Split Fiction: 5 Key Differences from It Takes Two

Split Fiction and It Takes Two are two of the most famous co-op games, both developed by Hazelight Studios. While some players are still making their way through Josef Fares’ latest release, we decided to compare the studio’s first game with its most recent one and examine their differences.

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Storyline

In It Takes Two, the entire story revolves around a couple on the verge of divorce and their daughter, Rose, who accidentally turns them into clay dolls in hopes of bringing them back together. Throughout the game, players battle Rose’s beloved possessions—such as her favorite toy elephant—to make her cry, believing that her tears will turn them back into humans. However, several plot twists drastically change Cody and May’s relationship.

Split Fiction, on the other hand, takes a different approach. Unlike its predecessor, this game’s story focuses on a corporation that attempts to extract all creative ideas from authors’ minds using a special device. However, Mio, realizing that something is off, refuses their offer, but accidentally ends up inside the dream world of Zoe—a girl she just met.

Since the machine was never designed for two people, it starts to malfunction, creating a glitch in the form of a rift. The protagonists set out to chase this rift, hoping to escape the dream world and destroy the device. As the story unfolds, they journey through subconscious realms, allowing players to dive deeper into the narrative while uncovering the source of the heroines’ inner struggles.

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Difficulty Level

Despite the well-balanced progression in It Takes Two, which gradually increases in difficulty and helps players get used to the game mechanics, it’s not without its flaws. During boss fights, if players died at the very end, they wouldn’t restart from the middle or near the end of the fight—they’d have to go all the way back to the beginning. This often led to frustration and disengagement.

Split Fiction takes a different approach. Players are immediately thrown into a fast-paced storyline, where they must not only quickly learn the game mechanics but also stay highly attentive to figure out where to go next. This is especially true for chase sequences and racing segments. However, the game compensates for this with a large number of checkpoints, significantly reducing the difficulty level.

While this system makes the game more accessible, it also has its downsides. The fast pace can make Split Fiction feel like it flies by too quickly, and since there’s little to no penalty for dying—unlike in It Takes Two—the stakes don’t feel as high.

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Game Mechanics

In It Takes Two, the game mechanics and the characters' abilities were deeply tied to their relationship. This created a seamless connection between the story and gameplay, making every aspect of the game feel unified while adding emotional depth. For example, May’s journey led her to overcome her fear of singing in front of an audience.

Split Fiction borrows many of its mechanics from It Takes Two. Familiar elements such as ropes and grappling hooks for swinging, mirrored platforms, and other traversal mechanics make a return.

That said, the new Hazelight title does introduce fresh gameplay elements, such as dragon flights, vine climbing, and even controlling characters beyond the main protagonists during fights. However, unlike It Takes Two, where abilities directly influenced the story’s progression, Split Fiction relies more on its music and scenery to drive emotional engagement rather than the characters' abilities.

Image: hazelight.se

Mini-Games vs. Side Stories

Since It Takes Two focused on a couple’s relationship, many of its side stories revolved around their dynamic. Mini-games always had a clear winner, and players could replay them as many times as they wanted.

Split Fiction takes a different approach. The immersion device at the core of the story doesn’t just offer mini-games—it transports players into a fully-fledged narrative experience. Here, the emphasis is not on competition but on cooperation. Instead of focusing on individual victories, mini-games encourage teamwork and strengthen the bond between players.

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Depth

Despite its casual nature, It Takes Two managed to deeply engage players, making them empathize with the characters and enjoy the journey. It felt like the game’s goal wasn’t just to reconcile the in-game couple but also to strengthen the bond between the players themselves. With its simple yet heartfelt story, the game had the power to bring people closer, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Split Fiction. While exploring the subconscious minds of its protagonists, players undoubtedly felt invested in Mio and Zoe’s story. Yes, the narrative was more complex, filled with high-speed chases, aerial sequences, and shootouts, making it feel more like a traditional video game. However, it lacked the emotional connection that It Takes Two so effortlessly created. In this regard, Split Fiction falls slightly short of its predecessor.

Image: youtube.com

We hope you enjoyed comparing these two titles as much as we did! Each game offers its own unique take on cooperative gameplay. It Takes Two and Split Fiction may be vastly different, but they both have something special to offer. Have you played them? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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