Split Fiction, the latest co-op adventure from Hazelight Studios, promises to push the boundaries of cooperative gaming much like its predecessor, It Takes Two. Developed by the team led by Josef Fares, this game throws players into the wildly imaginative worlds of two writers—Mio, a sci-fi aficionado, and Zoe, a fantasy enthusiast—whose stories collide in a mind-bending simulation. After spending 17 hours with the game, I can confidently say it’s a rollercoaster of creativity, teamwork, and surprises that lives up to the hype and builds upon the fantastic co-cop experience for experienced and new players established with their previous entry.
Story and Characters
The narrative follows Mio and Zoe, two contrasting writers trapped in a simulation by a shady publisher intent on stealing their ideas. Their initial disdain for each other—sci-fi skeptic vs. fantasy dreamer—sets up a dynamic that’s both relatable and ripe for growth. The dialogue is sharp and often funny, with Mio’s shock and disgust at the level of fantasy that Zoe creates had us laughing out loud. As their journey unfolds, the story explores themes of creativity, collaboration, and trust without feeling heavy-handed.
An important thing that resonated with me was the subtle commentary on what art means to the artist. With the advancements made in A.I coupled with multiple reports of corporate “direction” on how best to focus game development that largely has resulted in disdain from the gaming community, a prevailing echo that the art being created lives and dies by the artist. Although it doesn’t always translate to instant success but artist pour their “souls” into their creation and that “soul” is not something that can easily be manufactured.
That said, I do feel the Side Stories players can find within the main levels can somewhat feel light. They are wonderful brief forays into the weird and are often hilarious however it also is meant to provide insight into the genesis of these characters and their creativity. It does the job but felt like it could have been a little bit more impactful. Mio and Zoe will grow on you as the way they bounce of each other with their banter is just endearing. The main villain Rader though basically is just the “big bad” hamming it up in a very typical way.
Gameplay
The core of Split Fiction is its co-op-only design, requiring two players to navigate a dizzying array of gameplay styles. One moment, you’re slashing through enemies as cyber ninjas; the next, you’re soaring on dragonback or solving puzzles as a farting pig. The game’s strength lies in its constant reinvention—each level introduces fresh mechanics that keep you and your partner on your toes. For example, suddenly turning into a hotdog and needing to cook yourself to progress or even a “hot potato” level where both players race against time not to blow up.
The variety is impressive, but it’s the seamless integration of these mechanics into the narrative that stands out. Every shift between Mio’s dystopian sci-fi and Zoe’s whimsical fantasy feels purposeful, tied to their evolving relationship. However, there were just very brief moments where we lost track of ourselves or even each other due to one player being too far ahead in the forced split sections but it wasn’t a major deterrence. The lack of a single-player option might deter some, but for those with a reliable co-op buddy, it’s a non-issue.
Visuals and Sound
Visually, Split Fiction is a leap forward for Hazelight. The sci-fi levels dazzle with neon-lit cities and sleek tech, while the fantasy realms burst with vibrant colors and lush detail. In the first sci-fi level Neon Revenge; even with the constant shifts in orientation it never failed to impress us how gorgeous the levels were. The art direction ties everything together, making each world feel distinct yet cohesive.
The soundtrack complements this perfectly, shifting between futuristic beats and orchestral swells. Voice acting is top-notch, with Mio and Zoe’s performers bringing real chemistry to their roles. Some of the boss fight music were some real thumpers as well so that definitely brought some positive energy to the fights.
Co-op Experience
This game lives or dies by its co-op execution, and it largely succeeds. Playing with my wife felt intuitive, with mechanics designed to demand communication and coordination. As my wife is not really an avid gamer, we would trade controllers when boss fights or certain sections would feel too difficult for her to maximize the enjoyment. The Friend’s Pass feature is a nice touch, letting one player join without buying the full game so they too are able to enjoy what Split Fiction has to offer. I already have plans to jump in with a friend to show them how special this game really is.
I do have a couple of gripes that my wife and i share. There were just some sections where a button prompt or tool-tip that are usually in place to teach the player to jump, avoid or even where to go felt strangely missing. It really didn’t help as well how there were a couple of fixed perspectives (although very uniquely presented) made us squint just trying to find where we are or how to traverse a particular area due to the wierd camera angles which we figured out in the end. We were also not much of a fan of timed sections or levels as my wife in particular had a hard time enjoying it due to the stressful nature of it. It felt very often to the point where my wife would dread the sci-fi levels because of it.
However in the end we both enjoyed the journey we took and when credits finally rolled we deeply appreciated how much diversity and creativity shown in the game itself. The final level in particular was really quite fantastic with the constant surprises that kept us on our toes and how seamless those transitions were between assets shifting and changing.
What I Liked About Split Fiction
- Humour – The banter between Zoe and Mio is constantly sharp, witty and their chemistry is charming.
- Story – Its deceptively simple yet tells an interesting tale (for me at least) about two people coming together and also about artists in general.
- Art Direction – The scope of the game is noticeable but I truly felt like they brought out so much creativity to the forefront that I mostly just thought about how they managed to pull it off.
- Co-Op Experience & Difficulty – Since my wife and I played through It Takes Two together, I was very much looking forward to a similar experience with Split Fiction. I also really love how they made checkpoints and other quality of life stuff very forgiving so new players would not be discouraged.
What Could Have Been Better
- Tightening Up Minor Things – Like what I brought up earlier about including the button prompts or tooltips during the acclimatizing period as well as some platforming sections felt janky.
- Co-Op Experience & Difficulty – Split Fiction definitely is a step up in difficulty that really tests casual players. My wife really did a fantastic job in being patient and persistent but it was a trying experience for her at times.
Best Friends Forever
Split Fiction is a bold, imaginative romp that showcases Hazelight’s knack for co-op innovation. It’s not perfect—with some minimal janky platforming but its highs are unforgettable. If you’ve got a co-op partner and a taste for the unexpected, this is a journey worth taking. I cannot wait for more people to jump in and experience how unique the co-op experience Split Fiction offers and I eagerly await what Hazelight Studious cooks up next.
