[PlayStation 5] Review: The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II

The latest adventure in The Legend of Heroes series, Trails through Daybreak II by NIS America and Nihon Falcom, continues the captivating journey through the beloved Kiseki franchise. This time around, we rejoin Van Arkride, navigating the intriguing Calvard region amidst a gripping murder mystery. If you’ve been following the series, you’ll want to dive into our review of Trails through Daybreak II for all the details.

Returning to the Calvard Republic, you’re tasked with unraveling the enigma of the crimson beast in this sequel. The peace is shattered by a series of startling murders, pushing the story into motion once more. Standing at the center of the impending chaos is Van Arkride, a spriggan called to action by an unexpected visitor. Who is behind these murders, and what are their motives?

Trails through Daybreak II follows directly from its predecessor, making it the 12th mainline installment since the original Trails in the Sky game. As you follow Van’s story, you traverse from early adventures in the Liberl region, through the gripping episodes of Cold Steel in Erebonia, and then to the twists and turns of Crossbell—all leading you to delve deeper into the mysteries of Calvard.

Although each sub-series—Trails in the Sky, Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, and Daybreak—stands on its own, they are part of a richly woven narrative tapestry. References and easter eggs linking back to other games pepper the series, making each journey feel connected yet distinct.

For those who enjoyed the climactic events of Trails through Daybreak, I highly suggest playing it before tackling its sequel. Even with a video recap provided, nothing quite beats the depth of experiencing the rich story and complex character development yourself. If you were diligent enough to complete the first installment, you’d have the added bonus of importing your saved data, allowing choices from the past to influence the present.

In his role as a spriggan—a detective handling cases no one else will take—Van navigates the shadowy fringes of society. His extraordinary sense of smell allows him to pick up on clues and discern the undercurrents of danger, solidifying his role as an essential player in the unraveling conflicts of the region.

Right from the start, Van’s met by Elaine, a familiar face from the previous journey, with troubling news: a dire incident has placed Van under suspicion. Without giving away too much, the narrative is wonderfully non-linear and brimming with the immersive, twisting plot and well-crafted character arcs that Trails fans have come to expect.

If you’ve played the prior installment, you’ll recognize the familiar battle system. Here, combat is dynamic, combining real-time elements for routine fights while allowing for strategic turn-based play in more challenging encounters. This mix, reminiscent of earlier Trails games, provides the option to shift into a tactical mode, allowing for deeper engagement during tougher battles. And let’s not forget the return of Van’s powerful mech transformation!

As always in Trails games, the Orbment system returns, letting you equip Quartz to boost stats and unlock spells. While navigating the menu might feel a bit cumbersome—especially when you’re in a pinch trying to cast healing spells—the game’s reliable autosave mitigates much of the frustration from technical hiccups, such as occasional freezes when using certain abilities. Hopefully, any existing bugs will be addressed pre-launch.

On the technical front, Trails through Daybreak II carries forward the graphical foundation of its predecessors with enhancements, particularly in the detail of clothing and facial animations, albeit keeping a retro charm from the PS4 era. Voice acting shines, especially for central characters, and as is tradition, the option for English or Japanese audio is a welcome personal choice. Coupled with a great soundtrack, Trails through Daybreak II delivers an aural treat that aligns perfectly with the series’ standards.

For the trophy hunters out there, the game offers 53 trophies to chase, including a coveted Platinum. You’ll be rewarded for progressing through the story, achieving high ranks in Arkride Solutions, engaging in side activities like fishing and cooking, ensuring your adventure is filled with varied pursuits.

In summary, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II successfully combines action-packed RPG elements with deep storytelling, making for a captivating adventure. To truly enjoy the narrative and character intricacies, I suggest starting with the first Daybreak game. The sequel arrives on PlayStation 5 on February 14, priced at $59.99, ready to enchant existing fans and newcomers alike.

Please note, this review is based on a PlayStation copy provided by NIS America.