Review | The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak 2 - Enjoyable Follow-Up With Great Character
Even as a long-time fan of the Legend of Heroes series, Trails Through Daybreak delivered an incredibly welcome surprise. Though I certainly enjoyed prior entries, Nihon Falcom's latest story arc offered a fresh start for the long-running RPG series and less than a year later, we're back in the Calvard Republic. Unsurprisingly, Trails Through Daybreak 2 remains highly familiar with only subtle differences to its core gameplay. There's another compelling RPG here worth exploring, even if it takes a while to get going.
Playing as local Spriggan Van Arkride once again, Trails Through Daybreak 2 begins with an intriguing murder mystery that effectively sets the scene. Discovering the killer possesses the same power as Van, what follows sees the game split into different acts where you swap between different groups, taking a different approach to before that allows our cast to grow without overcrowding scenes.
Some great characterisation shows just how far this group has come since we first met them, and I'm enjoying the relaxed change of pace over compared to the first Daybreak. The additional connection events - brief stories focused on Van and someone else - go a long way, too. Given the current political climate, I'm relieved Daybreak 2 hasn't lost the original game's progressive touch. Moments like Van actively supporting Quatre as they explore their gender identity to unexpected reunions with old friends are genuinely heartwarming.
There is an overarching problem with this game though. Daybreak 2 doesn't really advance the main narrative. It initially feels like a slightly aimless collection of stories, one that eventually clicks into a more cohesive narrative but takes its time getting there. That's not to say the story is bad, however. I don't mind taking a breather to explore Calvard further if it means each main character benefits from the extra time to develop. It just feels more like a sideways step than a leap forward.
The narrative isn't helped by the most significant change falling somewhat flat, and you'd think the stakes would be raised with the Calvard arc's sudden introduction of time travel. That's not a gameplay mechanic you can use at will, as chapters branch in set ways at pre-determined junctures, but the rewinds become predictable. Seeing our heroes repeatedly rescued from perilous situations often removes the tension going into numerous scenes.
The worldbuilding remains on top form through some great side quests, adding considerable character to each location and its residents while providing an enticing set of rewards. Just like the first Daybreak, the morality system presents Van with some tough moral quandaries during side quests. For example, do you let the police arrest an abuser that sees them arrested short-term but free to return afterwards, or will you strike a more beneficial deal that lets that person get off lightly but permanently exiles them? From honest civilians to shady underground figures, Van deals with all walks of life and the chosen outcome determines whether you'll receive points for one of three categories - law, gray, and chaos. Disappointingly, this system doesn't affect any long-term choices like in the first game.
Daybreak 2's gameplay is largely similar, with some smaller but appreciated changes to combat. Monsters still roam various locations, while combat retains the entertaining hybrid system that offers turn-based 'Command Battles' and the action RPG-esque 'Field Battles.' Though Daybreak 2 expands the latter option to include magical Arts attacks for exploiting different weaknesses, I wish you could go beyond basic abilities here. Still, it's effective for quickly clearing through lower-ranked foes and also improves exploration pacing.
Command Battles remain straightforward, and exploiting strategic weaknesses continues to feel rewarding. Special abilities called Crafts can be used for both offensive and support abilities like special attacks and healing, while your ultimate 'S-Craft' attack continues delivering stylishly over-the-top kills with some added spectacle. Another welcome addition is EX Chains, which allows you to perform dual-strikes on stunned enemies with a second party member for some satisfying follow-up attacks.
The most significant change here is the Märchen Garten, a procedurally generated dungeon similar to the True Reverie Corridor from Trails into Reverie. Using the excuse that it can be accessed anywhere through virtual reality, this conveniently lets you use any combination of party members you've encountered so far. Floors gradually unlock as you advance through chapters with more rewards, which sounds fine until you realise how much of a grind these stages are.
Sadly, the Märchen Garten doesn't pack enough variety to keep this new dungeon interesting. Repeatedly clearing basic objectives like “kill x number of small enemies,” “kill X number of slightly larger enemies,” or “turn on three devices” gets dull quickly, and the rewards never seem worth it. Each floor offers additional bonuses if you beat them multiple times, though I can't say I feel compelled to do this.
Still, at least we've got the fishing mini-game back after its surprise absence in the first game. Your party's new scanning ability helpfully highlights the best fishing locations, too. Other mini-games like the hacking game for unlocking select treasure chests or a basketball game don't add particularly much, while the new card game is a short but enjoyable addition.
Not much has changed presentation-wise, and Daybreak 2 continues looking pretty sharp on PS5. The main characters and locations look great and the soundtrack continues delivering hits, though I have one gripe with cutscenes. I do wish they wouldn't keep switching from someone with voice lines to other characters replying with subtitles. It's inconsistent, and I don't understand why you wouldn't just have one or the other throughout an entire scene.
After a near 50-hour journey, my second trip to the Republic of Calvard was certainly worth it. Despite my issues with the story and the new dungeon, Trails Through Daybreak 2 remains compelling thanks to its strong cast of characters, enjoyable combat and well-considered worldbuilding. It's not quite the leap forward I was hoping for, though it's still a great time that I'd recommend to any fans of the first game.
