Review by Jon Donnis
"The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak," developed by Nihon Falcom and released in 2024 for the PlayStation, is a remarkable addition to the beloved "Trails" series. This action role-playing game introduces players to a new story arc set in the Calvard Republic, a nation grappling with rapid economic growth and societal unrest in the year 1208. The game's protagonist, Van Arkride, is a 24-year-old who operates Arkride Solutions Office, taking on morally ambiguous jobs that often place him at the crossroads of legality. His work as a "Spriggan", a fixer navigating the grey areas of the law, sees him cooperating with a variety of factions, including the police, mafia, and mysterious groups with their own hidden agendas.
The game's plot kicks off when Van is approached by Agnès Claudel, a high school student and daughter of the new Calvardian president. She seeks his help to locate the Oct-Genesis, orbments created by her late great-grandfather, the renowned scientist Claude Epstein. As their quest unfolds, they are joined by an eclectic group of allies, including Feri Al-Fayed, a warrior from the Kruga clan; Aaron Wei, a performer with a secret past; Risette Twinings from a private military company; and others, each bringing unique skills and backstories that enrich the narrative.
One of the standout features of "Trails Through Daybreak" is its seamless blend of real-time action and turn-based combat. The game allows players to switch between these modes freely outside of boss battles, which remain strictly turn-based. This duality offers a dynamic and strategic combat experience that feels both fresh and familiar. The traditional turn-based system, beloved by series veterans, is now complemented by real-time field battles, adding a new layer of excitement and immediacy to encounters.
Gameplay is structured around a chapter format, with each chapter focusing on a day in the sprawling city of Edith. Players can explore the city, interact with a diverse cast of characters, and undertake side missions that add depth to the story and world. The game boasts a larger overworld than previous entries and eliminates load times when entering or exiting buildings, creating a more immersive and fluid experience. Additionally, "Trails Through Daybreak" introduces an alignment system based on law, chaos, and a mix of both. This system influences the player's ability to ally with different factions, unlocking unique events and dialogues, though it does not alter the main story or its ending.
Visually, the game is a feast for the eyes, featuring bright and colourful graphics that bring the world of Calvard to life. Character designs and environments are detailed and vibrant, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. The controls are intuitive, allowing players to navigate and engage in combat effortlessly, whether they are series veterans or newcomers.
But not everything is perfect, the detailed world-building and extensive dialogue, while a strength for many, did feel slightly tedious at times, mainly as I prefer a more action-packed experience. The game also has a deep lore and references to previous entries that did go a bit over my head. Some of the side quests did feel a bit repetitive after a while, and lacked any real meaning, and felt a bit like filler.
With that said, the deep storyline, characters and complex themes do show a lot of effort by the game makers, and for those who really want to feel immersed into a game, this really does deliver. I also enjoyed the music which effectively sets the tone and atmosphere throughout the game.
"Trails Through Daybreak" excels in delivering a rich and engaging JRPG experience. Its blend of traditional and modern gameplay mechanics, combined with a deep and compelling story, makes it a standout title in the genre. Fans of the series will appreciate the refinements and new features, while newcomers will find themselves drawn into the intricately built world and well-designed combat systems. This game ticks all the classic boxes for a JRPG and stands as a testament to Nihon Falcom's storytelling prowess and dedication to the "Trails" series.
I am a fan of JRPGs and enjoyed Trails through Daybreak, and as such score it a healthy 8.5 out of 10.
Out Now on Playstation at https://amzn.to/4dl1Uob
