Kai no Kiseki is, without a doubt, peak cinema. Once again, Nihon Falcom has delivered a deeply engaging story that builds on everything that came before it. Featuring many familiar faces from previous arcs, while the game managed to address and improve upon the concerns I had with Kuro and Kuro 2. I'm both incredibly satisfied and a little sad to have finished it, knowing the wait for Kai 2 is going to be a long one. Fortunately, the upcoming Trails in the Sky 1st Remake and the localized release of Kai no Kiseki (Beyond the Horizon) should help make the wait a bit easier. I’ll absolutely be picking those up to alleviate the wait for Kai 2.

I couldn't wait to play Kai no Kiseki ever since they decided to delay it, partly due to nintendo (thanks nintendo). While the delay means the localization will likely be more polished, I decided to pick up the Clouded Leopard port with a fan translation. I was initially unsure about the quality, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised. While there were a few minor errors, they never disrupted my experience. The fan translation was excellent overall, and it’s clear a lot of care went into it.

As for the story (without spoilers), Kai no Kiseki continues where Kuro 2 left off and features the return of the story route system, which I’ve come to really enjoy. We follow Van Arkride, Kevin Graham, and Rean Schwarzer as they uncover the mysteries surrounding the Genesis, and look beyond the skies. The finale was incredibly powerful and it's really hard for me to talk about it without spoilers. Trust me when I say, it left me speechless. Literally speechless.

One area where this game stands out compared to Kuro 2 is the implementation of the new dungeon. The new Grim Garten dungeon, while somewhat grind-heavy, is a significant improvement over Märchen Garten. It introduces a proper hub, memento orbs, and new Enforcers with meaningful roles. While some of the objectives can become repetitive—especially if you aim for S-rank completions, the overall experience was far more engaging.

Combat continues to improve, with the introduction of the B.L.T.Z. system, the return of Brave Orders (now called Shard Commands), and a new Awakening mechanic that enhances certain characters during field battles. These additions felt very intuitive and added more depth to encounters. I really enjoyed the way everything came together in battles.

The soundtrack also deserves major praise. It’s strong, and certain tracks like Dies Irae really stood out. The music complements the tone of the game beautifully and adds a lot to the emotional moments. Please, please, please listen to it.

Overall, Kai no Kiseki is a fantastic game and a clear 5/5 for me. It’s easily one of the best in the series. I'm incredibly glad I stuck with this journey, and I’ve already purchased both the digital and physical editions. I plan to go through it again when the localization arrives. It’s a truly special experience. Kondo, I kneel.

Yes. (The end is the Beginning, and the Beginning is the End.)