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Nowadays, most games focus on multiplayer modes that lean more toward the competitive side. Even MMOs, which are supposed to be the ultimate social gaming experiences, are now trying a more “solo-friendly” approach. And then there’s Hazelight Studios that brings co-op banger after banger. From A Way Out to It Takes Two, Hazelight hasn’t been a stranger to delivering top-notch and memorable cooperative adventures for two players. Yet, after playing Split Fiction, I can safely say this is the best the studio has created. It isn’t only a superb two-player voyage, it is also a love letter to the history of video games done masterfully.
Like Oil and Water
Mio and Zoe. A sci-fi lover and a fantasy dreamer. Two writers whose dream is to get published. How will they do it? By going to Rader, a company with a machine to help them get their ideas into a book. Unbeknownst to them at the time, this machine steals writers’ ideas. After Mio watches Zoe and other writers floating in the idea-suctioning machine, Mio gets cold feet and causes an accident that traps her in Zoe’s simulation. Now, the two must traverse a simulation full of Mio and Zoe’s stories, sending them to a genre-hopping adventure between over-the-top sci-fi settings and whimsical fantasy lands.
The above is just the general aspect of the plot, however. In truth, there’s much more to it. At first, I thought it was a good-vs-evil type of narrative, and in a way it is. Yet, it has a deeper meaning, which is why I enjoyed more than anything. Mio and Zoe are not successful writers—far from it. They use the most common cliches of every genre and embrace them perfectly. The dystopian and depressive sci-fi cities saturated with neon lights, to the colorful fantasy lands where quests start with the most ambiguous call to an adventure. But the kicker is how the characters and the game embrace these cliches to make the most mind-blowing levels in recent gaming. I’ll delve more into that later, but it is a visual and gameplay treat from start to finish.
On top of that, each character has their motives of why they want to get published. I can’t talk much about it without spoiling the plot, but both characters have terrific development throughout the game. What starts as a journey of two strangers with almost zero compatibility blooms into an unlikely alliance that had me laughing out loud at times and even brought tears to my eyes in certain moments. Even if the narrative seems a bit cliche initially, what transpires in this 15-hour voyage is one of the most memorable plots in a co-op game.
Last but not least, Mio and Zoe as characters are terrific. Both of them have solid foundations and backgrounds. Mio is the realistic, serious, and cautious-around-people character, while Zoe is the dreamer, charismatic, and ever ready to throw a joke or pun around. Many people will relate to them in more than one way. I played the game with my wife, and it was so fun how she had many things in common with Mio, and I with Zoe, which is fun because those are the characters we initially picked. Overall, Split Fiction has a terrific cast that leads to many endearing and heartwarming moments without leaving the epicness on the side.
A Gameplay Buffet
Story aside, which is superb, the gameplay aspect is even better. In each level, Mio and Zoe have different abilities that help them solve intricate puzzles or face some bosses. For instance, in the first sci-fi level, Mio can use a katana that lets her magnetize herself to surfaces. Zoe gets a whip that lets her grab things from a distance and fling enemies around. In a fantasy level, both characters get a dragon. One can glide and spit acid, while the other becomes the dragon version of Sonic. The creativity behind each protagonist’s abilities is fantastic, and it all gets better thanks to the puzzles you’ll face.
Most puzzles in Split Fiction are direct references, nay, homages to other games. This review would never end if I made a list of every easter egg in Split Fiction. But every level is a love letter to genres and franchises we’ve seen in the past. From Metal Gear Solid to Mario Bros., and even Paintball, every gamer will pull out that Leonardo DiCaprio meme of him pointing at the TV on every level.
Yet the kicker is how perfectly Hazelight Studios combines the best parts of each genre into every level. On some levels, you can experience a high-speed chase that reminded me of the good old Burnout games. Minutes later, you’ll transition seamlessly to a bullet heaven. In some others, you might experience a hot potato match while also facing parkour challenges. The variety in Split Fiction is unmatched and it is something that not a lot of games can pull off. Where other titles focus on improving one genre, Split Fiction takes many types of games and grabs the most outstanding parts of each. What’s the result? A 5-star gameplay buffet that will satisfy every type of gamer.
Despite the variety, Split Fiction is highly accessible. With so many systems, it never felt unapproachable or overwhelming. Even your friend who’s never grabbed a controller will find a thrilling yet easy ride here. What helps, however, is the fact that all of these systems are as polished as they can be. I’ve never experienced a bug, frame drops, or any technical hiccups. All in all, Split Fiction is a technical marvel in every sense of the term. Plus, the fact that it renders some of gaming’s most gorgeous environments effortlessly deserves all the praise in the world.
Top-Notch Design
Even if Split Fiction embraces many cliches of other genres, the way it makes them work is what stands out the most. Take the level design, for example. We’ve all seen many sci-fi cities and fantasy worlds. Yet, Split Fiction does an amazing job at making them feel unique. Every landscape in whatever world you’re visiting is gorgeous. From the towering castle of the Ice King to the sci-fi game show arena, all artists put their utmost care to create stunning, visually stunning levels.
On top of the main level, the artistry behind the smaller side-stories is as mind-blowing as the rest of the game. Side-stories are short experiences that focus on a specific gameplay style. Some are lighthearted adventures where you turn yourself into a pig. Others are friendly races between you and your co-op partner. Others are a full-on playground that allows you to brew potions, draw with flowers, and traumatize mole people by turning them into chairs. And the great thing about those side-stories is that they never falter in terms of quality. However, I would’ve loved to see more of them because they were highly enjoyable.
Yet, the art department isn’t the only one that deserves a standing ovation. The tech wizards at Hazelight Studios crafted superb setpieces in every level, and it was always mind-blowing to see how the camera and perspectives adapted. In some levels, you can fully control your characters like in any 3D adventure game. In that same level, though, the perspective might shift to isometric and then to 2.5 D, and then back to 3D. Now, I can only talk about the early levels, but the game’s final act is a technical masterpiece that no other co-op game or even single-player game has pulled off. In terms of audio, it is equally great. The music perfectly fit both genres. You have synthesizers and even 8-bit tunes in some sci-fi levels, while epic orchestra-like music reigns over the fantasy world.
The Ultimate Co-op Adventure
Back in 2021, It Takes Two got the GOTY crown, and after playing Split Fiction, I’m sure the story will repeat, or so I hope. While 2025 is packed with many high-quality games, Split Fiction is unmatched in many ways. Its story is endearing, but most importantly, relatable. It will hit close to home to many players. The gameplay systems are a homage to every genre we’ve grown with. From platformers to shooters, and even dancing games, all are there to remind us how fantastic the gaming world is. And the setpieces are truly some of the most wonderful we’ve seen in both genres.
Ultimately, Split Fiction delivers an excellent co-op adventure that everyone will enjoy from the moment they pick a character to the moment the credits roll. Plus, the fact that it is so approachable is another welcome aspect. Yet, the most amazing part of all this is seeing that co-op isn’t dead yet. Where other games try to disconnect us from each other, even when we’re online, Split Fiction unites us like those old days where you’d high-five your co-op buddy after beating a boss. Hopefully, this won’t be the last co-op voyage we’ll get, because be it Mio and Zoe or May and Cody, I’ll always dive headfirst into whatever adventure Hazelight Studio cooks.
Split Fiction (PS5 Reviewed)
Split Fiction goes beyond offering the greatest co-op adventure this year. It is a love letter to many game genres and franchises that reminds us that games can, again, be all about having fun with someone else.
Pros
- Superb gameplay variety
- Excellent level design
- An endearing story
Cons
- I wish there were more side-stories to experience
