Review: The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is the eleventh installment in a long-running JRPG series. This series tells one continuous story across multiple games, with characters reappearing and evolving as the narrative progresses. This review is for those already familiar with the series; newcomers should start with the first game, Trails in the Sky: First Chapter, to get the full experience.

Game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch, but it’s also available for other platforms.

Setting and Story

Trails Through Daybreak takes place in the Calvard Republic, a technologically advanced nation with a pivotal role in previous games’ political events. Unlike the medieval Kingdom of Liberl or the bustling city of Crossbell from earlier games, Calvard is filled with modern amenities like subway trains and advanced cellphones. This new setting provides a fresh backdrop and a stark contrast to the series’ previous locations.

The story centers around Van Arkride, the new protagonist. At 24, Van is older and more experienced than past leads. He’s familiar with the world’s shady organizations and plot twists, making him a refreshing change from the typical angst-ridden adolescent heroes. Van’s maturity and seasoned perspective bring a new dynamic to the game, making his journey engaging and relatable.

The supporting cast is diverse and memorable. Aaron Wei, a hedonistic and hot-blooded character, consistently steals the show. Quatre Salision adds depth with his intelligence and connection to the game’s sci-fi elements. Judith Lanster, an actress with poor lying skills, provides unexpected critiques of the film industry. While some characters, like Risette Twinings and Agnes Claudel, are less compelling, the overall cast is strong and well-developed.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Trails Through Daybreak is a smart evolution of the series’ usual fare. The turn-based battle system is filled with a dizzying array of abilities, from special attacks (S-Crafts) to positioning and stat-buffing S-Boosts. This complexity keeps battles engaging and strategic.

A significant addition is the Field Battle system, introducing real-time combat for the first time. This allows players to quickly dispatch weaker enemies or gain a tactical edge before switching to turn-based combat. While the action-based combat feels somewhat tacked on and lacks depth, it adds a new layer of variety to the gameplay.

Exploration in Trails Through Daybreak is expansive. The game offers a rich diversity of locales with relatively impressive visuals. Though the graphics aren’t groundbreaking, they are a step up from previous entries, and the settings feel more vibrant and alive. Despite some asset reuse, the game’s world is detailed and immersive.

Side Quests and Replayability

Side quests in Daybreak are some of the best in the series. The writing is consistently sharp, and many quest-givers are as memorable as main characters. Critical decisions in these quests lead to different outcomes, adding depth and replayability. Some players might find the side quests more captivating than the main story, which, while good, never quite reaches the same heights.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Mature Protagonist– Van Arkride’s experience and maturity are refreshing.
• Diverse Cast– A strong supporting cast with well-developed characters.
• Expansive World– Rich, varied locations that feel more alive than in previous games.

Cons

• Field Battle System– The real-time combat lacks depth and feels tacked on.
• Voice Acting– Partial voice acting takes some getting used to.
• Finale Pacing– The pacing slows down significantly towards the end.
• Simplified Cooking– The cooking system has been simplified versus the previous game.

Is it worth a play?

If you’re a fan of the series, Trails Through Daybreak is a must-play. For newcomers, it’s best to start from the beginning to fully appreciate the rich narrative and character development that this series offers.