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

The latest addition to the esteemed Legend of Heroes/Kiseki series, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II by NIS America and Nihon Falcom, picks up right where the first game left off. As Van Arkride, you’re thrust back into the Calvard region’s intricacies, this time to unravel a perplexing murder mystery. Let’s dive into the details with our review of this captivating sequel!

Head back to the Calvard Republic with Trails through Daybreak II, where a sequence of shocking murders begins to entwine destiny’s threads anew. Chaos lurks on the horizon, and Van Arkride, our spriggan protagonist, receives a visit that’s set to turn his world upside down. Who’s orchestrating these events, and what do they aim to achieve?

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II continues the saga directly from its predecessor, marking the twelfth installment in a series that’s captured fans’ imaginations since Trails in the Sky. The narrative journey has taken players from Liberl to Erebonia through the Trails of Cold Steel series, with stops in Crossbell along the way, and now we’re delving deeper into Calvard. Here, Van Arkride grapples with emerging threats and deeper layers of storytelling that aficionados will relish.

The franchise’s sub-series—Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, and Trails through Daybreak—offer standalone adventures, yet they’re interwoven into the broader, vibrant world. While each tale holds its ground, cross-references to past events enrich the experience for long-time players.

Since Trails through Daybreak II builds directly upon the first game, playing the initial entry is advisable to fully appreciate its depth. A recap video does exist, but it merely skims the surface of a story that spans over 50 richly woven hours. If you’ve completed Daybreak, you can import your save data, ensuring continuity in bonuses and reflecting your choices in this new chapter.

Van Arkride, a spriggan operating in the grey zones untouched by bracers or law enforcement, once again takes center stage. Equipped with a remarkable sense of smell, he’s adept at picking up on clues and snuffing out danger’s scent, integral traits for navigating Calvard’s shady undercurrents.

The game kicks off with a returning character, Elaine, who brings troubling news—a crime implicates Van as the main suspect. Without divulging too much, this non-linear narrative style engages you in its complex plot twists, showcasing the intricate characters and story mastery typical of the Trails series.

If you’ve experienced the first installment, you’ll find the combat system familiar. It starts with real-time, combo-driven battles, designed for swift action in easier skirmishes. Proximity to allies triggers Combo Skills, where an adjacent character joins in for additional damage. To delve into Arts (magic) or Crafts (special skills), you’ll press the Square button to shift seamlessly into turn-based fighting, reminiscent of earlier games, allowing for strategic execution necessary in tougher encounters. The appeal of S-Crafts, massive Limit Break-style attacks, remains, alongside Van’s ability to morph into a formidable mech, adding layers to your offensive repertoire.

Like before, you’ll utilize the Orbment system to enhance abilities through Quartz. The menu complexity persists, sometimes burying useful options like healing Arts, which can be a minor hassle. One bug occasionally freezes the game post-healing spell selection, requiring a restart. On the bright side, a steady auto-save function means progress isn’t lost, and it’s something that may get resolved with future patches. Saving anytime, anywhere remains a bonus, particularly during lengthy dungeon stretches.

Graphically, Trails through Daybreak II builds on its predecessors. Character models still exhibit PlayStation 4-era sensibilities, but there’s noticeable attention to detail in clothing and facial articulation. While animation could stand improvement to match contemporary JRPGs, the auditory experience shines. The voice acting—especially for principal characters—is commendable, with options for English and Japanese won’t disappoint. True to Nihon Falcom’s standards, a beautiful soundtrack accompanies your journey.

A total of 53 trophies, including a coveted Platinum, beckons players to explore every nook. Trophies range from story progression to achievements like maximizing Arkride Solutions. There are also tasks tied to minigames like fishing and cooking, ensuring your trophy chase won’t be short on content.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II masterfully blends action with tactical battles, drawing players into its compelling story. It’s a worthwhile continuation of Van Arkride’s escapades, best appreciated by those familiar with the opening act. Look for its release on PlayStation 5 on February 14 at $59.99.

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