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

The latest release in the beloved Legend of Heroes series, Trails through Daybreak II, developed by NIS America and Nihon Falcom, brings players back into the enthralling world of the Kiseki franchise. This installment picks up the narrative thread where Trails through Daybreak left off, once more focusing on Van Arkride as he navigates a complex new murder mystery unfolding in the Calvard region. Let’s dive into our full review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II!

Return to the Republic of Calvard and tackle the enigma of the crimson beast in Trails through Daybreak II. A string of shocking murders begins to unravel a new chain of events, thrusting Van Arkride, a skilled spriggan, into the heart of the chaos. With an unexpected visitor at his door, Van must uncover identities and motives shrouded in mystery.

For those new to the series, Trails through Daybreak II serves as a direct sequel in the deep and intricate world of The Legend of Heroes. It stands as the 12th core installment since the franchise’s journey began with Trails in the Sky. Fans have followed narratives across various regions—from Liberl to Erebonia and Crossbell. Now, this chapter once again shines a light on Van Arkride’s adventures, delving further into the mysteries that the Calvard region harbors.

Each subset of the series—ranging from Trails in the Sky to Trails of Cold Steel, and others—offers a standalone story, yet they all weave together into a single, interconnected universe. While each game can be enjoyed on its own, they’re enriched by their links to past events described in the series.

For the best experience with Trails through Daybreak II, it’s strongly recommended to play Trails through Daybreak first. Although you’ll find a summary video at the beginning of the sequel, those few minutes can’t fully encapsulate the depth of storytelling and character development offered in the original game, which spans over 50 hours. By completing the prior game, you can carry over your save data, unlocking bonuses and ensuring previous choices impact the current storyline.

Van Arkride continues in his unique role as a spriggan—a detective solving cases others shy away from. His keen ability to detect scents makes him an indispensable investigator amid Calvard’s tumultuous backdrop. This skill helps him trace clues, suspects, and burgeoning threats, reinforcing his invaluable status in the ever-evolving plot.

The game kicks off with Elaine, a familiar face, delivering distressing news—pointing Van out as the primary suspect in a recent incident. Without giving too much away, the storyline adopts a non-linear approach, which is refreshingly engaging. As is typical of the Trails games, the narrative here is rich and immersive, intertwined with surprising twists and profound character arcs.

If you’re familiar with the combat mechanics from the previous installment, you’ll be on familiar ground here. Battles begin with a straightforward real-time, combo-based format, akin to several action RPGs, designed for less challenging encounters. Being near allies triggers Combo Skills, echoing previous character linking mechanics. Transitioning seamlessly into a turn-based system is easy with the press of a button, allowing access to strategic options like Arts and Crafts, essential for facing tougher challenges. Van can also transform into a mechanized form during combat, a feature that adds a tactical advantage.

The Orbment system returns, enabling players to equip Quartz to unlock abilities and enhance stats. While the menus have their complexities, like deeply buried healing Arts, the frequent auto-save feature mitigates the impact of any technical hiccups, such as the game freezing after selecting certain spells. Hopefully, these quirks will be smoothed out before the official release.

Visually, Trails through Daybreak II improves slightly upon its predecessors. Character models may echo the PlayStation 4 era, but finer details like clothing and expressions have seen enhancements. While animation could improve to match current JRPG standards, the voice acting—particularly in English—is a standout, echoing the quality seen in earlier entries. As always, players have the choice between English and Japanese audio, complemented by a captivating soundtrack.

Trophy hunters will have their work cut out, with 53 trophies to pursue, including a coveted Platinum. These range from story progression to achievement in minigames like fishing and cooking, ensuring a diverse and engaging gameplay experience.

Blending action-packed and turn-based combat with gripping storytelling, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is a standout JRPG experience. It’s an engaging direct sequel that enhances the intricate narratives established previously. Be sure to revisit Trails through Daybreak to fully appreciate all that this new chapter has to offer. Mark your calendars for its release on PlayStation 5, set for February 14, with a retail price of $59.99.

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