Vortex Gaming

If you're a user who likes RPGs, you've probably heard the name '영웅전설' at least once. It's a series with a long history and tradition that represents the game company Nihon Falcom, having continued for over 30 years since the beginning of the series.

The 영웅전설 series consists of a total of 3 phases, and all stories consist of extremely typical content in which the main character who goes on a journey saves the world. The 1st and 2nd phases, which have become classic games to the point where it is difficult to even find a platform to play them on, ended at the end of the 20th century, and with the beginning of the 21st century, the epic of 영웅전설 with a completely new integrated world view began to unfold in earnest. This can be said to be the beginning of the '궤적' series that I want to talk about today.

I won't talk about the boring story of looking back at the entire history of the 영웅전설 series from its origin. The 1st Iserhasa arc and the 2nd Gagharv Trilogy, which can be said to be the origins of 영웅전설, are clearly important works that made the name 영웅전설 known, but in fact, they do not have any significant connection with the '궤적' series.

Over the past 20 years, 14 different official games have been released under the single name of 궤적, and the series has expanded its scope beyond PC and consoles to mobile games, card games, animations, drama CDs, and character goods. Even if you don't look elsewhere, it's no exaggeration to say that 궤적 has already become a decent world view with just its name alone.

The 궤적 series is an expression that refers to the 3rd phase of the 영웅전설 series that Nihon Falcom has been developing since 2004. The name '궤적 series' was a kind of tentative name, but as the series continued, Falcom also began to officially use this name. In Japan, it is called 軌跡(Kiseki) series, and in English-speaking countries, it is called Trails series.

The 궤적 series is largely divided into the first half and the second half. The first half includes '하늘의 궤적', '제로의 궤적', and '섬의 궤적', and the second half includes '여의 궤적'.

The '영웅전설 하늘의 궤적', which announced the beginning of the series, is a work consisting of a total of three works, from First to Third. FC and SC form one large epic, and Third can be seen as a title in the form of an epilogue. The story is set in the small Liberl Kingdom, which maintains its independence while being caught between several powerful countries, and depicts the adventures of the main characters Estelle and Joshua, who joined the 'Bracer Guild', an organization that supports citizens.

하늘의 궤적 is a coming-of-age story and love story of young boys and girls, and it has received a good response from RPG fans around the world with its complete story that includes an amazing twist. The framework of the AT system, Craft, and Arts, which are the foundation of combat, was established from here and became a solid cornerstone that encompasses the entire 궤적 series.

In Korea, it was officially released in 2006 under the title '영웅전설6 천공의 궤적' through Argaon Games. Afterwards, the official version could no longer be played due to the company's bankruptcy, and it remained a title that could only be played in memories for a long time until '영웅전설 하늘의 궤적 FC Evolution' was officially released through PS VITA. Of course, you can now purchase and play the entire series on Steam. Of course, there is no official Korean language.

After the 하늘의 궤적 trilogy sold over 900,000 copies and became a huge hit worldwide, Falcom has continued to produce the 궤적 series ever since. Passing through various platforms such as PSP, PS3, PS VITA, PS4, and PS5, various 궤적 titles such as '제로의 궤적', '벽의 궤적', '나유타의 궤적', '섬의 궤적 1,2,3,4', '시작의 궤적', '여의 궤적 1,2', and '계의 궤적' have continued for over 20 years. As of 2024, the cumulative sales of the 궤적 series reach 7.5 million copies.

In the early days, even when a new title came out, there was no news of an official Korean release, so there were times when we had to wait for user patches without any hope or just sit back and do nothing, but thanks to the Korean localization that started with '섬의 궤적' and Clouded Leopard Entertainment's publishing of Falcom titles, we can now enjoy almost all of the 궤적 series in Korean.

The characteristics that run through the entire 궤적 series are largely divided into three categories. These are 'turn-based combat', 'characters', and 'story'. As a work that continues the name of 영웅전설, the 궤적 series has consistently continued the core keynote of turn-based RPG from the first work to the latest work. It can be said to be a game method unique to JRPGs, in which you identify the enemy's weaknesses and attack the opponent with strategy.

Falcom's know-how, which has been contemplating the fun of turn-based combat for over 20 years while repeating the series, is included, so gamers who like the turn-based RPG genre and the 궤적 series are basically bound to be a good match. Of course, if you simply stick to the same turn-based RPG method, you will naturally feel tired while repeating the series, so the characteristic of the 궤적 series is to add new systems to the basic framework to capture the fun of different senses for each series. In fact, in the latest series, there are many sections where you play like an action game in between turn-based battles, and the overall tempo of the battle has become very fast and comfortable.

Of course, turn-based combat is a characteristic that can be divisive, and there are many gamers who cannot easily adapt to this part. Although various considerations have been put into adding new fun, such as adding action elements, the core of the 궤적 series' combat structure is still turn-based combat. If you are not interested in the turn-based RPG genre, the other attractive elements of the 궤적 series are unlikely to catch your eye.

The 'character' mentioned as the second characteristic can be seen as a key element that has allowed the 궤적 series to continue for over 20 years and become a series loved by fans. In the 궤적 series, the main character and the people around the main character unfold their own stories centered on one big event, and each of them is introduced with sufficient weight without any shortcomings, making the overall composition of the story more diverse and solid.

The fact that all NPCs appearing in the game are meticulously depicted as if they have life is also a major attraction that can be found throughout the 궤적 series. Even characters who appear as enemies or villagers are rarely one-dimensional characters who are simply used and consumed, and the stories of each character are described in detail, making it easy to build understanding and affection for the characters. Thanks to these characteristics of the 궤적 series, there are fan sites and strategies that organize information on all NPCs appearing in the game among fans.

Finally, the third characteristic is the immersive and lengthy story. Nihon Falcom is making all the stories included in the 궤적 series into stories of various countries in the virtual world of the Zemuria continent, and the stories of the characters living in those countries.

The stories of people who grew up in different environments are depicted in each work, and the story that deepens from a different perspective is developed each time, but at the same time, common settings that apply to the entire world view make the story more solid. In addition, any work guarantees 40 to 50 hours just for the main story progression, and the generous amount of content that easily fills 100 hours if you add sub-quests also plays a part.

In fact, fans who have fallen into the story of the 궤적 series call the entire 궤적 series a 'modern fantasy historical drama', and they look forward to what new truths will be revealed each time a new series appears. If you are a gamer who values the story when playing RPGs, the huge story like a historical drama that has been accumulated over the past 20 years in the 궤적 series will be a big attraction.

In addition, 'convenience' is also one of the strengths of the 궤적 series that has been accumulated over 20 years. You can quickly move to any area with the touch of a button, save anywhere, and the old works have been newly produced as remasters, equipped with various convenience functions that can cover the slow tempo unique to turn-based combat.

I know very well how long the 궤적 series has and that it has a large world view and a large fan base. However, it is also true that the series is too big and vast to get into now, so it is not easy to figure out where to start. Where and how should I start the 궤적 series? I have compiled a list of representative recommended titles that you can purchase and start playing on Steam right now without a separate game console.

- ◼︎ 영웅전설 제로의 궤적: Kai

'영웅전설 제로의 궤적 Kai' is a work that depicts the story of the Special Support Section 4 struggling in the Crossbell Autonomous Region in western Zemuria Continent. It is also the starting point of the 궤적 series that cannot be purchased on Steam, and the second title following the '하늘의 궤적' series.

Although it is the second title in terms of release timing, it is a new stage different from the background depicted in the 하늘의 궤적 series, and it is a story led by new main characters and characters, so you can enjoy the entire story without any major problems even if you do not know the previous series at all. For series fans who have mastered the entire 궤적 series, it is also a work that is evaluated as the 'most perfect first episode' that is easy for beginners to choose because the connection with the previous work is shallow and the completeness of the story is excellent as it is organized into one episode.

The 'Kai' attached to the title is a mark that the original work, which was originally released as a PSP version, has been re-ported to the current generation platform. In this process, various improvements such as 60fps support, high-definition, high-quality sound, 'high-speed skip mode', and official Korean localization have been added, so you can play relatively comfortably.

If you have chosen '제로의 궤적' as your first entry into the 궤적 series, then you should play '벽의 궤적', which contains the story that continues with the same stage as the background. This work can also be purchased as a 'Kai' version on Steam.

- ◼︎ 영웅전설 섬의 궤적 I: Kai -Thors Military Academy 1204-

'영웅전설 섬의 궤적' is a work that deals with the traces of the 'Special Class 7' members of the Thors Military Academy in the Erebonian Empire, and is characterized by the fact that it is set in a wider empire than the previous series, which was limited to a relatively small stage.

Just like 제로의 궤적, a new place and new characters are at the center of the story, so there is no major difficulty in choosing it as the starting point of the 궤적 series. Unlike the previous works where SD characters moved cutely, it was the first to adopt a real-size full 3D model, and it is also the work that created the foundation for the current 궤적 series visuals. As it is a work where various changes have begun, the influence that continues to the later series is also great, and if you intend to continue following Falcom's 궤적 series that will continue in the future, it can be said that it is the starting point that you should look at first.

The work itself was also a success, and the series continued up to 4 episodes. Through the current generation device remaster 'Kai', 60fps and 4K support and high-quality sound were achieved, and official Korean language support was also achieved through the Steam version release.

- ◼︎ 영웅전설 여의 궤적

'영웅전설 여의 궤적', which was developed as the 40th anniversary of Falcom's founding, is a title that opens the second half of the 궤적 series, and is a work that depicts the story of the Calvard Republic, a new background that has only been mentioned through the previous series.

The story of the 8 members of the 'Arkride Solutions Office', a back-alley problem solver group, is mainly dealt with, and 90% of all the characters appearing in the story are filled with completely new characters. A seamless system has been introduced to the existing command-type AT battle, and the battle transitions more naturally, and the system has also been greatly renewed.

여의 궤적 is the first title produced with Falcom's own engine, and it is also the first PS5 title in the series, so it has become a title that can be enjoyed comfortably in terms of convenience. If you feel that the slow pace of classic RPGs is frustrating, it would be a good choice to play 여의 궤적, which guarantees a more comfortable game play with various convenience updates applied as an entry point.

If you have chosen and played 여의 궤적 as your first title, then you should play '영웅전설 여의 궤적 Ⅱ -CRIMSON SiN-' and '영웅전설 계의 궤적 -Farewell, O Zemuria-', which continue the story of the same characters. You can play all of them in the official Korean version on Steam.

- ◼︎ 하늘의 궤적 the 1st

Even if it's not just the story of the 궤적 series, if you bring and recommend a classic game that is the beginning of a recklessly long series, there are many cases where you don't feel interested because of the sense of alienation from the refined games of the current generation. The 궤적 series is so big and vast that it is most important to pick one point to start with and play it, and discover your interest in the series itself. In that sense, all three of the titles mentioned above are good titles for those who want to start the 궤적 series right now.

However, there are people who say that when entering a long series, they want to go back to the 'origin' and experience the beginning of the story. The recommended work for them is the new work '하늘의 궤적 the 1st', which is scheduled to be released within the year 2025.

'하늘의 궤적 the 1st' is a full remake title of the monumental first work of the 궤적 series, which was produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 궤적 series. All the elements of the original work released in 2004 have been faithfully reproduced in 3D, and as befits the name of the remake, you can look forward to a comfortable latest combat system, dynamic skill production, and various quests and digging elements that allow you to enjoy the journey in the Liberl Kingdom.

The 하늘의 궤적 PC remaster version does not support Korean because the official release has not been decided, so those who want to follow the starting point should wait for this. The exact release date has not yet been confirmed, but the official Korean version will be released on Nintendo, PS5, and Steam platforms by the end of 2025 at the latest.

Please feel free to leave your expectations for the latest 궤적 series '하늘의 궤적 the 1st', which is scheduled to be released within the year 2025, or content related to the 궤적 series in the comments. Among those who leave comments on this article, we will draw lots and give away'영웅전설 계의 궤적, 여의 궤적1,2' Steam codeto a total of15분people.

◼︎ Event Products
- 영웅전설 계의 궤적 - Farewell, O Zemuria - Standard Edition : 5
- 영웅전설 여의 궤적 Ⅱ - CRIMSON SiN - Standard Edition : 5
- 영웅전설 여의 궤적 - Standard Edition : 5

◼︎ Event Period- 2025년 4월 7일 17:00 ~ 4월 13일 17:00
◼︎ Winner Announcement- Announced in the article on April 15, 2025

☆ Winners ☆
영웅전설 계의 궤적 - Farewell, O Zemuria - Standard Edition
-Erasus / Estis / 보라곰돌이 / 엔지크 / 디아이슬

영웅전설 여의 궤적 Ⅱ - CRIMSON SiN - Standard Edition
-무나앙 / 정아로 / 사브린느 / 차가운소나기 / copyzero

영웅전설 여의 궤적 - Standard Edition
-즐겜유저정신 / 니혼팔콤 / 이그매져 / 애드온때문 / 룰러

Congratulations on winning the event.
We ask for your continued interest and love in the future.

Thank you.

◼︎ Event Precautions1. Only members who are logged in to Inven can participate.2. If you apply using fraudulent methods, your winnings may be canceled, and you will be responsible for any fraudulent applications.3. Comments unrelated to the event may be excluded from the draw.4. If your nickname or event participation comments contain inappropriate words or profanity, you may be excluded from the event application.5. After the winner is announced, the Steam code will be sent via individual 쪽지. Please check your mailbox after the announcement.6. If you have any questions regarding this event, please use the 아이마트 문의하기 bulletin board.

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웹진 인벤박광석 기자
2025-04-07