The Legend of Heroes series is experiencing a resurgence, largely due to the increasing number of English localizations that are gradually making the entire franchise accessible to Western audiences. The latest entry to receive an official English localization is Trails Through Daybreak, marking a significant milestone as it introduces a whole new story arc.
Fans of the series are aware that it has been a considerable time since a new story arc was released. The series transitioned to modern platforms with The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel, which featured a narrative interconnected across nearly a dozen games. These games took more than a decade to be released. Hence, the launch of Trails Through Daybreak is a notable event as it sets the stage for a new story with fresh characters and settings. This installment also comes with an updated game engine and significant gameplay changes.
The setting of Trails Through Daybreak is the Republic of Calvard, where players control Van Arkride, a Spriggan. Van is willing to take on any task, even the shadiest ones. This is not the typical Falcom tale of good versus evil; it feels more political. Even though this game starts a new saga, the story is engaging, with a strong emphasis on character development. This makes it a good entry point for newcomers to the series, despite the game’s numerous references to past events.
I have encountered some of the most well-developed and well-rounded characters in the Legend of Heroes series, and Trails Through Daybreak is no exception. The English localization is commendable, and the publishing team deserves praise for efficiently translating such a large amount of text. The game features extensive dialogue and numerous cutscenes, all of which contribute to substantial payoffs later in the narrative.
The Calvard Republic has been mentioned in previous games, but Trails Through Daybreak marks the first time players experience this setting firsthand through the perspective of a character who is part of it. This new setting offers an exciting experience, regardless of whether players have previously engaged with the series. However, for the best experience, I recommend playing the series in its launch order. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to go through the earlier games, as they each take upwards of 50 to 100 hours due to their extensive storylines.
Trails Through Daybreak also shares a flaw common to the series: the addition of filler content. This aspect can detract from the experience, as it requires players to engage in side content before progressing to the main story. This can sometimes feel like it does not respect the player’s time, making it necessary to navigate through less essential content to reach the core of the narrative.
Trails Through Daybreak has not only revamped its story and settings but also introduced significant changes to the gameplay. While previous entries in the series predominantly featured turn-based combat, Falcom has experimented with an action RPG approach in this latest installment. This does not entirely transform the game into a full-on action RPG, as players still have the option to stick with the traditional turn-based combat system. The result is a hybrid combat system that is both innovative and satisfying to play.
In Trails Through Daybreak, players encounter enemies while roaming around the game world. By attacking these enemies, players can gain a combat advantage before the actual fight begins. They also have the option to continue attacking enemies instead of triggering the turn-based battle system. This dynamic changes in boss battles, which remain fully turn-based. For regular enemies encountered while exploring, players can choose to eliminate them through real-time attacks and dodges, similar to the combat mechanics in the Ys series. This flexibility allows players to select their preferred combat style.
The game places a strong emphasis on team-based attacks, and positioning and placements are crucial on the battlefield. This approach adds a dynamic element to the battles, which can often feel static in traditional turn-based systems. Each character in the game comes equipped with a versatile set of moves and an arsenal that includes super moves, magical arts, and crafts. Depending on their position relative to other party members, characters can perform linked attacks or trigger bonus attacks.
Trails Through Daybreak introduces a significant overhaul to the Quartz system. Previously, Quartz was essential for granting new spells or stat boosts. In this new game, the focus shifts to the Orbment system, where players equip specific skills for their characters. These skills can be related to offense, defense, or elemental enhancements, streamlining character customization and contributing to a more balanced gameplay experience.
Graphically, Trails Through Daybreak represents a notable improvement over its predecessors, presenting itself as a modern JRPG with well-designed characters. However, its last-generation origins are still apparent, as not every aspect of the visuals is polished. The game’s budget is evident in its presentation, with nicely animated cutscenes contrasted by environments that often lack detail and feature low-resolution textures. While these visual shortcomings do not significantly hinder enjoyment, they are worth mentioning.
The PC port of Trails Through Daybreak is excellent, thanks in part to the efforts of NIS America to engage top-tier developers for the task. The game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, supporting all its features and delivering a seamless experience. Players can enjoy the game on this portable platform at frame rates higher than 60 FPS, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: NIS America
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
