- Publisher: NIS America
- Release Date: Jan 15, 2026
- Also On: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch
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Jan 23, 2026Trails is the most ambitious epic in games, and that’s only becoming truer with each new entry that builds on the previous ones. Every new Trails game starts a round of “is this a good one to start with?”, and the answer is “no” every time, unless you’re referring to the recent remake of the original, Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter. Which, if you want to experience Trails Beyond The Horizon in full, go start with that. Then play Trails In The Sky 2nd Chapter when that remake lands, then Trails In The Sky The 3rd on a Windows-compatible machine, then… you get the idea. It’s been said before, but you don’t start a lengthy book series in the middle; why would you do that with Trails, unless FOMO is your primary driving force? Respect yourself and Trails more than that, and do what’s right for the both of you. Only then will you get the full experience that you deserve.
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Jan 8, 2026Trails beyond the Horizon is a modern-day masterpiece of a RPG that elevates the Trails franchise thematically with its story and structurally with its superb gameplay. The time investment pays off with many big reveals and lore drops that fans have been waiting for, along with unexpected ones. With a slew of quality-of-life improvements, meaningful new gameplay features, and a memorable and emotional story, Trails beyond the Horizon is a cut above many RPGs in the industry.
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Mar 5, 2026Trails Beyond the Horizon can be described as a new start inside the current Calvard arc and, at the same time, a synthesis of the series up to this moment. The story is certainly something fans will love it, as well as the interactions between the teams. The combat system showcases new systems and it’s very dynamic. However, the title also shows Falcom’s quirks that we accepted as part of the series formula and that should have been polished a long time ago.
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Jan 25, 2026Quotation forthcoming.
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Jan 8, 2026The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through the Horizon is the franchise's first step into its endgame, and for the most part, it sticks the landing admirably. The gameplay hasn't changed much from the previous entries, but the overall storytelling and character beats are a massive step up from Daybreak 2. Its biggest flaws are some overall slow pacing and the fact that you'll need a lot of prior Trails knowledge to feel invested in the game. It's nothing that would stop longtime fans from having fun.
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Jan 16, 2026The game is definitely just a bit too long and gets close to buckling under its own weight. And yet, it works, and I can’t help but be excited at what’s to come. Maybe the next game won’t be the perfect pay-off Horizon promises, but at the moment, I think they’ve earned my faith. The worst part of this game is the agonizing wait to play the sequel. This game feels like the reward for investing so many years of my life into these games, and I’ve never been happier to be on the wild ride that is Trails.
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Jan 8, 2026Trails Beyond the Horizon is another solid new entry in the long-running series and feels like a firm step forward, even if it’s not quite as big a step as some may have hoped. Though the story can be uneven, it’s buoyed by a strong and diverse cast that keeps you invested and reminds you how all the work Falcom has been putting in over the years has ultimately been pushing towards something.
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Jan 9, 2026The game looks good graphically, with the ginormous cast of characters each standing out in their own way, and the soundtrack is a solid one as well. Eventually, I do hope to circle back to Trails Beyond the Horizon, with a nice full notebook and a character interaction chart that makes Xenoblade Chronicles X’s look small. The systems are fun to interact with - when they’re not trapping me in what is supposed to be a horror game - and I want to be able to fully follow what’s going on. Even if it takes me 700 hours across Switch 2, my PC, and a Steam Deck to get there.
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