The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is the latest installment in the long-running Trails series developed by Nihon Falcom. As a mainline entry into the Trails series, the game continues the epic narrative and intricate world-building that the series is known for, delivering a captivating and immersive RPG experience in the process, but not an experience that’s new to fans nor one that can easily be recommended to new players.
The One That Ends it All
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is the final game that wraps up the Trails series in the larger The Legend of Hero series. As such, the game means a lot to fans of the series as it not only wraps things up but also features almost every major character across the series, including Rean and Llyod, which is a lot. So many in fact, that it’s hard to keep track of them all, and aside from the main leads, all characters have their own role to play. The game even adds new mysterious characters, new plotlines, and a significant threat that’ll have all their stories interconnected for a final act. The final entry also introduces the new Crossroads System, which allows players to switch between the three main characters and their stories at any time, offering players a chance to delve deeper into the overarching narrative and explore the rich lore of the Zemurian continent. The writing is top-notch, with well-developed characters and thought-provoking dialogue that delves into complex themes of politics, power, and personal growth. The conclusion is also one of the most satisfying I’ve seen in a JRPG in a long time, especially as it rewards devoted fans of the franchise and people who’ve grown attached to its characters. As such, it’s also the primary reason the game can’t be easily recommended to new players due to how confusing it will quickly get for them.
Outside its story, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie has plenty of other things to offer players, but not all are new. Players can customize their party with a wide array of playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and combat styles. While combat is still of the same quality seen in previous titles and doesn’t have many new noteworthy elements, especially as combat mechanics have only been dumbed down over time, this entry features the new “United Front” mechanic, which is basically an ultimate all-out attack that can either deal devastating damage to enemies or heal your party. While useful, they aren’t any different from similar types of combat seen in other JRPGS.
If It Aint Broke
Aside from combat, the game features a wealth of side quests, mini-games, and optional content that adds significant replay value. Players can engage in character-bonding events and participate in challenging combat encounters via several randomly generated dungeons.
In terms of visuals, Trails into Reverie looks significantly different from the first two games that depict the Crossbell Saga, which has a retro pixelated look. This time, the game incorporates the visual look and aesthetic of the Trails of Cold Steel games, as characters now have full 3D models, and environments are much more detailed. From bustling cities to lush landscapes and intricate dungeons, each location is meticulously designed, immersing players in a vibrant and diverse setting.
The game also has a stellar soundtrack. The music beautifully complements the game’s emotional moments, intense battles, and serene exploration, enhancing the overall immersion and leaving a lasting impression on players. Trails into Reverie also runs incredibly well on PC at 60 frames per second with several useful PC settings and adjustments. The game also has both English and Japanese voice over, and both casts did excellent jobs portraying the characters.
Final Thoughts
Overall, while Trails into Reverie may not be the ideal starting point for newcomers to the series due to its heavy reliance on previous game knowledge, it serves as a satisfying continuation and culmination of the Trails saga, rewarding longtime fans with an abundance of callbacks and closure to ongoing storylines. Couple this with its well-developed characters, immersive visuals, strategic gameplay, and memorable soundtrack, and players will have an incredible experience, especially for fans who’ll be left satisfied by the end.
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The Review
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie
While Trails into Reverie may not be the ideal starting point for newcomers to the series due to its heavy reliance on previous game knowledge, it serves as a satisfying continuation and culmination of the Trails saga, rewarding longtime fans with an abundance of callbacks and closure to ongoing storylines.
PROS
- Great conclusion
- Great visuals
- Fun combat
CONS
- Not many new gameplay elements
- Not newcomer friendly
