Hazelight Studios’Split Fictionis a refreshingly simple game, and others should take notice. I’m not saying it’s simple with regard to its difficulty, nor am I implying it’s a conceptually simple game – I’m sure a lot of very clever work went into developing it. But as a product,Split Fictionis very straightforward. It has a clear vision and executes it without asking anything more of you, the player and consumer.
The spotlight landed on Hazelight whenIt Takes Twowon Game of the Yearat The Game Awards 2021, but dedicated co-op experiences have been the studio’s specialty even back to its debut title,A Way Out.Split Fictionis well within the same lineage.It’s a co-op narrative experience without any extras– there are no other game modes, and not a single microtransaction to be found.
Split Fiction Gave People What They Wanted
Co-Op Platforming
Experimentation and innovation are often sought after in gaming, but Hazelight seems to know where it excels, and it helps that there aren’t other high-profile AAA studios making the same kind of games.Split Fictionis more or less a 3D platformer that has to be played by two people. Hazelight’s greatest achievement is taking its concepts as far as they can go, constantly adding new wrinkles to the platforming, or diverging for a brief mini-game, butfor the most part, you’re just running, jumping, and climbing.
Split Fictionis very old-school in a way, and that’s likely why Hazelight’s games have seen such popularity. It’s easy for people who aren’t avid video game players to wade intoIt Takes TwoorSplit Fiction. They accommodate all skill levels, but are also deep enough to satisfy people who grasp the platforming immediately. You also get exactly what you paid for; there aren’t challenges to incentivize regular play sessions, and there’s no way to even purchase anything in-game.
Hazelight Is One Of The Few Studios Capitalizing On Co-Op
Always Great To Bring A Friend Along
We’re not exactly lacking in co-op games –Helldivers 2is still going strong, andplayingPEAKwith friendsis a highlight of this year in gaming – but it’s hard to come up with titles that are in the exact same lane as Hazelight’s oeuvre.Split Fictionis narrative heavy, but requires two players.It cannot be played solo. Most games that feature a campaign seem to offer co-op as an option, likeBorderlandsorHalo.
Stardew Valley’s story makes the most sense with a solo player, andPortal 2’s co-op is (for good reason) an entirely separate mode. Games likeOvercookedaren’t really focused on character development, and co-op games likeSea of Thievesare aiming to be conducive to emergent, player-driven storytelling.Split Fictioncelebrates gamingby being a subtly straightforward game.
It also has a relatively modest price point, going for $50 upon release. At a time when game prices and their accompanying microtransactions are under increased scrutiny,Split Fictioncoming in under the $70 standard and delivering exactly what’s on the tin feels like a precious commodity. It’s clearly a recipe for success, as publisher Electronic Arts has let Hazelight continue on this path, making it a wonder other studios aren’t following inSplit Fiction’s footsteps and simplifying their approach.
Split Fiction
InSplit Fiction, rival authors Mio and Zoe find themselves trapped within a simulation of their own stories by a nefarious tech mogul aiming to steal their work. Forced to collaborate, they navigate alternating sci-fi and fantasy realms, utilizing unique abilities to solve puzzles, overcome platforming challenges, and defeat formidable bosses. The game supports cooperative play through the Friend’s Pass system, allowing cross-play across PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
