In 2021, ‘It Takes Two’ was released to critical acclaim, winning numerous ‘Game of the Year’ awards and changing the co-op genre forever. So, you could probably forgive Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight Studios if they wanted to rest on their laurels for their next game. However, after playing ‘Split Fiction’, once again published under the EA Originals banner, it’s clear that resting isn’t in their nature as they’ve delivered yet another classic.

‘It Takes Two’ was all about collaboration, and while that’s still a key element in ‘Split Fiction’, this time, the story of friendship takes center stage. Zoe and Mio are two aspiring writers from entirely different walks of life, yet they share the same goal: landing a significant publishing deal at a meeting with Rader Publishing. So what should be one of the happiest days of their lives quickly takes a turn when an accident traps them inside the same simulation.

To escape the simulation, they must put aside their differences and work together, preventing Rader Publishing from stealing their creative vision for its own gain. Zoe is a country girl: optimistic, eager and extroverted. Mio, in contrast, is a city girl: reserved, shy and introverted. This creates an interesting juxtaposition between the two writers, which is reflected in the stories they tell.

Zoe’s stories are often uplifting fantasy fairytales, almost resembling a Disney movie, featuring towering castles, dragons and a deep connection to animals and nature. One side mission even has you play as two adorable little pigs, a nod to her rural upbringing.

On the other hand, Mio’s tales are heavy blockbuster, futuristic action stories filled with incredible set pieces, like a thrilling chase scene involving motorbikes in a cyberpunk city inspired by her urban upbringing. The variety of tales constantly left me grinning. I found myself gravitating towards Mio, as we’ve been through similar experiences in life, but both characters have deeply complex pasts that are fascinating to explore.

I especially enjoyed how Zoe and Mio reacted to and critiqued each other’s stories, as well as the inspirations behind them. You’ll encounter these moments and other stories that help forge a strong bond between them, even when they don’t always see eye to eye. The game’s strong writing is elevated by the outstanding motion capture and performances from Kaja Chan as Mio and Elsie Bennett as Zoe, further cementing Hazelight Studios’ reputation for storytelling.

Complimenting its compelling narrative, ‘Split Fiction’ delivers captivating gameplay that feels like a love letter to gaming, spanning its inception to the modern era. Nods to ‘Prince of Persia’, ‘Donkey Kong’, and ‘Halo’ (and many others) are woven throughout. However, reviewing a game like this is tricky because it’s essentially multiple games in one. Should I start with the 3D platforming? How about when the game becomes a rhythm game against the Monkey King or a shooter? Even pinball?

Yet, as wild as it sounds, none of it feels out of place. Every genre shift serves a purpose, seamlessly driving the player forward in meaningful ways. Zoe and Mio gain unique abilities in each visually stunning level, coupled with the game’s style-bending gameplay.

For example, both characters can shrink down or grow into fantasy creatures to solve platforming puzzles in the level ‘Hopes of Spring’. One moment required Mio to become a sea otter to pull Zoe across piranha-infested waters, demanding precise timing to pull it off.

The ingenuity in level design is genuinely impressive, raising the bar even beyond ‘It Takes Two’ in ways that need to be experienced for yourself. Trust me, what I’ve described so far is just a fraction of the crazy ideas this game throws at you. Despite drawing inspiration from so many different games and incorporating a vast number of mechanics, the gameplay never skips a beat. Everything feels polished, smooth and bug-free.

Scattered throughout the main levels, anomalies appear as small, interactive story bubbles that act as side quests. I strongly recommend not skipping these, as they offer incredible, bite-sized levels that provide a refreshing break from the main story. Each one is unique, often playing with different themes and genres. For example, in ‘Train Heist’, the gameplay feels like a cross between SSX and Wave Race, only to suddenly transform into a twin-stick shooter during the boss fight.

Boss fights are generally more demanding than in previous Hazelight games, requiring a lot of focus and precision. This is their most technically challenging game yet, even outside of combat, but a generous checkpoint system keeps things fair, striking a great balance between difficulty and accessibility.

My favorite side story was ‘Collapsing Star’, an abandoned story idea of Mio’s about stopping a star from going supernova. In this level, you and your co-op partner must carefully navigate the star’s death throes, moving between crates, shields and walls while it momentarily goes dormant. If you’re caught in the open when it explodes, you’re vaporized. I also want to highlight the sound design here. The slight delay between the explosion and the sound reaching you adds to the immersion, and the deep bass of the blast hit all the right notes for me. This level stuck with me throughout the game, and I still think about it even now.

Everything culminates in an absolutely insane final level that will change not just the co-op genre but should change gaming forever. I have no idea how the human mind conceives a level like this, but lessons need to be learned from it so we can have more of them in the future, technologically and artistically speaking.

I would like to add for this review that I played ‘Split Fiction’ online with a friend and colleague at MKAU Gaming, but for those who prefer couch co-op, local play is also available. The Friend’s Pass feature also makes a return, allowing you to invite a friend to download and play with you for free if you own the game. In an industry that lately often prioritizes profits, this feature genuinely puts players and their enjoyment first, something that always deserves a massive round of applause.

Hazelight Studios has once again proven with ‘Split Fiction’ that they are masters of the co-op genre, crafting an experience that is both emotionally resonant and mechanically brilliant. Whether you’re in it for the story, the platforming, or the sheer creativity on display, this is a game that demands to be played. A major contender in the class of 2025.

Written by: Dylan Kocins