Game: The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon
Genre: Adventure, RPG, Action
System: Nintendo Switch 2 (also on Steam (Windows), Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation)
Developer|Publisher: Nihon Falcom | NIS America
Age Rating: EU 18+ | US Teen
Price: US $59.99 | UK £53.99 | EU € 59,99
Release Date: January 15th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Reef Entertainment.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon – The Latest Trail
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is the latest entry in Nihon Falcom’s long-running and much-loved Legend of Heroes saga, and it arrives at a slightly funny moment in the series’ history. We’ve only just revisited the very beginning with the Trails in the Sky remake, and now here we are jumping straight to the newest chapter. That contrast alone highlights just how big, layered, and occasionally intimidating this series has become.
If you’re already a Trails fan, there’s a very good chance you’re already playing this. If you’re brand new, though, this probably isn’t the ideal jumping-in point. That’s not because the game is bad, but because Trails Beyond the Horizon assumes a lot of prior knowledge. Despite this, it’s a great RPG.
Call Backs
Trails Beyond the Horizon follows on from the events of the Trails Through Daybreak games, although confusingly, it isn’t called Daybreak III. Instead, Falcom decided to rename it entirely, presumably just to keep everyone on their toes.
The story mainly follows Van Arkride once again, which makes sense given his role in the previous entries. However, he’s far from alone. This time around, the game also brings back Rean Schwarzer from the Trails of Cold Steel series, alongside Kevin Graham, a returning character from Trails in the Sky the 3rd, a game I’m yet to experience. It somewhat feels like an Avengers moment for the series for those into their Marvel.
There are a lot of callbacks, references, and returning faces, and for series veterans, this feels like a celebration. For newcomers, though, it can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, the game includes a story recap feature in the main menu that summarises past events, which is genuinely helpful if you don’t fancy watching a two-hour lore video online.
Plenty of Chatter
As with every Trails game, dialogue plays a massive role here. Characters talk a lot. Sometimes about important things, sometimes about world-building, and sometimes about things that honestly feel a bit unnecessary. There are moments where the pacing slows to a crawl due to long stretches of conversation, and not all of it feels needed.
That said, this is also part of the series’ identity. Fans expect this level of detail and character interaction, and the writing is generally strong when it matters most. The major story beats land well, emotional moments have weight, and the voice acting in the English dub is solid.
If you’re not in the mood for all the chatter, you can skip dialogue, but doing so always risks missing something important. Trails has never been a “half-pay-attention” series, and this entry is no exception.
A Battle System That Just Rocks
The battle system remains one of the strongest reasons to play Trails Beyond the Horizon. Once again, you’re given the option to switch freely between real-time Field Battles and turn-based Command Battles, and the flexibility this offers is excellent.
Field Battles feel fast and fluid, letting you dodge attacks, chain combos, and grind through lower-level enemies efficiently. Switching to Command Battles slows things down just enough to allow for proper planning, positioning, and ability management, which is especially useful during boss fights or tougher encounters.
The addition of mechanics like S-Crafts, Shard Commands, and Awakening abilities adds layers without making things feel overwhelming. It’s a system that rewards experimentation and adapts nicely to different playstyles. I found myself constantly switching between modes depending on the situation, and that balance keeps combat engaging across the long runtime.
Difficulty options are also very welcome. Whether you want a relaxed, story-focused experience or a tougher strategic challenge, the game lets you adjust settings freely, even mid-playthrough. Being able to save anywhere is another quality-of-life feature that makes dipping in and out far more manageable.
Exploration and Side Content
Outside of combat, Trails Beyond the Horizon sticks closely to the series formula. You’ll explore towns, dungeons, tackle side quests, upgrade equipment, fine-tune quartz setups, and build relationships with party members. There’s a lot to do, and while none of it reinvents the wheel, it’s all handled competently.
Quest tracking is clear and helpful, but I still enjoyed wandering around towns, talking to NPCs, and stumbling into smaller stories. These quieter moments often do a great job of making the world feel lived in.
Presentation and Performance
Visually, Trails Beyond the Horizon looks exactly like what you’d expect from the series. It leans fully into its anime-inspired style, complete with dramatic character designs, colourful outfits that don’t exactly look fit for battle, and expressive animations. It continues the winning formula the series is known for. Playing on Nintendo Switch 2, performance was smooth, load times were quick, and the game felt comfortable both docked and handheld.
Conclusion – The Series Continues Strong
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is another confident entry in a series. It offers a deep, flexible battle system, a massive amount of content, and a story that rewards long-time fans with meaningful payoffs and familiar faces.
It’s not the best place to start your Trails journey, and newcomers may feel lost despite the helpful recaps. Consider jumping on Trails in the Sky also available on Switch 2 first. For existing fans, or players who already know they enjoy this style of RPG, there’s a lot to appreciate here.
Personally, I’m far from a complete Trails expert, but every entry I’ve played has won me over through its combat systems and world-building. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon continues that trend. It may not surprise you, but it delivers exactly what it promises.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot
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