Compare The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon vs It Takes Two

Accessibility options received limited positive evidence around quality-of-life difficulty options for separate battle types.

Age appropriateness is mixed-to-cautious: reviewers note mature themes, marriage metaphors, and challenge that may not fit younger children.

Animation quality was a major strength, from smooth animations to improved cutscene direction and fully animated event scenes.

Animation is praised for Pixar-like presentation, squash-and-stretch style, and strong mocap-style character work.

Art direction received positive evidence for gorgeous character art and cutscene direction.

Art direction is widely praised as remarkable, gorgeous, imaginative, and strong enough to survive Switch visual compromises.

Atmosphere was strongly praised for thriller tension and a sustained sense of anxiety around the launch.

Atmosphere is praised for wonder, warmth, and imaginative environmental mood.

Battle mode quality was highly praised overall for improved field and command battle options, despite one reviewer still preferring command battles.

Boss design drew negative evidence from one critic who felt Shard Command interactions made boss fights binary.

Bosses are praised as fun, challenging, cinematic, and sometimes wonderful, with checkpoints supporting the tougher encounters.

Bug frequency varied widely, from no bugs encountered to freezes and repeated softlocks on some platforms.

Bug frequency appears low in the evidence, with one review reporting only minor graphical bugs plus one checkpoint-reset issue.

Camera behavior receives a positive note for keeping up with fast, dynamic action.

Character development was mostly praised for strong connection events and character growth, though one review felt parts of the cast had become stagnant.

Character development draws criticism from two reviews that felt May and Cody's marital issues were not explored deeply enough.

Character roster was divisive: some loved the returning cast, while others felt the roster sometimes leaned into fanservice.

Checkpointing is praised as extremely generous or instant, making experimentation and deaths less punishing.

Co-op experience is the clearest strength, with every review praising how essential, joyful, collaborative, or unusually strong the cooperative play feels.

Combat was the most consistently praised system, with many reviewers calling it deep, refined, fun, and stronger than earlier Calvard entries, though a few found field combat or balance too easy.

Competitive balance is mixed: core roles are praised as equal, but some minigames or character roles are described as one-sided.

Content variety was generally strong due to activities, minigames, side modes, and collectibles, though some reviewers felt parts of the content became filler or hit-or-miss.

Content variety is one of the strongest consensus points, with reviewers praising constant new mechanics, tools, genres, settings, and minigames.

Controls were described as easy to learn and fluid despite added complexity from new field-battle functions.

Controls are widely praised as responsive, tight, natural, and accessible, with only the Switch Joy-Con feel drawing a mild caveat.

The 4SPG-centered loop was directly praised as possibly the best it has been, especially for players who enjoy combing through side content.

The core loop is described as a well-crafted platforming foundation that supports the game's cooperative variety.

Couch co-op is repeatedly praised as a natural or superior way to experience the game.

Crash stability was a notable concern in one PS5 review that reported multiple crashes, including during the finale.

Dialogue quality was mixed to negative, with reviewers objecting to grating slang, long dialogue stretches, and scenes dragged out by too many speakers.

Dialogue quality is mixed, with some humorous or realistic dialogue but repeated criticism of Dr. Hakim as cringy or uncomfortable.

Difficulty balance ranged from rewarding on higher difficulties to too easy or low-stakes, with several reviewers noting overpowered tools.

Difficulty is mixed: several reviewers found it forgiving or not very challenging, while others noted frustration or a gradual, approachable curve.

Resource balance was mixed: one review praised Shard Command tradeoffs, while others felt overpowered tools and centralizing systems made balance too easy to break.

Emotional impact was strong when reviewers discussed shocking events, compelling connection events, and standout emotional scenes.

The emotional impact is often strong, especially around relationship reflection, ending moments, and co-op connection, though divorce sensitivity is a caveat.

Endgame content drew negative evidence where the lack of post-credits Grim Garten continuation was called a downgrade.

Environmental detail had negative evidence from a Switch 2 review that found severe texture issues in one area.

Environmental detail is praised in both character materials and intricate level spaces.

Exploration quality received focused praise from one reviewer who found Calvard a wonderful location to revisit and explore.

Exploration is praised where reviewers emphasize that playful, interactive spaces reward looking around and traversing levels.

Facial animations received focused praise for subtle eye movements during dialogue scenes.

Faithfulness to franchise was strong, with reviewers praising context-heavy payoffs while stressing it is not a goodbye or standalone entry.

Family friendliness is limited by language and teen-rated content despite the otherwise loved cooperative experience.

Frame-rate stability was mixed by platform, with Switch 1 stuttering criticism and PS5 framerate dips offset by stronger Switch 2 reports elsewhere.

Frame rate stability is praised across PC/console/Switch coverage, with reviewers noting steady or smooth performance.

Fun factor was mostly positive, with several reviewers calling it fun or addictive, though one found it less enjoyable than hoped.

Fun factor is exceptionally strong, with most reviewers calling it joyful, blast-like, highly enjoyable, or one of their most fun recent games.

Reviewers praised the refined mechanics as deep, accessible for returning players, and mechanically dense, with one summary calling the systems easy to pick up after earlier Daybreak games.

Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the mechanics as simple to grasp yet constantly inventive, with several genres and toolsets executed well.

Graphics quality was usually praised, especially on Switch 2 and for character models, though some platform-specific texture issues were noted separately.

Graphics are praised on stronger hardware but notably compromised on Switch, where reviewers describe rough visuals and graphical tradeoffs.

Grind level was sharply criticized by one reviewer who felt too much time was spent on filler and grinding.

Handheld suitability was praised on Switch due to smooth handheld frame rate.

Handheld suitability is positive overall, with similar handheld and docked performance, though controller and visual compromises remain.

HUD clarity was mixed: the combat UI could be small and busy, while the in-game glossary was described as helpful.

Immersion had negative evidence from one reviewer noting voice and soundtrack issues could break immersion.

Immersion is praised through absorbing environments and gameplay that reinforces the couple/co-op premise.

Innovation was mixed: reviewers praised refinement and evolution but also noted underused mechanics rather than bold reinvention.

Innovation is strongly praised for its original, constantly changing co-op mechanics and creative approach.

One newcomer-oriented review found the intimidating systems introduced clearly enough to avoid feeling lost.

The learning curve is viewed positively, especially for non-gamers, with gradual skill development and inclusive design.

Dungeon and level design drew mixed evidence: some praised memorable layouts and new gimmicks, while one reviewer disliked a Grim Garten objective enough to sour the experience.

Level design is consistently praised as creative, intricate, masterfully mapped out, and varied across imaginative environments.

Load times were platform-dependent: one Switch 2 review reported lengthy loads, while another praised faster loading on Switch 2.

Loot-system evidence was negative where randomized rewards were criticized as weak and not especially earned.

Lore depth was praised for references and details that made the world feel more alive.

Map and navigation design drew mixed evidence because Grim Garten still had limited map and objective variety.

Menu usability was criticized by one reviewer who stumbled through the large menu collection and forgot mechanics.

Mission design skewed negative where reviewers criticized recycled ideas, weak movie activities, or hidden critical lore that undermined the flow.

Mission variety received positive evidence from one review calling the Calvard side-activity lineup the most balanced of the arc.

Monetization fairness is praised because Friend Pass/pro-consumer ownership rules let two people play without both buying full copies.

Movement is repeatedly described as freeing, smooth, delightful, and enjoyable across jumping, dashing, and traversal.

Multiplayer design is praised as fully built around two players, with local, online, and cooperative structure central to the experience.

Narrative quality was broadly praised for wild twists, major reveals, and strong payoffs, but some reviewers were confused, underwhelmed, or less sold on the plot.

Narrative quality is divisive: some reviewers found the relationship story moving or healthy, while others called it shallow, predictable, or poorly told.

Onboarding was consistently poor, with many reviewers warning that the game is not newcomer-friendly and requires heavy prior Trails context.

The onboarding is praised for welcoming new or non-gamer partners without heavy-handed teaching.

Online stability is mostly positive but not perfect, with rare rubberbanding or server drops not erasing much progress.

Originality received negative evidence from a reviewer who found many ideas recycled or stale.

Originality is praised through reviewers calling the game rare and among the most creative co-op experiences they have played.

Pacing was the biggest recurring complaint, with reviewers citing slow starts, filler, route bloat, and reliance on the series formula even in otherwise positive reviews.

Pacing is mostly praised as breakneck, fantastic, and expertly paced, though one reviewer felt the game overstayed its welcome and another noted one section ran long.

Performance optimization was generally praised, especially on Switch 2 and Switch 1 improvements, though individual frame-rate issues appear under frame stability.

Performance optimization is mostly positive in the cited review, with only occasional frame-rate dips in heavier scenes.

Platform-specific support was praised for the Switch 2 version, which reviewers called solid or excellent.

Platform-specific support on Switch is praised for multiple play options, though practical compromises remain.

Platforming precision receives strong praise, with reviewers calling it responsive, precise, and effortless.

Polish was strongly praised by some reviewers as a best-crafted or highly consistent RPG, despite separate bug and pacing caveats.

Polish is praised through comments about thoughtful production, virtual glitch-free execution, and masterful construction.

Progression-system evidence was negative around morality/progression choices that reviewers felt had regressed or become pointless.

Van’s protagonist appeal received positive evidence from a newcomer who called him a strong lead.

Protagonist appeal is polarized: some reviewers found Cody and May real or excellent, while others found them irritating, bitter, or unlikeable.

Puzzle design received limited but positive evidence, especially for the hacking maze puzzle minigame being called particularly fun.

Puzzle design is praised for making both players collaborate, with tools and level setups creating satisfying shared problem solving.

Quest design was divisive: some reviewers praised side quest writing, discussion topics, and bonding events, while others called quests boring or filler.

Replay value received positive evidence from the Grim Garten being called a fun twist that adds replayability.

Replay value is generally positive due to swapped characters and replayable minigames, though one reviewer personally had no desire to replay.

Save reliability received positive evidence from autosave preventing too much lost progress despite crashes.

Server reliability is mixed in the Switch evidence because online play was mostly solid but had a couple of server drops.

Side character depth received positive evidence where returning side characters were given needed depth and narrative purpose.

Side characters are generally praised for providing laughs and inventive background flavor.

Sound design received limited but positive evidence from a Switch performance review that called the audio strong.

Sound design is repeatedly praised as outstanding, top-notch, rich, whimsical, and technically impressive.

The soundtrack was consistently praised as solid, memorable, or excellent, though one critic felt it was weaker than past series highs.

The soundtrack is usually praised as fitting, cinematic, and emotionally effective, though one reviewer found some music generic.

Split-screen quality is praised for companionship and smooth two-window play, especially despite Switch limitations.

Stealth mechanics received negative evidence from one review that could have done without the stealth minigame.

The upgrade system earned strong praise for a meaningfully improved Craft upgrading system.

User interface design drew negative evidence for a noisy, cluttered UI with too many systems.

Value for money was mixed in one Switch review that questioned the Switch 2 price bump despite the long JRPG runtime.

Value for money is praised due to long runtime, Friend Pass, replay value, sale pricing, and perceived worth.

Visual effects quality received positive Switch 2 evidence, with effects described as cleaner and more defined.

Voice acting was widely praised as excellent or spot-on, although some reviewers criticized half-voiced or unexpectedly unvoiced scenes.

Voice acting is strongly praised across reviews as fantastic, phenomenal, well acted, and top-tier.

World-building was strongly praised for a detailed setting and revelations that shook reviewers’ understanding of the series.

World-building is praised for imagination and character shining through the whole adventure.

World interactivity was praised in one review for a world rich with interactivity and unlockables.

Interactive spaces are a major strength, with reviewers praising playful objects, rewarded curiosity, and dense environmental interactions.

Writing quality was mixed, with some praise for good writing and localization-scale polish, but criticism for eye-roll dialogue.

Writing quality is split between praise for snappy, excellent writing and criticism that the tone is uneven or disappointing beside the gameplay.