The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II

Released

Release Date: February 14, 2025

A third-person jRPG game from a series started in 1989. The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II allows us to revisit the Calvard Republic. When playing as Van Arkride, we try to solve a series of a macabre murders committed by a mysterious scarlet beast.

7.8

OpenCritic

9.1

Steam

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Plot
Gameplay
Graphics

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is a jRPG belonging to a series launched in 1989. It's a sequel for The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak game released in 2021 (that's the Japanese premiere, it was released in the West with a delay). The development of this game was overseen by Nihon Falcom Corp., who is responsible for the series development.

Plot

The action of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is set a year after the events depicted in the previous installment. After dealing with the threat from the Almata mafia organization the residents of the Calvard Republic could breathe a sigh of relief, but the peace did not last long. The country was shaken by a macabre series of murders committed by a mysterious scarlet beast, as a result of which the entire special CID unit was killed.

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Wanting to solve this case, Van Arkride, one of the mercenaries called spriggans, and the main character of the sub-series Trails through Daybreak, must take action and begin his own investigation. How the fate of the protagonist and his allies unfolds largely depends on our actions and the choices we make.

Gameplay

In The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II we watch the action from a third-person perspective (TPP). The sequel is based on the pillars built by its predecessor, so during the game we travel through locations and perform various quests, as well as talk to characters and form a team. Along the way we meet both well-known faces and completely new people.

From time to time, the game forces us to make decisions that affect the further course of the story. The key moments are when the paths of Van Arkride and his companions branch - we have to choose the direction that individual characters will take.

Fighting opponents also plays an important role here. The creators once again allow us to switch between fast real-time battles and tactical skirmishes played in turn-based mode. Additionally, for the needs of each of these solutions, the authors have prepared new mechanics:

Cross Charge, present in real-time mode, involves one of our allies charging at the enemy attacking us. We gain access to it when we perform a perfect dodge and press the appropriate button when its icon is visible on the screen.
EX Chains is designed for turn battles and it allows individual team to launch combined attacks. We gain access to them after meeting certain conditions on the battlefield.

Graphics

The graphic design The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is maintained in a manga style.

Platforms:

PC Windows

PlayStation 4

Nintendo Switch

PlayStation 5

Developer: Nihon Falcom

Publisher: NIS America

Age restrictions: 12+

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Game Series

16GAMES

The Legend of Heroes Game Series

Features

Originals

January 30, 2025

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Top s for The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II Video Game:

trainer The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II - Trainer v1.12-v1.1.5+ Plus 62 - February 19, 2025

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System Requirements

System Requirements for The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II Video Game:

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
(1080p, 30 fps) AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 1050, 22 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Recommanded System Requirements:
(1440p, 60 fps) Intel Core i5-10400, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1650, 22 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II Video Game.

7.8

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 71% of Critics. There are 65 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Push Square: 7 / 10 by Robert Ramsey

Trails through Daybreak 2 is a surprisingly experimental instalment in Falcom's long-running RPG series. Gameplay-wise, it improves upon its predecessor with tighter combat systems, and a greater degree of interactivity during side quests. However, its epilogue-like storytelling is very hit and miss. Some fantastic character development is contrasted by padded narrative beats and a plot device that grows tediously predictable as you progress. Still, with the right expectations, this is another enjoyable romp with Van and the gang.

Full Review

Rectify Gaming: 7.5 / 10 by Will "FncWill" Hogeweide

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is an exceptional sequel that builds upon its predecessor in every conceivable way. Its gripping narrative, compelling characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics make for an unforgettable RPG experience. With its intricate world-building, meaningful character interactions, and thrilling combat, the game stands as a testament to Nihon Falcom’s storytelling prowess.

Full Review

ZTGD: 8.5 / 10 by Jae Lee

While Trails Through Daybreak II’s story doesn’t reach the heights of the previous entries, the expanded combat, re-introduction of side activities and a fun playground to test the might of the best teams I could muster made for a very enjoyable time all the same.

Full Review

91%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (315)

STEAM

Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Character Development: Many reviews praised the character interactions and development, with some noting it has some of the best character writing in the series. Characters like Swin and Nadia received specific mentions for their dynamics.
Improved Combat Mechanics: The combat system was noted to be more fluid and enjoyable than in the first game, with new mechanics like Quick Arts and EX Chains enhancing the gameplay experience.
Quality of Life Improvements: The game introduced several quality of life enhancements, including better graphics options, smoother controls, and the return of mini-games, which added variety to the gameplay.
Strong World-Building: The game continues the series' tradition of deep world-building and interconnected narratives, with callbacks to previous games enriching the experience for long-time fans.
Technical Performance: The port was generally well-received, running smoothly on various systems, including Steam Deck.

The main cons of the game

Weak Main Plot: Many s felt that the overarching plot did not progress significantly, labeling it as "filler." The story felt disted at times, with some reviewers expressing disappointment in the pacing and the lack of impactful developments.
Controversial Time Mechanic: The introduction of a time-loop mechanic was divisive, with some players finding it poorly implemented and detracting from the overall experience.
Repetitive Gameplay: Some reviewers criticized the repetitive nature of certain battles and the reliance on familiar tropes, such as fighting the same bosses multiple times.
Localization Issues: The English localization received criticism for its use of modern slang and phrases that felt out of place, as well as some inconsistencies in dialogue that detracted from the overall immersion.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to s

Depth in Story Progression: Many players expressed a desire for more significant advancements in the overall plot and character arcs, feeling that the game served more as a setup for future entries rather than a standalone story.
Variety in Gameplay: Some s noted a lack of new gameplay mechanics compared to previous titles, with a desire for more innovative features to keep the combat fresh.
Character Exploration: While there were more playable characters, some felt that the game did not allow for deep exploration of each character’s backstory and development, leading to a sense of character bloat.
Music Quality: Several reviews mentioned that the soundtrack was a step down from previous entries, lacking memorable tracks.

Summary

Overall, Trails through Daybreak II is seen as a mixed bag—while it has its strengths in character development and gameplay mechanics, it struggles with pacing and plot progression, leading to a divided reception among fans of the series.

Summary generated on: March 10, 2025

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