Hazelight Studios is back with Split Fiction, a co-op adventure that takes place in a blended world of sci-fi and fantasy. Continuing the established traditions of its developer, Split Fiction requires players to work together in order to escape a virtual reality device called The Machine. It’s been four years since Hazelight Studios brought another story to players, and Split Fiction has proven to be a hit among gamers.
The last game from the Swedish developer was a hard act to follow. It Takes Two not only resonated with players, it was a massive critical success. This success won It Takes Two the award for Game of the Year at the 2021 Game Awards. Between It Takes Two and Split Fiction, Hazelight Studios has showcased just how powerful co-op storytelling can be, but what’s even more impressive is that the latter also manages to stand on its own.
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Split Fiction Should Be the New Industry Standard For Co-Op Games
Split Fiction brings fans a great story and gameplay, but one of the best parts of playing is how Hazelight Studios puts its fans first.
Split Fiction Boasts the Charm of It Takes Two While Telling its Own Story
Mio and Zoe are Not Cody and May
- Split Fiction‘s Mio and Zoe are two fiction writers forced to come together despite their differences.
- It Takes Two‘s Cody and May are a married couple on the brink of divorce.
Both sets of protagonists share a common theme. Two people who are seemingly ill-fitted to be together have to overcome their differences in order to reach a shared goal. This is pretty much where the similarities between the two duos stop, though. Cody and May’s story hinges on their relationship as they try to return to their daughter Rose. This time around, instead of a long-term relationship being prevented from crumbling, Split Fiction focuses on a brand-new relationship that is forced to be built through circumstances.
Also, despite the serious subject matter of Cody and May’s story, it’s handled in a more lighthearted, cartoonish way. Granted, Split Fiction is a bright and brilliant explosion of color with its settings, but the story tackles its darker subjects more head-on than its predecessor. Instead of Cody and May being brought into a children’s world, it’s made clear in Split Fiction that Mio and Zoe have their specific interests because writing is a coping mechanism for the two. As the story progresses, the duo discovers that this is the main thing they share in common.
In its first two days, Split Fiction has managed to sell a whopping one million copies.
It Takes Two explores a long-running relationship, while Split Fiction is more about the power of art and how it can bring people together through dark times. It’s what ultimately connects Mio and Zoe, and it’s a great change of pace from It Takes Two. Hazelight Studios could have recycled its last game’s story into a new form, but the developer opted to explore a new type of relationship, which helps Split Fiction step out of the shadow of It Takes Two.
Split Fiction and It Takes Two as Sides of the Same Coin
Both games have a similar starting point: focusing on rocky relationships. However, the approach to both is vastly different, and that’s one of the many aspects that make Split Fiction so special. Trying to reach the high bar set by a Game of the Year award winner is difficult, but Split Fiction has showcased that it can hit these marks with ease. Instead of one being clearly better than the other, the two titles stand side-by-side.
From its gameplay to its narrative, Split Fiction maintains a unique personality while still retaining the staple Hazelight Studios essence. Only time will tell if it also manages its predecessor’s awards wins, but even if it doesn’t, Split Fiction has managed to set itself apart.
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
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OpenCritic
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Top Critic Rating:
90/100
Critics Recommend:
98%
- Released
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March 6, 2025
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language, Violence
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
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