The long running Legend of Heroes series continues with its latest entry: Trails Through Daybreak II and we had the chance to check out the North American release.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II may not qualify as a brand-new title, as it first launched in Japan in 2022. However, the English version is set to be released in February 2025, which means that many players in North America will be encountering this installment for the very first time.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through
Daybreak II
Release Date:
Feb 14, 2025
Developer:
Nihon Falcom, PH3 GmbH
Publisher:
NIS America, Inc.
For my review, I played the game on the PlayStation 5, immersing myself in its rich narrative and gameplay mechanics. To better appreciate the story and character development without the added challenge of difficult combat, I primarily opted for the Easy difficulty setting.
This choice allowed me to focus on the game’s engaging plot and its expansive world while still experiencing the core combat mechanics that the series is known for.
The Plot
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is an immediate follow up to the first Trails Through Daybreak game, picking up a few months after the conclusion of the previous entry. As with the first game, the story follows spriggan Van Arkride as he and his friends investigate some mysterious and disturbing events that are occurring around the Republic of Calvard.
While this is an immediate sequel to an earlier game, one doesn’t have to have played the first Trails Through Daybreak to follow the story. The dialogue frequently references the events of that game, and beyond that the game developers include the option to watch a summary of the first game before starting gameplay. For those who have played the original Trails Through Daybreak, there is also the option to carry over some of the data as that will affect some of the decisions made in the second game.
The Gameplay
Having not played any other games in this series, I can’t really say how Trails Through Daybreak II compares to other entries. That being said, having played a decent ways into the game, I’m quite satisfied with the gameplay loop provided in this story.
As the story progresses, the gameplay revolves around the same general pattern: arrive in a city, investigate a stated issue, take on a number of side quests, confront the issue. This usually concludes part one of the main quest for that city. Part two sees further side quests offered, along with continued investigation, concluding with a grand confrontation that moves the story forward while concluding business in that city.
Along with this pattern comes numerous dialogue options that flesh out relationships between Van and the other characters, as well as giving insight into life in the various cities around Calvard that occasionally help with the investigation being conducted. Each relationship between Van and one of his friends is unique and dynamic and it really feels like you’re getting to know real people.
One of the best things about this gameplay loop is that it is possible to lose hours while navigating through the story, that’s how easily and quickly the narrative flows. That each assignment is full of multiple plot layers (and plot twists!) makes this feel like a huge endeavor with real consequences. I especially like that at the end of many of these quests you have the option to choose a specific outcome, each of which has its own consequences.
And, without being too specific to avoid spoilers, there’s a specific story element that, once introduced, really put the game over the top for me. This element comes without warning and really forces the player to think about every choice they make, even though there’s no way to avoid this story element every time it comes up. That being said, I love how this element adds to the growing tension in the story, especially once the characters become aware it’s happening.
Minor Issues
One issue I’ve noticed is that the “dungeon” areas encountered throughout the story can feel slightly repetitive. Occasionally it feels like you’re just fighting the same monster over and over with very little variation. I understand games can only have so many things inside them, but I think this game would’ve benefited from some change ups in the monsters that are encountered.
Another issue comes during battle. Combat is generally turn based but the explanations of how certain attacks work and when could’ve been better explained. Multiple times I tried to use a certain attack only for the game to tell me I couldn’t with no clear explanation as to why. I eventually worked out a method of making combat as easy as possible, but I don’t think it needed to be that difficult.
My biggest issue comes with the mini games, particularly one where the player can “hack” into a device by solving a maze. The maze itself is pretty fun, if frustrating at times, but I detest that there’s such a short time limit to solve the maze. Even worse, the time limit appears to be non-negotiable, which is problematic as many gamers (such as myself) can find themselves struggling when working against such a short time limit for something that isn’t supposed to be that important.
Worth Picking Up
In conclusion, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II, while it has a few minor gameplay quirks, offers an incredibly enjoyable gaming experience. This title stands out as an ideal entry point for newcomers eager to explore the rich world of the Legend of Heroes series.
With its engaging story, captivating characters, and immersive gameplay mechanics, this game is the perfect choice if you’ve ever considered diving into this extraordinary saga. Don’t miss the chance to embark on this adventure!
