Matt HillAny fan of co-op gaming will know the name Hazelight Studios. The studio has delivered some of the best co-op experiences in recent memory, whether that was the multi-game of the year award-winning It Takes Two or their excellent prison escape game, A Way Out. Both titles remain the go-to choice for many gamers’ co-op gaming recommendations. The question is, does their latest co-op venture, Split Fiction, join those illustrious ranks as another home run, or is it an unfortunate attempt that misses the mark?
Torn Between Worlds
Split Fiction follows two aspiring writers, Zoe and Mio, as they venture to Rader Publishing with the hope of becoming published writers. Upon arrival, they’re brought face to face with new ground-breaking technology that will allow them to experience their stories first-hand, with it all seeming too good to be true Mio tries to escape but falls into Zoe’s experience, colliding their world and forcing them to work together if they want to uncover Rader’s secret and escape the simulation.
Like you’d expect, having played (or heard) of Hazelight’s previous titles, Split Fiction thrusts you into its mandatory co-op adventure, with incredibly diverse worlds, genre-spanning gameplay and levels designed completely on the idea that they need to be tackled together. Unlike the divorcing couple of It Takes Two, Split Fiction gives you the choice of the optimistic and bubbly Zoe or the reserved and hardened Mio. Much like their own stories and worlds, Zoe and Mio are complete opposites, and it’s through their joint goal that they come to lean on each other and work together to escape their unique predicament.
Surprises And Delights Don’t Stop
Variety is the spice of life. And it’s also the core feature of Split Fiction’s game design. Throughout the game, players will tackle adventures in Zoe’s inventive fantasy-fueled tales, before leaping back into Mio’s adrenaline-pumping sci-fi adventures. The two styles are so far removed from one another, but Split Fiction makes it work, reinforcing the worlds into Zoe and Mio’s personalities and experiencing such diverse worlds is only backed up by the ever-changing gameplay Split Fiction has in store.
Much like It Takes Two, Split Fiction also keeps things fresh and always keeps players guessing as to what surprise awaits around the next corner. At one moment, you could be escaping the police in a high-speed race thousands of feet in the sky, whilst another level will see you dancing a monkey conga line to impress a king. There really isn’t a stone unturned, and the best part is there’s never a moment of gameplay that doesn’t feel fun to play, which is a remarkable achievement in and of itself. It’s like going to your favourite restaurant and ordering every dish on the menu, only to find they’re all cooked to perfection.
A Little On The Side
Many gamers will have fond memories of enjoying the plentiful mini-games Hazelight Studios smuggled into the previous title, It Takes Two, and hoping to get even more of them in Split Fiction. In a double-edged sword kind of way, they have been expanded upon; the quick flits of fun are gone, instead they’ve been replaced with 12 hidden side stories.
These side stories are essentially miniature levels hidden within the game’s chapters that have you experience one of Zoe or Mio’s other fantastical ideas. Just like the main story levels these short bursts of action are fun and incredibly varied; placing you into spring and fart powered pigs, climbing a mountain with giants or racing against the clock to stop a star from collapsing. Their each so different and all just as fun to play.
Something New, Something Fun
Despite all the variety, one thing that remains clear is the quality of gameplay. Each action your character undertakes feels smooth and responsive, which is a godsend when the action ramps and every second counts. The game also keeps ideas fresh, equipping you with new kit that will have you tackling each level differently and engaging in boss battles in numerous ways. One level may see you decked out with gravity swords and grappling whips, whilst another will team you up with your very own ageing dragon, allowing you to interact with the environment in ways you haven’t previously. Each level is built around those new tools and working in tandem with the inspired world you’ll be exploring.
Co-op Gaming At Its Finest
One thing I didn’t expect coming into Split Fiction was how much I’d fall in love with its central characters. Zoe and Mio are both so well-realized, and watching them grow through this journey, let down their wall and become friends is a really great tale. It’s a more action/adventure-focused story than Hazelight’s previous games, but it works all the better for it, keeping the action flowing before pumping the brakes to ramp to breathe and ramp up the emotion in what is an excellent adventure.
Split Fiction is a perfect game, I can’t put it any other way. Whether you’re talking about the incredible world-building, great central narrative or expertly designed levels, there’s not a foot Split Fiction puts wrong. Constantly keeping its gameplay fresh and bombarding you with new and exciting adventures, Split Fiction champions itself on being a wonderful time, and one you (and your gaming partner) deserve to experience.
