8Bit/Digi

A New Adventure With Familiar Heroes

Last year, fans experienced the Calvard Republic for the first time in Trails Through Daybreak. It was a bold step for the series, introducing new gameplay mechanics and characters while maintaining its familiar setting. Fans will now embark on the next chapter of the Calvard arc with The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II continues the story of Van Arkride and the Spriggans of the Calvard Republic. It improves upon its predecessor in many ways while preserving the core elements that define the series. Resulting in another unforgettable adventure with familiar heroes.

From Trails Through Daybreak

When discussing the Trails series, the question of needing to play the previous games often arises in JRPG focused communities. In the case of Trails Through Daybreak II, it is highly recommended to have played the previous entry. This is a direct sequel to Trails Through Daybreak and your progress can be carried over to this game. At the same time, the events of the previous game provide essential context for understanding the current storyline. It also would help to have played Trails into Reverie as some of the characters in that game do return while parts of the story are connected.

Welcome Back to the Calvard Republic

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is the second entry in the Calvard arc. The Republic of Calvard is experiencing economic growth along with unrest. To address these issues, there has been a growing demand for Spriggan – someone who acts as a bounty hunting and private detective. Players take on the role of Van Arkride, a Spriggan with Arkride Solutions Office.

Having developed a reputation after the events of Trails Through Daybreak, Arkride is recruited to investigate a series of bizarre murders. The case is unique as the victims are members of the Central Intelligence Division and the suspect is a man who can take a monstrous form. Working alongside Arkride are two new Spriggan’s – Swin Abel and Nadia Rayne. Together they set out to uncover the mystery of these brutal deaths. During their journey, they must confront the ghosts of not only their own past but also that of the Calvard Republic.

The Legend of Heroes series has always been renowned for its immersive storytelling, vivid world-building, and compelling characters. Trails Through Daybreak II continues that tradition. Van Arkride is your classic hero who is willing to do what is right and help those in need. We also see the return of Swin Abel and Nadia Rayne from Trails into Reverie. By your side is a collection of memorable characters who are there to provide support and banter if needed.

S-Tier Spriggan Service

Trails Through Daybreak II once again lets fans explore the Republic of Calvard. You can revisit favorite locations in the capital while also discovering new towns and cities across the Republic. These settings offer a variety of activities that enhance your characters’ skills, reputation, and relationships with teammates. Additionally, side quests provide opportunities to earn extra cash while allowing characters to grow and develop.

The gameplay remains the same as Trails Through Daybreak but has been further polished. Players can choose between classic turn-based combat or real-time combat. Turn-based combat lets players strategize with physical and magic attacks, enhanced by gear, stats, and proximity to teammates for boosts. Real-time combat allows for hack-and-slash action, followed by a special attack to finish opponents. However, boss fights and major battles can only be fought using the turn-based system.

As players progress and battle, they earn experience points that allow them to level up and grow their stats. Each character has unique gear that can be enhanced for better performance. Quartz remains central to combat mechanics, allowing players to unleash powerful attacks through Utilize Arts and Brave Orders. The LGC Alignment system also returns, influencing reputation based on a player’s actions. Jobs taken and choices made affect Law, Gray, or Chaos levels, which, in turn, impact relationships with different factions throughout the game.

Märchen Garten is a new feature similar to the True Reverie Corridor from Trails into Reverie. It allows players to strengthen their characters and party members by battling through a series of stages. Completing required tasks rewards experience and shards. The shards can be used to analyze mystery cubes that unlock new gear and quartz.

Nose to the Grindstone

Every aspect that made Trails Through Daybreak an unforgettable experience returns. The world remains vibrant and detailed, letting fans fully appreciate its defining elements. The familiar UI is back, ensuring a seamless experience while allowing players to transition in and out as needed. The combat is more accessible and better streamlined while still offering plenty of choices. Overall, the game incorporates lessons from the series’ rich history to enhance the experience.

Trails Through Daybreak II is more than just the same game with a new story. Many issues from the previous game have been resolved, and the overall experience is more polished. It refines its gameplay elements, particularly improving real-time combat for those seeking variety. The introduction is also more streamlined, allowing players to jump into the action right away. At the same time, Märchen Garten allows for an alternative means to better build up your character at any point in the game.

As an added bonus, it was exciting to see the return of characters from previous games. A hallmark of the series is its interconnected world, where characters from one arc appear in another. For fans, it was especially rewarding to see Swin Abel, Nadia Rayne, and Lapis Rosenberg embark on another adventure.

Shades of Gray

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is another solid entry in the series, improving upon its predecessor in many ways. However, it is held back by plot elements that either undermine the story or fail to land effectively. Without revealing spoilers, some narrative pathways could have been better crafted, certain lore elements feel underexplored, and the pacing in some chapters is uneven. For a game where the story is a crucial part of the experience, these narrative issues are difficult to overlook.

But don’t take this as me saying the story is a problem. The overall story is strong, but its narrative path could have been more effectively developed.

Controlled by Chaos

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II builds upon its predecessor while continuing Van Arkride’s story. Players return to the Calvard Republic for an adventure that enhances every aspect of the experience. The classic turn-based combat remains, while the refined real-time combat is now a more viable option. With a strong story, new characters, and the return of familiar heroes, the game delivers an engaging adventure.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II (PC)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• Players return to the Calvard Republic.
• Experience is with welcoming improvements to every aspect.
• Real-time combat is better polished and is a viable option for players.
• A strong story with new characters along with the return of familiar heroes.

Cons

• Plot elements that fall flat and undermine the overall story.