
The combat system isn't particularly remarkable. The game's combat system uses a grid and prioritizes positioning and combo uses of 'arts' (magic). Unfortunately, the design of the combat encounters isn't as advanced as subsequent games in the series. What makes the game worthwhile is the writing, as the player must go to different towns, each with their own problems which influence the overall story of the game. The writing also ties together all the story elements, and once you get to Grancel everything come together. Many fans of the series started with this game and appreciated its slow and gradual exposition of the plot.
“FC seems like a simple JRPG at first. Then the ending hits, and you realize Falcom was setting up something enormous.”
3. Trails into Reverie
Trails into Reverie is a 'thank you' to the players from Falcom, as it contains references to everything built up in the series over the last two decades. The game contains 3 different but interconnected storylines which can be played in any order. Reverie is a true 'corridor', as it is technically a dungeon but it is also a hub world with almost all of the characters from the entire franchise to be used in your party.
While I thought Reverie would be just pure fan service (and to an extent it is), it also manages to give a lot of new and interesting lore, especially in the third story, which can be seen as a bridge to the next major plot arc of the series. It's impressive how Falcom has managed to design the game as both an epilogue and a prologue after all this world-building.
The combat system for this game is the most advanced version of the Cold Steel system yet. Brave Orders, link attacks, and the new combat mechanics, allow for more tactical possibilities than in any other game. That's not all, The True Reverie Corridor is highly addictive as it creates a new floor every time you play. It also randomizes your party, forcing you to use characters you may not use. If you have come this far in the franchise, Reverie is the reward for your loyalty.
“Reverie is a love letter to everyone who played through the entire Trails series.”
2. Ys I & II Chronicles
The Chronicles edition is the best way to experience the beginning of Falcom with the Ys I and II. These titles created bump combat, which is defining enemies by running into them. While it sounds simple to some, the gameplay is smooth and engaging. There is strategy in determining the right position to take to successfully defeat enemies as well as determining the right angle to achieve success. Boss patterns demand precision and and the pace of the game is unmatched by most modern RPGs.
In 2014, I played the chronicle edition and beat both titles in one weekend. The combined time is 15 hours and in that time the game does not waste any of it. Ys II opens with one of the best introductions to any game. You are at the top of a tower and the world below is on fire.
The ChuChu Rocket! soundtrack, is an all-time classic. Koshiro's original tracks, along with the remixes done for the Chronicles series, are considered some of the best tracks in history. Falcom has always been devs first, with an I & II series of games, setting the reputation as the first of the franchise, with more being developed. In regards to the role of music in the Junior Role Developing Games, along with music, sound, and audio composition, we can check the established guide for the best soundtracks in the Junior Role Developing Games. The titles are cheap, and they can be played on PC. They are easily accessible and are worth playing.
“Ys I & II are proof that a great game does not need a hundred hours. Fifteen hours of perfection.”
1. Trails in the Sky the 3rd
The most misunderstood by fans is the most debated, so I will put it as the first. Trails in the Sky the 3rd has no return to the Over world mechanic established by FC and SC games before it. Most of it is in the Phantasma other world. The game features a set of doors that is segmented like an anthology book of short stories. There are character story arcs and world building star doors and moon doors.
It leaves me with a sense of appreciation. After playing SC I felt the most disconnected from it, I now see it as a challenge like with my Kevin Graham run. The Star Doors have unique new game plus lore geared for Crossbell and Cold Steel arcs, while the Moon Doors contain lore that directly ties into what the main games never bothered to touch. This also holds true for character lore that extends into the other games in the series.
The 3rd is an example of a Trails game that is a side entry, but focuses more heavily on worldbuilding as compared to other titles in the series. The combat is significantly improved compared to the previous Sky titles because of a different encounter system that leads to constructed fights, meaning every battle is unique. The boss fights also contain important plot elements. The level of narrative depth for the final dungeon is exceptionally high and is probably the best Falcom has to offer. Kevin's last dungeon also reinforces themes of Crossbell and Calvard. If you skip The 3rd, you are missing a large chunk of the emotional narrative between the Sky titles and the rest of the series. It helped me understand how Falcom operates as a company, and for these games to rank in the overall genre, look at the best RPGs of all time.
“The 3rd is the most underrated game in the Trails series. The door system changes how you see every game that follows.”
What Makes Falcom Special?
Three elements make Nihon Falcom’s approach to gaming different than any other developer in the JRPG field.
One, continuity. No other developer has created a world as deeply interconnected as Zemuria. Characters from Sky appear in Crossbell. Things that happen in Crossbell affect the story in Cold Steel. The aftermath in Cold Steel stories ties into Kuro. Playing one story arc improves the experience in every other story arc. Falcom, unlike any gaming franchise, gives you rewards for your commitment to the full series.
Two. The music in all of the Falcom games is excellent. Falcom Sound Team jdk has created some of the best music in video games for the past 40 years. Each game mentioned in this article has an excellent soundtrack, most players find some game tracks really enjoyable. Falcom understands that music is a narrative device in order to tell the story. With this, you can check out our other article that has the best JRPG soundtracks to see how Falcom treats music differently than other developers.
Three, the NPCs in the games. Talking to the NPCs is not busy work, it is a part of the story that most players ignore, but it makes the world so much better. It is very costly to write this level of detail for a single NPC, but Falcom does it for every single game. The games are built and created with a care and commitment that we appreciate, much unlike other developers in the field. As games in a series start to being released, it is a level of commitment that sets Falcom apart, earning them the devout commitment from their fans.
Conclusion
On a technical level, it's hard to pick which game is best in the Falcom catalog. Games like Ys and Trails have made it clear how consistent, ambitious, and most importantly, how much care Falcom puts into their games. It's a defining feature of the company after 40 years.
If you are new to Falcom, start with Ys VIII for action or Trails in the Sky FC for story. If you are already a fan, I hope this list gave you something to argue about. That is, after all, what the Falcom community does best. For the best platform-specific recommendations, check our guide to the best JRPGs on Switch.