Following the huge success of Hazelight Studios’ 2021 Game of the Year, It Takes Two, there was plenty of buzz around their next title, Split Fiction. This new co-op-only game carries all the hallmarks of a Hazelight release: fun mechanics, an intriguing story, and the kind of teamwork that demands such sharp communication you could probably add it to your CV.
Under Radar’s Watch
Split Fiction wastes no time getting started. You meet the two leads right away: Zoe, an outgoing fantasy writer, and Mio, a quiet and reserved sci-fi writer. They’re complete opposites from the beginning. Both are invited to Radar Publishing HQ to become published authors. Or more accurately, to enter a computer that extracts their ideas and turns them into interactive, algorithm-generated stories for the public to enjoy.
Mio is understandably suspicious and, after a chaotic turn of events, gets pulled into Zoe’s creative world. What follows is a surreal and imaginative journey through a shared digital space made up of both of their creative minds. They’re not just exploring their submitted manuscripts but the messy backlog of old drafts and half-baked ideas from across their writing lives.
What begins as a quirky premise quickly unfolds into something far more thoughtful. As they move through these imagined worlds, Zoe and Mio slowly open up, and you get a real sense of who they are and what they’ve been through. Throughout the journey you can stop at benches to take a breather, and it’s during these quieter moments that their connection deepens. Watching them slowly build trust and understanding felt genuinely rewarding.
The villain of the story, Radar, is a bit more cartoonish. They come across as theatrical and slightly overdone, never quite delivering the impact you might expect. Still, this didn’t take much away from the experience. The final chapter, titled Split, is thrilling and cleverly written. The game delivers a very clear message about the growing push toward AI-generated content and how much richer storytelling becomes when it comes from real human experience. It’s a strong statement and one that lands well.
Because the game moves between sci-fi and fantasy themes, there are loads of standout moments. One minute you’re a pig that farts rainbows and can fly, the next you’re hurtling through a high-speed motorbike chase while solving a CAPTCHA puzzle about giraffes to prevent an explosion. It’s completely ridiculous and utterly entertaining.
More importantly, the pacing never drags. Over its 16-hour campaign, the story keeps evolving in new and exciting ways. It’s full of humour, heart and originality, and it captures exactly what makes storytelling so powerful in the first place.
Telepathy and Timing
Just like It Takes Two and No Way Out, Split Fiction follows a similar gameplay format. This is a cooperative experience which means everything you do; you do with the player joining you. Each character, Mio and Zoe, gets given new abilities in each story they end up in. These abilities are essential for navigating the world and also can’t be used in isolation. You need to work with your partner if you want to get through each level.
Levels are dynamically designed with plenty of fast paced platforming which isn’t too punishing. If you fall behind or fall off a ledge you’re teleported back to where you were. Dying is more of an inconvenience than a setback, which encourages experimentation. Controls are smooth and easy to pick up, with double jumps, auto-running and dash moves making it feel natural and responsive.
Alongside the platforming, Split Fiction makes brilliant use of asymmetrical abilities that lead to some clever puzzle-solving. In one level, one player becomes a tree and the other a monkey, each with powers the other lacks. Cooperation is essential, and in some sections the timing is so precise it feels like you’re reading each other’s minds.
As the game progresses, these imaginative pairings get even more creative. A standout sci-fi level has each player shooting coloured barriers to help the other jump through them, all while dodging lasers. That section had me yelling, “shoot, jump, now you shoot” in pure chaos. It’s chaotic, but in the best way. When you finally pull it off, it feels amazing.
Boss fights are another highlight. You’ll need both players working together to defeat them, and each fight introduces fresh mechanics. Some encounters clearly take inspiration from other games. I spotted nods to Metroid Dread and even God of War. There’s even a snowboarding section that gave me strong SSX Tricky vibes.
Split Fiction‘s gameplay is fun, fast-paced and despite being relaxed it’s still rewarding when you get it right. It strikes that sweet spot between approachability and challenge, making it ideal for playing with someone who may not be an avid gamer.
Seamless Realities
The game is a visual treat. Each world feels distinct, from lush forests and grand castles to neon-soaked cities and intergalactic space hubs. Even the side missions and mini-games feel meaningful and well-crafted, creating many memorable moments.
Although story driven, these worlds still have loads to offer as you venture through them. There’s plenty of areas with easter eggs, like the brilliant elephant callback to It Takes Two, and places to have fun. The Moon Market level has a market area for players to explore where you can create recipes, steal balloons and race snails. You don’t have to partake in any of these activities, but they emphasise what the game is all about: creativity and fun. Just have a great time with a friend in a fantastical world.
Final Verdict
Split Fiction is a wild journey through imaginative worlds, tied together by a heartfelt story and brilliant co-op gameplay. It thrives on communication, creativity and timing, making it one of the most enjoyable cooperative games I’ve played in a long time.
The writing is thoughtful, with standout emotional beats that contrast nicely with its sillier moments. I laughed, I paused to reflect, and I was completely on board from start to finish. The pacing is excellent, and the final chapter delivers a strong, memorable conclusion.
For some, Split Fiction might feel a little on the easy side. It’s designed to be accessible, with challenges that rely more on communication and puzzle-solving than punishing battles. The only real drawback, if you can call it that, is that it’s strictly two-player, so you’ll need a companion to play, which might be tricky for some. That said, only one player needs to own the game, which makes it more manageable.
Replayability is a bit limited. After finishing the main story, you might be tempted to go back and play as the other character to try out their unique abilities, but beyond that the experience largely stays the same. Personally, that didn’t bother me. For a well-paced 16-hour campaign, the price tag feels more than fair, and I’d happily play it through again.
I honestly don’t have anything bad to say. I enjoyed every second and am already planning a second run as Mio. If you loved It Takes Two, you’ll adore Split Fiction. It builds on the same formula but delivers tighter mechanics and a more emotionally resonant story that stretches across galaxies, realms and every wild idea your imagination can dream up.
About the author:
Sophie is a gamer, blogger, podcaster, and book lover with a passion for solo narrative video games. When she’s not immersed in games or writing, she’s probably out hiking. Her favourite board games feature worker placement, nature themes, and smart tableau-building mechanics.
