What is Trails, you ask?

I'M GLAD YOU ASKED!!!

Trails is a tactical JRPG series published by Nihon Falcom, who also made the Ys series. In terms of storytelling, it's one of the best I've seen in any series. The games can be experienced as so:

Liberl Arc:

Trails in the Sky
Trails in the Sky SC
Trails in the Sky the 3rd

Crossbell Arc:

Trails from Zero
Trails from Azure

Side Game: The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails

Erebonian Arc:

Trails of Cold Steel I-IV

Finale to Erebonian and Crossbell arcs:

Trails into Reverie

Calvard Arc:

Trails through Daybreak
Trails through Daybreak II

There's also a lot of side media that helps with the games, especially for the Crossbell and Erebonian Arcs! I highly recommend looking into them, as some information is important for the overall plot and some character backgrounds!

I know it's a lot to take in, but it's nowhere near as bad as .hack or the Fate series! Give this series a try, if you want!