Split Fiction

Two writers, two genres

Mio writes science fiction and Zoe writes fantasy. Both are aspiring authors invited to Rader Publishing, where a machine is meant to extract their ideas. When Mio resists, she ends up in Zoe's pod, and the two are trapped together in a simulation built from both of their stories. Levels alternate between Mio's neon-lit futures and Zoe's worlds of dragons and magic, and the contrast between the two gives the game much of its energy.

Always something new

As in the studio's previous game, It Takes Two, almost every chapter introduces new mechanics, and few ideas outstay their welcome. One moment it is a platformer, the next a high-speed chase, a boss fight or a puzzle built around the two characters' different abilities. The optional side stories – short detours into stories the two never finished – are among the most surprising and funniest parts, and well worth seeking out.

Built for two

Split Fiction requires two players, either locally in split screen or online. Thanks to the Friend's Pass, only one player needs to own the game, and online sessions work across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A Nintendo Switch 2 version followed later. Almost every sequence is designed so that the players need each other, and the two characters often have different abilities in the same scene.

Forgiving by design

The difficulty is forgiving. Checkpoints are frequent, and a player who falls usually respawns within seconds as long as the partner survives. That makes Split Fiction a good choice for teaming up with someone who rarely plays games, while the pace and variety keep more experienced players busy.

Story and characters

The story of two very different people learning to trust each other is sympathetic but predictable, and it never reaches the level of the gameplay. It rarely matters, since the pace hardly ever slows down.

Length

The main story takes around 15 hours, a little longer with all the side stories. For a game that can be shared through the Friend's Pass, that is generous value.

Summary

Split Fiction is Hazelight's most spectacular game so far and one of the best co-op experiences available. With a regular co-op partner, it is close to essential.