There was a time when cooperative games seemed destined to disappear due to the massive rise of the internet and its ability to connect players without the need to share a couch to enjoy their favorite video games. While times have changed and the interactive entertainment sector has evolved in other directions, some studios remain reluctant to abandon one of the formulas that created unforgettable bonds in the childhood of millions worldwide. Hazelight Studios, led by the charismatic Josef Fares, is one of them, and they have managed to elevate their game-making approach to the highest levels of the industry.

Although the company had already successfully developed Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and A Way Out, it was with It Takes Two that they achieved true glory. The game, featuring a miniaturized married couple who had to cooperate to escape a spell cast by their daughter, took the gaming industry by storm, winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021. Following this success, the studio's next work has captured the attention of millions of players hoping to experience the same magic and unique feeling that local cooperative games provide.

This is how Split Fiction, Fares and his team's new work, was born. In this new venture, Hazelight takes a different approach, where two protagonists visit the headquarters of a major company that has supposedly promised them a publishing deal. However, their story takes an unexpected turn when they don spacesuits that transport them into an experiment orchestrated by the multinational, forcing them to work together to escape a fantasy world where they're trapped to transfer their stories into a virtual environment.

The return of the most fun and original cooperation

It Takes Two made a tremendous impact with its genre-blending, innovative level mechanics, and puzzle design. With Split Fiction, they aim to go one step further, creating a factory of ideas brimming with imagination in every level. With the clear intention of surprising players and creating gameplay hooks that make them want to grab the controller at every free moment, it promises to be one of the standout games in the 2025 catalog.

Split Fiction presents itself as a much more ambitious title, with more complex mechanics requiring greater cooperation and skill from both players. At times, the two characters must take different paths and perform separate actions that can affect the other half of the screen, making communication and awareness of what your adventure partner is doing absolutely essential. In fact, the main narrative centers on the forging of friendship between two people who must rely on each other to escape a difficult situation, creating a powerful sense of connection.

This time, platforming, puzzles, and combat are combined to create a more complete formula, generating fast-paced gameplay that keeps players constantly engaged with something to do at every turn. Split Fiction is a game where speed, precision, and coordination unite, guaranteeing fun for anyone who dives into this wild adventure.

Playing with a friend is easier than ever

One of the great advantages of Hazelight Studios' games is their approach to sharing the experience with friends. While they're impossible to play alone, acknowledging current industry trends and typically high game prices, they allow two people to enjoy the game even if only one has purchased it. This is called the "Friend Pass", which lets you invite someone to join the game experience at no cost if you don't have anyone in your household to play with.

This feature helped boost It Takes Two at launch, so Hazelight and Electronic Arts are bringing it back with Split Fiction to make it easier for players to discover this new work and marvel at its original mechanics, allowing them to experience the full potential of cooperative play without a huge financial investment. Those wanting to play with someone remotely can do so without needing two copies of the title. Split Fiction launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.