The latest entry in The Legend of Heroes series, Trails Beyond the Horizon, arrives this month, continuing the long-running storyline set in the nation of Calvard. With over a dozen mainline games in the series, newcomers may feel overwhelmed by the continuity and connections between titles. Fortunately, the game is structured to welcome both veterans and newcomers, offering systems and gameplay mechanics that reward careful planning and exploration. Understanding these mechanics early can make the experience smoother and more engaging.
For players familiar with the series, Beyond the Horizon expands on features introduced in the Daybreak titles, providing a mix of real-time Field Battles and traditional turn-based Command Battles. The game also emphasizes side content, character customization, and strategic equipment management, making preparation and awareness crucial to success.
The Value of Side Quests
Side quests in Beyond the Horizon are more than simple tasks; they are central to understanding the world of Calvard. These missions can range from fetching items and defeating monsters to handling conflicts with hostile groups. Completing them rewards players with useful items, equipment, and SP points, which are tracked at the end of each chapter. SP accumulation affects rank and unlocks additional rewards, such as powerful accessories that strengthen your party.
Beyond the mechanical benefits, side quests also deepen the narrative. Each quest reveals more about the daily lives of Calvard’s residents and the political and social environment, making exploration an essential part of the gameplay experience. Players who prioritize these missions are likely to gain both strategic advantages and a fuller appreciation of the world.
Managing Equipment and Shops
As players progress through new areas, shops update their inventory with weapons, armor, and consumables. These updates are essential for keeping up with stronger enemies encountered later in the story. Beyond the Horizon allows players to monitor these changes directly from the map. When a shop icon turns red, it signals new stock, making it easier to maintain an optimal inventory without constant backtracking.
Consumables, including food and drinks, can restore HP outside of combat and help conserve EP, providing an additional layer of strategy. Maintaining updated equipment and managing resources are key to navigating the game’s escalating difficulty.
Exploring Grim Garten
The Grim Garten is a roguelike dungeon that offers optional content for players seeking both rewards and deeper narrative insights. While part of the dungeon is required to progress the story, additional floors unlock as the game advances. These floors provide opportunities to earn powerful equipment that can significantly aid in the main storyline.
Grim Garten also introduces players to backstories of specific characters, including some antagonists. This supplemental narrative adds depth to the main plot while giving players an incentive to engage with challenging dungeon content. For those interested in character development and optimization, Grim Garten is a valuable part of Beyond the Horizon.
Customization Through Shard Abilities
Shard Abilities are Beyond the Horizon’s system for enhancing party performance. Players equip Quartz gems into characters’ Orbments to unlock passive bonuses that can influence combat outcomes. Experimentation is encouraged, as stacking different Quartz combinations can produce increasingly powerful effects.
One Shard Ability worth highlighting early in the game is Golden Eye, which reveals all treasure chests on the field. This reduces the need for exhaustive searches and ensures that no valuable resources are overlooked. Golden Eye can be unlocked by equipping a Mind elemental Quartz with a x2 modifier on the Extra Line of any character’s Orbment, a setup easily achieved with beginner-level Quartz. Proper use of Shard Abilities can greatly impact both efficiency and combat effectiveness.
Field and Command Battle Strategies
Combat in Beyond the Horizon is divided between real-time Field Battles and turn-based Command Battles. Field Battles allow players to attack enemies continuously, stunning them before transitioning to the traditional turn-based system. These encounters require patience, as enemies sometimes resist flinching or can counterattack during aggressive moves. Timing dodges and counterattacks, such as the Cross Charge, helps minimize damage while maintaining offensive pressure.
In Command Battles, party positioning is critical. Many enemies use attacks that affect multiple targets, making spacing between characters necessary to reduce damage. At the same time, characters must stay within range to trigger follow-up attacks and bonuses. Balancing safety with offensive opportunities is key to maintaining control over encounters, especially during late-game boss fights.
Strategic Takeaways
Trails Beyond the Horizon rewards players who engage with its systems thoughtfully. Completing side quests, managing shop inventory, exploring Grim Garten, experimenting with Shard Abilities, and mastering both Field and Command battles all contribute to a smoother gameplay experience. With its mix of narrative depth, tactical combat, and customization, Beyond the Horizon provides a structured entry point for new players while offering strategic challenges for series veterans.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is currently available on the Epic Games Store.
Source: Epic Games
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to play previous Trails games to enjoy Beyond the Horizon?
While prior knowledge of the series adds context, Beyond the Horizon is designed to be accessible to new players. Side quests and in-game dialogue provide essential backstory.
What are Shard Abilities, and how do they work?
Shard Abilities are passive bonuses unlocked by equipping Quartz gems in characters’ Orbments. Different combinations can enhance stats, reveal treasure, or provide combat advantages.
How important are side quests in Beyond the Horizon?
Side quests are valuable for both narrative and gameplay. They reward items, equipment, and SP, which impact chapter ranks and unlock additional rewards.
What is Grim Garten, and should I explore it?
Grim Garten is an optional roguelike dungeon that offers powerful equipment and character backstory. Exploring it is recommended for both rewards and narrative context.
How does combat differ between Field and Command Battles?
Field Battles are real-time and focus on timing and positioning, while Command Battles are turn-based and emphasize strategy, spacing, and follow-up attacks.
Are there any tips for staying prepared in shops and inventory management?
Yes. Shop updates can be monitored via the map. Red icons indicate new stock, and players should equip updated weapons and armor while using consumables strategically to conserve EP.
