Split Fiction – Our Review

After winning numerous Game of the Year accolades, including the 2021 title at The Game Awards, for It Takes Two four years ago, there was much anticipation surrounding Hazelight Studios’ upcoming project, Split Fiction. However, when I watched the game’s initial reveal trailer, my enthusiasm was tepid. A question that arose in my mind was, “What unique elements could Split Fiction offer that It Takes Two hasn’t already mastered?

After completing the game’s 13 to 14 hours of gameplay (varies based on your pace with your partner), I came to understand this: Split Fiction isn’t just a follow-up or improvement to It Takes Two, but rather an entirely distinct gaming adventure that offers a unique experience all its own.

A Sisterly Bond

The core concept of the game centers on two authors, Mio and Zoe, who unwittingly step into a virtual realm where their imaginative works come to life in grand, interactive settings. Mio excels in science fiction, weaving intricate tales of dystopian futures brimming with robots, neon-lit cities, and intense explosions. On the other hand, Zoe is captivated by fantasy narratives teeming with soaring creatures, dragons, and mystical spells.

In this game, the story revolves around the growing connection between characters, forming the emotional heart of the tale. Each character contributes uniquely to their escape from the simulated world, making us deeply involved in the personal narratives they create through their artistic expressions.

Regardless of its comical aspects, the game consistently offers deep emotional layers for its characters, allowing Mio and Zoe to undergo significant character progression during intense scenes.

Me and my friend were intrigued by their relationship dynamic. Mio, who’s more reserved, and Zoe, who’s outgoing, have contrasting personalities that change as the game unfolds. Witnessing their friendship grow mirrored the game’s purpose – to unite two players and foster a connection between them.

When Worlds Apart

I vividly recall spending countless hours playing and conquering It Takes Two with my 12-year-old sibling during the pandemic. Reflecting on those moments, it seemed like an ideal game for a period when we were all confined indoors. This led me to ponder how Avalanche Studios (Hazelight) would continue to evolve that concept now that normal life has resumed.

Fortunately, through the Friend’s Pass system of this game, you don’t have to be physically together to play. Instead, you extend an invitation to a friend to join your gaming session directly. It’s quite simple: the main player downloads the game, while the other gets a free version that can’t function on its own. The main player then provides an access code for their friend to gain entry.

In a more straightforward manner, you could rephrase as follows: Cross-platform functionality is a fantastic feature of Split Fiction, allowing me to play the game simultaneously with my friend. This aspect is truly remarkable.

Hazelight Studios has established a special Discord chat room for players who don’t have immediate cooperative partners, inviting them to interact and build friendships with new people.

Jolly Cooperation

In a straightforward, conversational style: Split Fiction manages what many cooperative games find challenging – an exhilarating sequence of events and creative mechanics that don’t become tiresome. Hazelight has honed their skills in the cooperative genre, improving level design and gameplay throughout the years, which is evident in the game’s impressive 8 chapters. You won’t be stuck repeating tasks for too long – each section provides fresh chances for both players to participate, ensuring the experience remains exciting and enjoyable.

Right from the get-go, as soon as you control your characters, there’s an ongoing need for teamwork between the two of you. Regardless of personal preference, you find yourselves depending on one another and taking turns in supporting each other’s efforts.

The game actually promotes playful mischief. Certain stages subtly invite you to play tricks on your teammate, such as knocking them into a hole or exploding them.

Occasionally, there are instances of irritation, particularly when your game partner isn’t familiar with video games. Picture the scenes of yelling and shouting from two players who might not be naturally adept at gaming. Forget about choosing an ‘easy character.’ Both Mio and Zoe have unique mechanics that are equally demanding.

Best Of Both Worlds

Although primarily based on two main categories – fantasy and science fiction – Hazelight skillfully delves into various sub-genres of these genres, creating compact stories that fully demonstrate their capabilities. Science fiction isn’t merely about neon lights and cyberpunk landscapes, while fantasy is more than just forests teeming with eloquent trees.

The primary game skillfully blends elements of fantasy and science fiction, preventing either realm from becoming too prolonged. Each stage unveils fresh dynamics to maintain player interest, causing each fresh area to feel thrilling and unexpected.

The game additionally offers Side Stories – optional stages reminiscent of mini-games from It Takes Two – providing entertaining diversions when the primary gameplay becomes somewhat predictable. These instances are brimming with hilarious surprises, though I won’t reveal them, but take my word for it, they’re a joy to experience, and it’s more enjoyable if you go in without knowing what to expect.

Performance & Optimization

Experiencing Split Fiction has been an exhilarating journey, yet not without a few hiccups. The game’s performance on the PlayStation 5 is top-notch, with no noticeable frame rate issues. However, sporadic bugs and glitches have occasionally marred our adventure. At times, my characters Mio and Zoe have mysteriously collided or become stuck, preventing interaction with important objects like elevator buttons.

In certain areas, some found it exasperating, even for seasoned gamers. A sequence featuring a bursting ball had us uttering groans frequently—the controls didn’t react as swiftly as we desired. It’s easy to imagine how challenging this could be for less skilled players or those experiencing controller issues like drift.

To put it simply, while there were a few small issues, overall it was a fantastic journey. The less engaging stages didn’t linger for too long – much like the exceptional ones.

Verdict

In Split Fiction by Hazelight Studios, you’ll find a reassurance that you’re never on your own. Although it might sound a bit corny, the game’s mechanics effectively convey this message.

Despite having some small imperfections, Split Fiction stands out as a remarkable cooperative journey. It doesn’t strive to rival It Takes Two, as they delve into distinct themes. Instead, Split Fiction weaves an emotionally resonant tale of friendship and teamwork, delivering it at a captivating pace throughout the adventure.

Each day brought fresh adventures, and I found myself always excited to discover what lay ahead.

I must admit, I’m truly blown away by what Hazelight has managed to create here. At various points, my friend and I let out audible gasps of “Wow!” at some stunning new sequences. To keep things spoiler-free, I can assure you that the last levels are simply breathtaking and nothing short of extraordinary.

After wrapping up the game, we pondered where Hazelight Studios might take cooperative gaming from here. Given how fully developed Split Fiction turned out, it seems they’ve already explored the genre’s boundaries—yet with Josef Fares still in charge, who knows what innovations are on the horizon? Whatever lies ahead, we can’t wait to discover it!

2025-03-10 16:43