During The Game Awards, Josef Fares, founder of Hazelight Studios, unveiled Split Fiction, an exciting upcoming co-op adventure crafted in collaboration with EA Originals. This title marks the studio’s third significant entry into the co-op gaming arena.
Split Fiction features a split-screen co-op framework that immerses players in the journey of Mio and Zoe, two aspiring authors inadvertently trapped in their own fictional worlds. In a quest for freedom, players must navigate and solve intricate puzzles by bouncing between distinct fantasy and sci-fi realms.
Hazelight: Redefining Co-Op Gaming
A Way Out & It Takes Two: Innovations in Co-Op Design
Hazelight first made waves with A Way Out, introducing a groundbreaking approach to co-op gameplay that transcended traditional multiplayer experiences. Following this success, their next release, It Takes Two, provided a touching narrative centered on two divorcing parents transformed into toys, who must collaborate to restore their lives.
This unique narrative not only tugged at heartstrings but also demanded genuine teamwork, showcasing what cooperative gameplay should entail. Players engage in a split-screen format, utilizing distinct abilities to solve challenges—an approach that seems to be returning with Split Fiction.
Typical co-op games often mimic a superficial form of collaboration, similar to classic side-scrollers where players complete levels without needing true teamwork. While enjoyable, many titles—such as Marvel Rivals—can feel solitary due to a lack of communication and cooperation among teammates.
In stark contrast, It Takes Two thrives on teamwork, making progression impossible without active participation from both players. The storyline weaves their personal struggles into gameplay, fostering an intimate experience that resonates with players long after the game concludes.
Innovative Ideas in Split Fiction
Returning Favorite Gameplay in a Fresh Narrative
While opinions vary regarding the narrative of It Takes Two, there’s unanimous admiration for its innovative gameplay mechanics. Excitingly, many of these beloved elements appear to be making a comeback in Split Fiction, enriched by a new story. Players control Mio and Zoe in the familiar split-screen format that Hazelight fans cherish.
This new title expands upon previous formulas by introducing two distinct worlds, each filled with unique abilities and platforms to explore together, promising a rich cooperative gameplay experience reminiscent of It Takes Two.
Two Worlds Intertwined in Split Fiction
Helping Mio & Zoe Navigate Dueling Universes
Hazelight’s ambitious vision for Split Fiction raises expectations, especially after the acclaim garnered by It Takes Two. This game’s core premise—shifting between two contrasting worlds—sets the stage for an engaging experience that feels akin to playing two games simultaneously while still collaborating.
The striking visual and gameplay differences between Mio’s sci-fi urban landscapes and Zoe’s fantastical villages amplify the distinctiveness of each setting. This not only enhances gameplay diversity but also emphasizes the unique traits of each character, creating a truly immersive experience. With high anticipation building, Hazelight and EA Originals are poised to deliver an extraordinary adventure with Split Fiction, potentially positioning the studio for yet another Game of the Year nomination.
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