[PS5] Review: The Legend of Heroes – Trails through Daybreak II

NIS America and Nihon Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II marks the newest chapter in the popular The Legend of Heroes/Kiseki series. Picking up right where Trails through Daybreak left off, we join Van Arkride as he once again tackles the intricate challenges of the Calvard region. This time, he’s caught up in a fresh murder mystery that promises to unravel more of his complex world. Let’s dive into our review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II!

Jump back into the world of the Calvard Republic with Trails through Daybreak II, and see if you can solve the enigma of the crimson beast. As the story unfolds, an unexpected string of murders sets the plot in motion again, hinting at chaos just around the corner. Van, the seasoned spriggan, finds himself visited by a mysterious guest. The questions arise—who’s behind these murders, and what are they after?

Trails through Daybreak II continues immediately from where its predecessor left off, diving deeper into the storied universe that fans adore. It’s the 12th mainline entry since the Kiseki series kicked off with Trails in the Sky. As you move through the franchise, from Liberl’s adventures in Trails in the Sky, through the epic saga of Trails of Cold Steel in Erebonia, to the trials of the Crossbell region, this game once again zeros in on Van Arkride. We journey further into the complexities of the Calvard region, navigating its mysteries and challenges.

The Legend of Heroes games like Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, and even Trails through Daybreak work as standalone journeys, each offering a unique slice of this cohesive, richly constructed world. While you can jump into any of them, each often nods to events and characters from the others, weaving a tapestry of interconnected stories.

Since Trails through Daybreak II directly follows its predecessor, playing the first game is strongly advised. Although there’s a quick recap at the beginning, a few minutes isn’t nearly enough to encapsulate the depth and narrative of a game that demands over 50 hours of your time. Plus, if you’ve played the previous game, you can bring your clear data for some neat bonuses, and see how past decisions affect the sequel.

Van Arkride stands out as a spriggan – essentially a private detective who takes on those cases that others, like bracers or law enforcement, often steer clear of due to their more ambiguous legal nature. As he did in the first game, Van delves into the seedy underbelly of society, relying on his extraordinary sense of smell. This unique talent helps him pick out clues, locate threats, and navigate the chaotic landscape of the Calvard region.

Elaine, a familiar face from before, sets the story rolling as she brings news of a grim event from the previous night, placing Van directly in the line of suspicion. Without spoiling too much, Trails through Daybreak II uses a nonlinear format that kept me hooked. Like all Trails games, it offers a rich narrative filled with unexpected turns, in-depth character arcs, and sophisticated plots.

If you’ve battled your way through the first game, the combat system will feel quite familiar. It kicks off with real-time, action RPG-style skirmishes perfect for dispatching lesser foes. Get close enough to another ally, and Combo Skills activate – allowing allies to jump in for additional attacks, reminiscent of past series mechanics.

To really mix things up with Arts (magic) and Crafts (skills), simply press the Square button to switch into a tactical turn-based mode. Here, you unlock the ability to perform standard attacks while accessing enhanced strategic options necessary for tougher fights. You can also unleash powerful S-Crafts, akin to Limit Breaks, and transform Van into a powerhouse mech, turning battles in your favor.

As with prior entries, Trails through Daybreak II makes use of the Orbment system. Equip Quartz to arm your characters with spells and buffs. However, like its predecessor, navigating the menus can be a bit challenging—particularly when trying to quickly access healing spells. One issue I faced was freezing after using the Tear spell, leaving me unable to select a target. The game had to be rebooted to fix this, though thankfully, the frequent auto-saves minimized any lost progress. It’s a bug I hope is addressed before release.

Building on the previous titles, the game’s graphics engine features some minor improvements. While the character models might remind you of the PlayStation 4 era, enhancements in clothing textures and facial expressions are noticeable. However, animations could use more polish to match today’s JRPG standards. The voice acting shines, particularly for main characters in both English and Japanese options, and the soundtrack, true to Falcom style, hits all the right notes.

In-game trophies provide plenty to strive for, with 53 in total, including a coveted Platinum trophy. Some are tied to the story, while others involve side activities like fishing and cooking, ensuring you’ll keep busy on your path to completion.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II stands out as a compelling blend of action and turn-based RPG elements. Its engaging story and surprising twists ensure that fans of the series will find much to enjoy. I would recommend playing the first game to grasp the full narrative and appreciate the character evolution. Look for the game on PlayStation 5 starting February 14, priced at $59.99.

Disclaimer: This The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II review is based on a PlayStation copy provided by NIS America.