The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 516 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak Game Cover
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In the prosperous nation of Calvard, follow Van, a local spriggan, as he becomes entangled in a request with far-reaching consequences, amid descriptions of economic growth and political reform. The AT battle system has been reimagined for a seamless turn-based combat experience, incorporating the new sixth-generation orbment, Xipha, which offers a unique and innovative battle system. Additionally, the Topic System enables strategic conversational advantages in combat through engaging with characters.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 516 reviews
story71 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • The story is more mature and has higher stakes, making it a refreshing change from previous entries.
  • The new battle system blends real-time and turn-based mechanics, allowing for more strategic gameplay.
  • The characters are well-developed and their interactions feel genuine and engaging.
  • The dungeon design remains basic and lacks variety, leading to repetitive gameplay.
  • The soundtrack is considered a step down from previous games, with fewer memorable tracks.
  • The game suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the final chapter, which feels drawn out.
  • story317 mentions

    The story in this latest entry of the Trails series is noted for its more mature themes and darker undertones, marking a departure from the previous installments' lighter tones. While some players appreciate the depth and complexity of the narrative, others find it underwhelming or repetitive, particularly in its pacing and reliance on familiar tropes. Overall, the game serves as a solid entry point for newcomers while still rewarding long-time fans with callbacks and character development, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a tightly woven plot.

    • “The story is surprisingly solid with the addition of more adult themes this time around, which I think is fitting for the characters and narrative.”
    • “The story is quite good, but needed a bit more focus.”
    • “The story is more interesting, with a darker edge compared to past entries.”
    • “The story in this game was overall underwhelming with many repeated human boss battles throughout the story.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story felt like a retread of familiar plot points, and the constant references to previous games created a barrier for new players.”
    • “The story is, compared to the Cold Steel series, like comparing Twilight to War and Peace; it is a simplistic, cliched mess without any of the love and care and detail the Cold Steel story had.”
  • gameplay103 mentions

    The gameplay in this title has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fresh mechanics and fluid combat system that blends turn-based and real-time elements, while others criticize it for being overly simplistic and repetitive, particularly in the early stages. Many players appreciate the character customization and the engaging story, but some feel that the gameplay lacks depth compared to previous entries in the series. Overall, while the game introduces innovative features, it also faces criticism for its ease and reliance on fetch quests.

    • “If you are an old veteran of the Trails series or a newcomer, this game is for you. Absolute JRPG with great fighting mechanics, a hybrid of turn-based and real-time, characters are well written and the story is captivating.”
    • “The gameplay is fluid and very good, the port is one of the best NIS has ever done so far, extremely well done.”
    • “The combat gameplay loop has a very good flow once you get used to it, if you play both the action and command side of things as intended.”
    • “However, the biggest letdown for me was the gameplay changes.”
    • “The gameplay loop is very repetitive; about 70% of the game just feels like fetch quests.”
    • “What really bothers me is how watered-down the gameplay is.”
  • music97 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the town and emotional themes as beautiful and memorable, while others express disappointment in the battle themes, feeling they lack the impact of previous entries in the series. Many reviewers noted that while the soundtrack features some standout tracks, its overall execution and integration within the game could be improved, leading to a perception of inconsistency. Overall, the music is generally regarded as good, but not as strong as earlier titles in the franchise, with a few standout pieces that resonate well with players.

    • “The music continues to be mostly beautiful and very loopable.”
    • “The main city theme is cozy, the standard battle theme is catchy, and some of the emotional cutscene music is beautiful.”
    • “The music is top tier and the night theme is an absolute banger, as you would expect with any Trails game.”
    • “Sadly and unbelievably, after so many great battle themes in prior Trails games, this is the first Trails game since the original Sky 1 game that disappointed me in terms of battle themes.”
    • “The song eventually loses all meaning due to this seemingly random usage, and there are many more examples of the game just not understanding how to imbue songs with meaning and make a soundtrack flow smoothly.”
    • “The soundtrack is something that has to be mentioned with all Falcom games, and Daybreak's OST overall is just okay.”
  • graphics67 mentions

    The graphics in "Trails Through Daybreak" have received notable praise for their significant improvements over previous entries in the series, showcasing enhanced character models, vibrant environments, and a new graphics engine that elevates the overall visual fidelity. While some players miss the character artwork from earlier games, the game offers a variety of graphical options and maintains a consistent art style that aligns with the series' roots. Overall, the visuals are considered a refreshing upgrade, making the game more appealing to newcomers and long-time fans alike.

    • “Compared to the previous Trails arc ending with Reverie, Daybreak is an upgrade in the graphics and animation department.”
    • “The graphics and art style for Kuro are great. The cities feel crowded and lively, and the smaller areas also have a lively feel to them as well; there is just so much to love about the graphics of this game.”
    • “The graphics got noticeable improvements from the character models, the field area looks beautiful, and shadows on characters, buildings, and trees are well done. New assets and city designs add to the immersion.”
    • “Graphics are pretty outdated and there's too much content that's not voice acted, resulting in me skipping a huge part of it. Come on, it's 2024.”
    • “Character visuals are detailed, environments are a bit lackluster as in most JRPGs.”
    • “As for the game itself, admittedly this isn't exactly a high-fidelity title, but the changes in presentation and art style are all for the better.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with players reporting smooth performance and minimal stuttering, particularly on PC. While some minor issues like enemy clipping and frame rate drops were noted on the Switch and Steam Deck, the overall graphics and performance enhancements have been well-received, showcasing impressive optimization efforts by the developers.

    • “I experienced no stutters or otherwise negative performance issues while playing the game.”
    • “In terms of PC performance, the game runs very well and has a lot more options to choose from than most other Japanese-developed titles.”
    • “The game looks so good and the optimization done by PH3 is incredible.”
    • “My only real complaint is that the performance of the game seems a bit lacking.”
    • “For performance, I played the demo prologue on Switch; some enemies clipped into the floor sometimes, and there was a frame rate drop during Van's 'Take the Grendel'. This also happened on the Steam Deck, but not as severely, only affecting the FPS.”
    • “Make sure you get this version if you want the official localization when it comes out + better optimization!”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deep character development, particularly of Van, and the darker themes woven throughout the narrative. Players appreciate the blend of humor and serious moments, which create a lively and engaging atmosphere, while the rich backstories and references to previous titles enhance the emotional impact for those familiar with the series. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings, with many players noting it as a profoundly moving experience that resonates on a personal level.

    • “However, there are so many references, characters, and backstories tied to past games that someone without knowledge about them would miss a large chunk of the experience and emotional beats of this game.”
    • “The story also places a large emphasis on developing Van as a character with how he deals with requests, his interactions with the other characters (his employees especially), and the unfolding truths of his sensitive past that all help build up to an emotional yet epic finale.”
    • “Kuro no Kiseki serves as a testament to Falcom's ability to continue providing pure unfiltered emotional experiences that draw you in and capture you within its world.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its ability to elicit laughter through a diverse cast of characters, particularly the standout performances of Aaron and Van, whose interactions are both funny and relatable. The balance of humor with drama and other genres creates a rich narrative experience, ensuring players are frequently entertained while also emotionally engaged. Overall, the game's witty dialogue and character dynamics contribute significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “Shout out to Aaron, man! Dude's floored me laughing in almost every scene he showed up in.”
    • “The main characters are a truly typical mix of very different personalities; everyone contributes to a lively feeling that is sometimes way over the top and hilarious, and at other times very emotional and serious.”
    • “The game has the right balance of humor, drama, action, romance, and slice of life, giving you a complete anime experience without making it feel like too much.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Overall, character development is praised for its depth and uniqueness, particularly within a smaller, tight-knit cast that enhances the narrative experience. While the main characters are well-developed and visually appealing, some reviewers noted that the villains lack depth, which slightly detracts from the overall quality. Despite minor pacing issues, the character arcs are considered a highlight of the game.

    • “Beautiful music, combat is different but improved upon, the story is interesting and characters have good depth to them. The crafts and arts feel powerful and have cool animations. Character design is probably the best it's ever been; all characters look unique and cool. My only complaint is the pacing could have been a bit quicker and some scenes drag on a little too long, but overall it's a 9/10, very good.”
    • “Likely my favorite arc in the series, not because it's new, but the tight-knit group and character developments.”
    • “The villains are sadly a little undercooked when it comes to character development, but not to a degree that it detracts from the fantastic overall quality of the experience.”
    • “Likely my favorite arc in the series, not because it's new, but because of the tight-knit group and character developments.”
    • “The cast is smaller and more tight-knit, resulting in better character development.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious, especially for completionists, but the updated combat system and field battles offer a more engaging and streamlined experience. Players can choose to avoid excessive farming by focusing on boss challenges, which can be optimized for quicker victories. Overall, while some may find the grind overwhelming, others appreciate the action-paced flow that mitigates its tedium.

    • “Unless you are a masochist and love to suffer through hours of farming and battles.”
    • “It can get a bit grindy if you try to collect everything.”
    • “Very good attempts to make an anime trope story into a more mature theme, but combat is broken in a good way. Maximize your orbment/materia system to the utmost and you can delete boss HP into oblivion real fast, while field combat also helps make it less tedious. However, if you wish to grind, it can feel repetitive.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, performing well on both the Steam Deck and high-end PC configurations, such as those with an RTX 3070 and Ryzen 5800X.

    • “Runs great on deck.”
    • “From a technical standpoint, it runs great on my RTX 3070 and Ryzen 5800X build.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is noted for its raw and mature tone, which many players find to be a refreshing departure from the series' usual style. This shift contributes significantly to the overall storytelling experience.

    • “One of the highlights most people will mention is the tone and atmosphere of the story, which is admittedly a bit more raw and mature than usual, a welcome change in this series for me.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players highlight the game's smooth gameplay, engaging story, and strong characters, noting that the inclusion of compelling side quests significantly enhances its replayability.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly smooth, the story is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the side quests are fantastic, making it highly replayable.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more; every playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
    • “With multiple endings and diverse character paths, the replayability factor is off the charts!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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