Daybreak here is the 11th game in the Trails Series, a series that holds an undisputed crown as the most intricately interconnected JRPG series ever made. It sees a new cast of characters, the Spriggan Agency of Arkride Solutions, headed by Van Arkride, solve the shadier problems of the citizens of the Calvard Republic. As all Trails' story arcs, it starts small scale, sorting out problems for the citizens, as our cast gets to know each other and teaches us about the world and nation they live in, but then the stakes begin to rise. And being the first game in the series' 4th story arc, all the threads start to come together and bind up in higher stakes that our three other teams of protagonists from past games have already shown us. I HIGHLY recommend this game, especially if you're a fan from previous story arcs. If you've never played a trails game, as the first game in a new story arc, this is a suitable jumping-on point, but nothing beats the whole experience from the beginning. I can understand not wanting to invest in finishing 10 games before coming here, so no, it's not mandatory. That's what is nice about having a new cast and a new setting, every 2, 3, or 4 games, the Trails series gives us a new beginning for a new team, for new fans to take their first step into this world. If it hooks them, then they can go back and get the earlier games if they really want to. But I can tell you this; I've been into this series since the first game, Trails in the Sky, got its English localization something like 15 years ago, and I do not regret playing a single game in the series. So far, Daybreak is shaping up to possibly be the best of them all.
Who this game is for: The Literary Thinkers People with a love of developed worlds full of interesting ideas and unique characters Strategists Role Players Fantasy fans Adventurers Anyone sick of twitch-based nonsense Who this game is most definitely NOT for: COD fanboys Mom Gamers who only play Mom Games (not gamers who happen to be moms, those are awesome) The Illiterate Dude Bros Anyone who hates the very essence of good and awesome. Instead of a review, I'll give an example: Last night, I started the game just to clear one last level of a dungeon. After that, I figured, "Okay, one more." Then I did a third floor. Then I stopped... and delivered a note to a character back in a city. Where I talked to an NPC who wanted me to deliver a box. Which prompted a confrontation with a shady character. Which sent me to another part of town. Where I did four other quests. That made me level. Which sent me back to that dungeon again, to clear another floor. Then I noticed I had to be up in 3 and a half hours. Uh oh. Guess I'd better... go find the owner of this dagger I found. And I'm no stupid young kid who can do this kind of stuff anymore, I'm the kind of guy who needs at least 6 hours or he starts to get sick. It's THAT GOOD. Now for my most ringing endorsement. I have not wanted to continue onward so much in an RPG since Planescape Torment.
