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It isn't easy being a Falcom fan. In an age when many of the bigger JRPG series get simultaneous worldwide launches, The Legend of Heroes still lags behind. We're catching up, though. With the long-awaited arrival of The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie, we're just a couple of games away from the fans back home in Japan.
Just a few years ago, this would have felt nigh-impossible, but here we are, and if you happen to be reading this, you've either picked up the latest game or you're curious enough to consider it. We'll keep this short and sweet, helping newcomers to Trails into Reverie to make the most of their experience.
For Goodness' Sake, At Least Read The Summaries
We sincerely hope you've been keeping up with the long-running Trails series, since Trails into Reverie serves as continued payoff for both the Crossbell and Erebonia arcs collectively encompassing six games. (There's also the Trails in the Sky trilogy, which only helps to further grasp the complexities of the Zemurian continent and its ongoing conflicts.)
But we get it. Not every single player interested in Trails into Reverie is going to have time to go through the full stack of 'required reading' ahead of time. Maybe you know bits and pieces of previous events, or you've played a few Trails games, but not all. In this case, take full advantage of the story summaries in Trails into Reverie's menu, which cover the events of Trails from Zero/Trails to Azure as well as the four Trails of Cold Steel games.
Learn To Love The Reverie Corridor
Trails into Reverie is a continent-trotting adventure, but it all comes together at the Reverie Corridor, a place where the game's full potential comes alive. OK, maybe that's overselling it a bit, but it's not far off. You only have to c꧙ome here a♋ handful of times throughout the bulk of the game, but showing up more often is advised.
You'll adventure through Stratums, accruing Phantasmal Shards which serve as currency for the customization of various items, the unlocking of excellent mini-games, and much more. You'll also gain Reverie Points, find rare books, and - arguably most importantly of all - build your vast cast of characters' levels.
Go Everywhere, Thank Yourself Later
The fast travel system in Trails into Reverie operates by taking into account the places you've visited and then letting you go there automatically from thereon out. There are, of course, plenty of places in which this doesn't apply, but there are so many fast travel points that can be missed if you don't take the time to step into a new screen.
Especially as the story begins to hit overdrive in the back half, and certainly when you find yourself spending lots of time in the Reverie Corridor, the ability to fast travel to quest locations on demand can begin to feel like a lifesaver.
That's It! You've Come Up With A New Recipe
Cooking continues to play a vital role in Trails into Reverie, just as it has for most of the series. And, as is often the case, there are numerous ways to learn recipes. Some of these include finding books with the series title 'Manly Munchies', which is patently ridiculous, yes, but so it ༺goes.
Many 'Manly Munchies' are located in the Reverie Corridor - just one more reason to learn to love it. Different characters excel at cooking specific dishes, so experiment away. Don't underestimate how useful some recipes can be!
Be A Daydream Believer
Wouldn't you know it, we're about to mention the Reverie Corridor again. Daydream Episodes, accessible at the you-know-where, are brief story 'episodes' starring a wide assortment of characters (often three or four at a time; sometimes far more) which include boss fights and unique rewards.
Not only do these side quests shine light on what many of the Trails series' characters are doing at given points in the story, but they're prime sources of Character Notes and Mir♏a. Some are downright funny; be on the lookout for a Daydream Episode starring Dudley...
Mini-Game Your Way To Wins
Another thing folks may skip out on if they're rushing - Trails into Reverie's plethora of mini-games! There's Pom! Pom! Party!, Vantage Masters, and several more. Not only are these by and large engaging (read also: fun) affairs in their own right; you can also gain plenty of U-Materials, some rare Quartz, costume sets, and money, money, money.
While there are a handful of unique rewards in most mini-games, for the most part you can pick and choose your favorites and stick with those to earn some prime pickings. Our personal favorꦿite? Vantage Masters.