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

The latest thrilling installment in the popular Legend of Heroes series, Trails through Daybreak II by NIS America and Nihon Falcom, captivates players with its fascinating continuation of Van Arkride’s story. Picking up right where Trails through Daybreak left off, this sequel plunges Van into yet another web of mysteries in the Calvard region. This time, a tangled murder mystery awaits him. Dive into our in-depth review of Trails through Daybreak II for a closer look!

Journey back to the Republic of Calvard and get caught up in the intrigue surrounding the crimson beast in Trails through Daybreak II! It all begins with a startling chain of murders that set everything spiraling into chaos. Van Arkride, our seasoned spriggan, finds himself receiving an unexpected guest. The question remains: who orchestrates these heinous acts, and what do they hope to achieve?

Being a direct follow-up to Trails through Daybreak, this game is the 12th main installment in the Kiseki series which first brought us Trails in the Sky. We’ve journeyed from the scenic Liberl region, experienced the epic saga of Trails of Cold Steel in Erebonia, and the intrigue of the Crossbell area. Now, in the second leg of Van’s adventures, the focus is firmly set on the Calvard region’s riddles.

While each of the series—Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, and Trails through Daybreak—can be enjoyed as stand-alone adventures, they all weave together within a vibrantly interconnected world, often referencing one another’s events.

As Trails through Daybreak II is a continuation of its predecessor, I highly recommend playing the initial game to grasp the full narrative richness and character evolution, even though the game starts with a brief recap. Those who completed the previous game can reap rewards by importing their clear data, with decisions made affecting current events.

Van Arkride plays the role of a spriggan, tackling cases too controversial for law enforcement and legal bodies. His special skill—an acute sense of smell—lends him a unique edge in picking up on crucial clues and discerning looming danger, making him a pivotal character in the unfolding threats in Calvard.

When we catch up with Van at the start, he’s greeted by Elaine, a familiar face, who delivers grim news that makes Van a key suspect. Without giving away too much, the narrative takes a captivating non-linear course, something I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. As is typical for a Trails game, the story delves deep with intricate twists, strong character arcs, and captivating storytelling.

Fans of the previous game will find comfort in the unchanged battle system, a dynamic blend of action and strategy. Standard fights commence with real-time actions reminiscent of an RPG, streamlined for swifter combat. Close allies automatically engage in Combo Skills, echoing the character-linking mechanism from earlier series chapters.

For strategic depth, transition into a turn-based mode via the Square button, opening up the ability to utilize Arts and Crafts within combat. These potent skills are complemented by S-Crafts, and like in Daybreak I, Van can morph into a formidable mech form to dominate battles.

The Orbment system returns, permitting players to elevate stats and unlock spells, although the menu navigation can be cumbersome, particularly in urgent healing situations. Encountering some technical glitches, especially with the Tear spell causing freezes, I was reassured by the robust auto-save feature, though a fix before the official release is anticipated.

Visually, Trails through Daybreak II is enhanced from its predecessors, with notable improvements in character attire and facial expressions, though it still mirrors a PlayStation 4 aesthetic. On the auditory side, excellent voice work, especially for main characters, paired with a choice of English and Japanese voiceovers, continues the series’ legacy of immersive soundtracks.

In terms of accolades, there are 53 trophies to earn, including a coveted Platinum, keeping trophy hunters busy with tasks ranging from story progression to mastering minigames like fishing and cooking.

To wrap up, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is an impressive JRPG that skillfully fuses action and tactical gameplay, enriched with compelling storytelling. As it continues the saga from Trails through Daybreak, embarking on that first journey enriches the experience. Set to release on PlayStation 5 on February 14, the game promises to be quite the adventure for $59.99.

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