Split Fiction Review – A Co-op Masterpiece That Defies Expectations
The final level of Split Fiction is truly indescribable. I sat in silence, staring at my screen, barely able to believe what I was seeing. After fourteen hours of gameplay, I never expected Split Fiction to surprise me this much. In hindsight, after fourteen hours of constant surprises, I really should have known better.
In some ways, Split Fiction is exactly what I expected. After the massive success of It Takes Two, making another cooperative action-platformer seemed like the logical next step for Hazelight Studios. And yet, Split Fiction still manages to amaze—not necessarily with what it does, but how it does it. This game is a relentless rollercoaster, seamlessly blending puzzles and action, introducing countless gameplay mechanics, and throwing players into an endless array of stunning worlds.
A Storybook Adventure
It’s impressive how the narrative weaves all this chaos into a cohesive story. You play as two writers: Mio, a science fiction author, and Zoe, a fantasy writer. Due to unforeseen circumstances, they end up trapped in a simulation where they must experience each other’s stories, despite their vastly different genres. The narrative is structured in a way that allows for these drastic shifts in scenarios to feel natural.
One moment, Mio and Zoe are leaping through an ice castle straight out of a fairytale, and the next, they’re frantically escaping a supernova. As they journey through each other’s worlds, they begin to understand each other better, drawing inspiration from their pasts as writers. This leads to some surprisingly emotional moments.
In that sense, Split Fiction feels more human than A Way Out or It Takes Two, but don’t expect a deeply profound plot. The game carries the depth and charm of a children’s book—there are heavy moments, but they’re also predictable. Nearly every plot twist can be seen coming from a mile away. But honestly, that’s part of the appeal. The game itself is already unpredictable enough.
Endlessly Unpredictable
One moment, you’re an undercover agent in what feels like a Christopher Nolan film. Not long before that, you were a literal sausage on a barbecue. One second, you’re watching your co-op partner walk above you, and the next, they’re Mother Nature herself. Just when you think you understand how a boss fight works, two seconds later, the boss has infiltrated a tablet, turning your partner’s platforming section into a tilt-based puzzle.
You never truly know what to expect, and that’s what makes Split Fiction so thrilling. From the very first level, it’s clear that the production values are significantly higher than in It Takes Two. This is likely thanks to the Game of the Year win at The Game Awards 2021, which gave Hazelight Studios more confidence (and budget) from publisher Electronic Arts. Split Fiction bursts at the seams with diverse graphical styles and breathtaking environments.
The visuals, especially the scenery and set designs, are absolutely stunning. Each level feels incredibly alive. More impressively, every world in the game is distinct and consistent, with little to no asset reuse from previous levels. As a result, every new environment feels fresh, as if Hazelight Studios is pulling from an endless well of artistic inspiration.
A Love Letter to Gaming
What Split Fiction does frequently is reference other games. One of the most beautiful vistas in the game is clearly inspired by FromSoftware’s work—something that’s later hilariously confirmed in the level itself. The game also borrows gameplay elements more directly, with nods to Contra, SSX, and Wave Race 64. At least, that’s what it seems like. With so many different gameplay styles packed into one game, some similarities to other titles might just be coincidental.
And that’s the thing—there’s so much variety. Shooting, driving, sailing, flying, 2D, 3D, pinball mechanics, top-down, first-person, third-person, time travel, space travel—you name it, Split Fiction probably has it. And that’s not even mentioning the countless creative ways the game forces players to collaborate.
Fluid and Intuitive Gameplay
A perfect example of Split Fiction's co-op brilliance appears right at the start. Mio has a device that lets her defy gravity, allowing her to walk on walls and ceilings. Later in the level, the game introduces a high-speed highway filled with rushing space cars. To progress, players must use traffic itself—jumping and climbing across moving vehicles.
What makes this section so fascinating is the constant shift in perspective. You see your co-op partner jumping from car to car in unexpected places—below, above, and beside you. Since Mio experiences gravity differently, her version of the level plays completely differently from Zoe’s, yet they must still work together to move forward. It’s an incredible dynamic, and just one of many such moments in the game.
Despite its complexity, Split Fiction never feels overwhelming. Every time the game introduces a new mechanic, its function and purpose are immediately clear. If you get a jetpack, it instantly feels natural. If you hop into a speedboat, you’re sailing smoothly right away. Even the core mechanics, like the airdash, feel refined and polished. It’s clear that a massive amount of playtesting went into making everything feel just right.
Because the controls are so intuitive, Split Fiction is also an excellent choice for first-time gamers. It offers a little bit of everything without ever becoming inaccessible. If you’re looking to introduce someone to gaming, Split Fiction almost serves as a comprehensive tutorial for the medium. And since both players exist in the same world, demonstrating mechanics is as simple as showing them directly.
A Game Best Played Together
That said, the usual co-op disclaimer applies here. Communication is key, and the game is much better when played with someone you know. Even when playing online, a microphone is essential for solving puzzles smoothly. Playing with strangers is impossible, as Split Fiction does not feature matchmaking.
Not everything in Split Fiction is perfect. Some puzzles in the second world start to drag a bit towards the end, and the third world’s gray indoor environments overstay their welcome. But honestly, these are minor nitpicks. Split Fiction may be exactly what you expect, but even then, it somehow manages to exceed expectations.
Ultimately, this is a game you need to experience for yourself. After all, as the main characters learn, “writing is rewriting.” And perhaps the best argument for Split Fiction lies within the act of writing about games itself. There’s an overused cliché in co-op game reviews: “Even a bad game is fun when played with a friend.”
Well, imagine what co-op does for a game that’s already phenomenal. Buckle up.