I'm hearing the marketing for this one is on the spoilery side (as is frequently the case with Falcom), so beware.

Game Information

Game Title: The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak

Platforms:

• PC (Jul 5, 2024)
• PlayStation 4 (Jul 5, 2024)
• PlayStation 5 (Jul 5, 2024)
• Nintendo Switch (Jul 5, 2024)

Trailer:

Developers: Nihon Falcom, NIS America

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 88 average - 95% recommended - 20 reviews

Critic Reviews

ComingSoon.net - Tyler Treese - 8.5 / 10

Trails Through Daybreak is the strong start to a new chapter that The Legend of Heroes franchise needed.

Console Creatures - Matt Sowinski - Recommended

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is another hit in the beloved series, delivering a darker narrative, revamped combat, and an excellent cast of characters. It has a ton to offer to both new players and existing fans of the series.

Everyeye.it - Antonello Bello - Italian - 8.8 / 10

While not matching the epic nature of Trails of Cold Steel IV, which for its part had the advantage of being the final chapter of a painful and well-oiled tetralogy, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak is configured as one of Nihon Falcom's best recent productions.

Final Weapon - Raul Ochoa - 4.5 / 5

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak serves as a brilliant introduction to the Republic of Calvard, the setting for what appears to be the most exciting Trails story arc yet. Van Arkride explores the gray areas of Calvardian society alongside allies that are just as tough and driven. The game's story is complemented by a revamped combat system that retains the identity of Trails, and there's of plenty of improvements made that make this one of the best Trails games to date.

GameGrin - Mike Crewe - 9 / 10

A dark, more mature story, a great new cast of characters, and much improved turn-based action make Trails through Daybreak a fine addition to the franchise that's accessible to fans and newcomers alike.

Hardcore Gamer - Jordan Helm - 4.5 / 5

Nihon Falcom needn't have gone about overhauling things as radically as they have. But with a newfound energy and purpose to its real-time/turn-based hybrid of a premise, as well as a bountiful amount of new and returning mechanics to experiment with, Trails Through Daybreak is nothing less than another fantastic reinvention for what was already some of if not the best turn-based combat in any JRPG series. Aided on top by that familiar dedication to player customization, intriguing world-building and that ongoing desire to spend a bit longer in getting the most out of the systems on show. Countless entries later, Trails continues to prove itself as one of the most satisfying and engaging role-playing experiences available. It wasn't exactly begging for such reinvention, but with The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak, Nihon Falcom's opener to the Calvard arc is as close to perfect a new chapter, as you can possibly get.

IGN - George Yang - 8 / 10

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak’s new cast of characters, revamped battle system, and engaging story is exactly what the series needed to reach new heights.

IGN Italy - Alessandra Borgonovo - Italian - 7.5 / 10

An eleventh chapter that tries to revamp the series from a gameplay point of view, only partially succeeding.

Nintendo Life - Mitch Vogel - 8 / 10

Trails through Daybreak stands as another great entry in the storied Legend of Heroes series, making the most of its new setting with its memorable characters and engaging turn-based combat. Though it's held back a bit by things like the awkward introduction of action-based combat and some irritating quirks (and nearly unreadable text in portable mode), this is still an entry that we would strongly recommend to both series fans and, yes, newcomers, too. Trails through Daybreak is a strong inaugural outing, offering another fresh start for this franchise; we'd suggest you give it a shot.

NintendoWorldReport - Jordan Rudek - 9 / 10

Van is a charming and vocal protagonist who gives as good as he gets, and rest assured, he isn't shy about giving a loving head patting when the opportunity arises. Those who have played earlier Trails games will enjoy the returning characters, mentions, and nods to earlier events and people, but even if you're an RPG player unfamiliar with the Trails games, you'll find plenty of reasons to sink your teeth into this latest one. It's no surprise that the hero of Daybreak has a proclivity towards indulging in cakes and pastries; he happens to star in one hell of a sweet adventure.

NookGaming - Rob MacIntosh - 8 / 10

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak made for a rather enjoyable playthrough that was hard carried by its main party and how fun combat was. I also like that it trims some of the fat that had begun building with the bloated previous arc. This is one of the best put-together Trails games in a long time, complete with some solid cutscene choreography and a near-seamless feeling of play in between combat and cutscenes.

PSX Brasil - Thiago de Alencar Moura - Portuguese - 90 / 100

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak is a darker and more interesting take on one of the best JRPG franchises of all time. The gameplay additions enrich the experience, but what really makes it so remarkable is the excellent cast and storytelling that lives up to the series' fame.

RPGamer - Alex Fuller - 4.5 / 5

Offering an incredibly welcome refresh for the series with its story, cast, and gameplay, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak is a delightful way to re-enrapture existing fans while being an excellent opportunity for newcomers to get on board.

Siliconera - Cory Dinkel - 10 / 10

Trails through Daybreak is a triumph for both long-time fans and newcomers to the series. For veterans, it builds upon and expands nearly every aspect that makes the series great, from its intricate storytelling to its deep character development and strategic gameplay. For new players, while it’s a challenge to dive into such a complex series, the game makes a commendable effort to provide an accessible starting point into the rich world and lore without feeling overwhelmed.

Spaziogames - Gianluca Arena - Italian - 7.5 / 10

Trails through Daybreak marks the first time Falcom takes a bet with its franchise, changing its combat system to a degree and some of its gameplay mechanics. The changes are all good for newcomers, which will find an ideal entry point here, but are not so for the longtime fans, who could dislike the action-focused shift and the decrease in the overall level of challenge.

The Games Machine - Danilo Dellafrana - Italian - 8 / 10

Trails Through Daybreak is a rather classic role-playing game and will delight Nihon Falcom fans, if only to inaugurate yet another narrative strand in a now endless dynasty. The combat system isn't quite as polished as the one seen in Trails of Cold Steel, however, and the plot likes to keep the pace a bit too slow, but as a start there's nothing to complain too much about, thanks also to the charisma of a protagonist like Van and an intriguing game world as only Falcom is capable of creating.

The Outerhaven Productions - Scott Adams - 5 / 5

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak gives us a new area of Zemuria and a lot of new characters to love. Van Arkride is a great character and I hope to see more of him going forward.

TheSixthAxis - Miguel Moran - 9 / 10

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak is the spark that this series needed, and an incredible new chapter for such an iconic franchise. The shift in tone for the story and the addictive dual-mode combat had me hooked from beginning to end. If you play any game in this series, make it this one.

Twinfinite - Cameron Waldrop - 5 / 5

Though I will always have a soft spot for the Cold Steel games, Trails Through Daybreak arrives as the new best game of the series. Between giving a more mature protagonist and redefining the combat, the Calvard arc starts with its best foot forward. The fact that things have already become this hectic with the very first game means we're looking at probably the craziest arc to date. Sadly, these take a bit of time to localize, and we'll be two behind in September, but I will be right there when the next one hits.

VGChartz - Thomas Froehlicher - 8.5 / 10

Although it only partially fixes Falcom's woes in terms of story pacing, Trails Through Daybreak is nonetheless a journey full of wonders.

It's been just a drip feed of news for us the past few months. The games showcase season started out slow for the genre, with Expedition 33 possibly the biggest early surprise, but Nintendo dropped a whopping eight announcements on us today. We also recently had a date set for Visions of Mana and the Baten Kaitos PC shadow drop.

What's got you excited? What do you want to see more of? What hasn't turned up that you wanted to see?

official website

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension launches on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S this Winter 2024.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, the full 3D remake of a fan-favorite Romancing SaGa 2, is coming to Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and Steam on October 24, 2024.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake will be release on 14th november 2024 on Nintendo switch, Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam and Windows Store

Bloomtown: A Different Story caught my eye immediately when I first saw it at last year's PC Gaming Show. Beautiful, smooth sprite animations and a clear Persona influence interested me enough to finally pick up the demo yesterday when I was browsing Steam's Next Fest.

It has a somewhat slow start, but I'm sure Earthbound fans will dig the the game's Americana setting with a dash of whimsy and humor as you poke around town. Of course, things take a turn and you end up fighting demons.

There's more than a little Persona 5 in the game's battle system, with familiar music, UI, gameplay elements, and concepts like companion demons. Some of it is parody, such as slapfights to determine who gains the initial advantage in battle. Some might feel outright borrowed, such as the battle music (which is nonetheless excellent).

Like many early demos, there are bugs and rough elements I'd expect to get smoothed out. However, the overall experience was far better than I was expecting. I'm excited to get my hands on the full game.

The demo is available on the game's Steam page if you'd like to try it yourself.

Game Information

Game Title: Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Platforms:

• Xbox Series X/S (Jun 14, 2024)
• PlayStation 5 (Jun 14, 2024)
• Nintendo Switch (Jun 14, 2024)
• PC (Jun 14, 2024)
• Xbox One (Jun 14, 2024)
• PlayStation 4 (Jun 14, 2024)

Trailers:

• Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance - The Ultimate Beginning | NSW, PS5/4, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, PC
• Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance - An Ideal World | NSW, PS5/4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam, PC
• Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance - Extended Cut | PS5 & PS4 Games

Developer: ATLUS

Publisher: SEGA

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 89 average - 100% recommended - 26 reviews

Critic Reviews

Atomix - Sebastian Quiroz - Spanish - 92 / 100

If you played the original Shin Megami Tensei V, Vengeance offers more of what made this installment special. Canon of Vengeance is an entertaining story with a series of twists that will surprise you, while those who will enter this world for the first time will be able to enjoy the definitive version of this title, with two campaigns and a lot of content. Just as it was in 2021, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is positioned as a must-play game, and something that JRPG fans have to play no matter what, even in a year when this genre has not stopped giving us some of its best modern exponents.

CGMagazine - Zubi Khan - 9.5 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance eclipses its predecessor in every way, making it one of the best turn-based JPRGs of the year.

COGconnected - Nicola Kapron - 90 / 100

All in all, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an excellent revision of a game I already liked. It’s still more sci-fi than horror, but a delightfully cynical tale nonetheless. And Yoko is a very engaging heroine in all her bitter glory. If you liked the original Shin Megami Tensei V, or even just thought about playing it, check Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance out. You won’t regret it.

Capsule Computers - Travis Bruno - 9.5 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance shines even brighter than before with a more involved new storyline, QoL improvements, and tons of content, this is the definitive way to experience this RPG.

Checkpoint Gaming - Pedro Cooray - 9 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance adds numerous quality-of-life improvements and drastic changes to the story and exploration that make the original game seem outdated. Plus, since the original campaign is still available in the Path of Creation, you are technically getting two games in one package. The new characters give you more reasons to care about the narrative, the new exploration options are thrilling, and the Press Turn combat system is as rewarding as ever. The series's eccentricities may not be for everyone, but no other franchise provides an experience quite like Shin Megami Tensei.

Digital Trends - George Yang - 4.5 / 5

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes one of the best open-world RPGs around even better.

Final Weapon - Raul Ochoa - 4.5 / 5

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a near-perfect version of Shin Megami Tensei V with a brand-new storyline and nearly a hundred hours' worth of new content. The Canon of Vengeance story corrects many of SMT V's faults while making the game's world feel even more intriguing and unique. All of the new features compound together to make an even more fulfilling game, making this the definitive version of SMT V.

GAMES.CH - Joel Kogler - German - 90%

For us, there is no doubt. "Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengence" is the definitive version of the game. The relatively small improvements in usability alone make the game completely different. Not to mention the general overhaul of the story, which means that the game allows two distinctly different playthroughs and thus offers an enormous scope. In the overall package with a very strong visual identity and a legendary soundtrack, "Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengence" is an absolute must-have for all fans of JRPGs, whether they are familiar with the series or not.

Game Rant - Shane Robert Moyer - 4.5 / 5

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance offers a lot for players, both old and new; an impressive enhanced art style, multiple story paths, and a definitive sense of the series progressing from what it once was. There may not be a ton of new things to justify purchasing the game again, but the additions that are here are excellent at keeping fans intrigued about what's going to happen next. Long-time fans will likely already know what they're getting into, as the game hasn't changed its turn-based combat and capture loops in a while. Still, those same fans have kept these games going until now, and Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is another in a long line of enjoyable titles in the long-running series.

GameBlast - Farley Santos - Portuguese - 9 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance reaffirms the franchise's legacy in a complex and immersive experience. The RPG maintains the classic elements of tactical turn-based combat, demon-baiting, and dark atmosphere, while introducing a more open-ended and vast exploration structure. The definitive version significantly expands the content with new missions, characters and technical improvements, providing an immersive adventure for newcomers and veterans alike.

GamingTrend - David Flynn - 95 / 100

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive way to experience SMTV. The new story is much more interesting and makes a perfect entry point for Persona fans, though it does miss out on some important plot points. The tweaks to combat make things feel that much tighter and strategic. With new bosses that even veterans will struggle with, Vengeance feels like an entirely new game.

God is a Geek - Lyle Carr - 9.5 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an absolutely wonderful RPG, with loads of new features that you'd be foolish to miss.

Hobby Consolas - Álvaro Alonso - Spanish - 92 / 100

Thanks to a ton of changes, additions, and improvements, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has gone from being a great RPG to one of the best. Even if you played it (and finished) it back in the day, it's worth returning to this wonderful post-apocalyptic world of demons, angels, and challenging turn-based combat.

IGN Italy - Alessandra Borgonovo - Italian - 8.5 / 10

A refined edition not to be missed, which however could have done better in terms of plot and level-up balance.

Kakuchopurei - Jonathan Leo - 90 / 100

Shin Megami Tensei V back in 2021 was an epic JRPG that really needed a better core story (or a superior method of telling it) and better hardware to run, along with some interface tweaks. The Vengeance revamp fixes all of that and adds in a lot more, making this entry the definitive version of an already-stellar post-apocalyptic demon-summoning Nahobino-ing experience.

With a lovingly crafted world with warranted upgrades, a huge cast of powerhouses to summon and recruit for your uber-demon army, a banging soundtrack with more awesome aural extras added, and a better framerate for the overall graphical experience, this is one literal hell of an adventure to dive into.

Nintendo Blast - Lucas Oliveira - Portuguese - 10 / 10

There's really a lot to talk about Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, such as its great performance on the Switch and the fact that it is one of the most beautiful products on the platform, as well as the wonderful dubbing in Japanese (there is also an option for voices in English) and the fun possibility to directly control some demons in special missions. However, in order not to prolong it any further, we end here by stating that this Atlus title is an RPG with recruitment and battles with monsters that are simply unparalleled, as well as a true lesson in how to deliver a definitive version of a game.

Nintendo Life - Mitch Vogel - 9 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a stellar example of an enhanced re-release done right. Its comprehensive approach to improving the story and various gameplay systems of the original release makes for an experience that's even more engrossing than the already excellent original game. Though we were disappointed by the lack of any performance gains here, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is still an extremely easy recommendation for any RPG fans. Some may consider SMT to be "Persona without the heart," but SMT V: V cleanly demonstrates that this old Atlus stalwart still has an abundance of fantastic gameplay and unique appeal.

PC Gamer - Kerry Brunskill - 91 / 100

Vengeance combines the fresh, familiar, and the fiendish into one incredible RPG.

PSX Brasil - Thiago de Alencar Moura - Portuguese - 90 / 100

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance delivers an exceptional package that, by marrying all its elements, amalgamates into a title that can easily be considered one of the best RPGs of this generation.

Press Start - Harry Kalogirou - 8.5 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance doesn't just feel like the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V, it also feels like a new potential template for ATLUS's future re-releases. Between a much improved narrative, the same addicting gameplay loop, heightened visuals and a smorgasbord of content, it's hard to find a lot to dislike in this package.

Push Square - Khayl Adam - 7 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive way to play Atlus' devilish game of demon fusion, with a new suite of bells and whistles to smooth over what can, at times, still be an abrasive gameplay experience. It's incredibly combat-heavy, which can become oppressive, but working towards raising that perfect demon remains as engaging as ever.

Spaziogames - Gianluca Arena - Italian - 8.9 / 10

Vengeance is for Shin Megami Tensei V what Royal was for Persona 5 some years ago: the best possible version of one of the more refined and fascinating JRPGs of the last decade. This is the version to choose if you haven't played it before and the one to replay if you've already dived into the original title.

Stevivor - Matt Gosper - 8 / 10

Overall, Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance is all about building a more streamlined and player-friendly experience. While the game’s difficulty hasn’t gone anywhere, it feels like Vengeance is doing its best to make you enjoy that experience and remove as many roadblocks as possible. The new Canon of Vengeance story is big, exciting and entirely unapologetic about taking a different path to the original story – giving returning SMTV players just as much to enjoy as new players. Playing on PS5 rather than the original Switch also let me enjoy the game’s world in much greater fidelity, and Vengeance takes full advantage of that to show just how gorgeous its huge maps are. While its combat is not for the faint of heart, the game’s rich, branching story offers plenty to enjoy over multiple playthroughs.

The Games Machine - Danilo Dellafrana - Italian - 9.5 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance breaks the shackles that initially bound it to a far too modest hardware to finally shine on a range of systems capable of enhancing its visionary beauty. On top of that, a resounding series of additions makes the handling of demons even deeper, while an alternative story line will keep even those who lost sleep over the Switch version happy.

TheSixthAxis - Nic Bunce - 8 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an excellent addition to the franchise that's a must-play for franchise fans, and well worth picking up for those curious about dipping their toes in the water. The difficulty level is still there, but it has become a lot more manageable thanks to quality of life updates. Just don't be disappointed if you show up expecting Persona, as the narrative and story qualities of the latter is a world apart.

XboxEra - Genghis Husameddin - 8 / 10

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a great refresh of a game that I had gripes with back then. Besides the far more interesting Vengeance route, the additional quality-of-life changes, added mechanics, and greatly improved performance make Vengeance easily the best version of a great turn-based RPG. Great for returning players and an even better deal for new ones.

games@lemmy.world