Proper, first issues first, don’t play Trails past the Horizon if you have not already crushed Trails via Dawn and Trails via Dawn 2.
Even by Trails requirements, Horizon is ridiculously dense; the occasions of this long-awaited sequel rely closely on you having intimate information of previous titles, and so even you probably have performed Dawn and Dawn 2, it is perhaps a good suggestion to look at a narrative recap earlier than you get caught in.
In fact, the sheer heft of the sequence’ narrative — which now spans 13 (13!) video games — is each one in every of its best strengths and one its most off-putting facets. However that is what makes a title like Horizon so totally distinctive; the place else are you going to discover a recreation constructed on over 20 years of interconnected storytelling?
Truthfully, Falcom’s unwavering dedication to the franchise borders on absurd at this level, however you have to respect simply how unapologetically impenetrable this newest instalment is. If ever there was a Trails title created for completely nobody however present followers, that is it.
Trails past the Horizon represents the fruits of plot traces which have been stewing for a number of console generations, packed right into a roughly 80-hour journey break up throughout three playable teams of characters.
At its core, Horizon is actually the third recreation within the aforementioned Dawn saga, sporting a continued give attention to Van Arkride and his ragtag allies as they examine all types of unusual happenings in Calvard’s sprawling capital metropolis of Edith.
However on the identical time, Horizon incorporates numerous characters from older Trails titles, specifically the Chilly Metal video games. These properly established heroes are introduced in to assist tie Horizon’s high-stakes story to the sequence’ broader, ongoing narratives, leading to a plot that is tackled from quite a few fascinating angles.
All of it will get off to a reasonably gradual begin, nonetheless. We might argue that the discharge’s opening act is basically its weakest, because it spends a bit an excessive amount of time attempting to reintroduce a frankly surprising variety of returning characters. Severely, Van and the gang can barely stroll 5 toes with out yet one more outdated buddy hijacking the scene.
However push via these early pacing points and Horizon’s story actually begins to ramp up. In truth, we might be tempted to say that that is one in every of Falcom’s finest efforts almost about sustaining pressure; virtually each chapter ends with a formidable bang, all the time preserving you guessing as to what the subsequent twist is perhaps.
The Japanese developer deserves an terrible lot of reward for simply how properly it manages Horizon’s interlocking storylines. Granted, a number of the beats generally is a contact predictable — particularly for those who’re conversant in the type of tropes the Trails video games are likely to fall again on — however Horizon actually does not skimp on reveals and revelations of nice significance.
And we do not simply imply that from the attitude of this one recreation — we’re speaking the whole franchise right here.
Certainly, the all-important world constructing that holds Trails collectively is expanded upon to a stunning diploma, giving welcome perception into issues that followers have been arguing over for ages. And in that sense, this can be a notably thrilling title in comparison with previous entries, which have — at instances — been accused of treading water on a wider narrative scale.
However do not get your hopes up an excessive amount of. Whereas Horizon does really feel like a particular level of no return for numerous story components, it is also eager to bolster the truth that issues are removed from over, posing loads of questions that the subsequent recreation(s) will try to reply. The tip is in sight, however solely type of.
It is about time we moved onto the gameplay aspect of Horizon, however to be sincere, not a complete lot has modified since Dawn 2. The general construction of the sport stays in place, with outlined story chapters being damaged up between important and aspect goals, a wholesome chunk of exploration, and a smattering of more and more intense fight encounters.
Even the Marchen Garten — a considerably randomised, principally non-compulsory dungeon designed to be conquered over the course of the sport — returns, albeit with a brand new identify. The refreshed Grim Garten has deeper connections to the precise plot, however its goal is similar: that is the place you go while you wish to discover new social gathering mixtures, degree up your characters, and grind for helpful tools.
Whereas just a little repetitive, the Grim Garten supplies what we predict is a mandatory, combat-driven diversion, away from the hours upon hours of dialogue that you’re going to be sitting via exterior.
Horizon can get so slowed down in character churn and exposition that the steadiness between yapping and precise gameplay can really feel means too one-sided. However fortunately, the Garten is all the time available to maintain you invested in all of these addictive RPG components.
Similar to in Dawn 2, you are given numerous social gathering members to develop and customise. Character builds can nonetheless vary from simplistic to extremely specialised, and there are such a lot of unlockable magic arts and passive perks to think about.
There are some actually participating methods at play right here — a typical Trails trait at this level — they usually all reward the trouble that you just’re prepared to place in.
However once we say that Horizon is dense, we additionally imply that from a gameplay perspective. Once more, Dawn-ers will really feel proper at house, however specifically, new battle mechanics someway convey much more choices to the desk.
For instance, ‘S-Boosts’ — a useful resource that builds up as you battle — can now be spent on party-wide buffs, that are like an evolution of the Courageous Orders from the Chilly Metal saga. Or, you may gas new high-damage group assaults along with your S-Increase bars as an alternative.
In a nutshell, there’s a good better emphasis on useful resource administration — particularly within the recreation’s more durable brawls. It does not really feel just like the underlying steadiness of fight has been rewired an excessive amount of, however there is a contemporary tactical flexibility in Horizon that is certain to entice returning gamers.
Having mentioned all of that, we nonetheless discover ourselves preferring the scaled-back, however brilliantly refined method of Trails within the Sky 1st Chapter’s fight system. Horizon’s complexity is a energy as soon as you’ve got wrapped your head round its inside workings, however it’s teetering on the sting of being needlessly convoluted.
And we can’t lie, we’re additionally lacking 1st Chapter’s immaculate presentation. Now, this is not essentially Falcom’s fault since Horizon launched in Japan again in 2024 — a full 12 months earlier than the Sky remake — however the easy fact is that it may well’t maintain a candle to what’s supplied by the most recent engine improve.
Environments proceed to look reasonably tough, and the NPCs that inhabit them could be ugly. However no less than Horizon’s obtained a bunch of recent fight and cutscene animations that rival these present in 1st Chapter. We’re hoping that Horizon’s sequel will give Calvard the glow up that it deserves.
