Trails through Daybreak 2 (PS5) – A Sequel That Struggles to Justify Its Existence

Occurring only a few months following the incidents of Trails in the Darkness, its subsequent part, known as Trails in the Darkness 2 in the western world, frequently gives off an impression of being a narrative conclusion centered around characters rather than a comprehensive continuation.

In Daybreak, they wove a full-fledged narrative; the kind of plotline that Falcom typically stretches over two games. While some questions were left hanging at the end for Van and his team’s journey, structurally it was well-rounded. It had a clear start, development, and conclusion, making it seem almost like its own separate story, with the wider narrative threads planned to be explored in future games.

Daybreak 2 deviates from the trend of later games by focusing on expanding on storylines unique to its prequel, rather than continuing the overall narrative. These specific story elements, it could be said, were not crucial for further exploration.

It’s likely that some fans might find the story unsatisfying. After all, Daybreak 2 emphasizes its extensive roster of characters, utilizing their growth to compensate for plot points that may appear confusing or rehashed. However, it’s important to note that a significant portion of the character development is indeed valuable and engaging.

For advantageous storytelling, similar to Trails into Reverie, the game divides its narrative among various heroic teams. This structure enables the tale to be told from distinct viewpoints, thereby providing a richer and more in-depth understanding of the plot. Additionally, it grants significant characters an opportunity to fully develop their roles and personalities.

If you can accept that Daybreak 2 doesn’t advance the storyline substantially, then you might find much to appreciate in its deeper, personal narratives. In this regard, the sequel serves as a fine supplement to the original Daybreak, but remember, your anticipation should be adjusted accordingly.

Similarly, much of what you see in Daybreak 2 could also be found in the original game – both visually and mechanically speaking. To put it another way, there’s a strong chance that you might confuse Daybreak 2 with its predecessor, given how much it reuses elements. Aside from some massive new locations, the sequel seems to take delight in reusing as many aspects as it can.

Falcom managed to produce Daybreak 2 relatively quickly, a fact that’s evident in the final product. To clarify, this isn’t a hastily thrown-together game meant to milk more money with questionable quality; however, it occasionally lacks the strength to stand independently. It seems, at times, its primary role is to link Daybreak and Kai no Kiseki rather than presenting a fully self-contained experience.

Nevertheless, it’s tough to resist being captivated by Falcom’s charming characters and the intricate universe they inhabit. Occasionally, the narrative’s expansiveness might become a bit tedious, but the character ensemble maintains its allure, ensuring that the more dramatic scenes carry significant weight.

Certainly, Van Arkride stands out as one of the developer’s most well-crafted main characters, and his associates serve as excellent counterpoints. Furthermore, it’s advantageous that several Daybreak secondary characters are integrated into Arkride Solutions. Some of these characters become crucial party members for extended periods, while others appear briefly – yet they all add fresh and amusing interactions to the current team.

It’s clear that Daybreak 2’s narrative has left us somewhat divided, but one element in particular, around the 40-50 hour mark, began to push our limits of patience. There’s a recurring plot device, without revealing any specific details, which overstays its charm well before the end credits.

Initially, it introduces something fresh to Trails by providing a distinctive spin on Falcom’s regular narrative structure. However, as the journey unfolds, it unfortunately becomes overly predictable and undeniably convenient, veering perilously near to compromising the overall experience.

Fortunately, the particular plot mechanism in Daybreak 2 doesn’t entirely undermine its strengths – it’s merely an aspect that may annoy viewers who anticipate deeper exploration of the show’s broader themes.

As a dedicated fan, I must say that compared to its predecessor, Daybreak 2 seems to have found an impressive gameplay equilibrium. Perhaps it’s because this time around, we don’t need to invest as many hours getting acquainted with a fresh cast, but the sequel offers more dungeons and engaging boss battles. Moreover, the side quests in Daybreak 2 provide players with more opportunities for active participation and interaction, which I find quite appealing.

In addition to the main gameplay, there are several mini-games to explore this time around, which were missing from the initial Daybreak. Hooray! Fishing is back, there’s a puzzle involving hacking where you guide a digital construct through labyrinthine stages to unlock unique treasure chests, and even a one-on-one basketball game has been included.

These mini-games aren’t incredibly detailed or particularly valuable as rewards, truthfully, but they serve well in providing relief during transitions between scenes and fights. The Trails series simply feels authentic with small amusements sprinkled throughout.

Regarding battles, Daybreak 2 is filled with numerous ones, primarily due to Marchen Garten, an ever-expanding digital labyrinth that becomes accessible as you advance the main plot. This feature resembles Reverie, allowing you to assemble a team of your preference and indulge in combat for as long as desired. As you progress, it rewards you with random items and character customizations.

Frequent similar settings in Garten may not be as captivating, yet they serve well as a diversion, particularly for those who appreciate the combat in Daybreak 2 and experimenting with character configurations.

In this game, the fighting system continues as before: it starts with fast-paced actions leading to turn-based fights. The action part hasn’t changed much, but now you can switch between characters following a successful dodge, which leads to stronger counterattacks. It adds a touch of style to the battles.

In the process, the intriguingly tactile, sequential battle system has undergone adjustments and improvements. Character skills have been readjusted, overpowered mechanisms have been made less exploitable, and strategic enhancements such as team attacks and dual-element spells have been introduced, offering fresh strategies.

However, as hinted earlier, it’s the larger, more significant encounters that truly shine. While Daybreak 2’s narrative may not resonate as deeply as expected, Falcom delivers spectacularly with well-orchestrated boss battles and escalating tensions. Throw in some pulsating battle soundtracks, and this is typically when Trails combat is at its peak and most captivating.

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2025-02-13 22:07