The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie

A fantastic send-off for a cast of characters I’ve become attached to, Trails into Reverie is a superb RPG with the most refined battle system to date and an engaging story you’ll be sad to see finally come to an end.

86%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, replayability

96% User Score Based on 1,198 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 32 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $44.99

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About

"The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie" is an RPG that follows the intertwined stories of war hero Rean Schwarzer, liberator Lloyd Bannings, and the enigmatic "C." With the Trails to Walk system, players can switch between their paths and make decisions that will impact key characters and locations within Zemuria. The game features refined tactical combat and the True Reverie Corridor, where new allies and challenges await."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie screenshot

+13

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,230 reviews

story193 positive mentions

grinding30 negative mentions

Great conclusion to the Erebonia and Crossbell arcs, providing satisfying closure for beloved characters.
The gameplay has been refined, with new mechanics like United Fronts adding depth to combat.
The True Reverie Corridor offers a wealth of content, including mini-games and character interactions, enhancing the overall experience.

The story can feel disjointed at times, with some plot points lacking depth and coherence.
Localization issues persist, including typos and incorrect descriptions that detract from the experience.
The sheer number of playable characters can be overwhelming, making character management tedious.

story
864 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
74%
3%
The story of "Trails into Reverie" serves as a culmination of the long-running narrative arcs from the Trails series, effectively wrapping up the Crossbell and Erebonia storylines while introducing new characters and plot elements. Players navigate through three intertwining story paths, each offering unique perspectives and character development, although some critiques highlight issues with pacing and character bloat. Overall, the game is praised for its rich storytelling and emotional depth, making it a must-play for fans familiar with the series' extensive lore.
- “The long-running story building of the entire Trails series really pays off in this game.”
- “Trails into Reverie marks a great way to cap off everything that went on in the Crossbell and Cold Steel saga and shouldn't be ignored, even if you were less than enthused with the ridiculous length and ludicrous story elements from earlier games.”
- “The story wraps up the plot lines nicely and I am looking forward to Trails through Daybreak.”
- “The story with multiple resurrections and coming out of nowhere characters is poorly written.”
- “For throwing you headlong into a story, without any effort to grab you if you don't know what happened in the last episode, it has one of the most obnoxiously over-explanatory tutorials I have dealt with. Every 5 minutes minimum throughout the prologue, there would be paragraphs of explanation about basic game mechanics.”
- “The story is like a spin-off standalone (for now), but it is interesting with good pacing and the gameplay is very fun and polished.”
gameplay
214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
63%
3%
The gameplay in "Trails into Reverie" retains the beloved mechanics of the Trails series while introducing new features like the United Front system, enhancing strategic options in combat. Players appreciate the vast array of characters and builds available, alongside engaging turn-based combat and extensive post-game content, although some feel the core mechanics are largely unchanged from previous entries. Overall, the game is praised for its depth and replayability, making it a satisfying experience for both newcomers and veterans of the franchise.
- “Gameplay is definitely the most fun so far, with tons of post-game team building content that just begs you to optimize the hours away looking for that perfect setup.”
- “The gameplay has been perfected, with over 40 playable characters and a nearly limitless amount of possible broken builds to overcome the barriers in your way.”
- “While the core gameplay is very much the same as Cold Steel, what makes this game shine is the amount of options and characters you have to mess around with; the corridor is a playground of endless possibilities where you can spend hours upon hours just trying builds, reading side stories, or playing mini-games.”
- “For throwing you headlong into a story, without any effort to grab you if you don't know what happened in the last episode, it has one of the most obnoxiously over-explanatory tutorials I have dealt with. Every 5 minutes minimum throughout the prologue, there would be paragraphs of explanation about basic game mechanics.”
- “The 'defeat within n turns' mechanics will always be bad in this type of game, but it continues to appear.”
- “Such a shame as this is the peak of this series in terms of gameplay and characters, and you're not getting that here.”
music
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
39%
5%
The music in "The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie" has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as a standout aspect of the game, featuring a few exceptional tracks and an overall engaging soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. However, others feel it falls short compared to previous entries in the series, citing a lack of memorable themes and stylistic variety. While many fans appreciate the contributions of notable composers, there are criticisms regarding certain tracks and the overall cohesiveness of the soundtrack.
- “The combat system is super engaging, possibly the most enjoyable battle system I have ever experienced, and it is accompanied by an outstanding soundtrack.”
- “This is a top-tier OST among top-tier OSTs!”
- “Reverie tells a captivating story combined with refined combat, polished visuals, and a stellar soundtrack.”
- “The music is a big part of the game and to see it end the three main sagas off with lacklustre music is disappointing.”
- “But instead you outsource half of your soundtrack to a cheap hack who cannot even write coherent melodies, has somehow programmed Fisher-Price sounding drums even though the preset libraries of the VST he uses sound better and cannot articulate a guitar or violin to save his life.”
- “Many uninspired songs on crucial moments or just lack of stylistic variety like how most battle songs are pretty much all hard guitar J-rock every single time and variety is scarce.”
graphics
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The graphics of the game have seen some improvements, with many players noting that while they may not be technically impressive by modern standards, they are visually appealing and contribute to the overall experience. Some reviews highlight that the visuals can feel dated, reminiscent of PS3-era graphics, yet the art style and world-building are praised for their charm. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for the gameplay, with some players appreciating the enhancements on PC compared to console versions.
- “Nice graphics, fast load times, ran flawlessly on my system.”
- “Awesome music, flawless gameplay, amazing graphics.”
- “With its stunning graphics and engaging narrative, it's the perfect choice for gamers who crave adventure and excitement.”
- “While its technical graphics might resemble those of a PS3 game, there's a commendable effort to make the game visually appealing.”
- “It doesn't really feel like a modern game per se, but the visuals are there.”
- “[dated graphics and presentation, expects dedicated series familiarity, character writing hits a few awkward notes]”
emotional
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Trails into Reverie" is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling and character development, particularly through the distinct paths of Rean, Lloyd, and C. Players report a mix of laughter, tears, and a deep connection to the characters, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that ties together previous arcs. While some found the villain's motivations lacking, the overall narrative is praised for its emotional depth, philosophical themes, and the ability to evoke strong feelings throughout the gameplay experience.
- “This game has touched me emotionally and made me sit on the edge of my seat in anticipation multiple times and is by far one of my favorite JRPG titles.”
- “Trails into Reverie truly is the neat little bow to wrap up both the Crossbell and Cold Steel sagas into one majestic and emotional conclusion.”
- “Falcom continues to deliver an incredibly charming and emotional experience by taking Rean, Lloyd, and C's stories and weaving together a brilliant narrative of conquering oneself and coming to terms with your past.”
grinding
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the new features that make grinding more satisfying, others find the extensive equipment management and character leveling tedious, especially with a bloated cast. The introduction of a dedicated grinding zone has been criticized for making the pacing feel off and for locking important narrative elements behind repetitive tasks. Overall, while the game is not considered overly grindy compared to other JRPGs, it still requires significant effort to keep all characters leveled and equipped effectively.
- “Grinding and equipment management is more of a pain than ever given the bloated cast, though you can mitigate it somewhat by only focusing on your favorites.”
- “There are probably a lot of players who enjoy playing with this large cast, but for those who care more about the narrative than the gameplay, it just means lots of grinding and farming for levels and gear, even if the game has mitigating measures available.”
- “With the grinding zone, you'll get the opportunity to just run around in circles in identical environments to farm quartz, sepith, and gear to enhance your characters, but not actually swap master quartz for your builds until the game is nearly over.”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
47%
16%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck at a consistent 60 fps and offers useful features like turbo mode, many players report significant bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly on the Switch. Additionally, there are notable localization errors and a need for better voice optimization, which detracts from the otherwise commendable English voice performances. Despite these shortcomings, the extensive customization options and quality-of-life features contribute to a generally enjoyable experience for fans.
- “It runs smoothly and offers extensive customization options and quality-of-life features, such as the turbo mode, which helps with lengthy battle animations.”
- “Been playing it exclusively on Steam Deck and the performance has stayed at a consistent 60 fps.”
- “It would be nice to see some improvements in graphics/performance, but other than that, it's a solid experience fans will likely love.”
- “The developers could have definitely done a better job in voice optimization/normalization for all character voiceovers for a more pleasant game experience overall.”
- “Poor optimization, bugs, crashes... oh my!”
- “Performance issues, framerate drops, game crashes every time after fishing at a specific spot, party management of 40+ characters.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with both new and returning characters receiving significant depth and growth. The introduction of new characters, particularly the mysterious 'c', has been well-received, while the interactions and synergies between characters enhance the overall experience. Despite the abundance of characters, players appreciate the rich storytelling and engaging character arcs that contribute to the game's enjoyment.
- “The new mysterious character 'c' is easily the most likable character in the game; he has been given such incredible character development.”
- “The new set of characters are great (three & nine is one of the best written things in Trails so far) and old characters get some insane character development.”
- “The synergies between these systems make character development and combat a joy, even when facing formidable endgame opponents.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game demonstrates excellent stability on PC, with users reporting smooth performance and no bugs or glitches during gameplay. However, the PS5 version suffers from frequent freezes, impacting the overall experience on that platform. The Steam Deck also performs well, maintaining the solid reputation of the port.
- “The port is solid as usual and runs great on both my deck and my desktop PC.”
- “Runs great on my RTX 3070 with maxed settings, though fans got loud.”
- “Runs great on deck and PC.”
- “This game freezes a lot on the PS5, both the PS4 and PS5 versions.”
- “This game freezes a lot on the PS5, both the PS4 and PS5 versions.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of unintentional glitches, such as character voice inconsistencies and broken gameplay mechanics, which players find amusing. Despite criticisms of the writing quality, the game manages to deliver darkly humorous and heartwarming moments, with instances of mistranslation adding to its comedic charm. Overall, the humor is a blend of lightheartedness and absurdity, making for an entertaining experience.
- “It is heartwarming and tearjerking, yet also serious and philosophical, not to mention darkly humorous and mischievously twisted.”
- “There's also one late-game instance of the 'helmord' soldat being mistranslated as 'hell mode', which is funny but obviously a mistake.”
- “Funny remark, considering the game has the worst writing of all the others.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game offers significant replayability, thanks to its refined combat system and a vast roster of over fifty playable characters, which enhances the overall experience for players. While some may find the extensive character interactions in cutscenes overwhelming, many appreciate the depth and variety it adds to the gameplay. Additionally, the game serves as a prologue for the upcoming Kuro series, further encouraging multiple playthroughs.
- “Overall a great game and, as always, has some good replay value.”
- “- Replayability: in spades.”
- “Some people understandably dislike having such a huge roster of characters (over fifty that are playable, and dozens more named NPCs of various importance with backstories that you'll be familiar with from all of the previous games), but I never found myself any more frustrated with the 'everyone chimes in with a line or two in every cutscene' storytelling style that has become synonymous with Trails than I was in previous entries.”
- “Its refined combat system, coupled with a wealth of replayable content, makes it an essential pick for JRPG enthusiasts, despite needing context from preceding installments for the full experience.”
- “Combat continues to be fun for me as I've hit insane numbers with the new mechanic added to this game; if anything, I just wish we had access to even more playable characters, but I digress.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its captivating design, featuring detailed character models, intricate city architecture, and immersive environmental elements that enhance the overall experience. Players find it so engaging that it keeps them hooked and eager to continue playing.
- “The atmosphere is awesome and you just can't stop playing.”
- “Character details, city architecture, and overall environmental design capture the essence and atmosphere of each location.”