As I always like to do with these things, a huge thank you to NIS America for tossing me a review copy of Trails of Reverie. It is always a pleasure to play these games before anyone else and share my experience with you guys.
Before I go any further, if you haven’t played The Cold Steel series for example, or the other Trail of Heroes this game is not the place to start. It contains well over 50 characters from past games to play as you continue to discover events from Crossbell and beyond with the new Trails to Walk system. You can more or less freely jump back and forth between different parties to see the game unfold from different standpoints and perspectives. It is very well done and a pleasure for fans to see, but if you are new to the series you will be lost.
The combat as you would is turn-based, and again if you are familiar with the series you know what to expect. It is beautiful and usually well balanced. There is plenty of new gear, costumes ect to find and use, but you will never be shocked or disappointed by the things you loved from the past games suddenly being changed beyond belief.
The sound is also, as the kids say, on point. I’m kidding I don’t know if they still say that, but the voice acting and music always sets the tone the way it needs to be. Lets move on to the bad however.
Remember back a bit when I said the combat was “usually well balanced”? There are a few bosses that seem to just suddenly ramp up the bullshit meter. This isn’t a matter of being bad at the game or anything like that, you will be trouncing away at everything in your path and suddenly a boss will be so much faster than you they will get what seems like 7 and 8 attacks in a row for you to contend with. A fellow reviewer claims to have been hit 17 times in a row, but I belive that may have been hyperbole because he was pissed off but I wanted to mention it just in case.
The game however even prerelase functioned pretty much perfectly and in today’s world I feel like that is worth mentioning. In a time when game breaking bugs and glitches are the new norm, being able to play a game without any day one patches and complete it without issue is a nice treat. If you are a fan of Trails series, this game is a must buy. Dont even wait for a sale, just pick this game up. It is a rare 9/10 from me. That does come with a small exception. If you haven’t played this series, do not start here. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.
Savior Gaming 