To say there was a lot of hype surrounding Hazelight’s new game would be an understatement. It Takes Two was an indie darling when it launched in 2021, offering everything modern players crave: an emotionally rich story, inventive gameplay scenarios, and a co-op mechanic that wasn’t just bolted on—it actually enhanced the narrative. It also helps that Josef Fares, Hazelight’s outspoken and charismatic creative lead, has become something of a rock star in the gaming world. He says what he thinks, and—unlike most public figures—it rarely backfires. He’s come a long way since his infamous Oscar rant at the 2017 Game Awards, and all his work has led to this: Hazelight’s biggest, most ambitious project yet. After playing it in a single 12-hour session with a friend, I can confidently say Split Fiction comes close to taking the crown from It Takes Two—if only a few cracks didn’t show from trying to outdo the studio’s previous success.
Split Fiction introduces players to Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, two aspiring authors who, despite clashing personalities and creative styles, find themselves thrown into a shared adventure. Mio is a quiet, methodical sci-fi writer; Zoe is a loud, passionate fantasy fanatic. They’re invited to Rader Publishing under the pretense of a potential book deal, but soon uncover that the company’s eccentric CEO, J.D. Rader, has more sinister plans. Using a device called “The Machine,” he attempts to extract their creative energy. A mishap during the process merges their stories—and their worlds—into one surreal, genre-blending reality where science fiction and fantasy collide. This inventive premise sets the stage for a wildly creative exploration of imagination, conflict, and collaboration.
Building on the co-op framework of It Takes Two, Split Fiction delivers an evolving gameplay experience with each chapter introducing fresh mechanics and distinct settings. One moment, you’re sprinting through a neon-lit cyberpunk city using gravity-defying parkour; the next, you’re soaring through enchanted skies on the back of dragons. This constant reinvention keeps the experience feeling vibrant and unpredictable, forcing players to adapt and communicate. Scattered throughout are “Side Stories”—optional missions accessible via hidden portals—that dive into the unfinished ideas and past experiences of Mio and Zoe. These not only enrich the characters but also offer bite-sized gameplay experiments that keep things interesting and prevent repetition.
At its heart, Split Fiction is a story about learning to collaborate. Mio and Zoe begin as strangers from opposite ends of the creative spectrum, and their journey toward understanding and compromise mirrors the gameplay itself. Players must coordinate and problem-solve together, and that synergy is deeply embedded in both narrative and mechanics. That said, the emotional stakes feel less personal than Hazelight’s previous work. While It Takes Two centered around a crumbling marriage and the pain of separation, Split Fiction charts the formation of a new bond. It’s compelling but not quite as resonant or intimate. The connection between Mio and Zoe develops gradually, which may not land as powerfully for all players.
The game’s ambitious scope is both a strength and a weakness. While the constant introduction of new mechanics is impressive, some of them don’t get enough time to fully shine. There were several instances where a clever idea or fun ability would appear and then disappear within twenty minutes, feeling more like a cool gimmick than a fully developed feature. It keeps the momentum high, sure—but occasionally at the cost of depth.
This issue also bleeds into the story. While the central theme of collaboration is fitting and well-executed, the emotional beats can feel surface-level. Mio and Zoe’s banter is lively, and their contrasting personalities make for great chemistry—Mio’s dry intellect vs. Zoe’s impulsive enthusiasm—but their character arcs feel more functional than moving. They grow closer, and they learn to trust each other, but their emotional evolution doesn’t hit with the same punch as Cody and May’s journey in It Takes Two. The stakes are mostly external—surviving and escaping the bizarre, merged world—rather than internal or deeply personal.
Still, Split Fiction is another triumph for Hazelight. It’s brimming with creativity, personality, and a clear passion for storytelling through gameplay. It may not reach the emotional highs of its predecessor, but it more than makes up for that with its sheer inventiveness, charm, and unrelenting sense of play. Not everything lands, and not every idea gets the spotlight it deserves—but when Split Fiction is at its best, it’s a brilliant reminder of what games can be when collaboration isn’t just a mechanic but a philosophy.
Score: 9 out of 10
Reviewed on PlayStation 5