Story Demo and Battle Demo Released for ‘The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon’
The next chapter in the long-running Trails saga invites players to jump in early with two free demos now available worldwide. One sample centers on narrative and exploration, the other on fast-paced combat—perfect for getting a feel for both sides of this sprawling RPG.
Two Ways to Get Started
The Story Demo offers a full run at the game’s prologue, setting up a high-stakes journey that spans the Zemurian continent. Van Arkride and the Arkride Solutions team return just as the world readies its first foray into space. A Marduk training operation unexpectedly pulls Van together with Rean Schwarzer and Father Kevin Graham, igniting a chain of events that points toward a deeper secret—one that may lie just beyond the horizon.
Separate from that, the Battle Demo is all-action, designed to showcase the combat systems without the narrative setup. It drops you into a scenario built for experimentation and mastery, offering multiple party options and a range of encounters to test builds, crafts, and tactics.
Grim Garten Takes Center Stage
The combat-focused demo unfolds inside the Grim Garten, a VR environment crafted by Marduk and later compromised by Ouroboros. The tampering has twisted both the look and functionality of this virtual domain, creating a gauntlet that constantly shifts and challenges your approach. Veterans of the series will recognize roots in the Marchen Garten, widely regarded as Zemuria’s first fully immersive VR space—famous for connecting users across the continent through the orbal network.
Players can choose from three prebuilt party lineups centered on Van, Kevin, or Rean, each highlighting different strengths. It’s a smart way to feel out combat rhythm, synergy between party members, and where you might want to invest in the full game.
Platforms and Availability
- Story Demo: PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Battle Demo: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Save Data Carry-Over
Progress from the Story Demo carries into the full release once the day-one patch is installed. It’s an ideal chance to lock in your opening hours, experiment with builds, and carry your choices forward without replaying the prologue.
Why These Demos Matter
- Immediate context: The prologue sets narrative stakes and introduces returning and crossover characters without spoilers beyond the opening beats.
- Combat lab: The Grim Garten slice is a controlled sandbox tailored for experimentation, letting you push systems to their limits and get comfortable with the flow of battle.
- Smooth onboarding: With save carry-over for the story sampler, your time now pays off on day one of the full launch.
First Impressions
On the story side, the setup leans into classic Trails strengths: political intrigue layered with personal stakes, expanding tech, and a looming mystery. The combat demo, meanwhile, shows off a confident iteration on the series’ tactical DNA—snappy, readable, and flexible, with enough depth to reward tinkering. VR diehards will appreciate the thematic bridge from Marchen Garten to Grim Garten, and the way interference from Ouroboros reshapes the space both aesthetically and mechanically.
Whether you’re here for the lore or the battles, these demos make a compelling case to get your party organized early—and to start wondering what really lies beyond that horizon.
