It makes sense, really; Legend of Heroes games tend to thrust players into a prolonged, chaotic fight at the very start, and then back-peddle to calmer times. I can’t say for sure that that’s how Trails Through Daybreak will begin, but the ability to play such an introduction ahead of release would make sense.

And if you want a taste of what those battles will be like (and whom you’ll be taking into those battles), today’s new trailer will give you a glimpse…along with some quality J-rock, of course:

And just who are these people?

Key characters include Van Arkride, a spriggan or an underground professional that accepts work from any client and acts as a detective, negotiator or bounty hunter with no allegiance, and Agnés Claudel, a first year student at the prestigious Aramis Academy who goes to Van with a unique request. Little does Van know that her request will prove to be more than he bargained for and lead to events that could threaten the very Republic itself!

And just what is the Republic?

In the aftermath of a brief war, Calvard is enjoying unprecedented economic prosperity. However, the public grows uncertain as the number of immigrants increases and questionable political reform runs rampant. Follow the spriggan Van Arkride on a unique request that will prove more than he bargained for. Will the nation fall into chaos?

So, then, more than we bargained for. Got it. But their turmoil is our gain, as The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is looking to provide more than enough JRPG action and melodrama to satisfy series fans and newcomers alike.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak will be available July 5th in multiple digital and physical editions (the stock meter on the Switch Limited Edition is down to 5% at press time). For more information, visit thelegendofheroes.com/daybreak/.

[Update: June 4, 2024 – The update is now available. We’ve also learned that the Switch demo covers the entire prologue.]

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JRPG gamers (and fans of quality action/adventure games in general) can check out some new footage in the release date announcement trailer below:

And just what can we expect from this new entry in the vast Legend of Heroes series?

Van Arkride is a spriggan, an underground professional that accepts work from any client and acts as a detective, negotiator or bounty hunter with no allegiance. However, the course of his life will change forever when he takes on a strange case that threatens the entire nation. Slash your way through intense combat that springs to life with beautiful visuals, and craft your own gameplay experience in Calvard with features such as Story Mode and high-speed game mode!

Throughout the game, players will:

• Follow the bounty hunter Van Arkride as he takes on a case that will change the nation’s fate…as well as his own. Explore the reaches of the Calvard Republic while immersing yourself in a rich story filled with action and intrigue.
• Transition seamlessly between action field battles and turn-based combat with the revamped AT (Action Time) Battle system, and expand your arsenal of Arts and Skills with the sixth-generation combat orbment, Xipha.
• Affect how the story unfolds via choices and actions in the Under the Alignment system. Your propensity towards Law, Chaos, and the shades in between can influence your status in the city, who will ally with or oppose you, and even what jobs and dialogue options are available to you.

So, it looks like quite a bit has changed since the Trails of Cold Steel arc. No need to panic, though; the game will clearly carry on with the intricate combat, deep lore, complex character development, and high melodrama (not to mention the insane outfits) for which the series is known. And if you haven’t played a Legend of Heroes game, you’ve got four months to get that done.

For more information on The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak and how this new story arc ties into Trails of Cold Steel (series fans will notice some familiar faces), visit thelegendofheroes.com/daybreak. Preorders for the standard and deluxe editions are now being accepted.

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