The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon Review

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon takes the long-running series into the final frontier. This entry focuses on the nation of Calvard and its attempt at humanity's first manned spaceflight, known as Project Startaker. The game is a lengthy RPG, with a campaign lasting roughly 60 to 70 hours.

The narrative structure mirrors previous crossover titles by splitting the focus between three distinct protagonists. Rean Schwarzer returns from the Trails of Cold Steel saga, Kevin Graham leads from Trails in the Sky the 3rd, and Van Arkride continues his role from the Daybreak games. While the game balances these perspectives well, it is not recommended as a starting point for new players, as deep knowledge of previous arcs is required to understand the full context.

Gameplay-wise, the title refines the Daybreak saga's hybrid combat system, making battles more engaging. It also brings back familiar features such as the Grim Garten dungeon and extensive side quests. Although the ending presents a cliffhanger, the game is considered an enthralling entry in the franchise.

Trails beyond the Horizon picks up directly where Trails through Daybreak 2 left off. The central plot revolves around Project Startaker, Calvard's ambitious attempt to reach outer space. The story is described as a compelling sci-fi fantasy filled with deception and intrigue.

The game utilizes a three-route system similar to Trails into Reverie. The narrative is divided among the perspectives of three main characters:

• Rean Schwarzer: Unravels the conspiracy surrounding Project Startaker.
• Kevin Graham: Returns as the "Heretic Hunter," investigating an assassination target.
• Van Arkride: Fights off a mysterious new faction called the Vestiges.

Despite the balanced approach, Van Arkride is the central star of this entry. His route is significantly longer than the others, roughly the combined length of Rean and Kevin's sections. However, the pacing of Van's story is slower in the first half, taking too long to build up compared to the faster-paced narratives of the other two protagonists. The stories eventually converge and tie in with Van's path by the finale, which redeems the slower buildup.

The Daybreak saga introduces a hybrid combat system that blends real-time action with turn-based mechanics. Trails beyond the Horizon continues to refine this system, resulting in battles that are more engaging than before. The game sticks closely to the formula established by its predecessors outside of combat as well.

One returning feature is the roguelite dungeon, now called Grim Garten. This dungeon functions similarly to the previous Marchen Garten, requiring players to navigate a board game-style map to fight monsters and reach bosses. However, there is a notable downgrade: Grim Garten is not available to play after the credits roll, whereas the previous iteration allowed for post-game exploration. Despite this, the dungeon offers worthwhile incentives, including:

• Valuable skill points for party attacks.
• Cosmetics and useful items (earned in-game, no microtransactions).
• Backstory details for certain characters and antagonists.

The game also features deep side quests and bonding events. These activities provide insight into the world and reward players with rare items. A specific example involves busting an illegal casino chip trade, featuring a recurring character from the Crossbell games (Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure). Additionally, the LGC morality system from the first two Daybreak games returns.

A common criticism of previous Trails crossover games is the "character bloat." Trails beyond the Horizon manages this issue successfully by limiting the cast to key members. The game avoids overwhelming the player by keeping new additions to a minimum.

The roster is curated carefully:

• Rean's Group: Includes select figures from his Thors Academy days, such as Towa Herschel and Altina Orion.
• Kevin's Group: Brings back Rufus, Nadia, Swin, and Lapis from Reverie.
• Van's Group: New characters are added sparingly.

While the balance is generally well-managed, the review notes that Van's section is the most boring of the three initially. However, the way the three storylines intersect and support one another in the finale makes up for the uneven pacing in the early game. The inclusion of the CIA and Paris in the broader world context adds to the geopolitical intrigue, though the focus remains tightly on the character interactions.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon successfully navigates the series' transition into a more futuristic setting. By focusing on Project Startaker and the vastness of space, it opens new narrative possibilities while maintaining the series' signature depth. The game is a solid RPG that respects the player's investment in the long-running lore.

Although the cliffhanger ending may frustrate some, the journey offers a rich experience for long-time fans. The refinement of the combat system and the thoughtful management of the cast highlight the developers' commitment to quality. As the Calvard saga continues, this entry serves as a pivotal moment, proving that the series still has plenty of room to grow.