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

The latest installment from NIS America and Nihon Falcom, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II, welcomes fans back into the world of The Legend of Heroes/Kiseki series. Picking up the narrative thread right after Trails through Daybreak, this sequel brings us once more alongside Van Arkride, who faces new challenges in the Calvard region. Now, he is plunged into a gripping murder mystery. Let’s delve deeper into what this sequel has to offer!

Returning to the Calvard Republic, Trails through Daybreak II challenges players to uncover the mystery of a crimson beast amid a shocking murder spree that sets everything into motion. Van Arkride, the spriggan detective, finds himself in the middle of this chaos upon receiving an unexpected visit. Who is orchestrating these crimes, and what are they after?

Trails through Daybreak II directly follows its predecessor, Trails through Daybreak, marking the 12th main line entry since the beloved Trails in the Sky series began the Kiseki journey. Fans who’ve traveled through Liberl, Erebonia in Trails of Cold Steel, and Crossbell, will now find themselves immersed once again in the rich tales of Calvard, guided by Van Arkride’s adventures.

Each of the sub-series—be it Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, or Trails through Daybreak—stands on its own but together weave an interconnected, vibrant world. While they can be appreciated independently, the tie-ins between the series add layers to the ongoing narrative.

For a seamless experience, it’s best to complete Trails through Daybreak before diving into its sequel. Although a recap video provides a brief overview, summarizing a game with intricate storytelling and over 50 hours of gameplay can’t capture its full essence. If you’ve completed the first game, you’ll enjoy bonuses by importing your saved data, allowing your previous choices to influence the sequel.

Van Arkride continues his role as a spriggan—a unique private detective dealing with cases that fall into moral and legal gray areas, often dodged by official authorities. In Trails through Daybreak II, Van’s keen sense of smell proves invaluable, helping to detect both clues and potential threats, making him an adept investigator amid Calvard’s brewing tensions.

Elaine, a familiar face, arrives to kick off the game’s events with troubling news—casting Van as the prime suspect in a serious crime. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, a storytelling style I thoroughly enjoyed. True to the Trails series, the plot deepens with twists, extensive character arcs, and complex storytelling.

If you’re fond of the earlier title’s battle system, you’ll feel at ease here. The real-time, combo-focused start to each encounter resembles an action RPG, designed for swift resolution of simple battles. Combo Skills activate automatically when nearby allies assist after an attack, reminiscent of past character-linking systems.

For Arts (magic) or Crafts (skills), hitting the Square button toggles a turn-based system, blending the strategic depth found in earlier Trails titles. This mode brings back standard attacks, Crafts, and Arts for tougher fights. S-Crafts, powerful special moves, and Van’s mech transformation make a return, adding layers to combat decisions.

Following the tradition of the series, you’re equipped with an Orbment device for Quartz, unlocking spells and boosting characters’ abilities. The complexity seen in Trails through Daybreak persists, with some features like healing Arts being a little too buried in the menus. A recurring glitch when selecting the Tear spell was frustrating, but frequent auto-saves ensured minimal loss of progress—a feature that offsets any temporary setbacks and aids in navigating lengthy dungeons.

Trails through Daybreak II enhances its graphical engine, distinctly reflecting its PlayStation 4 roots. While the character models remain familiar, there’s noticeable improvement in texture and expression detail. The voice acting continues to impress, and players are once again given the choice between English and Japanese voiceovers. True to Falcom’s legacy, the soundtrack envelops players in its rich auditory experience.

The game boasts 53 trophies, including a coveted Platinum for trophy hunters. Trophies reward progress through the story and reaching milestones like maxing out Arkride Solutions. Get ready to dive into side activities like fishing and cooking that also contribute to the trophy list!

For anyone eager to continue Van’s journey, this sequel delivers a well-rounded JRPG experience with its exciting blend of combat styles and engrossing narrative. It’s best enjoyed after the first Trails through Daybreak to truly appreciate its story depth. Trails through Daybreak II hits PlayStation 5 shelves on February 14 for $59.99—mark your calendars!

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