Split Fiction Review

Split Fiction is the latest co-op adventure from award-winning Hazelight Studios, blending sci-fi and fantasy worlds in an unforgettable journey.

Since Hazelight Studios' innovative approach to cooperative play took the gaming world by storm with It Takes Two in 2021, I was eager to see what the studio had up its sleeve next. After all, It Takes Two wasn't just a game but a revelation in co-op storytelling, setting a high bar for the genre. When Split Fiction was announced, my anticipation skyrocketed. The premise—a fusion of sci-fi and fantasy realms navigated by two contrasting authors—sounded like a game made for my son and I.

"The premise—a fusion of sci-fi and fantasy realms navigated by two contrasting authors—sounded like a game made for my son and I."

After exploring its multifaceted worlds, I’m happy to share that Split Fiction met and surpassed expectations. For me, the Split Fiction experience cements Hazelight's reputation for crafting unparalleled co-op experiences. But does it truly capture the magic of its predecessor and successfully forge its own identity? Let's dive in and find out.

Split Fiction Review Details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X

Developer: Hazelight Studios

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Genre: Co-op Action-Adventure

Available game modes: Local and Online Co-op (Single-player isn’t available)

ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Navigating A Narrative Labyrinth

Split Fiction introduces us to Mio and Zoe, two contrasting authors—Mio, a sci-fi novelist, and Zoe, a fantasy writer. Their worlds collide when a shady tech company, Rader Publishing, traps them in a simulation designed to siphon their creative ideas and stories. This predicament forces them to traverse interconnected sci-fi and fantasy realms, each reflecting their unique storytelling styles. They soon realize that if they can play through their stories and find “glitches” in the program, they can bring down the system, return their original ideas, and escape. This story arc paves the way for many exciting and incredibly innovative levels. One moment, you are in a medieval village; the next, you are in a hyper-futuristic city setting, leaping across flying cars with cybernetic weapons.

Storyline Stumbles

The narrative explores themes of collaboration, creativity, and the line between reality and fiction. It all leads to an absolutely incredible “grand finale” that I won’t spoil here. That being said, as much as I loved the premise, the story and script elements were a little ham-fisted in their execution. I found the character interactions forced and a bit of an afterthought to some of the action on screen.

" I found the character interactions forced and a bit of an afterthought to some of the action on screen."

Unfortunately, it didn’t hit the same emotional resonance for me as It Takes Two and A Way Out. Outside of that, the story did set up some of the most fun gameplay moments I’ve had in a videogame period.

A Dynamic Duo: The Heart of Co-op Gameplay

The essence of Split Fiction lies in its cooperative gameplay and its incredibly creative approach. I don’t think I’ve ever played a video game that has flawlessly melded together so many genres and experiences together. Each level presents unique mechanics that require careful collaboration between players. For instance, one moment, you might be piloting gravity bikes together through a cybernetic metropolis, and the next, you're being chased down by massive trolls in a medieval village.

"...one moment, you might be piloting gravity bikes together through a cybernetic metropolis, and the next, you're being chased down by massive trolls in a medieval village."

The controls combine basic moves that feel great in their execution with a jump, double jump, grappling and parkour mechanics that all combine to feel great. The game's design also ensures that neither player feels like a sidekick; both have pivotal roles contributing to overcoming challenges.

Never a Dull Moment

Playing alongside my son was an awesome experience, the pacing of Split Fiction makes it hard to put down. It held our attention throughout the playthrough with the excitement for what came next. The variety of experiences and the surprises around each corner went from let’s play for another 5 minutes into hours. It was incredible that the gameplay mechanics didn’t clash and lent themselves to one another leading up to the finale. The game's intuitive controls and inventive puzzles struck a perfect balance, offering challenges that were engaging for both of us.

"The game's intuitive controls and inventive puzzles struck a perfect balance, offering challenges that were engaging for both of us."

Although challenging, the game’s bosses are also very imaginative and have smart, automatic quick save points, so you aren’t replaying the same sections repeatedly. The thrill of working together to solve a puzzle and have that “eureka!” moment was always something special.

Off the Beaten Path

One of Dapper Jr.'s and my favourite parts of the game was the optional “Side Stories” hidden in the main levels. These anomalies within the simulation lead us into entirely new and vastly different worlds that are completely optional. For example, you might find yourself embarking on a daring mountain climb filled with giants, riding sandfish across a desert, or snowboarding while performing killer tricks down a mountain under heavy fire. These Side Stories add layers of depth to the game, offering the opportunity to explore diverse scenarios and challenges beyond the main storyline. They are a testament to Hazelight Studios' commitment to creativity and replayability. 

Graphics and Performance

Visually, Split Fiction is incredibly beautiful, and the diversity of the environments is stunning. The transition between Mio's sleek, neon-lit sci-fi environments and Zoe's lush, enchanting fantasy landscapes is seamless and awe-inspiring. Not to mention, within these worlds are glitches that move you to stunning “side mission” style environments that also look incredible. Each world is meticulously crafted, with attention to detail that brings the settings to life.

"Each world is meticulously crafted, with attention to detail that brings the settings to life."

The game runs smoothly on both the PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X, maintaining consistent frame rates even during the most chaotic sequences. Compared to It Takes Two, Split Fiction elevates the visual experience, offering more intricate designs and expansive vistas that left me frequently pausing to admire the scenery.

Split Fiction is a Co-op Triumph

Split Fiction is a testament to Hazelight Studios' dedication to crafting unparalleled cooperative experiences. Its seamless blend of storytelling, innovative gameplay mechanics, and stunning audiovisual presentation sets a new benchmark for co-op adventures. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to the genre, Split Fiction offers a challenging and rewarding experience. It entertains and reinforces the value of collaboration and shared storytelling. I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on this adventure; it's a ride you won't soon forget.

Split Fiction Pros

+Innovative co-op mechanics

+Diverse environments and scenarios

+Excellent side quests that are a ton of fun 

Split Fiction Cons

-Underdeveloped characters 

-Inconsistent level segments: some are far more enjoyable than others.

-Limited narrative depth that doesn’t flesh out all themes.

Overall Assessment of Split Fiction

Gameplay: 9.5/10

Graphics: 9/10

Sound: 9/10

Lasting appeal / Replayability: 9/10

Overall Rating: 36/40 = 90%

https://youtu.be/es6YsZUxLpE?si=3fsbaqUlOjn67bmu

Thanks to EA for providing a copy of the game to conduct this review.

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About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina

Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!

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