From the moment The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon launches on PlayStation 5, it makes clear this is a title built for an audience already deeply invested in Falcom’s sprawling saga. Rather than a clean entry point, Horizon leans into its status as the third chapter of the Calvard arc, inviting players to reconnect with familiar faces like Van Arkride, Rean Schwarzer, and Kevin Graham as they converge on a narrative that mixes political intrigue with a human spaceflight initiative. While the ambition of intertwining three protagonists’ story paths gives the narrative breadth and emotional stakes, it also contributes to a sense of narrative overload for newcomers and casual fans; the pacing sometimes feels uneven, requiring patience through exposition-heavy segments before the plot gains momentum.
Narratively, Horizon’s strongest asset is its character work. Longtime series fans will appreciate how returning figures are woven into the broader conspiracy and how personal arcs intersect with world-changing events. This resonance is less potent for players without extensive background in previous entries, as the game presumes familiarity with past developments and historical context. To more casual players of the series, certain chapters will feel meandering or overly padded, especially in the early acts, with stretches where slower pacing undercuts storytelling momentum.
Where Horizon most clearly makes good on its ambitions is in its hybrid combat system. Building on the innovations introduced in Trails Through Daybreak, the battle system blends real-time Field Battles with tactical turn-based Command Battles, giving encounters a satisfying strategic layer that rarely feels redundant. New mechanics such as Shard Commands, Awakening, and time-altering abilities add depth without overwhelming the underlying framework, and the expanded range of options keeps combat engaging across long play sessions. At times, however, the overall difficulty curve leans toward accessibility rather than challenge, particularly once players begin to optimise party setups.
The act of switching between combat styles, while a systemic strength, does expose some design rough edges. Field Battle controls can feel slightly awkward during more hectic encounters, especially when activating advanced abilities or managing multiple effects at once, occasionally disrupting the otherwise fluid rhythm of combat.
Visually, Trails beyond the Horizon presents a polished and coherent world. Locations across the Calvard Republic are richly detailed and distinct, lending the game a lived-in quality that enhances exploration and world-building. Still, the presentation is not without blemishes; some environmental assets and character animations feel uneven, and while the PS5 version performs reliably, the visuals stop short of feeling truly cutting-edge.
The audio design complements the experience well, with a soundtrack that reinforces both quieter character moments and high-energy battles. Musical themes are effective in grounding the game’s emotional beats, and voice performances generally elevate key scenes. Inconsistencies in voice acting coverage across the lengthy script can occasionally break immersion, but rarely enough to undermine the overall experience.
Ultimately, The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon is a dense, content-rich JRPG that succeeds in evolving the series’ combat systems while delivering a narrative designed to reward long-term fans. Its ambition, character focus, and mechanical depth make it a compelling continuation of the Trails saga, even if pacing issues and a steep onboarding curve limit its accessibility. For players already invested in Zemuria’s ongoing story, this is a substantial and satisfying chapter – one that clearly positions the series for what comes next.
Score: 8.2/10
Press Play Media 