Hazelight Studios, renowned for innovative co-op games, has delivered two standout titles: It Takes Two (2021) and the upcoming Split Fiction (2025). Both games share a dedication to two-player collaboration but diverge in themes, mechanics, visuals, and emotional tone, reflecting how Hazelight’s formula has evolved. Below, we compare these co-op adventures in depth, highlighting how Split Fiction builds on the foundation of It Takes Two while keeping player-friendly features intact.

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Theme and Setting

It Takes Two: It Takes Two centers on a deeply personal theme of love and family. Players control Cody and May, a married couple on the brink of divorce who are magically turned into dolls by their daughter’s wish​. The game is a metaphor for marriage and cooperation.

Split Fiction: Centers on two writers, Mio and Zoe, who are trapped in a virtual simulation of their own stories, blending sci-fi and fantasy worlds. The theme revolves around creativity, the impact of technology on art, and forming friendships under unusual circumstances.

Gameplay Mechanics

It Takes Two: Known for its diverse mechanics that change with each level, tailored to the theme of the couple's journey and challenges. The gameplay is directly tied to the narrative of repairing a relationship, with each level acting as a metaphor for aspects of their marriage.

Split Fiction: Also features changing mechanics with each level, but these are designed to reflect the contrasting genres of sci-fi and fantasy that the two main characters write about. The game emphasizes the blend and clash of these genres, with each character bringing unique abilities that reflect their literary preferences.

Narrative and Character Development

It Takes Two: Heavily focuses on emotional growth and reconciliation between the two main characters, using their adventures to parallel real-life relationship issues and growth.

Split Fiction: While it also focuses on character development, the narrative explores broader themes such as the dangers and potentials of artificial intelligence in creative industries, and how different creative perspectives can complement each other in collaborative ventures.

Visual and Artistic Style

It Takes Two: Utilizes a whimsical, often vibrant visual style that underscores the fantastical elements of the gameplay, with exaggerated features and imaginative world-building.

Split Fiction: Combines elements of both sci-fi and fantasy, leading to a more diverse visual palette that shifts between sleek, futuristic designs and lush, mythical landscapes.

Co-op Features:

Both games require two players, but Split Fiction introduces cross-platform functionality where one player can be on PC while another plays on PS5/Xbox, similar to previous Hazelight games.

Both games offer a Friend's Pass, allowing a second player to join without purchasing the game.

Game Design and Level Construction

It Takes Two: Praised for its creativity, the game frequently introduces new and unique gameplay elements that are quickly discarded before they wear out their welcome. This constant renewal keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, with players eagerly anticipating what comes next.

Split Fiction: Delves deeper into its core mechanics, extending them across longer levels. While this allows for a more in-depth exploration of each mechanic, it can become a point of frustration if players find the gameplay challenging or if they simply do not enjoy the specific mechanics emphasized in a lengthy level. This approach can lead to repetition and fatigue, particularly for players not wholly comfortable or skilled with the game's demands.

Difficulty and Accessibility

Split Fiction introduces more complex gameplay elements early on, such as shootouts and high-speed chases that require adept control and gaming fluency. This setup can be jarring for players expecting a similar introductory curve to "It Takes Two," leading to a potentially steep and frustrating learning curve.

It Takes Two generally maintains a balance that accommodates a broader range of skill levels, gradually increasing in difficulty but always within the context of learning and enjoyment rather than sheer challenge.

Target Audience

It Takes Two generally maintains a balance that accommodates a broader range of skill levels, gradually increasing in difficulty but always within the context of learning and enjoyment rather than sheer challenge. This inviting approach makes it ideal for:

• Couples and families looking for an interactive experience that emphasizes cooperation without being overly demanding.
• New or casual gamers who might be intimidated by more complex video game mechanics, providing a gentle introduction to various gameplay styles.
• Non-gamers, particularly partners or family members who are new to gaming but wish to participate in a shared activity, ensuring they can contribute meaningfully without feeling overwhelmed.

Split Fiction introduces more complex gameplay elements early on, such as shootouts and high-speed chases that require adept control and gaming fluency. This setup can be jarring for players expecting a similar introductory curve to "It Takes Two," leading to a potentially steep and frustrating learning curve. This focus targets:

• Veteran gamers looking for a challenging co-op experience that tests their skills and offers a high level of engagement through intricate gameplay mechanics.
• Gaming duos where both players have considerable experience and are looking for a game that won't just entertain but also challenge their cooperative skills and reaction times.
• Fans of action-packed narratives and those who enjoy a blend of high-concept sci-fi and fantasy settings, appealing to players who appreciate detailed world-building and complex storylines within their co-op experiences.

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Review from Reddit players:

• “Split Fiction is an excellent follow-up to It Takes Two. Though the very similar concept loses its shine a little bit, constantly changing gameplay, a heartwarming story and plenty of memorable moments make up for that. As does the plethora of easter eggs that can be found throughout the game.”
• “Regardless of whether you want to play with someone else in-person or online, Split Fiction is well worth your time. It’s an excellent co-op adventure, and it’s easy to imagine the game garnering the same kind of following – and accolades – as It Takes Two.”
• “Split Fiction is, in many ways, a spiritual successor to 2021's It Takes Two, boasting an identical gameplay loop and story structure to its predecessor and continuing Hazelight's running emphasis on two-player co-op. It's shorter, more expensive, and while it may not have the originality or variety of It Takes Two, it still manages to create an entertaining and captivating experience for both players.”
• “Split Fiction is an experience that celebrates creativity and human connection, immersing players in the role of two young writers tormented by their inner demons. It's precisely the differences between the two that give rise to worlds totally distinct from each other, allowing players to enjoy gameplay that is always diversified, fresh, and fun. In this, the title from Hazelight Studios is nothing short of excellent, continuously proposing new game mechanics within graphically and technically spectacular levels. However, the narrative is lacking, generally of a lower standard compared to It Takes Two and at times banal and predictable. In any case, if you're looking for a local or online co-op experience, Split Fiction is highly recommended, representing the perfect title to entertain the whole family.”
• “Building off the strong foundation that is It Takes Two, Split Fiction is a consistently charming and entertaining co-op adventure that doesn't take a single second to rest between its frankly insane number of unique and well-designed gameplay mechanics.”

In simple words, players are really excited about "Split Fiction," expecting another great co-op game from Hazelight Studios. They appreciate the studio's creativity and are particularly fans of Josef Fares' innovative game design. Early positive reviews have heightened these expectations, making many eager to experience the game themselves.

Conclusion

Both "It Takes Two" and "Split Fiction" highlight Hazelight Studios' dedication to pushing the boundaries of cooperative gameplay, each with its unique thematic and emotional strengths. While "It Takes Two" delves into personal and familial issues, "Split Fiction" explores broader themes of creativity and collaboration, catering to a different yet overlapping audience.