In an period of reside companies, MMOs, and customarily disconnected on-line experiences, the thought of native multiplayer is rapidly changing into a rarity. And whereas we’ve seen a handful of nice sofa co-op experiences pop up right here and there, similar to TMNT Shredders Revenge, Overcooked, and Hazelight Studios’ very personal It Takes Two, I can’t consider something I’ve performed lately that resonated with me fairly like Split Fiction. From its plethora of various gameplay varieties, similar to a twin-stick shooter, a pinball impressed puzzle platformer, and in a single occasion, a scorching canine simulator, to its dazzling graphics and plausible character dialogue, Split Fiction is seeking to not solely be one other standout title in a yr filled with promising releases, however one thing that anybody who’s searching for a enjoyable and distinctive native multiplayer sport ought to pencil in on their gaming calendar.
In Split Fiction you play as both Mio or Zoe, two aspiring writers who’re chosen to participate in an early check of a machine that may carry their tales to life. From what I noticed, this plot machine not solely helps construct the world of Split Fiction, but additionally supplies an ideal excuse to seamlessly transition between its sci-fi and fantasy settings. Through the few hours I bought to play, leaping backwards and forwards by no means felt compelled or tedious, and whereas I’m admittedly not the largest fan of fantasy except the phrase “Final” is connected indirectly, I by no means discovered myself losing interest of Zoe’s fantasy worlds. This was supported by Split Fiction’s well-written and plausible dialogue between characters, which helped persuade me that I used to be watching two actual people who find themselves polar opposites work together with one another in their very own make-believe worlds.
For those who performed Hazelight’s earlier video games (It Takes Two and A Approach Out), you in all probability have a fairly good thought of what’s in retailer for you with Split Fiction. A shared multiplayer expertise on both the identical or a cut up display screen that’s filled with cleverly designed puzzles that require teamwork and communication, all wrapped up in a nice-looking and well-written package deal. What units Split Fiction other than different sofa co-op video games is its intelligent integration of quite a few gameplay types, protecting the expertise recent and fascinating.
The truth is, the number of gameplay types in Split Fiction is well its most standout characteristic. And through my transient time with it, it was clear that this isn’t one other normal two-player puzzler or beat-’em-up expertise. Hazelight clearly took its time to refine the number of gameplay varieties in right here, as a result of nothing felt prefer it was rushed or created as a way to add selection for the sake of selection. One standout second for me was a piece the place Zoe and Mio need to snowboard their means out of an energetic warzone, which felt extra like a mix of Sonic Journey Battle and SSX than your typical on-rails downhill spectacle. On this second, Split Fiction launched a factors mechanic the place I needed to compete in opposition to my companion, performing as many grinds, grabs, and flip tips as attainable whereas attempting to keep away from loss of life. Whereas this mechanic has been accomplished earlier than in additional video games than I can depend, the truth that this occasion is only one of dozens actually exhibits the potential of enjoyable issues to do in Split Fiction.
That’s to not say they have been all hits, although. One part had us taking part in a hybrid of a platformer and pinball the place I used to be controlling the ball and my companion was controlling the pinball paddles. This required some exact timing on each of our ends, and it was a artistic technique to introduce a slower puzzle mechanic to a sport that has a stunning quantity of motion in it. Whereas I discovered myself getting a bit annoyed every time I tousled a badly timed bounce, the satisfaction I felt as soon as my companion and I completed any of the marketing campaign’s collaborative duties actually elevated the expertise.
And simply to be clear: Split Fiction is 100% a collaborative expertise that retains you in your toes all through; single-player is just not an choice. However in contrast to most co-op video games the place each gamers have to combat a display screen filled with enemies or break a bunch of blocks as a way to progress to the subsequent degree, Split Fiction requires a heavy quantity of teamwork and significant pondering from each gamers in its heavy motion in addition to its mellower puzzle sections. All through my demo time, I discovered myself speaking extra with my companion and dealing collectively to attempt to determine the puzzles and executives as a result of, refreshingly, Split Fiction doesn’t maintain your hand in any respect. Thats to not say that is immediately a soulslike by way of problem, however there wasn’t a second the place the UI pointed us in the appropriate course or gave us a touch on what to do. Which is form of the purpose of Split Fiction and co-op video games as an entire, and positively made my demo a extremely enjoyable and rewarding expertise.
In a time the place each sport can both be performed solo or is totally filled with NPCs or individuals on-line who don’t actually wish to work together exterior of some phrases right here and there, Split Fiction actually seems to be to lift the bar in what a co-op expertise will be. I appreciated every little thing from its attention-grabbing use of a number of gameplay types spanning throughout many genres, to its cleverly written dialogue and beautiful-looking worlds, plus the truth that it requires you to actively play with another person and assume exterior of the field to resolve its puzzles. And in a yr full of dozens of promising releases, Split Fiction is certainly seeking to set itself other than the pack in a means that few video games can.