And it baffles me because this content isn’t DLC – if you already finished the base game, it’s a new journey to embark on. Blame it on the Switch 2, as whatever Falcom wanted to achieve with Proud Nordics simply wasn’t possible on the original. So here we are, starting from the beginning, trying to rationalize what’s a pretty good addition to an otherwise fine base game. Is it worth diving back in for those who already experienced the original? Would the overall package appeal to long-time fans? Let’s find out.

"From a story perspective, they’re actually pretty solid additions with Canute offering an interesting wrinkle to Karja’s character. The Shield Sibling bond between Canute and Astrid is also intriguing as a foil to our leading pair, proving that these partnerships are never quite as cut-and-dry as they seem."

If you played Nordics, the plot and gameplay are virtually the same. Rather than a direct sequel to the more recent titles, it unfolds between Ys 2: Ancient Ys Vanished – The Final Chapter and Ys: Memories of Celceta with a younger Adol and Dogi sailing in the Obelia Gulf. They’re accosted by pirates, later identified as Normans – part of the Balta Seaforce that keeps the peace. Things quickly take a turn in Carnac, the largest settlement in the region, when Adol discovers a mysterious bracelet binding him to Karja, the daughter of the Seaforce’s leader, Grimson.

If that wasn’t enough, mysterious enemies known as Griegr attack Carnac. Using the power of Mana, Adol and Karja work together to repel them while rescuing any survivors whisked away. And in traditional series’ fashion of putting way too much on Adol’s plate, he’s also occasionally transported to an unknown island inhabited by a single old man upon discovering new Mana Actions. Unlike previous games, again, you can execute traversal abilities like grappling, surfing on a Gullinboard, unleashing charged elemental attacks, and even slowing time.

So far, so typical, and many of the pros and cons with the combat system – where Adol and Karja can attack simultaneously and guard against Power Attacks to unleash higher-damaging skills thanks to the Revenge System – remain. What’s new then? Well, first, you need to play all the way through to Chapter 5 to unlock access to Öland Island, the new region. I managed this within four hours or so by skipping all the cutscenes and interactions, but that will only get you through the door, as I’ll explain shortly.

Öland Island is interesting because it’s a place that’s ordinarily unapproachable by ship. Only through landing on a small scrap of land nearby and using Mana Ride can the duo ultimately approach it. What they find is an odd coliseum-style location where monsters are seemingly drawn. It’s not long before they encounter Canute and Astrid, two more Normans with whom Karja has a less-than-positive history. From a story perspective, they’re actually pretty solid additions with Canute offering an interesting wrinkle to Karja’s character. The Shield Sibling bond between Canute and Astrid is also intriguing as a foil to our leading pair, proving that these partnerships are never quite as cut-and-dry as they seem.

We learn even more about Norman history – the purpose of Öland Island and even the origins of “The Red” moniker that was bestowed upon Adol (since Grimson simply giving it to him wasn’t good enough). It’s a genuinely compelling side plot with some notable interactions, even if it remains just that – a side plot.

"Exploration on Öland Island as a whole feels so much better than the base game, even if it still falls short of Ys 9. It once again highlights what could have been, had Falcom not placed so much emphasis on sailing, naval combat, and spreading out its explorable areas."

But while you can treat this as an epilogue, the new content is clearly meant to be played alongside the base game. Tools like Mana Sense, Enhanced Mana String and splitting Adol and Karja via Raven Boundstones are pretty much mandatory. And while it flows naturally with the main plot, as someone who only wants to experience the new stuff, it’s so disruptive to the overall pacing. Almost like Falcom wants you to eat your vegetables before you can have dessert.

And I say that because the new content is actually good. The battles in Bergen Arena are pretty much just challenges against different enemies and bosses, but they offer rewards based on how quickly you can defeat the opponent. There’s also a pretty decent mix of foes, from tackling a single stampeding boar to a gaggle of Grieger who keep attacking without letting up, pushing you to alternate between dodging and deflecting to survive. And for someone who criticized the Duo Style for effectively making solo attacks pointless, there are also solo challenges where you don’t have the benefit of blocking Power Attacks. Individual build crafting and skill mastery is far more important here, though nothing is stopping you from over-leveling and decimating the lower-level challenges.

The new dungeons are also notable because the experience is notably closer to Ys 8 and 9 in terms of pacing, puzzles, and even layout. Then you have the boss battles. I dreaded seeing two of them with the same design, but lo and behold, each had unique patterns and required different tactics, both in deflection and dodging. Even the new Mana Hold ability, finicky as it can be at times, adds a nice new dimension to the exploration. Instead of just pushing a button like Mana Ride and simply going with the flow, there’s at least some thought to the various applications of Mana Hold. Does it feel a little too similar to the UltraHand from Tears of the Kingdom? Well, yes, but if you’re going to steal, then steal from the best.

Exploration on Öland Island as a whole feels so much better than the base game, even if it still falls short of Ys 9. It once again highlights what could have been, had Falcom not placed so much emphasis on sailing, naval combat, and spreading out its explorable areas. Speaking of sailing, there are also new Golden Breezes (Golden Wind was probably trademarked) on the ocean, which unlock new Sea Breezes upon defeating a group of enemies. This is a decent fix to the issues with sailing, especially when you first gain access to it, and provides a neat incentive for engaging in sea battles.

"If you’re a long-time fan and haven’t taken the plunge until now, Ys 10: Proud Nordics is the definitive edition for sure – just be warned that the new content, as fun as it can be, does little to dull the base game’s issues or reach the heights of the series’ best."

Of course, we go back to the main question – is this worth revisiting the base game, especially since you need to play through it all again for unfettered access to the new content? It ultimately comes down to how much you enjoyed Ys 10: Nordics, warts and all, and whether you’d be willing to revisit it.

That doesn’t quite describe me, and a second playthrough highlights all the more just how uninteresting the side characters and antagonists can be, or how mundane the sailing is in the early going. And while some of the later levels, including the occupied cities and forts, have more happening than the earlier stages, it’s still a fairly above-average experience.

Even if its tools were tied into it so inextricably, I would have appreciated the pacing of Proud Nordics if the side content wasn’t so start and stop with the main game. If you’re a long-time fan and haven’t taken the plunge until now, Ys 10: Proud Nordics is the definitive edition for sure – just be warned that the new content, as fun as it can be, does little to dull the base game’s issues or reach the heights of the series’ best.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Players can catch up with Van Arkride, who ventures to Marduk before inevitably getting caught up in world-ending circumstances. You’ll also play as classic characters like Rean Schwarzer and Kevin Graham, with progress transferring over to the game at launch.

Then there’s the Battle demo, which is only available for PS4 and PS5. It focuses on the new dungeon side activity, Grim Garten, with three party choices led by each protagonist. The dual battle system, which allows for turn-based and real-time battles, remains, but you can now slow enemies with Z.O.C. and execute consecutive attacks with increased power.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon launches on January 15th, 2026. Check out our review for its predecessor, Trails through Daybreak 2, here.

In a press release, Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo said, “I’m excited to announce that the latest entry in Nihon Falcom‘s Trails series, The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon, will also be released on Nintendo Switch 2. With the power of the Nintendo Switch 2, we expect players to have an even more enjoyable experience. In fact, this will mark the debut of the Trails series on the Nintendo Switch 2, and I personally have high expectations for it. Please continue to look forward to the release!”

Digital prices have yet to be announced, but you can pre-order the limited physical edition on each platform. The Nintendo Switch 2 version costs $109.99, while the PS4, PS5, and Switch 1 versions retail for $99.99 on NIS America’s online store.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon directly follows the events of Trails through Daybreak 2 with Van Arkride and his allies returning. Rean Schwarzer from Cold Steel and Kevin Graham from Trails in the Sky the 3rd also return alongside other familiar heroes and villains.

Of course, for those worried about the lack of Trails this year, Falcom’s Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, a remake of Trails in the Sky FC, is available this September.

The story focuses on Zemuria launching a rocket into space to explore the great unknown. Meanwhile, Van and his allies embark on a training exercise at the behest of the Marduk Company in Ored. Touted as the beginning of the series’s “final chapter,” Trails beyond the Horizon features new mechanics like Shard Commands, Awakening, and Z.O.C. (which can stop time).

The Grim Garten is also available as a new dungeon, which players can explore with various characters (akin to the Märchen Garten from Trails through Daybreak 2). Stay tuned for more details on the title in the coming months.

The timing of its release is interesting because Falcom also has Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter out this Fall. Canadian retailer Video Games Plus listed it for September 25th, but it’s yet to be officially confirmed.

Characters like Agnès Claudel, Feri Al-Fayed, and Elaine Auclaire return, while Swin Abel and Nadia Rayne from Trails into Reverie join the cast. Unlike its predecessor, players will follow two branching paths with separate party members, tackling different problems. New mechanics like hacking and tailing suspects also come into play.

There’s also a new side activity, the Märchen Garten, where you can choose your own party and venture through various floors, earning rewards along the way. Check out our review for more details on all the ups (and downs).

Falcom hasn’t announced when The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki – Farewell, O Zemuria, the next chapter, will launch in the West, but stay tuned for more updates. It’s out now in Japan for PS4 and PS5.

New characters with different lifestyles and luxuries yet beset by their own dark pasts and worries accompanied an all-encompassing underworld, corruption, red tape, and new threats. The new engine, with its sleeker visuals and the combat changes, didn’t hurt either.

"Without getting into too many spoilers, the story also introduces a time-looping element, where players can return to previous plot points and make different decisions."

Much of that carries over into The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak 2, though the urgency of the series’ overall plot feels diminished. The characters and their developments still shine while the combat feels sleek and the pacing brisk, but be prepared for a story that will inspire a fair number of “huh?”s without contributing much to the bigger picture.

Occurring roughly a year after the first game’s events, Arkride Solutions is seemingly on more comfortable footing. That is until Elaine of the Bracer Guild informs Van of a mysterious crimson beast rampaging through Edith, committing massacres seemingly at random. Its resemblance to the Grendel is far from a coincidence and thus, Van and Elaine team up to track it down.

Of course, the crimson beast – known as Grendel Zolga – and its identity is only one of the core mysteries permeating the sequel. What is it after? Who is the accompanying AI? There’s also the matter of Almata’s legacy, an unknown item or treasure of sorts that remained after the organization’s downfall. And darn it if there isn’t a mysteriously enigmatic masked individual to deal with, Ouroboros members and their subordinates, or even more newcomers to the cast.

Without getting into too many spoilers, the story also introduces a time-looping element, where players can return to previous plot points and make different decisions. There’s even a visual timeline highlighting the branching nodes. As novel as this is for the series – and as excited as I felt, having enjoyed visual novels like Raging Loop – the time-looping doesn’t really work in the same way. It’s a plot contrivance that becomes severely overdone in some of the worst ways while diminishing some of the bigger stakes.

"There’s a certain warmth and familiarity in reuniting with beloved allies, aided by the (mostly) natural flow of the writing and conversations."

Even without it, the story proves problematic in other ways. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal if it furthered the series’ overall narrative, but that’s sadly not the case. However, not everything in Trails through Daybreak 2 is completely throwaway, thanks to the characters. There’s a certain warmth and familiarity in reuniting with beloved allies, aided by the (mostly) natural flow of the writing and conversations.

Hearing Van banter with just about anyone is a treat, and actor Damian Haas does an even better job this time around, shifting between sarcasm and concern without skipping a beat. Amanda Lee is also great as Agnès, balancing the cutesy and serious with equal aplomb.

Several other examples include Skyler Davenport as Mare (which sounds even more eerily like March 7th than before), Brittany Cox as Judith – the list goes on. Even Swin and Nadia feel more compelling than ever, even if some interactions can overplay the latter’s quirks. It’s a shame that their talents feel somewhat wasted in what’s essentially a filler arc.

Those who can vibe with the sequel’s atmosphere will find plenty to keep them busy. The story is split between two routes and parties across different locations that eventually converge. You take up various activities like a new card game, fishing, and hacking trials. Aside from the lame tailing mini-game, side quests present a few interesting tales and interactions, even if some can veer into absurdity. The LGC Alignment also returns, though it’s far less important than the previous game and ends up feeling superfluous.

"Though the Garten itself can underwhelm, with the limited objective variety and familiar layouts, it is a fun addition, especially for combat lovers."

Above all, there’s the Märchen Garten. The latter is a virtual space which has suddenly been taken over by an unknown individual for unknown reasons. It’s thus up to Van and the crew to take it back (at the behest of the Marduk Company, of course). The Garten consists of various floors with branching routes that you can select. Each area has different objectives, like smashing “X” number of objects or defeating “Y” number of medium-sized foes before you get a reward and the way forward opens.

If you want to stick around and fully clear the floor while exploring for treasure, that’s also possible. The final node culminates in a boss, and while I would have liked the choices of nodes to factor in a bit more, these encounters can get genuinely challenging if you waltz in unprepared.

Completing runs in the Garten provides Shard Tokens, which can be spent on the Mystic Cube. It’s a gacha-style system not unlike that seen in Trails into Reverie (but without the prospect of additional unlockable characters). You can still earn Sepith and Quartz alongside unlockables like alternate outfits, hairstyles and BGM to play on different occasions in the Garten.

Skill Gems are also doled out from the Cube, and during exploring for powering up different characters’ Crafts within the activity and even unlock stat bonuses within separate tiers. Though the Garten itself can underwhelm, with the limited objective variety and familiar layouts, it is a fun addition, especially for combat lovers.

"And yet, Trails through Daybreak 2 doesn’t feel like more than the sum of its parts…It could have been so much more narratively, cheap gimmicks notwithstanding."

Speaking of, battles in Trails through Daybreak 2 follow many of the same tenets as its predecessor. Attack enemies on the field in real-time and stun them, then activate Shards to begin turn-based combat. Attack weaknesses with Arts, unleash Crafts, boost to increase damage (and unlock S-Crafts for use), stand near allies to activate follow-ups with the SCLM, etc. Field battles allow for wielding Quick Arts and swapping to another character after dodging an enemy’s attack for a counter-blow.

It does add some more variety, especially when dealing with weaker enemies. There are also EX Chains, which can activate fancy double-team attacks where two characters unleash their Crafts. Overall, it’s a solid combat system, even if it can get repetitive in terms of tactics, and the Quick Arts don’t feel nearly as impactful as I’d like.

Presentation-wise, the visuals suffer a few of the same issues as its predecessor on PS5. Anti-aliasing at a distance doesn’t look too sharp, and there is noticeable pop-in. Performance is improved, though some dips are noticeable during the more over-the-top S-Crafts. The art direction remains solid, especially the character models, and it’s backed by some pretty good music. The moody tones while roaming the streets of Edith, fast-paced beats and the violin play during combat – it all comes together pretty well.

And yet, Trails through Daybreak 2 doesn’t feel like more than the sum of its parts. If you’re a fan – and you must be to keep track of everything that’s happened thus far, even with the multitudes of recaps – the gameplay, characterization, presentation, and side content can be enjoyable. It just could have been so much more narratively, cheap gimmicks notwithstanding.

This game was reviewed on the PS5.

The Battle demo lets you choose from two different parties and battle through the Märchen Garten, a virtual simulation with various locations and threats across the story. It plays a key role in the story, not unlike the Reverie Corridor from previous titles. On the other hand, the Story demo contains the beginning of the game, allowing one to experience the plot early.

Progress from the second demo can transfer to the second game when it launches. The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak 2 is available on February 14th for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Check out our review of the first game – we gave an eight out of ten.

As for the sequel, it sees Van Arkride and Agnès Claudel returning and the Calvard Republic at relative peace. However, a strange crimson beast appears, causing havoc and murdering several bystanders. While the duo investigate the creature (and its equally mysterious AI), they run into other factions and persons of interest.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak 2 launches on February 14th, 2025, for PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. It features the same combat system, with players switching between real-time hack-and-slash and turn-based command battles. New mechanics include all-out attacks and tagging in others for additional Charged Attacks on the field. The story also plays out in a format similar to Trails through Reverie. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

After a message from a mysterious girl in a seashell, Adol and Karja are linked via Mana Cuffs and must work together to battle the Griegr. On top of learning new action to traverse locations, including Mana Wire and Mana Surf, the duo can also unleash elemental skills to solve puzzles. Unlike previous entries, combat is more parry-focused with Duo Skills and attacks.

If all of this isn’t enough, you also get a ship to sail around with, engaging in naval battles or tuna fishing while expanding the crew. Check out our review for Ys 10: Nordics here, or play the free demo, which covers the Prologue up to part of Chapter 3.

While it may seem ripe for local two-player co-op, only the PC version will support the same at launch per PH3’s Peter “Durante” Thoman. Described as “an experimental, unofficial feature, developed by me personally with a budget of 0 €, and some pretty wild hacks,” it also hasn’t had the benefit of extensive testing. Check out the footage below to see how it looks.

Throughout the game, the Co-Op State is represented in the top right and ranges from active (with each player controlling a character) to impossible, depending on the situation. There are also Co-op States for fishing and sailing. During combat, blocking is shared, but executing a Perfect Block requires abject timing from both players.

Only one character can use the Gullinboard, and if you get too far from your partner, a darker version of the Mana String will emerge until you’re back together. It’s definitely a novel approach, especially given how the game approaches duo combat. We’ll see how it pans out when the game launches on October 25th. In the meantime, check out our review of the PS5 version or the free demo.