These valiantly maintaining with The Legend of Heroes: Trails collection have lengthy been anticipating the finale of the multi-faceted, interconnected grand saga that’s arguably Falcom’s magnum opus. Because the Republic of Calvard begins preparations to journey into house (the ultimate frontier) for the primary time in Zemurian historical past, divergent paths intersect, and hidden truths involving actuality itself come to mild, setting the stage to finish a saga that’s already twelve video games deep. Can three completely different events searching for solutions come collectively in time to save lots of Zemuria, or will the required sacrifices show an excessive amount of for them to bear? What occurred up to now, what virtually got here to be, and what may happen sooner or later all come to a world-altering head in The Legend of Heroes: Trails past the Horizon.
Trails past the Horizon is a meaty RPG, clocking in at round 100 hours of playtime to perform every part the sport affords. The completionist in me is loath to confess it, however on account of time constraints, I missed out on Act III’s elective fishing quest. Even then, I nonetheless ended up barely over 100 hours by finishing all the opposite facet quests and “elective” dungeon runs each time obtainable. It’s a large time dedication, one which banks on prior information from all through the Trails collection. Take heed: the sport’s tagline, “the start of the tip,” is intentional. It connects the differing Trails story arcs with the promise of a grand conclusion.
As such, the double-edged sword of all Trails video games as soon as extra rears its head. Trails past the Horizon depends closely on gamers understanding lore and the character moments that precede it. Enjoying the 2 Trails by way of Dawn video games, not less than, is critical given the story’s central emphasis on Arkride Options. Given the general plot setup, one may argue that Trails past the Horizon is actually the third Dawn title. With the concentrate on Kevin and Rean as central protagonists, information of the unique Trails within the Sky trilogy and the Trails of Chilly Metal video games can also be useful to gamers. Throw in essential characters and lore from Trails into Reverie and the Crossbell duology, and also you actually join all the differing Trails story arcs into one interconnected story, leading to a recreation that’s positively not newcomer-friendly.
Trails past the Horizon splits its story into three completely different routes which you can select between: Rean and his Thors Navy Academy buddies signify the worldwide perspective of the state of affairs outdoors of Calvard, Kevin and the Trails into Reverie gang showcase the Septian Church’s mysterious motives, and Van and the remainder of the Arkride Options crew signify the Calvardians extra personally affected by the goings on surrounding the house program. Lots of plot will get unpacked alongside the best way, and seeing all of it come collectively from differing views is a real narrative-building delight.
That stated, I discovered that not all routes are created equal. Everybody can have their very own private preferences for which of them are their favorites. I’m a sucker for the Dawn video games, and I like seeing these characters’ storylines specifically proceed, so I used to be fairly biased in the direction of Van’s route. I additionally discover Kevin and the Trails into Reverie characters to be nuanced and memorable, so I loved taking part in their route fairly a bit, too. Sadly, this meant poor Rean was one thing of a 3rd wheel by comparability. I didn’t hate his route by any means, and I adored the appearances of a few of my favourite Trails of Chilly Metal characters (Crow, Altina, and even clumsy engineer Mint), however I all the time picked his route first when obtainable simply to get it performed. In Rean’s protection, I felt burnt out from him getting the lion’s share of 5 video games’ value of lore already. Nonetheless, maybe getting a story break from Rean earlier than his return right here might need been useful. Reality be instructed, sure plot reveals involving him and the way he interacts with others within the solid are even notably well-done. However the route preferences are very way more geared in the direction of preferences than anything, so others might need very completely different opinions. The routes aren’t all given the identical quantity of playtime, with Van’s route being noticeably longer than Rean’s and Kevin’s, regardless of all three having vital plot reveals.
The story depends so closely on plot twists and shock revelations that I’d most likely should make this complete evaluate one large spoiler warning if I went into any extra element. Be ready for some stunning and emotional occasions all through, although! I like the principle antagonist twist and the way Agnes is arguably the story’s “primary hero,” given how the story develops, which I discovered to be fairly a strong selection on Falcom’s half. In consequence, lots of her story scenes are actually well-done. Regardless of the actually huge primary get together, everybody has an opportunity to shine throughout primary story scenes or connection occasions, too. I’ll additionally give the sport credit score for dealing with some LGBT+ story beats with extra care and sensitivity than earlier video games within the collection. Even the dual murderer characters Jorda and Ixs, initially launched in The Legend of Heroes: Trails by way of Dawn II, obtain much-needed depth and narrative objective right here in comparison with the final time we noticed them, with Jorda specifically changing into a standout.
Numerous long-running NPC storylines constructed up over the Calvard video games get resolved right here, such because the younger artist Kisara discovering objective and a spot to belong, or the persevering with journeys of the three Previous City flatmates as they fight to determine their very own paths whereas holding on to their connection. Whereas not each single Trails character makes an look regardless of the large solid, I do love all of the identify drops and references to different characters. It simply helps make the world really feel extra alive. Given simply what number of fascinating and heartfelt narrative moments there are, I proceed to be floored by the eye to element Falcom offers everybody on this recreation.
Gameplay for The Legend of Heroes: Trails past the Horizon is fairly simple to choose up in case you’ve performed the primary two Dawn video games specifically. Motion RPG mechanics provoke fight out on the sector whenever you first spot an enemy, although you’ll be able to seamlessly change to a extra turn-based, strategy-oriented fight with the mere push of a controller button. Shifting characters shut to 1 one other to hyperlink their assaults helps enhance the injury throughout a flip. When an enemy is surprised, you’ll be able to even wallop them additional by utilizing a shard increase when linking up character assaults for a devastating combo transfer. An addition for this entry is that not solely are you able to carry out a “Fast Artwork” magic assault to break enemies, but additionally activate puzzle items in dungeons. Sure characters may even use a transfer referred to as “Awakening” that offers them potent injury output for a short while when in motion RPG mode, and you can too decelerate time to offer your self an higher hand. Truthfully, if something, each turn-based and motion RPG fight may play a bit of too easily or simply now, given what number of various choices you’ll be able to select from, however you’ll be able to nonetheless alter issue as wanted.
Past the sport’s primary story part and the varied facet quests you’ll be able to take part in, the elective dungeon often called the Grim Garten awaits those that wish to expertise extra fight whereas additionally offering a key alternative to stage grind as desired. It’s comparatively simple to navigate in case you’ve any familiarity with the Marchen Garten of Dawn II or the Reverie Hall of Trails into Reverie, with additional domains opening up as you progress in the principle story. I consult with it as “elective” as a result of the sport does so after a sure level, however in actuality, the domains that you just initially clear nonetheless present a lot added perception into the principle plot. You additionally purchase memento orbs that allow you to additional discover collection lore and worldbuilding whereas traversing the Grim Garten domains.
You’ll be able to even gather factors which you can then use to witness connection occasions you missed out on, given the restricted quantity you’ll be able to really see throughout the principle story development. It’s also possible to collect tokens to obtain numerous outfits and gadgets, in addition to open up a hub for characters to mingle. Given the separation of get together members all through the principle story routes, the Grim Garten can also be one of many few instances the place you get to make use of an assembled “dream crew” of get together members. My private fave combo was Shizuna, Swin, Quatre, and Elaine, with characters like Agnes, Altina, Kevin, and Renne offering reserve assist, however even within the Grim Garten, character availability varies relying on story occasions. It’s odd that the Grim Garten’s so essential, although, provided that it’s technically thought of elective, particularly as a result of it comes throughout as something however.
Past a ton of sidequests and primary story quests to perform, there’s additionally quite a lot of minigames to take part in, too. Lots of them are hit-or-miss, although. Personally, I may’ve performed with out the stealth one. Nonetheless, others, resembling fishing or utilizing dialog subjects to attract out story reveals, are fairly entertaining. I discovered the hacking maze puzzle minigame notably enjoyable! The legislation, grey, and chaos alignment system from Dawn additionally returns, including an fascinating layer to decision-making relating to resolve 4SPGs.
Graphically, Trails past the Horizon is definitely the best-looking Trails recreation so far. Nonetheless, a day-one patch is deliberate to repair some graphical hiccups. There are nonetheless circumstances of some NPCs clearly being triplets separated at beginning or hair going by way of issues like pillowcases, and a weird graphical glitch when specializing in sure feminine character “property” in scenes that I simply roll my eyes over, however in any other case, it’s fairly a handsome recreation. I like how colourful and vibrant it may be and the way expressive the character fashions are. Nonetheless, I ought to notice that the UI may be small and busy, notably in fight. In regard to glitches, I did run into a very disagreeable one within the recreation’s Finale, the place it really froze throughout a voiced story cutscene. Fortunately, I used to be ready to make use of the backlog to “pressure” the sport ahead, as I used to be already half-hour into a large narrative exposition, so it wasn’t game-breaking. It was nonetheless anxiety-inducing for a couple of minutes earlier than I found out the workaround. I don’t know if that specific glitch will likely be addressed within the aforementioned day-one patch, so I believe it’s value noting right here.
This Trails entry options some phenomenal English voice performing. Quatre’s voice actor, John Patneaude, does an outstanding job in sure scenes, and each Agnes and Jorda’s voice actors, AmaLee and Madeline Dorroh, respectively, emote extremely all through standout scenes. Aaron, Rean, Kevin, Van, and Lapis are different characters with standout English voice work, however everybody does a terrific job with their respective roles. The sport’s OST is memorable and does a terrific job offering emotional assist and nuance to pivotal moments and motion sequences. I personally love the opening theme too. I additionally didn’t discover many script or localization errors whereas taking part in both, which is extraordinarily spectacular given the sheer quantity of textual content on this recreation.
I can think about that the ending to Trails past the Horizon may very well be divisive given what happens, however the setup resulting in it’s completely unimaginable and, whereas it is likely to be considerably wishful pondering on my half, I place confidence in Falcom’s potential to convey this huge saga to a satisfying conclusion. Trails past the Horizon is actually a large recreation with a powerful quantity of content material and a thought-provoking storyline replete with memorable characters and highly effective moments. It’s a real delight to play as long as you’re not a collection newcomer. As a Trails fan, The Legend of Heroes: Trails past the Horizon has me desirous to see simply the place this concluding story arc goes subsequent!
