Split Fiction Review

Josef Fares achieved widespread acclaim after securing the prestigious Game of the Year Award in 2021 for It Takes Two, a unique and heartwarming two-player co-op action-adventure game. This followed his earlier success with Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and A Way Out, and now, building on these achievements, Fares introduces another engaging co-op adventure with Split Fiction.

Developed by Hazelight Studios and published by Electronic Arts, Split Fiction follows the journey of aspiring authors Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, who find themselves trapped in a story simulator that brings their imaginative worlds to life. Drawing inspiration from his two daughters, this project holds a special place in Fares’ heart, and he invites players to join him in this celebration.

Will Fares capture lightning in a bottle once again? Team up with your closest friend and embark on another unforgettable two-player co-op adventure with Split Fiction!

Story Ideas Come To Life!

For those familiar with It Takes Two, Split Fiction adheres to the same proven formula of co-op adventure gameplay. Whether playing online or with a friend in couch co-op, Split Fiction requires a second human player, inherently presenting a barrier for players who prefer taking on adventures on their own.

Players can choose between two protagonists, Mio and Zoe, each with unique roles in navigating levels generated from their wild imaginations. Solo play is not possible due to the specific teamwork required to overcome the various challenges, and the game’s charm and appeal truly emerge from the moments created through collaboration, cooperation, and communication with a partner.

The controls remain consistent across the various environments. Players can jump, double jump, dash, air dash, and sprint while evading obstacles and enemies. Skills will vary depending on the world, allowing players to attack, interact with the environment, or use world-specific abilities such as shapeshifting or gravity manipulation.

Narratively, Split Fiction follows two unpublished writers, Mio and Zoe, who accept a dubious publishing deal with Rader Publishing. This company develops their unpublished works by extracting them from their minds using an augmented reality machine. Recognizing the deceit, Mio inadvertently enters Zoe’s world, trapping them in each other’s imaginations as they attempt to escape the simulation.

Mio and Zoe’s stories, rooted in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy, respectively, offer a rich exploration of their disparate worlds. Mio’s narratives revolve around futuristic, cyberpunk settings filled with intrigue and revenge, while Zoe’s stories feature colorful, whimsical worlds with animal friends and charming adversaries. Both go on a quest to search for glitches in their respective worlds, aiming to force quit the simulation and return to reality. In doing so, they hope to prevent the simulator from fully extracting their ideas for Rader Publishing’s gain.

The gameplay styles shift as you traverse these worlds. In one moment, you might find yourself in a hack-and-slash action game with sword combos and intricate platforming reminiscent of Ninja Gaiden. In another, you might shapeshift into magical beasts while navigating a realm threatened by the Ice King. As Mio and Zoe explore other completed worlds within their minds, more surprises await.

Players will journey through eight unique levels to collect these glitches, expecting that by the end of Split Fiction, they will be free from their ordeal. However, if you’ve played any of Josef Fares’ games, you know there’s always a surprise waiting at the end. Your experience with Split Fiction may vary, but it generally offers an entertaining journey.

Throughout the game, you alternate between the imaginative worlds of the two protagonists, switching genres. While the general story and controls remain consistent, each level offers enough gameplay variety to stand out with wild adventures. These sequences enhance the experience and provide excitement through teamwork.

Standout moments include the sci-fi “Neon Revenge” story, featuring a high-speed motorcycle chase where one player controls the motorcycle while the other decodes a captcha, with both their lives at stake. In “Hopes of Spring,” you transition from a humorous dance sequence to a conga dance routine similar to the classic snake game. In “Final Dawn,” your teamwork is tested as you aim for color-coordinated targets.

However, just as there are thrilling sequences in each level, there are moments where the gameplay drags, testing your teamwork in frustrating ways, such as the jetpack sequence in “Final Dawn.” The sci-fi levels “Neon Revenge” and “Final Dawn” can feel too similar, leading to a sense of homogeneity. Additionally, some platforming puzzles in “Final Dawn” lack intuitiveness, resulting in repeated failures before your team can succeed.

Just Gals Being Pals

While It Takes Two and Split Fiction have parallels, the two titles’ most significant difference is their storytelling approach. It Takes Two primarily addresses a narrative about a rocky marriage and the couple’s relationship with their daughter. Consequently, the activities players engage in are more playful, featuring side games that both players can participate in to create a competitive co-op experience.

In contrast, Split Fiction delves into the imaginations and personal lives of its protagonists, Mio and Zoe, leading to an unlikely friendship between these two polar opposites. While the primary draw is their quest to escape their world, another intriguing aspect is the side stories where the two writers explore each other’s inspired ideas, serving as breaks or side games similar to those in It Takes Two.

These side stories provide a nice respite from the main campaign, as each level is multi-layered and essentially an entire saga in itself. This showcases the writers’ wild imaginations and allows players to learn more about the characters, as the story begins with no backstory or context for Mio and Zoe, aside from them being writers.

The various genres the two writers dabble in and their other ideas in the Side Stories offer enjoyable exploration and replay value. Whether playing with different partners in couch co-op or online multiplayer, these side stories are refreshing, especially as some main levels felt a bit too lengthy for my taste.

Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios’ creativity shines through in the numerous ideas they’ve woven together. From offbeat dark humor to semi-serious personal dramas with heart, the game offers something for everyone. Your experience may vary depending on what resonates with you or which character you ultimately connect with.

Standout side stories include creative levels where the Hazelight Studios team flexes their imaginative muscles, providing a pleasant break from the main story. The dark humor in the “Farmlife” side story had me laughing, “Kites” was a fun gliding simulator, and “Notebook” showcased Zoe’s wild imagination. Some side stories, however, didn’t quite hit the mark, such as “Gameshow” and “The Legend of the Sandfish,” which were more frustrating in terms of teamwork and traversal.

Comparisons between Split Fiction and It Takes Two are inevitable. One drawback of Split Fiction is its slower onboarding phase. It Takes Two does a better job of quickly immersing players in the game and story, whereas Split Fiction takes its time to introduce the characters and world. However, given the chance, Split Fiction hits the right beats as you progress.

Mio’s character may not seem likable, but as we learn more about her life, we empathize with her story more deeply. Zoe carries much of the weight between the characters as Mio comes across as antagonistic initally.

Additionally, the game offers a range of fantastic accessibility options that allow players to tailor the gameplay experience to their preferences. For example, changing the button-mashing mechanic to a holding mechanic opens the game to players who might be intimidated by the challenge. This inclusive approach ensures that more players can enjoy the game.

Ultimately, Split Fiction delivers a polished title that strikes a balance between being challenging and accessible for two players to progress through intuitively. The game features fantastic set pieces and fun boss battles; most players can get through it easily. The checkpoints are friendly, and players aren’t overly punished for frequent deaths.

Verdict: Buy It!

Split Fiction presents a blend of game mechanics, story ideas, and narrative elements that offer an entertaining and engaging affair from start to finish. The main campaign deserves to be followed, with numerous intriguing side stories that enrich the overall experience.

While the requirement for a dedicated human player in this co-op adventure may pose a barrier for some, it’s commendable that the developers have implemented cross-play between platforms to alleviate some of the friction. The Friend Pass is also very much welcome, allowing players with a copy of the game to invite a friend and jump in on the shenanigans.

Although the title starts slower than It Takes Two, Split Fiction ultimately delivers the same signature, satisfying co-op adventure that can only be experienced through the creative vision of Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight Studios.

*Split Fiction was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.