{"id":465234,"date":"2025-03-18T21:34:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T21:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techforbrains.com\/?p=465234"},"modified":"2025-07-01T17:49:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T17:49:04","slug":"split-fiction-a-co-op-adventure-in-a-class-of-its-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/gaming\/split-fiction-a-co-op-adventure-in-a-class-of-its-own\/","title":{"rendered":"Split Fiction: A Co-op adventure in a class of its own"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Hazelight Studios has been a pioneer in cooperative gaming for over a decade, with unforgettable experiences like <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> , <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">A Way Out<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> , and <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">It Takes Two<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> . Now they\u2019re back with <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> , once again setting a new standard for the genre.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">An unparalleled collaborative adventure<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> has already received rave reviews. With an impressive <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Metacritic<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> score of 91 out of 100 based on 90 reviews, and a solid 8.1 from gamers, it\u2019s clear that Hazelight has hit the mark \u2013 again.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1723\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1723\" style=\"width: 2160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1723\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Hvert-pafolgende-spill-i-studioet-far-stadig-hoyere-rangeringer-og-Split-Fiction-er-intet-unntak.jpg\" alt=\"Each subsequent game from the studio receives increasingly higher ratings, and Split Fiction is no exception.\" width=\"2160\" height=\"1080\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1723\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Each subsequent game from the studio receives increasingly higher ratings, and Split Fiction is no exception.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Critics describe the game as one of the most inventive cooperative games ever, and players seem to agree. Our playthrough took around 20 hours, a time that flew by in a rollercoaster of intense challenges, magical moments, and a touch of frustration \u2013 in a good way.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"g1-fluid-wrapper-counter-1\" class=\"g1-fluid-wrapper \" style=\"width:662px;\" data-g1-fluid-width=\"662\" data-g1-fluid-height=\"372\">\n<div class=\"g1-fluid-wrapper-inner\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.19335347432%;\">\n\t       <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Split Fiction World Premiere Trailer from The Game Awards 2024\" width=\"662\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9t0OgTp7H74?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\t       <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Explosive development<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">When the first trailer for <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> was released, it generated mixed reactions. The main characters seemed uncharismatic, and the visual style appeared to be a mix of <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Tron<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> -inspired sci-fi and classic fantasy \u2013 a seemingly safe but unexciting choice. After the creative madness of <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">It Takes Two<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> and the cinematic experience of <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">A Way Out<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> , <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> initially seemed like a step back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">But expectations would turn out to be turned upside down. Game creator Josef Fares had promised revolutionary mechanics and a shocking ending in advance \u2013 and although he may have exaggerated a bit, <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> delivers on most fronts.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"g1-fluid-wrapper-counter-2\" class=\"g1-fluid-wrapper \" style=\"width:662px;\" data-g1-fluid-width=\"662\" data-g1-fluid-height=\"372\">\n<div class=\"g1-fluid-wrapper-inner\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.19335347432%;\">\n\t       <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Split Fiction - Story Trailer | PS5 Games\" width=\"662\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vRDXNJJ5Y3c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\t       <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Slow start, but a strong finish<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">The game introduces us to Mio and Zoe, two young aspiring writers who arrive at a publishing house to sign their first book contracts. Despite their shared goals, the two are very different: Mio writes for money and creates futuristic action stories, while Zoe dreams of living in her own fantasy worlds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">When a scientific experiment takes an unexpected turn, the two become trapped in each other\u2019s dream worlds \u2013 something that neither the girls themselves nor the scientists behind the experiment like.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1724\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1724\" style=\"width: 1276px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1724\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MIO-og-ZOE.jpg\" alt=\"MIO and ZOE\" width=\"1276\" height=\"1000\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1724\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">MIO and ZOE<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">While the beginning of the story feels somewhat predictable \u2013 classic \u201cenemies become friends\u201d dynamic \u2013 the characters grow as they go along, and we get a deeper insight into their personalities and inner conflicts. They may not quite reach the level of <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">A Way Out<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> \u2019s Leo and Vincent or <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">It Takes Two<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> \u2019s May and Cody, but by the end of the game it\u2019s hard not to root for them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">A crazy pace<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">If the story takes time to find its footing, the gameplay is a completely different story. From the very first moment, we are thrown into an action-packed and creative cooperative game with no dead ends. There are hardly any unnecessary sequences that feel like time delays \u2013 instead, the game offers an explosion of variety.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Each chapter presents a new setting, a new gameplay concept, and a new challenge. One moment you\u2019re in a high-intensity sci-fi world where precise reactions make all the difference, and the next you\u2019re thrown into a fantasy world where you\u2019re petting dragons and solving magical puzzles. The constant shift between settings and mechanics makes <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> an unpredictable and engaging experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1725\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1725\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1725\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/De-forste-timene-av-historien-foles-ekstremt-stereotype-gjentatte-historier-om-sterkt-vennskap-gjennom-innledende-fiendtlighet.jpg\" alt=\"The first few hours of the story feel extremely stereotypical, repeating stories of strong friendship through initial hostility.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1725\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">The first few hours of the story feel extremely stereotypical, repeating stories of strong friendship through initial hostility.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Hazelight builds on the foundation of <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">It Takes Two<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> , with platforming, double jumping, dashing, and grappling hooks as its core elements. But where many games had struggled to maintain variety, <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> uses its mechanics in ever-new and creative ways.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Magical moments and unforgettable challenges<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">One of the most impressive things about <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> is how it allows the player to create memorable moments through interactivity, rather than through pre-determined cutscenes. You\u2019ll constantly have to adapt to new forms, control the environment in creative ways, and face unique bosses \u2013 all presented with an impressive amount of variety.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1726\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1726\" style=\"width: 1536px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Split-Fiction.jpg\" alt=\"Split Fiction\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1726\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Even when the main areas start to feel a bit repetitive, the game\u2019s side missions and mini-games save the experience, providing some of the most bizarre, funny, and memorable scenes in the game \u2013 often with a playfulness that allows the player to take a breather from the main story.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Difficulty and flow<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> masters the balance between challenge and accessibility. The game\u2019s progression feels natural, and near the end, inexperienced players will have to sweat a little to keep up. Yet it\u2019s never frustrating \u2013 deaths are minimally punishing, checkpoints are clever, and the game always facilitates cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1722\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1722\" style=\"width: 1536px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1722\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Split-Fiction-anmeldelse.-Arets-storste-samarbeidseventyr.jpg\" alt=\"Split Fiction review. The biggest collaborative adventure of the year\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1722\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction review. The biggest collaborative adventure of the year<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Conclusion \u2013 a worthy successor to It Takes Two<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">With <\/span><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction,<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> Hazelight has once again delivered a world-class co-op game. While the story doesn\u2019t quite reach the same heights as the studio\u2019s previous titles, this is more than made up for by a gameplay experience that is so varied, entertaining, and creative that it\u2019s simply unmatched.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Yes, some of the platforming sequences can get a little monotonous after a while, but that said: where else do you get the feeling of playing 20 different games over the course of 15-20 hours \u2013 and still have a coherent and memorable experience?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Split Fiction<\/span><\/em><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> is arguably the best cooperative adventure of the year, and a strong candidate for <\/span><strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\">Game of the Year<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"vertical-align: inherit;\"> .<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"g1-fluid-wrapper-counter-3\" class=\"g1-fluid-wrapper \" style=\"width:662px;\" data-g1-fluid-width=\"662\" data-g1-fluid-height=\"372\">\n<div class=\"g1-fluid-wrapper-inner\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.19335347432%;\">\n\t       <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Split Fiction | Official Co-op Gameplay Trailer\" width=\"662\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0TlySOphMuo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\t       <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hazelight Studios has been a pioneer in cooperative gaming for over a decade, with unforgettable experiences like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons , A Way Out , and It Takes Two . Now they\u2019re back with Split Fiction , once again setting a new standard for the genre. An unparalleled collaborative adventure Split Fiction [&hellip;] <a class=\"g1-link g1-link-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/gaming\/split-fiction-a-co-op-adventure-in-a-class-of-its-own\/\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":465235,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[777],"tags":[778],"class_list":["post-465234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-gaming","tag-reviews"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=465234"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":471487,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465234\/revisions\/471487"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/465235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=465234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=465234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=465234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}