NIS America Accelerates Western Releases of Falcom's Trails and Ys Series
Good news for fans of the Trails and Ys JRPG franchises! NIS America, the publisher bringing these acclaimed Falcom titles to the West, has announced a significant push to expedite localization efforts. This commitment to faster releases was revealed by Senior Associate Producer Alan Costa during the recent Ys X: Nordics digital showcase.
While Costa didn't detail the internal changes implemented, he confirmed a concerted effort to significantly reduce localization timelines. The upcoming releases of Ys X: Nordics and Trails Through Daybreak II (October 2024 and early 2025 respectively) serve as prime examples of this accelerated process. The latter's release, despite its September 2022 Japanese launch, represents a substantial improvement over previous release windows for the Trails series.
Historically, Western fans faced notoriously long waits. The Trails in the Sky series, for instance, saw a seven-year gap between its Japanese PC release (2004) and its global debut on PSP (2011). Even more recent titles like Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure experienced a twelve-year delay. This was largely attributed to the sheer volume of text requiring translation, as explained by former XSEED Games Localization Manager Jessica Chavez.
While a two-to-three-year localization process remains the target, NIS America emphasizes maintaining quality alongside speed. Costa highlights the ongoing efforts to achieve this balance, acknowledging the challenges of avoiding compromises in localization accuracy. The infamous delay of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana due to translation issues serves as a potent reminder of the potential pitfalls of rushing the process.
The positive reception of Trails Through Daybreak suggests NIS America is successfully navigating this balance. This faster release, coupled with its critical acclaim, signals a promising future for Western fans eagerly awaiting more titles from the beloved Trails and Ys series. For a more in-depth look at The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak, check out our full review.
