The refined combat and rich characters shine
By Paul Hunter
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II brings Van Arkride and his allies back into the spotlight, continuing Nihon Falcom’s long-running RPG series. Following the events of the first game, Van finds himself drawn into a new case—one that quickly escalates beyond expectations. What begins as a routine investigation soon unravels into a larger crisis that could reshape Calvard’s future.
Daybreak II builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, refining its mix of real-time and turn-based combat while expanding character interactions and side content. With familiar faces returning and new challenges ahead, the game deepens its world while setting the stage for what’s to come. Does this sequel push the series forward, or does its attention to detail hold it back? Let’s take a closer look.
Trails Through Daybreak II picks up where its predecessor left off, with Van Arkride tackling another case—one that grips you with its intriguing premise. A serial killer is on the loose, mimicking Van’s Grendel form, setting the stage for a tense investigation. However, rather than staying focused on this mystery, the game shifts its attention toward individual character arcs. While these moments add depth to the cast, they sometimes come at the expense of overall narrative momentum.
A new mechanic, Dead Ends, allows Agnes to rewind time using the Oct-Genesis, altering key events. While this feature introduces an interesting layer of strategy, it also lessens the impact of major moments. When the stakes can be undone, certain scenes feel predictable rather than suspenseful. The Trails series is known for its strong storytelling, but this entry occasionally holds back when it matters most.
That said, the game excels in character-driven storytelling. Swin and Nadia’s side plot feels particularly compelling, at times overshadowing the central mystery. Renne’s presence also leads to some of the game’s most memorable moments, especially for longtime fans invested in her story. These character-driven elements make Daybreak II a thrilling experience, even if the larger Trails narrative doesn’t progress as much as expected.
By the time the credits roll, you’ll have spent plenty of time exploring the world and deepening relationships with its characters. But for those eager to see the overarching story move forward, Daybreak II may feel more like a bridge to future events than a major turning point.
Trails Through Daybreak II refines its predecessor’s hybrid combat system, seamlessly blending real-time and turn-based battles. The Field Battle system lets you strike enemies directly, while Command Battles offer a more tactical approach. This time, new mechanics like Cross Charges shake up the formula—perfectly dodging an enemy attack allows for an instant character swap, boosting the next attack. This not only makes battles feel smoother but also rewards precise timing and smart positioning.
Turn-based combat also sees meaningful tweaks. S-Crafts, which once dominated fights, now have a cooldown, forcing you to rely more on standard Crafts and Arts. This adjustment creates a greater emphasis on strategy, requiring you to manage abilities carefully instead of spamming your most powerful moves. The addition of EX Chains further encourages tactical play, letting linked characters chain attacks together for devastating combos. These refinements give combat a fresh, dynamic feel without sacrificing its depth.
Beyond battles, the expanded roster introduces new characters with distinct abilities. Swin and Nadia bring their own combat styles, while returning characters receive reworked skills, making them more versatile. For those looking to grind or test new strategies, Marchen Garten serves as a repeatable dungeon filled with challenging enemies and valuable rewards. While it can feel repetitive over time, it offers a reliable way to strengthen your team between story moments.
With its improved mechanics, expanded combat depth, and flexible battle system, Trails Through Daybreak II delivers some of the best fights in the series. Even with the occasional grind-heavy section, the gameplay remains rewarding from start to finish.
Trails Through Daybreak II builds on the visual style of its predecessor, making small but meaningful improvements. Character models appear sharper, lighting effects are more refined, and battle animations have an extra level of polish. S-Craft attacks, in particular, feature flashy, cinematic sequences that make each move feel impactful. However, much of the world reuses assets from the previous game, especially in cityscapes and dungeons. While some locations have been slightly reworked, many feel unchanged, which can make exploration less exciting for returning fans.
The soundtrack delivers a strong mix of rock-infused battle themes, atmospheric town melodies, and orchestral pieces that suit key story moments. While the music complements the experience well, it doesn’t reach the heights of earlier Trails soundtracks. That said, battle themes provide plenty of energy, and certain emotional tracks stand out in pivotal scenes.
Voice acting remains a highlight, with both Japanese and English performances adding depth to the cast. Character interactions feel natural, and emotional moments land well thanks to strong delivery. The voice work, paired with expressive character portraits, helps bring the world of Calvard to life.
Despite some asset reuse, Trails Through Daybreak II presents a refined experience. Improved battle effects, quality voice performances, and a fitting soundtrack ensure that the game remains a visual and audio delight, even if some areas feel overly familiar.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: Nihon Falcom
Publisher: NIS America
Genre: Role-Playing
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II brings Van Arkride and his allies back into the spotlight, continuing Nihon Falcom’s long-running RPG series. Following the events of the first game, Van finds himself drawn into a new case—one that quickly escalates beyond expectations. What begins as a routine investigation soon unravels into a larger crisis that could reshape Calvard’s future.
Daybreak II builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, refining its mix of real-time and turn-based combat while expanding character interactions and side content. With familiar faces returning and new challenges ahead, the game deepens its world while setting the stage for what’s to come. Does this sequel push the series forward, or does its attention to detail hold it back? Let’s take a closer look.
Trails Through Daybreak II picks up where its predecessor left off, with Van Arkride tackling another case—one that grips you with its intriguing premise. A serial killer is on the loose, mimicking Van’s Grendel form, setting the stage for a tense investigation. However, rather than staying focused on this mystery, the game shifts its attention toward individual character arcs. While these moments add depth to the cast, they sometimes come at the expense of overall narrative momentum.
A new mechanic, Dead Ends, allows Agnes to rewind time using the Oct-Genesis, altering key events. While this feature introduces an interesting layer of strategy, it also lessens the impact of major moments. When the stakes can be undone, certain scenes feel predictable rather than suspenseful. The Trails series is known for its strong storytelling, but this entry occasionally holds back when it matters most.
That said, the game excels in character-driven storytelling. Swin and Nadia’s side plot feels particularly compelling, at times overshadowing the central mystery. Renne’s presence also leads to some of the game’s most memorable moments, especially for longtime fans invested in her story. These character-driven elements make Daybreak II a thrilling experience, even if the larger Trails narrative doesn’t progress as much as expected.
By the time the credits roll, you’ll have spent plenty of time exploring the world and deepening relationships with its characters. But for those eager to see the overarching story move forward, Daybreak II may feel more like a bridge to future events than a major turning point.
Trails Through Daybreak II refines its predecessor’s hybrid combat system, seamlessly blending real-time and turn-based battles. The Field Battle system lets you strike enemies directly, while Command Battles offer a more tactical approach. This time, new mechanics like Cross Charges shake up the formula—perfectly dodging an enemy attack allows for an instant character swap, boosting the next attack. This not only makes battles feel smoother but also rewards precise timing and smart positioning.
Turn-based combat also sees meaningful tweaks. S-Crafts, which once dominated fights, now have a cooldown, forcing you to rely more on standard Crafts and Arts. This adjustment creates a greater emphasis on strategy, requiring you to manage abilities carefully instead of spamming your most powerful moves. The addition of EX Chains further encourages tactical play, letting linked characters chain attacks together for devastating combos. These refinements give combat a fresh, dynamic feel without sacrificing its depth.
Beyond battles, the expanded roster introduces new characters with distinct abilities. Swin and Nadia bring their own combat styles, while returning characters receive reworked skills, making them more versatile. For those looking to grind or test new strategies, Marchen Garten serves as a repeatable dungeon filled with challenging enemies and valuable rewards. While it can feel repetitive over time, it offers a reliable way to strengthen your team between story moments.
With its improved mechanics, expanded combat depth, and flexible battle system, Trails Through Daybreak II delivers some of the best fights in the series. Even with the occasional grind-heavy section, the gameplay remains rewarding from start to finish.
Trails Through Daybreak II builds on the visual style of its predecessor, making small but meaningful improvements. Character models appear sharper, lighting effects are more refined, and battle animations have an extra level of polish. S-Craft attacks, in particular, feature flashy, cinematic sequences that make each move feel impactful. However, much of the world reuses assets from the previous game, especially in cityscapes and dungeons. While some locations have been slightly reworked, many feel unchanged, which can make exploration less exciting for returning fans.
The soundtrack delivers a strong mix of rock-infused battle themes, atmospheric town melodies, and orchestral pieces that suit key story moments. While the music complements the experience well, it doesn’t reach the heights of earlier Trails soundtracks. That said, battle themes provide plenty of energy, and certain emotional tracks stand out in pivotal scenes.
Voice acting remains a highlight, with both Japanese and English performances adding depth to the cast. Character interactions feel natural, and emotional moments land well thanks to strong delivery. The voice work, paired with expressive character portraits, helps bring the world of Calvard to life.
Despite some asset reuse, Trails Through Daybreak II presents a refined experience. Improved battle effects, quality voice performances, and a fitting soundtrack ensure that the game remains a visual and audio delight, even if some areas feel overly familiar.
The Verdict
Trails Through Daybreak II refines its combat with new mechanics like Cross Charges and EX Chains while delivering strong character-driven storytelling. Improved visuals, expressive voice work, and a solid soundtrack enhance the experience, though reused assets somewhat hold the visuals back. The sequel remains an exciting RPG for those invested in Calvard’s unfolding tale, offering rewarding battles, well-written characters, and plenty of side content.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Nihon Falcom
Publisher: NIS America
Genre: Role-Playing
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.