Proper, first issues first, don’t play Trails past the Horizon if you have not already crushed Trails by way of Dawn and Trails by way of Dawn 2.
Even by Trails requirements, Horizon is ridiculously dense; the occasions of this long-awaited sequel rely closely on you having intimate information of previous titles, and so even when you have performed Dawn and Dawn 2, it is perhaps a good suggestion to observe a narrative recap earlier than you get caught in.
After all, the sheer heft of the sequence’ narrative — which now spans 13 (13!) video games — is each certainly one of its biggest strengths and one its most off-putting elements. However that is what makes a title like Horizon so completely distinctive; the place else are you going to discover a sport constructed on over twenty years of interconnected storytelling?
Actually, Falcom’s unwavering dedication to the franchise borders on absurd at this level, however you have to respect simply how unapologetically impenetrable this newest instalment is. If ever there was a Trails title created for completely nobody however current followers, that is it.
Trails past the Horizon represents the end result of plot strains which were stewing for a number of console generations, packed right into a roughly 80-hour journey cut up throughout three playable teams of characters.
At its core, Horizon is basically the third sport within the aforementioned Dawn saga, sporting a continued deal with Van Arkride and his ragtag allies as they examine all kinds of unusual happenings in Calvard’s sprawling capital metropolis of Edith.
However on the identical time, Horizon incorporates a lot of characters from older Trails titles, specifically the Chilly Metal video games. These properly established heroes are introduced in to assist tie Horizon’s high-stakes story to the sequence’ broader, ongoing narratives, leading to a plot that is tackled from a lot of fascinating angles.
All of it will get off to a moderately gradual begin, nevertheless. We might argue that the discharge’s opening act is basically its weakest, because it spends a bit an excessive amount of time attempting to reintroduce a frankly surprising variety of returning characters. Critically, Van and the gang can barely stroll 5 ft with out yet one more previous good friend hijacking the scene.
However push by way of these early pacing points and Horizon’s story actually begins to ramp up. Actually, we would be tempted to say that that is certainly one of Falcom’s finest efforts almost about sustaining stress; virtually each chapter ends with a formidable bang, all the time retaining you guessing as to what the subsequent twist is perhaps.
The Japanese developer deserves an terrible lot of reward for simply how properly it manages Horizon’s interlocking storylines. Granted, among the beats could be a contact predictable — particularly for those who’re acquainted with the form of tropes the Trails video games are inclined to fall again on — however Horizon actually would not skimp on reveals and revelations of nice significance.
And we do not simply imply that from the attitude of this one sport — we’re speaking the whole franchise right here.
Certainly, the all-important world constructing that holds Trails collectively is expanded upon to a shocking diploma, giving welcome perception into issues that followers have been arguing over for ages. And in that sense, this can be a notably thrilling title in comparison with previous entries, which have — at instances — been accused of treading water on a wider narrative scale.
However do not get your hopes up too a lot. Whereas Horizon does really feel like a particular level of no return for varied story components, it is also eager to bolster the truth that issues are removed from over, posing loads of questions that the subsequent sport(s) will try and reply. The top is in sight, however solely form of.
It is about time we moved onto the gameplay aspect of Horizon, however to be trustworthy, not an entire lot has modified since Dawn 2. The general construction of the sport stays in place, with outlined story chapters being damaged up between primary and aspect targets, a wholesome chunk of exploration, and a smattering of more and more intense fight encounters.
Even the Marchen Garten — a considerably randomised, principally non-compulsory dungeon designed to be conquered over the course of the sport — returns, albeit with a brand new identify. The refreshed Grim Garten has deeper connections to the precise plot, however its function is identical: that is the place you go once you wish to discover new celebration mixtures, degree up your characters, and grind for helpful gear.
Whereas a bit repetitive, the Grim Garten gives what we expect is a essential, combat-driven diversion, away from the hours upon hours of dialogue that you will be sitting by way of outdoors.
Horizon can get so slowed down in character churn and exposition that the stability between yapping and precise gameplay can really feel manner too one-sided. However fortunately, the Garten is all the time readily available to maintain you invested in all of these addictive RPG components.
Similar to in Dawn 2, you are given a lot of celebration members to develop and customise. Character builds can nonetheless vary from simplistic to extremely specialised, and there are such a lot of unlockable magic arts and passive perks to think about.
There are some actually participating programs at play right here — a typical Trails trait at this level — they usually all reward the trouble that you just’re prepared to place in.
However after we say that Horizon is dense, we additionally imply that from a gameplay perspective. Once more, Dawn-ers will really feel proper at residence, however specifically, new battle mechanics one way or the other deliver much more choices to the desk.
For instance, ‘S-Boosts’ — a useful resource that builds up as you combat — can now be spent on party-wide buffs, that are like an evolution of the Courageous Orders from the Chilly Metal saga. Or, you possibly can gas new high-damage group assaults together with your S-Increase bars as a substitute.
In a nutshell, there’s a good higher emphasis on useful resource administration — particularly within the sport’s harder brawls. It would not really feel just like the underlying stability of fight has been rewired too a lot, however there is a recent tactical flexibility in Horizon that is sure to entice returning gamers.
Having mentioned all of that, we nonetheless discover ourselves preferring the scaled-back, however brilliantly refined strategy of Trails within the Sky 1st Chapter’s fight system. Horizon’s complexity is a power as soon as you’ve got wrapped your head round its internal workings, however it’s teetering on the sting of being needlessly convoluted.
And we can’t lie, we’re additionally lacking 1st Chapter’s immaculate presentation. Now, this is not essentially Falcom’s fault since Horizon launched in Japan again in 2024 — a full 12 months earlier than the Sky remake — however the easy fact is that it may well’t maintain a candle to what’s provided by the newest engine improve.
Environments proceed to look moderately tough, and the NPCs that inhabit them may be ugly. However at the very least Horizon’s received a bunch of latest fight and cutscene animations that rival these present in 1st Chapter. We’re hoping that Horizon’s sequel will give Calvard the glow up that it deserves.
