10. The Legend of Heroes
Nihon Falcom is no stranger to JRPGs as they’re responsible for series like Ys and Xanadu. Even above those, however, stands The Legend of Heroes, a series that has secured its spot among the best with the Trails in the Sky and Trails of Cold Steel subseries. The franchise actually started as part of the Dragon Slayer series, with Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes on the PC-88 in 1989. Although the series saw moderate success, it really took off with the release of The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. The game told the story of Estelle and Joshua, two young adults who grew up together and discover an intricate plot that puts the world in danger.
Trails in the Sky became known for its phenomenal writing and characters, with a tactical combat system to back it all up. Trails of Cold Steel would then expand upon this, taking place elsewhere in the same world, and introducing a degree of social systems, like in Persona. The long-running series has solidified its place among the greats with the Trails series, although fans in the west are still waiting for a localization announcement on Trails of Cold Steel III and IV.
