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

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II, developed by NIS America and Nihon Falcom, marks the latest chapter in the acclaimed Legend of Heroes series. This entry picks up where Trails through Daybreak left off, thrusting Van Arkride back into the heart of the Calvard region’s troubles. This time, he’s caught up in a gripping new murder mystery that keeps players guessing. Dive into our review for a deeper look into Trails through Daybreak II!

Return to the Calvard Republic and get lost in the enigma of the crimson beast with Trails through Daybreak II! A series of startling murders sets a chain of events in motion. Chaos is brewing, and Van Arkride, our ever-resourceful spriggan, receives an unexpected visitor. Who’s behind these gruesome acts, and what are they after?

As the direct sequel to Trails through Daybreak, this installment is crucial for fans who’ve followed Van Arkride’s thrilling adventures. Trails through Daybreak II stands as the 12th mainline title in the series, tracing its lineage back to Trails in the Sky. From the Liberl region to the expansive tales of Trails of Cold Steel in Erebonia, and the intricate narratives of the Crossbell area, Van’s journey in Calvard offers yet another immersive storyline.

The franchise’s sub-series, like Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, and Trails from Zero, share a richly woven world. While each can stand alone, references often tie back to events from the other games. With Trails through Daybreak II continuing directly from its predecessor, I highly recommend playing Trails through Daybreak first. The introductory recap video just scratches the surface and can’t convey the depth of a 50-plus hour game filled with complex storytelling and character development. Completing the previous game also lets you import your save data for extra bonuses and decisions that carry into this sequel.

Van Arkride operates as a spriggan—think of him as a detective handling cases bracers or the police shy away from due to their legal ambiguities. Much like the initial game, Trails through Daybreak II shadows Van into the Calvard region’s darker corners. His sharp sense of smell is not just a trait but a tool, helping unearth clues and identify when danger lurks, making him an unmatched investigator in a place riddled with turmoil.

Early in the game, Van is approached by Elaine, a familiar face from the first title. She’s got some bad news—there’s been an incident, and Van is now the main suspect. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say the narrative isn’t linear, which is something I found particularly captivating. As with previous Trails entries, the story is enthralling, packed with unexpected turns, profound character arcs, and masterful storytelling.

If you’re coming from the first game, you’ll notice that the battle system feels familiar. Combat starts off in real-time, with a combo-driven style akin to action RPGs, designed primarily for quicker, easier fights with basic attacks to streamline the process. Combo Skills activate when you’re near an ally, who follows up your attack with their own—reminiscent of character links from past games. You can shift to a more traditional turn-based mode for Arts and Crafts by hitting the Square button, bringing back the tactical depth needed for tougher battles. The game also allows Van to transform into a powerful mech form, adding a dynamic element to combat.

The Orbment system is, of course, a staple, letting you equip Quartz for spells and character boosts. While navigating the menus can feel cumbersome—especially finding healing Arts—the game’s frequent auto-save features help mitigate frustrations due to glitches like the one I experienced with the Tear spell. Hopefully, patches will address these issues before the full release. Saving anytime is also a welcome addition for navigating lengthy dungeons.

Visually, Trails through Daybreak II builds on its predecessors with some enhancements. The character models have a PS4-era feel, yet improvements are noticeable in clothing textures and facial expressions. While animations might not match those in some modern JRPGs, the audio, particularly the English voice acting, shines through. The choice between English and Japanese voiceovers is a nice touch, and as always, the soundtrack by Nihon Falcom is stellar.

The game comes with 53 trophies, including the coveted Platinum trophy. Trophies are awarded for story progression and achieve specific milestones like leveling Arkride Solutions. There are trophies for engaging minigames such as fishing and cooking, ensuring you’ll have plenty of side activities to keep you busy.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II delivers a captivating RPG experience blending action-packed combat with strategic turn-based elements. Its engaging story, enriched by intricate character interactions and unexpected developments, is a testament to the franchise’s enduring appeal. To grasp the full depth of the narrative, it’s advisable to experience the first game. Trails through Daybreak II is set to launch on PlayStation 5, priced at $59.99, on February 14.

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