The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie Review – The End Of An Era

Nihon Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes has been a video game classic for almost two decades. It is a rich collection of characters and history. Across three narrative arcs (and counting), I’ve explored myriad diverse locations, cultures, governments, and organizations, making the continent of Zemuria the most lived-in world I’ve ever experienced in the medium. The latest installment in this long-running series, Trails into Reverie is bittersweet. I may have to say goodbye for good to some characters after they’ve captured my heart.

After the countless emotional moments of joy, shock, and tragedy, the further I progressed in this entry, the more I was afraid of bidding farewell to these wonderful and gratifying characters I’ve come to love so dearly. Even though this entry is one of the weakest of the series, I have been captivated by the theme that shapes a person into who they are. The moment the credits started rolling, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for having reached this point in this epic and experienced it.

This is not the first entry in a series. It is important that you play them in the correct order, starting with Trails in the Sky. This will give the best story. Trails into Reverie is more or less the epilogue chapter for both Crossbell’s (Trails of Cold Steel I-IV) and Erebonia’s (Trails of Zero/Trails of Azure) arcs.

The Great Twilight has ended for six months, and the independent state of Crossbell is about to proclaim its independence, but a familiar enemy will stop them. Reverie has a unique narrative compared to other parts of the series. The story is more focused, but still maintains the same high level storytelling and character development.

Instead of showcasing one main character, three different branches focus on a specific character – a series first. Reverie puts you back in the shoes of former main protagonists Lloyd Bannings and Rean Schwarzer, along with a masked individual who fans of the series will remember that goes by the name “C.” These characters’ paths diverge into another compelling narrative where each of them overcomes the personal burdens they’ve been struggling with for the past several games. Each character’s story reaches a satisfying conclusion, and I’m glad there’s a chance for them to return in future entries.

While significant things happen to both Rean and C, Reverie truly feels like Lloyd’s story, with the narrative primarily focusing on his home Crossbell. Crossbell could be explored in 3D at the end of this almost 60-hour adventure (including all recommended postgame material). Trails from Zero, Trails to Azure and other games featured characters with a Chibi style in an isometric viewpoint. I enjoyed seeing everything that was explored in the previous game in a different light.

Even though the Trails in the Sky series has a reputation for allowing a certain amount of exploration, Reverie offers a more simple experience. The lack of traditional sidequests is disappointing, as I enjoyed learning about new world lore. However, The Legend of Heroes is masterful at making the locations you repeatedly visit across entries feel evolved; even when there isn’t much to do at a location you haven’t been to in several games, it is still rewarding to roam around and talk to familiar faces.

The Legend of Heroes combat has been more or less the same from the start, even though it is great in general. Although it has been simplified in the past, this is disappointing, the fundamental elements of gameplay have not changed. The one notable mechanic introduced in this entry is called “United Front,” where you can unleash an all-out attack that deals massive damage to your enemies or heal your entire party. It didn’t fundamentally change the way I approached fights compared to previous entries, but it definitely got me out of some tight spots.

The main game experience takes place in the True Reverie Corridor, a small pocket of reality. It is not just a base for the characters, it also houses the majority of side content, such as purchasing gear, fishing, a staple of the series, and Vantage Masters, a simple but very well designed card game. There are also fun activities like engaging in trials with certain characters and gaining unique upgrades.

It is a good dungeon to increase the level of your party. As I explored each floor, I found treasures and formidable enemies that give me sealing stones, which can unlock new characters, minigames, and “daydreams.” These compelling slice-of-life moments are my favorite unlock from the Reverie Corridor, as they focus on events from different members of the cast that happen between the events of Cold Steel IV and Trails into Reverie. The Legend of Heroes’s vast array of detailed and well-written characters is arguably its best feature. But the story is focused on just a handful of characters. This gives you a chance to say goodbye in a more intimate way.

In the final game I had over 40 characters to choose from. I was familiar with their backstory and histories, having played one or more of the 10 previous entries. It’s almost as if this is a celebration for these characters, and of the amazing storytelling quality that has been developed over the course of the series.

This is no ordinary game. Nearly two decades of detailed world-building and character development have culminated in this release. The franchise isn’t perfect, but this series is wholly one-of-a-kind. This series is an icon that belongs alongside Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts. Zemuria is unlike any other gaming world I’ve seen, and it has some of my most favorite characters. Reverie faces the daunting task of ending three storylines that spanned almost 20 years and featured characters. The narrative of this chapter may be a little less impressive than in previous entries but it is still superior to most games of the same genre. Trails into Reverie will be the last we’ll see of many beloved characters. This is a wonderful send-off.