Trails Through Daybreak II Review
Reviewing Trails Through Daybreak II feels almost redundant. Those who skipped the first Calvard arc game shouldn’t start here, and fans of the first Daybreak are likely already committed. As a long-time Trails enthusiast (I’ve played every previous title, some more than once), I feel obligated to temper expectations. While I’ve adored nearly every Trails game, Trails into Reverie felt bloated and unnecessary, with an overabundance of characters, convoluted combat mechanics, and a tacked-on story. Sadly, Daybreak II suffers from similar issues. This follow-up to a strong start in the Calvard arc stumbles under the weight of a bloated cast and a story lacking the Legend of Heroes signature heart.
Story of Trails Through Daybreak II
Trails Through Daybreak II resumes shortly after the first game’s events. Van Arkride has returned to his Spriggan duties, while his new employees have addressed personal matters in their hometowns. This relative calm is shattered when Elaine Auclair arrives with a job demanding Van’s unique skills. A serial killer stalks Edith, and initial evidence implicates Van. The Spriggan and Bracer track a lead, confronting the culprit—an mysterious killer who, like Van, controls a Grendel via an AI companion. The ensuing battle ends tragically, with both Van and Elaine seemingly killed.
This prologue reveals Daybreak II‘s greatest weakness: the lack of stakes. Van and Elaine’s deaths are immediately negated when one of the eight Oct-Geneses rewinds time. This mechanic recurs throughout the story; whenever tragedy strikes, a Genesis resets events. While the characters gradually become aware of this power and the need to avoid such catastrophes, they never question this convenient deus ex machina. This reliance on time travel undermines the game’s emotional impact and creates a narrative without any real consequences, where any mistake can be effortlessly erased.
The Characters of Trails Through Daybreak II
The Legend of Heroes series’ greatest strength lies in its compelling characters and their gradual development across multiple titles. Previous arcs, like the Sky trilogy (featuring Estelle and Joshua) and the Crossbell arc (with the SSS), maintained a tight focus on a core group of heroes. While characters came and went, each arc prioritized its central cast. Daybreak initially followed this model, introducing Van Arkride and his core team. However, Daybreak II dilutes this focus. Although Van remains the protagonist, significant portions of the game unfold without him. Chapters are divided into “A” and “B” routes, splitting attention between Van’s group and the reintroduced Nadia and Swin from Trails into Reverie. This division of focus prevents any character from receiving adequate development, resulting in superficial interactions and a sense of underdevelopment for the entire cast.
Combat is Getting Out of Hand
The Trails series has long been known for its engaging combat systems, evolving with each new arc. From the art-focused beginnings of Sky and Crossbell to the CP-driven abilities introduced in Cold Steel, each entry layered new mechanics, culminating in systems like Brave Arts and chained attacks. By Cold Steel IV, however, this accumulation of features arguably reached a point of unwieldiness. Daybreak attempted a fresh start, building upon the Cold Steel framework, but its own bloated mechanics teetered between order and chaos. Daybreak II not only embraces that chaotic complexity, it revels in it, adding even more systems to consider and a cast so expansive that managing Quartz becomes a major headache.
Setting Expectations for Trails Through Daybreak II
For a well-established series like Trails, online reviews of a sequel like Daybreak II aren’t likely to significantly impact sales. The core question for most potential players is simple: will they enjoy it? Daybreak II isn’t a bad game, but its narrative choices—multiple timelines and split chapters—disrupt the momentum established in the first Daybreak. Fans who disliked Trails into Reverie will likely have similar issues with Daybreak II. The bloated cast and over-complex combat will leave series veterans longing for the intimacy that made Trails in the Sky such an enduring classic.
