Co-operation at its core
By Paul Hunter
Hazelight Studios, the team behind It Takes Two, is back with Split Fiction, a cooperative adventure that blends storytelling and gameplay in the most imaginative ways. Developed by Hazelight and published by Electronic Arts, this narrative-driven experience follows two aspiring writers, Mio and Zoe, as they navigate fantastical worlds born from their own imagination.
Much like previous Hazelight games, Split Fiction is designed exclusively for two people and demands teamwork, communication, and adaptability. Each chapter introduces new mechanics, shifting between platforming, puzzle-solving, action sequences, and interactive storytelling. No two levels play the same, keeping you on your toes as the game seamlessly transitions between genres and gameplay styles. Whether you’re battling soldier in a sci-fi dystopia or solving riddles in a medieval kingdom, every moment feels distinct.
The game’s story unfolds through Mio and Zoe’s conflicting creative visions, leading to unpredictable twists and visually striking setpieces. Their dynamic plays a central role, creating emotional moments alongside the lighthearted humour Hazelight is known for. Cooperative interaction isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. Success depends on solving problems together, making every challenge a shared experience.
With its seamless blend of narrative, teamwork-driven gameplay, and unpredictable mechanics, Split Fiction offers an adventure built entirely around collaboration. Can Hazelight deliver another must-play cooperative experience, or does this latest outing struggle to match its predecessor’s charm? Let's find out!
In Split Fiction, you step into the shoes of Mio and Zoe, two passionate writers who find themselves looking to get their latest story published. After getting sucked into a mysterious machine, their creative visions come to life as the pair land smack dab in the middle of their own fictional worlds they’ve written about. Their journey to understand these worlds mirrors their growing understanding of each other, making the narrative as much about friendship and personal growth as it is about saving the day.
The game’s story is driven by Mio and Zoe’s contrasting personalities and storytelling styles. Mio, the more serious and methodical writer, believes in structure and order, while Zoe is spontaneous and thrives on chaos. As you move through the various chapters, their conflicting views create both tension and comedic moments. The worlds they’ve created are reflections of their personalities—chaotic, beautiful, and strange.
Each chapter reveals a different environment, inspired by the genres the writers enjoy. From whimsical forests to dystopian metropolises, these worlds aren’t just backdrops—they’re integral to the plot, and the creative decisions made by Mio and Zoe shape the narrative. The storytelling aspect is cleverly intertwined with the game mechanics, as you solve puzzles and overcome obstacles that relate to the themes of each world.
The dialogue throughout Split Fiction captures the humour and sincerity of its characters. Mio and Zoe’s banter adds depth to their personalities, providing a relatable and heartwarming dynamic. As the story progresses, it’s clear that the journey isn’t just about fixing their creations but about understanding the value of collaboration.
Split Fiction offers a unique blend of puzzle-solving and exploration that perfectly complements its story. As you traverse these fictional realms, you must resolve conflicts and piece together the fractured narratives caused by the writers' creative clash.
One standout feature is how Split Fiction makes you feel like part of the creative process. You’ll solve puzzles that involve altering elements of the world, like changing the flow of time or modifying the environment itself. These mechanics tie directly into the themes of writing and storytelling, allowing you to shape the narrative while navigating challenges. Some puzzles can be quite challenging, especially when you need to think outside the box—just like Mio and Zoe must do when they face their differences.
Co-op gameplay is more than just a feature—it’s the heart of the entire experience. Each player controls one of the two characters, and progressing through the game requires constant collaboration. Cooperation is essential, as some areas demand that you act in tandem, whether it’s pulling switches at the same time or covering each other’s backs during intense combat sequences.
Split Fiction constantly surprises with its wildly imaginative array of gameplay mechanics that keep things fresh and exciting. One stage has you morph into flying and farting pigs, while other stages put you in high-flying motorcycle race, dodging obstacles and performing stunts at high speeds. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also find yourself riding in a flying car, seamlessly transitioning between ground and air while navigating through a futuristic metropolis. These mechanics inject a sense of unpredictability into the gameplay, making you always anticipating what the next level will bring.
The visuals in Split Fiction are as inventive as the story itself. The game’s distinct art style sets the tone right from the start, with its surreal landscapes and atmospheric lighting that are Hazelight's best effort yet.
The character designs are also noteworthy. Mio and Zoe each have a distinct look that reflects their personalities and roles in the story. Mio's sharp, angular features give her a more assertive feel, while Zoe’s softer design balances the two characters’ differing approaches. The attention to detail in their animation—whether it’s a simple gesture or their reactions to key story moments—adds a sense of life and relatability to both of them.
On the technical side, Split Fiction performs well overall. The frame rate remains stable throughout the experience, and load times are quick, allowing for hours of uninterrupted gameplay.
Sound design is equally well-executed. The soundtrack complements the changing tones of the game, shifting from ethereal melodies to more intense beats as the stakes rise. The voice acting is another highlight, with both lead characters delivering performances that bring their personalities to life.
Final Score: 9.5/10 - Amazing
Developer: Hazelight Studios
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Action Adventure, Platformer
Modes: Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Hazelight Studios, the team behind It Takes Two, is back with Split Fiction, a cooperative adventure that blends storytelling and gameplay in the most imaginative ways. Developed by Hazelight and published by Electronic Arts, this narrative-driven experience follows two aspiring writers, Mio and Zoe, as they navigate fantastical worlds born from their own imagination.
Much like previous Hazelight games, Split Fiction is designed exclusively for two people and demands teamwork, communication, and adaptability. Each chapter introduces new mechanics, shifting between platforming, puzzle-solving, action sequences, and interactive storytelling. No two levels play the same, keeping you on your toes as the game seamlessly transitions between genres and gameplay styles. Whether you’re battling soldier in a sci-fi dystopia or solving riddles in a medieval kingdom, every moment feels distinct.
The game’s story unfolds through Mio and Zoe’s conflicting creative visions, leading to unpredictable twists and visually striking setpieces. Their dynamic plays a central role, creating emotional moments alongside the lighthearted humour Hazelight is known for. Cooperative interaction isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. Success depends on solving problems together, making every challenge a shared experience.
With its seamless blend of narrative, teamwork-driven gameplay, and unpredictable mechanics, Split Fiction offers an adventure built entirely around collaboration. Can Hazelight deliver another must-play cooperative experience, or does this latest outing struggle to match its predecessor’s charm? Let's find out!
In Split Fiction, you step into the shoes of Mio and Zoe, two passionate writers who find themselves looking to get their latest story published. After getting sucked into a mysterious machine, their creative visions come to life as the pair land smack dab in the middle of their own fictional worlds they’ve written about. Their journey to understand these worlds mirrors their growing understanding of each other, making the narrative as much about friendship and personal growth as it is about saving the day.
The game’s story is driven by Mio and Zoe’s contrasting personalities and storytelling styles. Mio, the more serious and methodical writer, believes in structure and order, while Zoe is spontaneous and thrives on chaos. As you move through the various chapters, their conflicting views create both tension and comedic moments. The worlds they’ve created are reflections of their personalities—chaotic, beautiful, and strange.
Each chapter reveals a different environment, inspired by the genres the writers enjoy. From whimsical forests to dystopian metropolises, these worlds aren’t just backdrops—they’re integral to the plot, and the creative decisions made by Mio and Zoe shape the narrative. The storytelling aspect is cleverly intertwined with the game mechanics, as you solve puzzles and overcome obstacles that relate to the themes of each world.
The dialogue throughout Split Fiction captures the humour and sincerity of its characters. Mio and Zoe’s banter adds depth to their personalities, providing a relatable and heartwarming dynamic. As the story progresses, it’s clear that the journey isn’t just about fixing their creations but about understanding the value of collaboration.
Split Fiction offers a unique blend of puzzle-solving and exploration that perfectly complements its story. As you traverse these fictional realms, you must resolve conflicts and piece together the fractured narratives caused by the writers' creative clash.
One standout feature is how Split Fiction makes you feel like part of the creative process. You’ll solve puzzles that involve altering elements of the world, like changing the flow of time or modifying the environment itself. These mechanics tie directly into the themes of writing and storytelling, allowing you to shape the narrative while navigating challenges. Some puzzles can be quite challenging, especially when you need to think outside the box—just like Mio and Zoe must do when they face their differences.
Co-op gameplay is more than just a feature—it’s the heart of the entire experience. Each player controls one of the two characters, and progressing through the game requires constant collaboration. Cooperation is essential, as some areas demand that you act in tandem, whether it’s pulling switches at the same time or covering each other’s backs during intense combat sequences.
Split Fiction constantly surprises with its wildly imaginative array of gameplay mechanics that keep things fresh and exciting. One stage has you morph into flying and farting pigs, while other stages put you in high-flying motorcycle race, dodging obstacles and performing stunts at high speeds. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also find yourself riding in a flying car, seamlessly transitioning between ground and air while navigating through a futuristic metropolis. These mechanics inject a sense of unpredictability into the gameplay, making you always anticipating what the next level will bring.
The visuals in Split Fiction are as inventive as the story itself. The game’s distinct art style sets the tone right from the start, with its surreal landscapes and atmospheric lighting that are Hazelight's best effort yet.
The character designs are also noteworthy. Mio and Zoe each have a distinct look that reflects their personalities and roles in the story. Mio's sharp, angular features give her a more assertive feel, while Zoe’s softer design balances the two characters’ differing approaches. The attention to detail in their animation—whether it’s a simple gesture or their reactions to key story moments—adds a sense of life and relatability to both of them.
On the technical side, Split Fiction performs well overall. The frame rate remains stable throughout the experience, and load times are quick, allowing for hours of uninterrupted gameplay.
Sound design is equally well-executed. The soundtrack complements the changing tones of the game, shifting from ethereal melodies to more intense beats as the stakes rise. The voice acting is another highlight, with both lead characters delivering performances that bring their personalities to life.
The Verdict
Split Fiction offers a compelling narrative with emotional depth, driven by its strong characters, Mio and Zoe. The game blends silky smooth gameplay with stunning visuals, where each world is thoughtfully designed to support the story. Voice acting and music elevate the experience, creating a memorable journey. Split Fiction proves that a great story and character development can create a truly memorable experience. If you enjoyed It Takes Two or like co-op gameplay in general, this is easily a must-play.Final Score: 9.5/10 - Amazing
Split Fiction details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: Hazelight Studios
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Action Adventure, Platformer
Modes: Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.