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

The latest installment in the cherished The Legend of Heroes/Kiseki franchise, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II, is here, thanks to NIS America and Nihon Falcom. Picking up right where Trails through Daybreak left off, we’re back with Van Arkride, who is once again tackling the challenges of the Calvard region. This time around, he’s drawn into an intriguing murder mystery. Dive deeper into our review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II for the full scoop!

Head back to the Calvard Republic and uncover the secrets of the crimson beast in Trails through Daybreak II! The story kicks off with a jarring sequence of murders, propelling the plot into high gear. As chaos looms, the spriggan, Van Arkride, is approached by an unexpected guest. The pressing questions arise: who is orchestrating these murders, and why?

With Trails through Daybreak II serving as a direct sequel to its predecessor, it marks the twelfth mainline game from the Kiseki series that began with Trails in the Sky. After our journeys through the Liberl region, the Erebonian Empire with the Trails of Cold Steel saga, and the Crossbell arc, we’re now heading into the second title set in Calvard.

Every sub-series—whether it be Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, or Trails through Daybreak—is part of a richly woven universe. Each can be enjoyed on its own but is intricately linked to the overarching lore. If you’re starting with Trails through Daybreak II, it’s highly advisable to play the first game in this subset for the full experience, as the recap at the beginning only covers so much of the rich narrative and character depth. Completing the previously released game allows importing your save data for bonuses, with choices made influencing the sequel.

Van Arkride takes up the mantle of a spriggan—a detective delving into cases that exist in the legal gray zones, often shunned by others like the bracers or the police. His keen sense of smell is a standout skill, aiding in uncovering hints and catching the trail of trouble, making Van a critical player within Calvard’s ever-complicated landscape.

Elaine, a character from the previous game, approaches Van with shocking news—a major incident from the night before places him as the primary suspect. Without giving too much away, the narrative adopts a non-linear style, offering a refreshing approach that captivates from the start. Like its predecessors, Trails through Daybreak II delivers a story brimming with complexity, character evolution, and numerous plot twists.

If you’ve been along for the ride with the previous title, you’ll find the battle system is quite familiar, preserving its enjoyable mechanics. Battles begin with a real-time action RPG format, perfect for simpler engagements where basic attacks suffice. Get two characters near each other, and they’ll perform Combo Skills with seamless coordination, drawing parallels to previous series mechanics.

To unleash Arts or Crafts—the franchise’s signature moves—pressing the Square button shifts the dynamic into a turn-based strategy akin to past series. Here, combat strategy comes alive, essential for tougher battles. Players can also tap into S-Crafts for massive attacks akin to Limit Breaks. Additionally, Van retains the dramatic ability to transform into a powerful mech, enhancing his battle prowess.

Quartz-equipped Orbments return, enabling spellcasting and boosting character stats, though accessing healing Arts through the game’s intricate menu can be cumbersome. An occasional freeze issue when selecting spells may need you to reboot the game, but frequent auto-saves mitigate loss of progress. Hopefully, this hiccup gets patched by release time, and like past iterations, saving anywhere remains a very much welcome feature during those lengthy dungeon expeditions.

Graphically, while Trails through Daybreak II shares its engine with prior games, it introduces slight visual enhancements. Character models remain in line with the PlayStation 4 design ethos, yet added details in clothing and expressions show some polish. While animations lag behind the most modern JRPGs, the English voice acting holds strong, particularly for main cast members, and dual-language options cater to fans’ preferences. Traditional to Nihon Falcom’s style, the music score is, as always, a pleasure to experience.

For those with a penchant for trophy hunting, the game offers 53 trophies, including the coveted Platinum. While some are achieved through progressing in the story, others challenge you to engage in activities like fishing or cooking, diversifying your journey.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II offers an exceptional mix of action and turn-based mechanics, keeping the challenges engaging. The story intricately intertwines surprises, making it a worthwhile sequel. To fully grasp the tales and characters, starting with the original Trails through Daybreak is recommended. Set for a PlayStation 5 release on February 14th, it’s priced at $59.99—a fair investment for any JRPG enthusiast.

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