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

When you dive into The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II, the latest offering from NIS America and Nihon Falcom, you’re returning to the cherished Kiseki series. Following the storyline set in Trails through Daybreak, this sequel once again puts you in the shoes of Van Arkride as he navigates the complex events unfolding in Calvard. This time, Van is on a quest to solve a brand-new murder mystery, and there’s plenty to uncover. Let’s explore what makes The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II a must-play in our detailed review.

Back in the Calvard Republic, the stakes are high with a mystery centered around a crimson beast. A series of shocking murders has set off a series of events, pulling Van Arkride into the chaos. As a spriggan—someone who takes on tasks that the usual authorities can’t handle—Van must unravel the identity of those behind these crimes and their ultimate aims.

Continuing from Trails through Daybreak, this installment marks the 12th mainline addition to the expansive Kiseki saga, which began with Trails in the Sky. Fans who enjoyed the journey through the Liberl, Erebonia, and Crossbell regions will appreciate this deeper look into Calvard. Once again, the engaging story and intricate world-building that the series is known for shine through.

Each sub-series—from Trails in the Sky to Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, and now Trails through Daybreak—offers a standalone experience while existing in a richly interconnected world. They often reference key events from one another, adding layers to the overarching narrative.

Now, if you’re just jumping into Trails through Daybreak II, I’d highly suggest playing the original game first. While there’s a handy recap at the start, it’s nearly impossible to distill over 50 hours of detailed storytelling and character development into a mere summary. Managing to complete the first game means you can carry over your save data, providing not only bonuses but also continuity to the choices you’ve previously made.

Van Arkride operates as a spriggan, which is essentially a private investigator dealing with cases others turn down due to legal loopholes. Mirroring the first game, Trails through Daybreak II provides Van with unique investigative abilities, including a heightened sense of smell that aids him in uncovering clues and identifying danger—a truly compelling aspect of his character in this evolving narrative.

The game kicks off intriguingly when Elaine, a familiar face, pays Van a visit, informing him of a recent murder for which he’s surprisingly the prime suspect. The non-linear storytelling format adopted here keeps you on your toes, rich in narrative depth, character arcs, and plot surprises that fans of the Trails series expect.

If you’re familiar with the previous entry, the battle system in this game will feel both familiar and engaging. It kicks off in a real-time, action RPG style for regular encounters but can be switched to a tactical, turn-based system to give you full access to Arts and Crafts during tougher battles. Plus, with Van’s ability to unleash a powerful mech transformation, combat is both dynamic and strategically satisfying.

In this sequel, your Orbment system is back, allowing you to enhance characters with Quartz. However, the menu navigation, especially for healing spells, could use some refinement. I did encounter a glitch with the Tear spell that necessitated restarting the game, but thanks to an efficient auto-save feature, I never faced significant setbacks. Hopefully, a patch will resolve this issue soon. Saving anywhere remains a handy feature for tackling extensive dungeons.

Graphically, Trails through Daybreak II builds on its predecessors. While character models feel reminiscent of the PlayStation 4 era, enhancements in clothing textures and facial animation provide a nice touch. The highlight, though, is undoubtedly the stellar English voice acting, complementing the atmospheric backdrop created by Nihon Falcom’s consistently excellent soundtrack.

With 53 trophies, including a coveted Platinum, players will find themselves thoroughly engaged. Whether it’s progressing through story chapters or participating in minigames like fishing and cooking, the trophy hunt promises to keep you immersed.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II successfully blends action with strategic elements, offering an engaging storyline filled with unexpected twists. While it stands as a direct sequel, its depth recommends that players start with the first game to appreciate every nuance fully. Look forward to its release on February 14 for PlayStation 5, priced at $59.99.

Note: This review is based on a PlayStation copy provided by NIS America.