The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie

A feature-rich (at times astonishingly so) package of content -- major, minor and entirely optional alike -- Nihon Falcom have proven once again with Trails into Reverie why they remain one of the best and most renowned RPG developers still going. The story of Reverie may find itself branching out into three routes, but that holds no sway when it comes to presenting a familiar brand of quality. In a narrative that's as much intriguing in its larger story beats as it is surprisingly effective in its accompanying smaller ones alongside. Add to this a combat system that's still as fun to work out...

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is a crossover epic over a decade in the making - and it sticks the landing so well. Longtime fans of the franchise are in for an almost overwhelming level of callbacks, story conclusions, and narrative fanservice. In-between all of that, the endless Reverie Corridor provides an addictive way to dig just as deep into the combat mechanics as the story digs into the furthest reaches of Trails lore. This is a massive ending to a massive saga, and as long as you've kept up with every entry so far, you're guaranteed to enjoy it.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is an exceptional turn-based RPG that beautifully ties up loose ends from previous Trails games while hinting toward the franchise's future. Players are greeted by a memorable cast of characters that are playable across three main story paths. These story paths converge into an excellent experience with a slew of side content and much more to discover. This is an absolute must-buy for Trails fans.

I have a special RPG to share today because here's The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie; the culmination of an impeccable series.

For almost 20 years, Nihon Falcom has created one the richest ensembles of original characters, history, and politics in video games with The Legend of Heroes. 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. Trails into Reverie, the latest entry in the long-running franchise, is a bittersweet culmination; I must potentially say goodbye to some of these characters for good after the series successfully captured my heart.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie is the best entry into this long-running series that runs extremely well on the Steam Deck!

Trails into Reverie is an impressive send off to a series that does its best to deliver on fan expectations with characters, though an often generic and slow storyline does drag it down a bit.

When the issues of a game are rolled and stomped by its greatness, then it’s something to invest on if you have some spare.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is a fascinating game I wish I could recommend to everyone. Unfortunately, I can’t do that. This is not because Trails into Reverie is flawed–although it is. The problem is that this title is the tenth game in a series, and it tries to provide closure to everything that came before it.

Positively overflowing with meaty, tactical combat and terrific character writing, Trails of Reverie is held back by its dated presentation and sky-high barrier to entry.

Trails Into Reverie should have been the best sendoff one could ask for in this great franchise. Unfortunately, it's the complete opposite. The duality of its story takes away from the narrative, and the introduction of every gotcha mechanic present in most mobile RPGs hurts more than it should. Though its combat and writing remain stellar, the rest of the game fails to capture the greatness of the titles that came before it.

Over a decade of storytelling comes to a head in The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie. Ruddy Celestial takes a look at the latest NIS RPG.