NIS America commits to faster Western releases of Falcom's acclaimed Trails and Ys series. This article explores the publisher's efforts to expedite localization.

NIS America Accelerates Localization of Trails and Ys Games

Western Fans to See Faster Releases of Falcom Titles

Good news for JRPG fans! NIS America's Senior Associate Producer, Alan Costa, recently announced a commitment to quicker Western releases of Falcom's popular Trails and Ys franchises, following the Ys X: Nordics digital showcase.

In a PCGamer interview, Costa confirmed the publisher's dedication to faster localization, highlighting Ys X: Nordics (releasing this October) and Trails into Reverie II (early 2025) as examples of improved timelines. Even with the latter's Japanese release in September 2022, the early 2025 Western launch represents a significant improvement over previous release schedules.

Historically, Western fans faced extensive delays. The Trails in the Sky series, for example, experienced a seven-year gap between its Japanese PC release (2004) and its global PSP debut (2011). More recent titles like Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure saw twelve-year delays.

A 2011 blog post by former XSEED Games Localization Manager, Jessica Chavez, explained the challenges, citing the massive amount of text requiring translation with limited staff as a major bottleneck.

While the localization process remains a two-to-three-year undertaking, NIS America prioritizes quality alongside speed. Costa emphasized the importance of maintaining high localization standards without sacrificing release speed, highlighting their ongoing efforts to achieve this balance.

The challenges of localizing games with extensive text are undeniable. The one-year delay of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana due to translation issues serves as a cautionary tale. However, Costa's statements suggest NIS America is successfully navigating the delicate balance between speed and accuracy.

The recent release of Trails into Reverie II marks a positive step, demonstrating NIS America's progress in delivering high-quality localizations more efficiently. The game's positive reception suggests a promising future for faster releases of these beloved franchises.

For our review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie, please see the link below!