Hazelight Studios has made quite the name for themselves. Particularly when it comes to storytelling adventures and cooperative play. When Hazelight’s A Way Out released in 2018, it really put a focus on sharing an adventure together with friends. The team made sure it was not only split-screen, but if you wanted to play with someone and they didn’t own the game, they could have a Friend’s Pass to play along with you without needing to purchase the game. It was unheard of, and still is really, that a game company wouldn’t make each player buy a copy.
Beyond that, the game itself was great, and since its release, the studio has only doubled and tripled down on their cooperative, fun-first experimental focus, and it has more than proven itself as a powerhouse of a studio. With its recent It Takes Two gaining many prestigious awards and being the shining example of what a cooperative game experience should be, many, myself included, have been waiting with bated breath for their new game, Split Fiction, and needless to say, it’s incredible.
Split Fiction follows two writers, Mio and Zoe, who specialize in different genres—Mio writes science fiction, while Zoe creates high fantasy. After being invited to participate in a revolutionary new publishing program, they find themselves trapped in a simulation of their own stories due to a mishap with an experimental technology. To escape, they must work together, navigating through bizarre, ever-changing worlds that blend their genres in unexpected ways. The setting alone is enough to make Split Fiction stand out, taking full advantage of Hazelight’s knack for creative environments and blending storytelling with gameplay in a way that feels effortless.
I wasn’t immediately sold on the duo, as they start off quite aggressive towards each other, but as the story goes on, they do end up warming up to each other, with Mio being more cold and closed off emotionally to the gentle proddings of Zoe. Split Fiction ended up having a touching and emotional journey that really got down into my feels a few times. Hazelight has always been great at telling stories about relationships, and this game is no different. It’s not just about the grand adventure—it’s about the little moments between Mio and Zoe, the small ways they learn to trust each other and see the world from a new perspective.
“The setting alone is enough to make Split Fiction stand out, taking full advantage of Hazelight’s knack for creative environments and blending storytelling with gameplay in a way that feels effortless.”
While Hazelight has had many praises about It Takes Two, Split Fiction really does take the cake. The amount of natural character growth is incredible, especially in the moments of levity, where the characters drop their walls for brief moments—a delightful reminder that Mio and Zoe are human.
Gameplay-wise, Hazelight has always had this delightful focus on fun and experimentation, making sure every section of their games has a different mechanic, while also maintaining a certain level of fun. It never lets things get stale, always introducing something new. One minute, you’re solving environmental puzzles, the next, you’re platforming through a surreal dreamscape. The constant evolution of gameplay keeps things fresh, and just when you think you’ve seen it all, the game throws another curveball at you.
Does every section work as well as the last? No, but looking back, even the most frustrating sections were incredibly fun. Particularly this section involving a “hot potato” like gameplay mechanic that took me and my partner… too many tries to complete. We were still cackling and howling with laughter at the sheer mayhem.
Split Fiction also employs these side stories that let you get a better look into Mio and Zoe’s minds. These effectively work as little side missions that introduce some of the most insane and fun gameplay mechanics, like one where Mio and Zoe turn into pigs. Mio then gains the ability to launch herself forward from the power of rainbow farts, and Zoe turns her pig body into a spring-like thing allowing her to reach higher levels. These moments could have easily felt like distractions from the main story, but instead, they add even more personality to the game. They give insight into the characters’ imaginations, what makes them tick, and how their creativity influences the world they’re stuck in.
It’s weird little experimentations like that that really push the fun of playing games forward. In a way, playing Split Fiction reminded me how fun games can be, and was like rediscovering video games as fun as an adult. It let me forget the world around me and lose myself in this incredibly emotional, fun, and engaging game. Hazelight has always understood that gaming is about the experience, and they never waste an opportunity to surprise and delight.
And of course, the Friend’s Pass returns once again, allowing you to bring a friend along for the ride without them having to buy a copy. Hazelight is still doing what so many studios refuse to do, and I can’t overstate how great that is. It makes the game even easier to jump into and enjoy with someone. Split Fiction is the kind of game that’s meant to be shared, and playing through it with a friend makes every moment even better.
“In a way, playing Split Fiction reminded me how fun games can be, and was like rediscovering video games as fun as an adult.”
The visuals are another major highlight. Hazelight has outdone themselves when it comes to art direction, with each level feeling distinct and vibrant. The blend of sci-fi and fantasy aesthetics creates some of the most unique and imaginative environments I’ve seen in a game. One moment you’re running through a cyberpunk city bathed in neon lights, the next you’re climbing a floating castle made of ice. The attention to detail in every area makes each new location feel like stepping into a different story, and it fits perfectly with the game’s theme.
The voice acting is also fantastic, with Mio and Zoe feeling like fully fleshed-out characters thanks to the incredible performances. Their dialogue feels natural, their chemistry evolves in a believable way, and their emotions hit hard when the game calls for it. The soundtrack is just as impressive, shifting between sweeping fantasy melodies and pulsing sci-fi beats to match the ever-changing world they’re stuck in. Every element works together to create an experience that feels alive, constantly evolving alongside its characters.
Hazelight Studios has outdone themselves with Split Fiction, between inventive gameplay mechanics that never outstay their welcome, a gripping story, and the sheer joy of playing with a friend. It takes everything they’ve learned from their previous games and refines it into something that feels even more polished, even more exciting. Every time I thought the game had peaked, it found another way to surprise me, whether it was with a new mechanic, a touching character moment, or a wild and hilarious side story. It’s the kind of game that sticks with you long after the credits roll, and one that I’ll probably be replaying just to experience it all over again.
After the incredible experience of A Way Out, It Takes Two, and now Split Fiction, the studio just does not miss, and at this point, whatever they tackle next, I can’t wait to be there to play it day one.
