Split Fiction Review. The Eccentric and Swearing Josef Fares Creates Another Masterpiece

Story-driven cooperative games are released so rarely that truly remarkable projects can be counted on the fingers of one hand. And the most interesting part is that most of them were developed by the small studio of director and game designer Josef Fares, which in 2021 won the prestigious "Game of the Year" award at The Game Awards for It Takes Two. We had no doubt that the next project from Hazelight Studios would become a real hit and a gift for all fans of cooperative adventures — and that's exactly what happened.

Split Fiction is an incredible narrative adventure that not only continues the traditions of innovative game design from It Takes Two but also raises the bar for cooperative projects to a new height. It's not just a game in the usual sense, it's a real emotional journey full of surprises, humor, and deep reflections on the nature of creativity and human connections. Split Fiction can be described as a game with Nintendo-level game design standards, along with stunning graphics, direction, and an engaging storyline. In this review, we will try to convince you to invite your best friend over and embark on an incredible adventure that surpasses even the victory in a multiplayer session in terms of emotions.

To be honest, like It Takes Two, Split Fiction is hard to categorize into a single genre. It's a unique game that combines elements of platformers, puzzles, side-scrollers, action, and even sports simulators, offering an experience comparable only to Nintendo games like Super Mario Odyssey. It's important to note that the gameplay variety is designed and adapted for a cooperative adventure, where each player has their own set of rules and conditions. And most importantly, the colossal set of mechanics manages to evoke an emotional response from the player. Split Fiction is one of those games that will make you smile, laugh, and sometimes shed a tear almost simultaneously. After It Takes Two, Hazelight Studios has once again proven that cooperative games can be not only engaging but also deeply emotional.

From the very beginning, you might think that the plot of Split Fiction is simple and naive. Zoe and Mio are two aspiring writers who come to the tech company Rader Publishing as test subjects for an innovative content creation method. Scientists offer a quick way to create works through brain scanning and creating a plausible simulation. Simply put, all the author's thoughts will be instantly captured by the machine, without the tedious clicking on the keyboard. Additionally, the company promises to publish the finished product at its own expense, which prompted the protagonists to participate in the experiment.

Of course, the scanning doesn't go as planned. Before the immersion, Mio begins to doubt the company's honest intentions. And rightly so. In reality, Rader Publishing wants to scan the brains of talented people to extract all their creative potential and subsequently create profitable masterpieces. However, the girl doesn't manage to escape from the scientists and accidentally ends up in the energy capsule of another test subject. As a result, the consciousnesses of both participants end up connected in a virtual world. Now they must work together to escape the virtual captivity and protect their ideas from the encroachments of the greedy company.

The first third of Split Fiction feels like a teen movie that painfully resembles the third installment of Spy Kids. But the deeper you delve into the stories of Zoe and Mio, the more mature and intelligent the main narrative becomes. Despite the superficial struggle for survival in the virtual world, the depth of the plot lies in exploring the creative potential, fears, dreams, and experiences of the main heroines. Split Fiction is a story about creativity, friendship, and the importance of remaining human when technology tries to replace us. It's a kind of statement from Josef Fares on a pressing issue — the everyday use of AI in creative and intellectual tasks.

Despite the premature hate towards the main heroines from those fighting against the agenda, it is the well-crafted characters and worlds of the girls that make the plot of Split Fiction unique and charming. Zoe is an optimistic and dreamy fantasy author, while Mio is a cynical and pragmatic science fiction writer. Their contrasting personalities create a dynamic duo that evolves throughout the game. Initially, their relationship is filled with conflicts and distrust, but as the story progresses, they begin to understand that only together can they escape the virtual space.

The plot of Split Fiction is a deep exploration of how dreams, fears, and life experiences shape our personality. Each level of the game reflects the inner worlds of Zoe and Mio, their memories and emotions. It's no wonder that many renowned authors say the best works are born from self-reflection. Split Fiction raises questions about the nature of creativity, the value of human ideas, and the danger of technologies that, in theory, could replace human consciousness.

The gameplay of Split Fiction is a true celebration for fans of cooperative projects. Hazelight Studios has once again demonstrated its talent for creating unique mechanics that encourage players to work together. It's hard to believe, but absolutely every level offers new challenges and puzzles that require coordination and interaction between people. A level might start as a platformer in the spirit of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and end with a spaceship flight, where one player pilots and the other shoots at enemies. The kaleidoscope of events is so rich that you barely have time to fully appreciate the game design idea before you're offered something new. A mad runner from enraged ogres instantly turns into a stealth section, which smoothly transitions into a platformer in the spirit of Prince of Persia.

Despite the abundance of various gameplay mechanics, the gameplay in each segment of Split Fiction is executed at a commendable level. The movements of the characters are smooth and responsive. And since the game features many platforming sections, Zoe and Mio have a whole array of abilities: from standard jumps to wall running, grappling hooks, sliding, and captivating acrobatics. The movement mechanics are easy to master, yet they allow for performing complex and spectacular tricks. The game always encourages experimentation and provides the necessary freedom of action, which ultimately makes each level unique.

Of course, no good cooperative game is complete without puzzles that need to be solved together. In Split Fiction, they are quite diverse and require not only logical thinking but also coordination. For example, on one level, you need to use gravity guns to overcome obstacles and destroy enemies. On another, you have to control a vehicle in the style of Tron to avoid pursuit. And what's most amusing, while Mio tries to escape the police on a two-wheeled bike, Zoe needs to complete a CAPTCHA verification and check all the boxes in the user agreement to disable the bike's self-destruct sequence. Witty, fun, and most importantly, everything is implemented through gameplay.

And what's a game without battles? The combat systems in Split Fiction are just as diverse. In one scene, you'll be given a katana and an energy whip, in another, a pair of blasters, and in a third, a battle dragon that you need to grow before it can be fully utilized. On some levels, you have to fight huge bosses using unique abilities, while on others, you participate in dynamic shootouts or engage in close combat. Each encounter is a hefty nod to one of the well-known franchises: Metroid, Dead Space, Ghostrunner, Century: Age of Ashes, and Nier.

The world of Split Fiction is dedicated to two main themes: science fiction and fantasy. The sci-fi levels created by Mio are full of neon lights, cybernetic technologies, and space adventures. Zoe's fantasy worlds are rich with magic, castles, and mythical creatures. However, even within these categories, each location is unique. For example, one of the sci-fi levels transports you to a city inspired by Blade Runner, while another takes you to a space station near a dying star. In one of the fairy tales, you'll find yourself in a world vaguely reminiscent of Hogwarts Legacy, and in another, Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Aside from the standard transformations of the girls to fit a particular setting, the game can easily turn players into pigs, who after a hilarious platforming section transform into a pair of sausages, and so on. The flow of creativity is so insane that after five hours, you stop being surprised by the game designers' crazy antics. Moreover, each such section is presented in the right dosage, enough to evoke new emotions without any dragging or routine. This is the main feature of Split Fiction — its extraordinary variety. The game constantly changes, offering new mechanics, environments, and challenges. Each level is a separate story that delves into the genre preferences of Zoe and Mio.

Naturally, Split Fiction is a project that cannot be played solo. All the main mechanics are designed to ensure constant interaction between players. This approach to game design creates a unique experience that strengthens the bond between gamers and reveals the true beauty of co-op play. Even if your friend isn't skilled at shooting with a gamepad or isn't strong in platforming sections, you will still make it to the end of Split Fiction. The game accommodates different skill levels, offering the option to move to the next checkpoint if one player gets stuck. The developers have made an effort to make the project as accessible as possible so that people don't end up arguing over an insurmountable stage.

Split Fiction is a visual feast, with the sheer number of diverse locations and situations taking your breath away. Not every big-budget game can boast unique and highly detailed levels, whether it's a neon-lit city of the future or a grim fantasy castle. And most importantly, every game design concept has a unique creative execution. Split Fiction knows no redundancy — both in gameplay and visuals. It's hard to even imagine how much effort was put into each location, especially considering that some are completed in just a few minutes.

We were even more shocked to learn that the game runs on Unreal Engine 5. In reviews, we're used to criticizing projects on this engine for the lack of artistic style and poor optimization. But Split Fiction proves that in the right hands, UE5 is an excellent tool. The game uses modern technologies to create impressive effects, such as dynamic lighting, detailed textures, and smooth animation.

The final level deserves special attention, as it is a visual and technical triumph. I don't want to spoil what exactly happens there; you need to see with your own eyes the spectacular conclusion of the adventure, which, in the most unimaginable way, combines all the elements and settings into one epic finale. Just — wow!

Exploring the world of Split Fiction, you'll constantly stumble upon references to other games and pop culture. Earlier, we mentioned a few homages, but that's just a tiny piece of the whole variety. For example, one level is inspired by Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and another by the 3D Metroid Prime. In one of the side stories, you'll encounter GLaDOS from Portal, in another, you'll see a bonfire with a sword from Dark Souls, interacting with which you'll get the message "Moonfire Lit." There will also be the Great Tree from The Legend of Zelda and sandworms from Dune. The game isn't afraid to be funny and absurd, which adds to its charm. For instance, in one level, Zoe and Mio jump into a haystack, parodying Assassin's Creed, and in another, they face a huge boss clearly inspired by Shadow of the Colossus.

The acting and direction are also top-notch. Despite the fleeting nature of the plot and the constant change of events, there's room for touching moments that tug at your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes. Additionally, there's a very cool soundtrack that nicely complements the dramatic moments.

Finally, Split Fiction is excellently optimized. It runs smoothly on PC, delivering 60 frames per second. Throughout the entire playthrough, we didn't encounter a single bug or any rough edges.

***

Split Fiction is not just a game, but an event, not only for the co-op adventure genre but for the industry as a whole. It has everything that distinguishes a great game from just a good one: captivating and diverse gameplay, a deep and emotional story, excellent visuals, and superb optimization. A true gift for fans of narrative adventures and the best opportunity to introduce a friend or relative to video games. The developers from Hazelight Studios have once again proven that they are masters of their craft, and Split Fiction is a project that not only sets a new quality standard but turns the entire foundation of co-op games on its head.