We’re here to break it down, from story to gameplay and whether or not it’s worth your money…
Split Fiction is the latest game from hazelight studios - a team that has put a unique focus on story-drive & co-op experiences over chasing the live service unicorn.
So far every game from this studio has felt like a huge improvement on its predecessors. With each project becoming more ambitious and mechanically unique. That culminated in 2021’s game of the year winner It Takes Two.
It Takes Two launched with very little hype, surprising critics and gamers alike and cementing itself as one of the most unique games every made.
So perhaps, it’s a little unfair that Split Fiction has so much expectation, anticipation and attention surrounding it. If you’re expecting Split Fiction to be an evolution on It Takes Two I think you’ll be disappointed, but if you’re looking for another fantastic co-op puzzler to scratch that same itch then you’re money and time won’t be wasted here.
Story —
Split Fiction follows Mio and Zoe, two unpublished writers who couldn’t be more different from one another, both in personality, and the stories they write.
Mio writes action packed sci-fi, with shallow baddies and more rain-soaked neon than even Balde Runner could stomach.
Meanwhile Zoe writes heartfelt fantasy stories about saving the world.
Both submit books to Raider Publishing and are accepted to be part of a new cohort of young writers brought into the publishing house to undergo a “not at all shady procedure” allowing them to jump into their stories and experience them for real!
Why does this book publisher’s building like avengers tower?
Why does their CEO have big boy Musk energy?
Why is everyone at this BOOK PUBLISHER working in LAB COATS?
Is the fact that this thing is called “the machine” foreshadowing for the depth of writing you can expect in this game?
Don’t worry about it!
We’re here for a good time not a thoughtful time… And before anyone think twice about it Mio and Zoe have fallen into this mysterious bubble together and now two must navigate their stories and uncover this publishing companies real motives along the way!
Sarcasm aside the story, characters and dialogue left me wanting more in every department. This premise allows for us to meet some whacky characters, explore some overused literary tropes and discuss the line between inspiration and rip off but Split Fiction only flirts with these ideas and these flirtations are never executed well enough to be interesting.
My major issue though is that the two protagonists are dull - nothing they say is entertaining, witty or gripping enough to make me care.
Gameplay
Normally reviewing gameplay is relatively easy. “Do the mechanics consistently work as you’d expect, and does the game teach you those mechanics in a helpful way?”
For better and worse it is impossible to talk about consistent mechanics when it comes to Split Fiction.
Every level of this game has a completely different mechanical hook and often even each of the player characters will have different skill sets.
One moment you’ll be cyber ninjas, fighting bad guys with swords and whips and then next moment you’ll be pigs with super powered farts. I really don’t want to spoil any of this, and the only reason I felt comfortable mentioning those is because they are some of the first experiences in the game.
But all you need to know is it only gets more mad, complex and brilliantly inventive from there.
And if you don’t gel with a certain level then your new setting and catalogue of abilities is never more than an hour away.
You might find yourself frustrated if you’re playing with a less experienced gaming partner but the generous checkpoint system should help pull you through some of the more challenging platforming sections.
And if you’re a seasoned crash bandicoot or spyro player you won’t really be challenged at all through the game. each player can adjust independently. From enemy difficulty to colour blind options, Split Fiction most likely has you covered here.
One minor gripe here is that Zoe and Mio can sometimes be difficult to tell apart when side by side in a frantic chase sequence. I’m not sure what could have been done to rectify this other than some garish UI indicator to help identify each, but it did cause a little frustration is some moments.
Technicals-
Technically I have no complaints with Split Fiction. No game breaking bugs or crashes at all which is incredibly impressive given some of the complexity and whacky worlds you’ll be going too
Accessibility -
You’ve got a bunch of options in accessibility There is no doubt Split Fiction will be in the game of the year conversation for some, and typically, I am all for a game leaving me wanting more. But in Split Fiction’s case it feels more like missed potential than purposeful restraint.
Verdict-
It was always going to be hard following up on the genre-defining game of the year masterpiece It Takes Two.
For some, Split Fiction’s more ambitious set pieces may make it feel like an evolution on what came before, however the poor writing and narrative mean this won’t be a game you’re recommending over it predecessor to anyone looking for a couch co-op recommendation.
But ultimately Split Fiction’s stellar gameplay makes it well worth the prince of admission and if, like me, you’re left wanting more, then you can always boot up It Takes Two again for another go around.
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