Our Journey Begins! (And Ends With Immediate Glory): The Curious Case of Trails in the Sky's 100% Achievement
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
In a delightful twist, *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter* on Steam boasts an achievement, 'Our Journey Begins!', that a perfect 100% of its players have earned simply by starting a new game, sparking curiosity about its purpose and the evolving nature of game achievements.
Right, so I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it's wilder than it first appeared. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit *too* well, or you accidentally summon a teacup instead of a dragon? Well, it seems *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter* just conjured up an achievement that literally everyone who's played the game has earned. Yes, mate, *everyone*.
We're talking about the 'Our Journey Begins!' achievement on Steam. Apparently, all you need to do to snag this digital badge of honour is start a new game file and watch the opening scenes. That's it. No epic boss battles, no deciphering ancient runes, no grinding for hours in a turn-based JRPG wonderland – just press 'New Game' and let the pixels flow. And as of writing, it boasts a perfect 100% acquisition rate among all players. Talk about instant gratification, eh?
Now, my digital wizard senses are tingling here. Naturally, one has to wonder: what in the name of the Elder Scrolls is going on? Why would a developer include an achievement so ridiculously simple that it’s essentially unavoidable? It's like getting a trophy for pressing the power button on your console. Which, let's be fair, some mornings feels like an achievement in itself, but still.
On one hand, you've got to appreciate the cheeky optimism. Maybe it's a developer's way of saying, 'Hey, thanks for showing up! We appreciate you giving our JRPG a go, especially since we know these can be a bit of a time sink.' *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter* is a remake of a 2004 JRPG, *The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky*, focusing on protagonists Estelle and Joshua as they aim to become senior members of an international peacekeeping group called the Bracers. It's got that classic JRPG vibe, complete with a combat system that lets you choose between action-focused or traditional turn-based battles. So, perhaps this easy achievement is just a gentle, welcoming nod into what's often a pretty deep and lengthy experience.
But then, the irreverent part of my brain kicks in. Does an achievement like 'Our Journey Begins!' actually *mean* anything? In a world where achievements are supposed to mark significant milestones – vanquishing a fearsome foe, discovering a hidden secret, or mastering a particularly tricky mechanic – does an automatic unlock diminish the currency of the entire system? It’s not quite a 'revolutionary' claim about a minor update, but it does make you gently skeptical about the value proposition of some digital trophies.
Of course, *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter* isn't the first game to pull a stunt like this. Some keen-eyed Steam users pointed out that games like 2011's *Deadpool* also had achievements that popped just for booting up the game. It seems to be a recurring, if somewhat perplexing, tradition. Another achievement in *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter*, 'Junior Bracer Trainee,' which is earned a short way into the story, sits at a still-impressive 89.9%. That one actually requires a *smidgen* of effort, mind you. At least you've got to wander around a bit.
The fragility of that 100% rate is also quite fascinating, isn't it? It's like a perfectly balanced stack of digital cards, just waiting for a slight breeze to knock it down. One user correctly observed that technical issues preventing someone from starting the game, or even a player resetting their achievements (a dark art, to be sure), could eventually chip away at that pristine percentage. For now, with it being a fresh September release (and also the first entry in the *Trails* series to get a native Switch 2 port – that's some forward-thinking wizardry right there!), the early player base is likely a dedicated lot, ensuring everyone's hitting that 'New Game' button without a hitch.
From a player's perspective, I reckon these super-easy achievements are a bit of a mixed bag. For the completionists out there, it's a freebie, a little tick on the list without breaking a sweat. For others, it might feel a bit hollow, like getting a participation trophy for showing up to the party. But maybe, just maybe, that's the point. In a gaming landscape increasingly focused on complex systems, deep lore, and endless grind, sometimes a simple, universally shared moment of 'you started the game, well done!' is its own kind of charm. It creates an instant communal experience, a tiny, shared wink between every single player.
What does this mean for the broader world of game design and player engagement? Are achievements evolving beyond mere markers of skill or endurance into something more abstract? Perhaps they're becoming subtle tools for developer messaging, or even just digital 'hello' notes. It's an interesting thought experiment, especially for a new release that's got momentum. How long can *Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter* maintain that perfect 100% score for its welcoming handshake? Only time, and the inevitable chaotic nature of software, will tell. But for now, hats off to them for giving every player an immediate win, even if it's just for showing up. Sometimes, just showing up is half the battle, right?
**Source:** Originally reported by Game Rant.
Tags: JRPG, Steam Achievements, Game Design, Player Engagement, Trails Series
Original article: Game Rant