Split Fiction Review – The Perfect Co-op Adventure

Everything started with Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. Then came A Way Out. By the time It Takes Two was released, it was clear that Hazelight was a studio with incredible talent. It Takes Two went on to win Game of the Year, and judging by Split Fiction, it probably won't be the last major award this studio receives.

Just like It Takes Two, I played Split Fiction with my better half. And honestly, this is the perfect game for that.

Sure, there were moments when I had to wait for her to get past a platforming section or figure out a puzzle. But that's part of the charm. The amount of laughter, fist bumps, and shared excitement we experienced throughout the adventure was worth every second. In fact, it turned into one of my favorite gaming experiences ever.

Split Fiction is a charming co-op adventure where you'll jump, fly, shoot, destroy, solve puzzles, and do a little bit of everything else.

Is it a third-person action game?

A platformer?

An extreme sports game?

A side-scroller?

A shooter?

The answer to all of those questions is: yes.

But let's start from the beginning.

The story follows Zoe and Mio, two struggling writers with completely different personalities and creative interests. Mio specializes in science fiction, while Zoe prefers epic fantasy. Both are invited to the headquarters of a suspicious company that promises aspiring writers a chance to bring their stories to life through a mysterious machine capable of immersing users in virtual versions of their own worlds.

Things quickly go wrong when circumstances force Zoe and Mio into the same simulation, causing their stories and realities to merge together.

And that's really all you need to know.

The story is far from the game's strongest aspect. The writing and dialogue are serviceable, but rarely memorable. Most of the time you'll listen simply because the game expects you to, not because you're genuinely invested in what comes next.

Fortunately, gameplay is where Split Fiction truly shines.

Much like It Takes Two, the platforming mechanics are simple but extremely polished. You can jump, double jump, dash, wall-run, swing from grappling hooks, grind on rails, and perform plenty of other familiar platforming actions.

Nothing revolutionary.

Nothing you've never seen before.

But everything feels incredibly refined.

Movement is responsive, easy to learn, and surprisingly fast, making traversal enjoyable throughout the entire game. Even when one player dies, the punishment is minimal. You'll quickly respawn or be brought back near your partner if they've progressed far enough.

Boss encounters are handled a little differently. If you're defeated, you'll have a brief opportunity to revive yourself. If both players go down, you'll restart from the latest checkpoint.

Thankfully, checkpoints are extremely generous, even during boss fights.

This is a brilliant design decision because many players will experience Split Fiction with someone who isn't a hardcore gamer. The result is a co-op game that focuses on fun rather than frustration.

And honestly, why should it be difficult? The game's greatest strength isn't challenge—it's communication.

It's the excitement of solving puzzles together.

It's laughing after a misunderstanding causes both players to fail spectacularly.

It's arguing about whether you're jumping on “three” or on “three, go.”

Split Fiction is all about creating memorable moments between players, and it succeeds brilliantly.

One of the hardest things about Split Fiction is putting it down.

The game constantly introduces new mechanics, new ideas, and new gameplay twists. Somehow, it never feels overwhelming or repetitive. Just when you think you've seen everything, the game throws something completely different at you.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to combine elements of Super Mario, Mega Man, and SSX into a single game, Split Fiction is probably the closest answer you'll get.

The real reason to play Split Fiction is the opportunity to experience incredible fantasy and sci-fi worlds alongside another player. Whether that's your friend, partner, spouse, or child doesn't really matter.

The fun is guaranteed.

Split Fiction is an extraordinary co-op adventure that constantly jumps from one genre to another, introducing fresh mechanics at an impressive pace. Thanks to that variety, the roughly 14 hours it took us to complete the game flew by.

And what did we do after finishing it?

We immediately replayed the final chapter.

That ending sequence is genuinely incredible and will likely be discussed for years among co-op fans. But we won't spoil anything—you deserve to experience it yourself.

With Split Fiction, Hazelight has once again redefined what cooperative gaming can be.

This is a game that you and your gaming partner simply shouldn't miss.