The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II attempts to give fans of the franchise a fresh start by weaving multiple timelines together. While this is an ambitious idea, it requires careful storytelling to pull off effectively, and unfortunately, it’s one of the reasons this sequel feels like a weaker entry in an otherwise stellar series. The first Trails Through Daybreak introduced a compelling new cast of characters and took them on a memorable adventure. This sequel continues its story but tries to stand out with a twist that might not resonate with everyone.
The story picks up where the first game left off. Players once again take control of Van Arkride, who finds himself investigating a series of mysterious deaths in Calvard. As he digs deeper, he crosses paths with a familiar yet sinister figure. Determined to uncover the truth, Van teams up with his friend Elaine Auclair. However, their investigation takes a dramatic turn when they encounter a crimson-colored being who ends up killing them. This shocking event kicks off the game’s multiverse concept, introducing elements of time travel into the mix.
One of the standout fanservice elements in The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is the return of familiar faces from previous games. Using the multiverse concept, the developers quickly reintroduce some more obscure characters, giving them a role in this installment. However, suppose you’re not already familiar with these characters. In that case, it can feel a bit overwhelming to catch up, even though the game provides helpful tools like an in-game glossary that details key events and backgrounds. That said, I’d still recommend playing the previous games in the franchise before diving into this sequel to fully appreciate the returning characters and their significance.
The biggest issue with Trails Through Daybreak II lies in its storytelling. The game adds unnecessary complexity with its non-linear narrative, which can make the plot harder to follow. While the storytelling isn’t the strongest in this sequel, players who are well-versed in the franchise’s lore and can recall past events will find it easier to settle into the game. Despite this, the character development is a highlight. Each character goes through a meaningful arc, leading to satisfying conclusions. Even with a large cast, none of the characters feel underdeveloped. I’d argue that this game features some of the best-written characters in the entire franchise.
The pacing of the story in The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, the ability to play through multiple groups of characters, each with their events and storylines, keeps the game feeling dynamic and prevents it from slowing down. However, juggling so many timelines and characters at once can also feel overwhelming, often leading to endings that feel uneven or lack impact. The mechanic of time-hopping to explore different paths can grow repetitive over time, and as the story progresses, it can sometimes disrupt the pacing.
That said, the non-linear narrative does have its merits. It allows characters to grow and evolve in meaningful ways. Over time, we see them confront their weaknesses, move past their struggles, and develop into more well-rounded individuals. This depth of character development is one of the game’s strongest points, and it’s satisfying to watch the cast grow and change throughout the story.
The combat system in The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II will feel familiar to players who enjoyed the first game, and that’s not a bad thing. The blend of action-focused attacks and turn-based battles remains a standout feature, keeping encounters engaging and dynamic. The system draws inspiration from the Ys series for its action elements, allowing players to attack enemies freely while exploring the field. This time, you can also execute special attacks to deal with foes more efficiently.
If you’re unable to defeat an enemy during the action phase, the battle can be transitioned into a turn-based segment. Here, positioning and strategy come into play. If the enemy isn’t at an advantage or disadvantage (like being stunned), you can unleash a flurry of attacks before they have a chance to recover. This seamless integration of action and turn-based mechanics ensures that combat stays fresh and rewarding throughout the game.
While the combat system didn’t introduce many new changes, it didn’t need to. The foundation was already strong, and the developers have wisely focused on refining what worked in the first game. For fans of the series, this means more of the satisfying, fast-paced battles they’ve come to love, with just enough tweaks to keep things interesting.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is a new addition to the series that, while not perfect in terms of its story, still delivers plenty of fun and engaging gameplay. For longtime fans, there’s a lot to love here, with rich character development and plenty of nods to the previous games. The battle system is as enjoyable as ever, with small changes that keep things fresh, and the side content is just as well-crafted. While it might not reach the heights of the best entries in the franchise, it’s still a solid sequel that offers a good amount of enjoyment.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: NIS America
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
