In today’s gaming landscape, where live services, MMO worlds, and far-flung online interactions are the norm, the charm of local multiplayer is slipping through the cracks. Sure, a handful of incredible couch co-op titles like TMNT Shredders Revenge, Overcooked, and Hazelight Studios’ own It Takes Two have surfaced, but nothing recently has struck a chord with me quite like Split Fiction did. This game offers not just an array of diverse gameplay genres, ranging from a twin-stick shooter and a pinball-inspired puzzle platformer to a quirky hot dog simulator, but it also boasts stunning graphics and engaging character dialogues. With such a rich mix, Split Fiction isn’t just another name in an already exciting year of releases—it’s a must-have for anyone on the lookout for a captivating local multiplayer experience.
Stepping into the world of Split Fiction, you assume the roles of Mio or Zoe, two budding writers embarking on a novel adventure, testing a machine designed to breathe life into their narratives. This inventive plot mechanism not only enriches the vibrant world of Split Fiction but also conveniently bridges its sci-fi and fantasy realms. During my playthrough, the seamless transitions between these worlds never felt jarring or monotonous. Even though I’m not a huge fan of fantasy unless “Final” is somewhere in the title, I found Zoe’s imaginative realms thoroughly engaging. Credit is due to the game’s outstanding dialogue, which truly made the characters feel alive. Watching two starkly different individuals engage in their self-created universes was a genuine delight.
If you’ve ventured through Hazelight’s previous gems like It Takes Two or A Way Out, you’ll have a sense of what awaits with Split Fiction. This co-op adventure takes place on a shared or split screen and is bubbling with well-crafted puzzles that demand teamwork and communication. What really makes Split Fiction stand out is its ingenious blend of various gameplay styles, ensuring the experience is consistently refreshing.
Split Fiction’s standout trait is undoubtedly its varied gameplay. My time with the game made it clear it’s no run-of-the-mill two-player puzzler or brawler. The developers clearly devoted effort to perfecting each gameplay element, avoiding hasty, superficial additions merely for variety’s sake. A memorable highlight saw Zoe and Mio snowboarding through a chaotic battlefield, evoking a mash-up vibe of Sonic Adventure Battle and SSX, rather than the usual on-rails affair. Competing against my partner in this segment to rack up points through stunts while dodging danger was exhilarating and demonstrated the tremendous potential for fun within Split Fiction.
That’s not to say every element hit a home run. One portion had us navigating a platformer-pinball hybrid, with me at the helm of the ball and my partner managing the paddles. It demanded precise timing from us both and was a creative slowdown in a game packed with action. While I occasionally grappled with frustration after a mistimed leap, the joy of overcoming these challenges with my partner was a rewarding high point.
Make no mistake, Split Fiction is purely about collaboration, keeping you engaged and requiring constant teamwork; there’s no single-player mode here. Unlike typical co-op games where you battle waves of foes or bash blocks to move forward, Split Fiction demands substantial teamwork and strategic thinking in both its adrenaline-pumping and serene puzzle stages. Throughout the demo, I found myself in constant dialogue with my partner, teaming up to solve puzzles and take down bosses. It was refreshing to see that Split Fiction didn’t spoon-feed us. It avoids over-simplistic guidance, offering no UI hints, which aligns perfectly with the spirit of co-op gaming, making my demo a richly rewarding experience.
In a gaming age where solitary play or NPC-filled environments often dominate, Split Fiction raises the bar for cooperative fun. With its inventive use of myriad gameplay styles spanning numerous genres, smartly penned dialogue, gorgeous worlds, and its insistence on genuine collaboration, it sets a high standard. Amidst a bustling year filled with anticipated releases, Split Fiction promises to carve out a distinct niche, achieving what few others can.
