Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios are back with another ambitious co-op adventure, Split Fiction, and after spending three hours with the game, it's clear that this is the must-play cooperative experience of the year. Following the massive success of It Takes Two, which sold over 23 million copies, Hazelight has once again crafted an experience that demands teamwork, creativity, and a sense of adventure.

A Story That Blurs the Lines Between Reality and Imagination

The premise of Split Fiction is as wild as you’d expect from Fares. Players take on the roles of Zoe and Mio, two aspiring novelists who get caught in a virtual reality experiment gone wrong. Their distinct storytelling styles Zoe’s fantasy-driven worlds and Mio’s sci-fi settings collide, forcing them to navigate a constantly shifting reality. The result? An unpredictable and highly varied gameplay experience that keeps players on their toes.

While the overarching theme is friendship, the narrative seems to take some obvious jabs at corporate exploitation of creatives, though without much subtlety. The dialogue and character dynamics feel familiar, but the real magic lies in the game’s mechanics and level design.

A Co-op Experience Like No Other

If you’ve played It Takes Two, you already know that Hazelight has a knack for blending gameplay styles seamlessly. Split Fiction takes this even further, introducing a dizzying variety of mechanics that are both fun and meaningful. Whether you’re gravity-defying in a neon-lit cyber city, traversing a Tolkien-esque fantasy realm, or even turning into spring-loaded pigs, every section feels distinct while maintaining a consistent level of polish.

From the get-go, the game isn’t afraid to challenge players. Platforming sections require precise jumps and well-coordinated teamwork, while puzzles demand cooperation to progress. Unlike many casual-friendly co-op titles, Split Fiction respects its players, offering rewarding challenges that feel intuitive rather than frustrating.

Combat, Transformations, and Wild Mechanics

Each character has unique abilities that reflect their writing styles. Mio wields a sleek katana and can manipulate sci-fi elements, while Zoe brandishes a magical whip for environmental interaction. Together, they use grappling hooks to swing through futuristic highways and solve physics-based puzzles.

But Hazelight doesn’t stop at traditional mechanics. The game surprises players with unique side stories, such as a surreal sequence where both protagonists transform into toys or a wild snowboarding level reminiscent of SSX. Even a seemingly absurd level where players turn into sausages ends up being a delightful puzzle-platforming experience.

One of the standout moments involved a massive boss battle against a robotic sphere reminiscent of Super Mario Galaxy, with players strategically working together to expose and attack its weak spots. Another section had Zoe morphing into a fairy while Mio turned into a robotic swarm, forcing players to rethink movement and puzzle-solving from an entirely new perspective.

A Worthy Successor to It Takes Two

While Split Fiction embraces a chaotic blend of mechanics, its tight design ensures everything feels cohesive. The game’s difficulty is finely balanced, challenging but never unfair and its variety keeps the experience fresh throughout. Though the visuals in some sci-fi segments may lack flair, and the narrative feels predictable, none of that detracts from the pure joy of playing.

With its innovative co-op gameplay, surprising transformations, and an ever-evolving world, Split Fiction is shaping up to be one of the best co-op games in recent memory. Hazelight has once again proven that they’re the undisputed kings of multiplayer storytelling, and if you’ve got a friend to play with, this is one adventure you won’t want to miss.