Welcome to Trails. This is a good place to start, any beginning of an arc is. The best way is starting from the first game, but even if you don't, you'll still have those moments you met characters from other games (though with a different perspective). All games are as text heavy as Daybreak. As long as you don't mind getting old graphics, and more simplified combat (yet still with the use of "gems" in it) then you'll probably like them. If you have access to a PC (even if it's a very old one) I think it's better to play the Sky trilogy on steam. PSP versions are not as refined, and the third game is missing from that console. Recent news point to a re-release of the Sky games on modern consoles one way or another, but besides a few hints from Falcom, still nothing official about that. And even if they announce it now, it will take a while to release and localize. Also, as a very good option if you go with Steam, try to install the voice patch for the Sky trilogy. It really adds to the game.

I'll give you one piece of advice for this series as a newbie: Forget that there even is a series. Just enjoy the game that you are playing. You will enjoy the series much more if you can do that.

I disagree about the quart system opinion, i absolutely enjoy building my own charaters and putting hours into it, understanding the system and eventually breaking it.

The Sprigan thing was new for all Trails fans... it's beign used for the first time in this new Calvard Arch. Regarding the amount of dialogues, I believe that one single Trails game has more text on it to read than the entire 7 Harry Potter book collection... obviously you don't need to read every text writen for the game, becaus that means you'd have to speak with every NPC at every story turning point, but the fact is that Nihon Falcom does put a lot of effort into writing, which is compelling to me.

Welcome to the family! So happy to see that it is resonating with you so far

As a big fan of the Trails series (probably my favorite series) I’m glad this game was welcoming to a newcomer like yourself. The more Trails fans the better. I started with Cold Steel and went back to the Crossbell arc after that. I think you would REALLY like the Crossbell games. There are only two of them, and the graphics are older style, but it’s some of the best story development in any game I’ve ever played.

Legend of Heroes is easily one of the best long running JRPG series going. You have hundreds of hours of great stuff ahead of you if you decide to dive in.

I think the Sky trilogy in the series are the best games personally. The writing of the characters is just a lot better. Once Cold Steel got around the focus on anime tropes became a lot bigger. Though what really holds it back is the harem tropes. In Sky the romance was chosen by the authors and as such the relationship can develop dynamically throughout the story. That's not the case for the games that followed where they give players a choice on who to pair the main character with. And as a result the romance elements can't be properly integrated into the main story save for a few changed lines here & there. And while I'm not someone who thinks romance is essential to a game, I do think it should be written to fit in naturally and properly into a story if it is included. I'm not a fan of romance options in games since it just feels out of place when you consider the main plot, there's just no room to properly develop it. Well, I haven't played Daybreak yet. I think you can start with any series within the series, but the series also isn't too shy about spoiling earlier events. Still, if you like this... I highly suggest at least playing the Sky games. Oh and there's also a specific character arc across 3 games that starts in Sky 2, continues in Sky 3 and is finished in Azure. I think you'd be very much interested in the character's backstory (yes, it will delve into the most effect up subject matter that you report on in Redacted).

I would say side quests are the best part of Trails. They are the heart of the world building.

I'm into the video games too there Clayton. Same age as you and I have seen it go from Pong to what it is now. I rock an Alienware R13 with a 3090 and a 38" wide-screen with a 27" on the side and have moved away from everything else after buying that. I'm into the VR as well, it is insane now compared to what we grew up with. Great video and it's good for the head to get away from everything that's going on and get into a game on a daily basis.

You can hit the options button on the Quartz screen and it gives you a a whole guide for all of the quartz/row combinations

Really glad to have you on board and I hope you get to enjoy your time here with Trails. It's really a nice country bumpkin series at the start of each arc which is great honestly. It's something I've wanted in a series for a long time and I finally have it. I can def see how some of the quests like the cat one are a bit menial and there's certainly no need to always do all of them if you don't feel like it. Just as a heads up though when you go back into the older games, the quartz system is a bit more intense but there is a manual in game you can read in the notebook to help. As well as side quests being important, mostly for the money because you're gonna be broke otherwise but that's for a different time. Make sure to take your time because rushing through these games would be seriously tiring.

Finally a true honest review from an older experienced gamer. That pointed out the main flaws of the Trails games as a whole. I got and put in roughly just 10 hrs into Trails Through Daybreak. The Van prologue chapter alone took me over 3hrs to complete. About 9 hrs in I just got my 3rd party member Feri. I will say the pacing is a little better compared to the previous games. But I agree with your criticisms. Because these are my criticisms of the Trails games. *Which is mediocre production values. See the same npc just with different colored hair and outfit. Dungeon environments are drab and boring. * 3d Trails games are pretty much budget RPG,s that are now selling for 59.99 or more. 49.99 should be the standard price for these games. Because they have been using the same 3D engine since the first Cold Steel game. *Long winded narratives. * And very medium to slow pacing. * Lots of anime political plot heavy cliches. Dont get me wrong I live anime. The fans choose to ignore that these games are a made on budget. But since many of its fans read manga and visual novels they dont mind the slow burn in terms of the pacing and character development of these games. Don't let them turn you into one of them lol. A die hard Trails fan that can see nothing wrong with the games. I own and played each of the 4 Trails of Cold Steel games for about 30 hrs each. And stopped playing. The monotony of sitting tgrough all the dialogue wore on me. Thats not to say I wont go back and finish those games. Its just I wasnt in the moid to spend 80 to 100 hrs playing the fame when 30 of the hrs is narrarive heavy cutscenes and character interactions. The Trails games are good games if your looking for a lore narrative character building experience with anime cliches. Its just western made RPG's are paced better. And let you as a player decide how narrative and lore heavy your experience is.

To be fair, I have noticed that "Find the Cat" quests can be found throughout JRPGs. Final Fantasy, Persona, Xenoblade, Dragon Quest, Star Ocean, etc. As I was telling my friend the other day while I was playing the demo for Trails Through Daybreak and came upon the cat quest, I almost expect it now as a trope. Perhaps it's a nod to the notion of "Save The Cat" in fiction writing, in which a writer makes a main character seem endearing to readers early by having them perform an altruistic deed, like saving a cat. Saving a cat is just an example, but games seem to take this quite literally. I've noticed that these Save the Cat quests usually appear early on in games as well. So when I come across these quests, I kind of see it as a developer's tongue-in-cheek nod to the fiction writing technique.

Wow. One of your videos hit my feed. I used to listen to the Grizzly Bear Egg Cafe all the time. Glad to see you doing video game content. This is a really good series of games especially if you like a really fleshed out world. Good time to dive in with the Steam sale.

Sup from Russia, Clayton! :) I pre-ordered the LE of the game months ago. Can't wait to get it! Currently playing Trails in the Sky the 3rd, so I'm pretty far from Daybreak).

Nice review. As someone who has been playing this series for 8 years+ you really get what we love from this series. Also that is such a nice trails you walked. So scenic and chill.

I’ve only played the original Trails in the Sky 1-3 so far but I have the rest waiting for me and can’t wait to start back up with the Crossbell arc. I highly recommend them! Like you I’m in the process of moving.

That cat side quest is actually super important. You will see by the end why the game asks you to slow down and do side quests like that, its essential to the world buliding but particually that first village is really speific. Trails games are at thier best when you speak to every npc and do every side quest. I get why you could bounce off them but the way the games are written side quests will activley change the story and will carry over mutiple entires in the series.

I watch you on redacted daily and I was in shock to see you doing gaming content ! Great stuff 👏

I've had the limited edition of this on pre-order since it was announced and can't wait! It releases in Europe on my birthday too so feels like a great opportunity to indulge in a new game! :)

I really like your vibes and the way you deliver the info ❤ so, definitely a like and a sub from me 👍🏼 it's funny that you're the third KZfaqr I hear saying they fell asleep during the game 😂 I'm glad the game is out cuz I really wanted to try a Trails game without being intimidated to play another 10 games in a row.

Daybreak 1 is almost self contained and is very newbie friendly. Great entry point in my humble opinion. However, Daybreak 2 relies a lot on previous games so going back to the fist game and playing them in order is a good decision. Don't forget: its a marathon , not a sprint !

I loved hearing the perspective of a new fan! I started in the middle of the series as well (in cold steel which is game 6) and ended up loving it so much I went back to the first game. It's great to hear you loved daybreak. I'm excited to get my hands on it and I hope in the meantime you do get a chance to experience trails in the sky onward!

"orbment" is just trails universe language for "electronic device". it's called orbment because it's using the orbal energy instead of, well, electrical energy.

You cannot remove the quartz system. They are again part of world building unlike other stories. There is extensive lore about these orbments which cant work without quartz.

I agree with you about the crafting system for gems and the lack of instructions to follow. I only played The Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion, came out on PSP. That was a great story. Because of your review, I will be giving this a shot on my down time. Thank you Clayton for the review and the great news stories you and your wife bring to Redacted!!

That trail you are walking through looks beautiful

Great insight, I will definitely look into this one!

hey man nice review! i've never play a trails game before too so knowing that i can just start here with Daybreak helps alot. Definitely will pickup this game soon

You can enjoy it with no problem, but seeing grown up characters from previous games will mean nothing to you. Hope newcomers go back and play the previous entries.

From just a resolution standpoint, localization changes and fluidity I'd advise you to play the Trails in the Sky Trilogy, Azure duology AND Cold Steel quadrilogy PC ports as opposed to PSP. Steam or GOG (options abound). Welcome to the greatest RPG series ever made. EDIT ON SIDEQUESTS: Now, HERE is the con as to unfortunately not having started from the beginning of this series for you. Sidequests are typically a big deal when it comes to character cameos or extra story revelations throughout the series. Especially in Cold Steel installments in my experience. Though I will admit that making sidequests much more involved (a la Red Baron "The Witcher 3" style) would serve as an added evolution factor.

I started with Ys and then found Trails/kiseki. Yeah, the music is usually excellent. You should read The Legend of Heroes: Zero no Kiseki Pre-Story: The Ring of Judgment manga before you play Trails of Zero, you can skip the animes but I liked the Ys anime. Some other nihon falcom games I liked are: Brandish(i think its psp only?), Xanadu (it's on steam) and most of the Ys games. This late September the 13th game comes out in Japan, hopefully it comes out soon in English. Nayuta is a spinoff game. Oh yeah pace yourself and take your time, there are 13 games.

Welcome to the series! I agree that as long as you start at one of the 4 starting games you're doing it right. I haven't played past the demo on daybreak yet, but I've played the other 10 games. As people are saying here, yes, the quartz system is deeply rooted in the story so it's not going anywhere, BUT you can typically go with quickly put together not fully optimized builds, especially for melee characters, if you aren't playing on hard/nightmare, and it might be more fun that way. If you get really good at building quartz and accessories, you will probably find yourself breaking the combat system by mid game for each game in the trails series even on nightmare mode.

4:30 True, the trails series is for those that love good story telling, great characters, amazing world building, and strategic turn base fights. If you just want to smash buttons, then this is definetly not the series for you.

Played the Demo on PS5 and it's fantastic.

Awesome video Clayton! This is a game I myself have wanted to play , I’m curious have you ever heard of tales of arise ? Or have you also played the original Final Fantasy 7? A few other great JRPG’s. Keep up the great work and have a blast with the game .

If you do play through the other games, something to make your life easier, especially the Sky series is to read the bracer/police/student guide in game. It gives a list of quartz values to give you different spells.

As someone who doesn’t experiment and try to break games i understand not liking the whole weaponry build stuff

3:18 Van's not in past games proper but Daybreak does seem to put him in story as someone who worked in the background of them including apparently being one of the many people fighting during the climax of Cold Steel 4.

Was on the fence about the game 🤔 however your video helped me decide 🥰 thanks for the video Subscribed ❤❤

Fantastic review! I need to get back into Trails. I haven't played one in a hot minute. (Also your trail looks breathtaking, crazy view!)

I'm a fanatic of Trails having played every game including the one's yet to be released in the west, it is my favourite series in gaming period! While I adore it to no end, I also recognise that the franchise is far from perfect, every arc has its issues from pacing and plot to tedious and repetitive gameplay mechanics. But my love for the story, characters, combat, music, lore, world building and vibe out ways any of that for me. It's a niche series that's not meant for everybody, but it's absolutely meant for me, and that's okay. Not every game or franchise will appeal to everyone, and that's the beauty of gaming as a medium.

I jumped on board with the Cold Steel series and am just starting the 3rd game, and I love that story. Due to only having access to the ps releases sadly, I will miss out on some of the games which sucks. but I will play Zero and Azure because I wanna find out more about this expansive world. And yes the games are dialogue-heavy..Even I find myself thinking for the love of god let me swing my sword! at something now.. You've been talking for hours. If you like this game. I can only imagine you'll love the rest of the series.

The walk around style of videography really suits your personality, Clayton. Beautiful scenery

Even going back as far as the first Trails of Cold Steel game I felt bombarded with pre-established terminology and world building.

Support all trails fan

Would be nice to get more modern versions of Ys 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7

trials are amazing, most are very good , i hope you enjoy and have lote of fun with this game.

I love that these videos exist

Great video, yeah i have my preorder locked in waiting for delivery for Friday's release date. I played the first two chapters during the demo release. I agree with you regarding the quartz system. It actually worked really well in the latest Western release of Trails into Reveire as well as the Cold Steel arc but i am not happy with the direction they took with this latest release. But like any RPG i will just get used to it and get over it. (I am still bitter about losing the epic Final Fantasy X battle system in recent FF releases) Great review / opnions about the game.

I'm in the same boat as yourself never played a single trails game and debating if I should jump into daybreak or start with the first sky game.

If you go back to the Trails in the Sky games, I would highly recommend the Steam PC port, as it has many quality of life improvements, one of the most important of which is turbo mode. The combat animations are fine, but you will get tired of seeing them over and over and over, and you'll be running through the same areas multiple times. It really helps reduce fatigue you might get from playing.

Thank you Clayton for keeping us sane in this Wakko🤡World 🙏

Personally I've enjoyed the Ys series more but still trying to make time to play Ys 9 so I can be ready for 10.

Just beat the demo a couple weeks ago. I can't wait until my preorder comes in !

Yeah I agree with the quartz system. Trails of Cold Steel 1-4 and Reverie they just had it where your quartz just gave you the abilities. And all you did was just insert them. No need to add the correct number of quartz in the correct line. I haven’t played this game but this system is very reminiscent of the first 5 games where you have to add those quartz values. It was very annoying having to look at a manual for this. One word of advice if this game is like the first 5, I believe that there is an in game manual that lists all the spells and their quartz value. I do believe it is under the tutorial/help section of the notebook.

YS X or The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak? Which one do you recommend?

20 hours in and I had to take a break. Too much story and I still haven’t fallen in love with the characters. I’ve fallen asleep too lol

I played all the trails games that came before, and I'll say that the pacing was never a issue for me, this series focus alot on world building, so is deliberately text heavy talking its time, you might have noticed but every NPC have multiple dialogues and they complete change every major plot moment, so every NPC has a story of its own, (while I can't say about Daybreak in especific yet) the NPC that ask you to find the cat, might come back in a future game or even later in the same game for another more interesting quest, heck there were a few moments in other games where the random NPC participate in some way to a proper story mission. Things like that really make the world feel alive for me. Granted I can see why others would complain, but thats how the series work since inception

Kind of funny seeing people get into the series with the 11th game

That orbal thingie goes WAY back to the first Sky series, methinks.

This is the best review I've seen of this game, Like your style.

I haven't touched it yet. I'm still playing Reverie. I started with Erebonia, then went back to the Sky trilogy, then to Crossbell and now I'm at Reverie

Trails series are so good. I'm just finishing Trails in the Sky the 3rd. Trying to do the series in the original order. Lots of games !

So interesting to see Clayton talking about games after WW3 talk xD Chill guy

As with all the arcs in this series, the first game is usually the slowest. Back when Trails in the Sky first released on the PSP, I put it down several times before finishing it and by the time I got to the end I was hooked. These games really pick up the pace with each new chapter in the arc.

Also I got my copy of trails to daybreak today finally 😊 wonderful quality

Review was ok until the end. You hating on the gem\quartz system is ridiculous. Ok, you don't like that, but what are you doing playing a JRPG when that kind of gameplay is in EVERY JRPG EVER?? Some kind of crafting\weapon modding system is a core gameplay mechanic for these types of games. It's like saying you love watching soccer except when they're kicking the ball around. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Falling asleep to a game. Not even the first reviewer to say they fell asleep to this game. Not thanks.

I havent played this particular game becuase it hasn't come in the mail yet but every single Trails game has a very in depth in-game manual. It will probably be in one of the tabs that has your quest log.

If you love this, you’ll love the Cold Steel series from the franchise.

I‘ve never played one of the trails games. I surely will do it one day but there are just too many unplayed games waiting in my collection. 😅

I see you got your copy Clayton still waiting to get mine in the mail.

That's a nice beach you're walking on. Nice insights. But is it the best of the series? I'd say only a series veteran can answer that question. Good newcomer perspective though.

Here a fact Takahashi the creator of Xenoblade worked for falcom at one point back in the day

8:50 The music in Trais Through Daybreak is good, but not phenomenal, as it has always been in previous Trails entries. I believe that in the sequel, which has been released only for Japan at the moment, Falcom corrected that point.

When this game do come out I can’t find it anywhere.

6:45 The combat system and 99% of the characters and locations are new in the series. It's a first for everyone.

Have you tried previous trails game?

Now I'm not gonna go full "well ackshually" on you, but for someone who is unfamiliar with the Trails games getting to the 3rd of 5 chapters normally means you(the player) know nothing about the story yet. They're like most JRPGs where they dripfeed bits of info, and misdirects, before finally revealing the real conflict/villain. I'm only saying this because your opinion could be dramatically different once everything is revealed.

I bought this super excited to play only to learn it was going to be patched to English next week.... *DEEP SIGH*

Really hope we get a newer version of Ys 1&2.

For a newbie how is this and how long and stuff

You want another good game Clayton check out the legend of Nayuta boundless trails.

I don't like the gems and quarters stuff as well in the games.

Hello,is it possible to use all time action Battles like on ys nórdics?

Trails is awesome. It is dialogue heavy, and can be a romp through the endless dialog swamp at times, but worth the vernacular tedium. It has such a rich world full of geopolitical intrigue, how can a critical thinking adult not get drawn into its theater of power plays? Trails has one of the best rpg battle systems in the genre to boot. I have been a Trails fan since Trails in the Sky(PSP). Cozy gamer. At 51, my days of " edge of your seat" gaming are over. I am a lover of music, no matter the source of origin. I have an mp3 player just for game music.

Clayton trails to daybreak 2 2025 just dropped for pre order and Ys 10 October 2024

Nice Great game Great Series!

4 games physically on PSP in English a tear of vermilion, the prophecy of the moonlight witch, songs of the ocean, trails in the sky chapter 1 which you can play 1 out of those 4 on Steam the trails in the sky series which includes chapter 2 and 3 when you get them on Steam trails of cold steel 1,2 on PS3 trails of trails of cold steel 1,2,3,4 on PS4 & Steam think switch to trails into reverie PS4 & Steam think switch to. Trails the zero and trails to azure PS4 & Steam switch to I think and now trails of daybreak being the most recent. If you want to play the 3 they never ported over to modern consoles or steam you will need a PSP 1000,2000,3000 to play them since they are UMD's.

I was new to Witcher series. So I KZfaqd Witcher 1&2 to prepare for Witcher 3 upon release. Time saver. 😊

15:35 The best of the best Trails game, IMO, is Trails in The Sky SC. That's my favorite videogame of all time.

You don't need to even get a PSP to start, literally all the Trails games are on PC

the psp games have all been released on steam fyi

11:18 what is it with eastern game devs and these dumb cat quests? Just played stellar blade and the first side quest I got was go find a cat and the cat was dead lol

15:00 I don't understand why you say this, given that you haven't finished this game yet. In the Trails series, the first game of a new arch, serves for world building purpuses and ends up in a high not in its last chapter. That's been the norm for the Liberl, Crossbel and Erebonian Archs.... and the high note usually is amazing... those last chapters of the first entries really have a strong punch for the player.

Im waiting for the offical English release of Daybreak.

Can you please talk about Skibidi Toilet joining the woke Mob? This is a really pressing matter...

Comparing uncharted a action game and a jrpg is kinda dumb. 😅