Split Fiction Review (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, & PC)

Hazelight Studios are becoming more than mindless video game developers. They are creating games that are a means to process heavy emotions. And not just helping one gamer navigate the emotions we often run away from, but in tandem with your partner – a friend, a stranger, a spouse for life, a “sister”. Josef Fares’ Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons walks you and your partner “in this case a sister” through processing the treacherous heartfelt emotions of loss and grief. It Takes Two, on the other hand, is a co-op game whose delicate romance has seeped into real-life, bringing couples together while mending broken relationships. The latter is so exceptional at fostering collaboration and teamwork between two players. It has immense creativity and variety, going on to win several game awards, including Game of the Year 2021.

After the high bar Hazelight Studios seems to always set for themselves with each new game, I admit I was a little cautious whether they will manage to catch lightning in a bottle once again. Most studios resort to regurgitating tried-and-true concepts that they soon become a little too familiar and repetitive to continue breaking new ground. But alas, the studio has done it again. If you can believe it, they have managed to still surprise me and a ton of other reviewers and gamers alike with bursting ideas and creativity, many you won’t see coming. In the end, their new game constantly feels like a fresh journey, fiddling with familiar mechanics and experiencing an ingenuity in co-op gaming that may very well be a worthy contender for Game of the Year 2025 award. Below are our thoughts about the new game in our Split Fiction review.

The Age of AI

Imagine a co-worker or acquaintance in real-life you cannot stand. Their personality fights against your own. They’re always annoying you with their constant chatter because you’re an introvert. Or their always positive outlook on life drives you nuts. You probably just want to blast music through your headphones without them constantly barraging you with their unpleasant attitude.

Human beings gravitate toward people they gel with. Yes, even when working in the same department, there can be people you detest. That’s the foundation Split Fiction builds on, introducing us to polar opposites: Mio and Zoe. Both are unpublished writers who desperately need a breakthrough. So, when the fictional Rader publishing company expresses interest in their work, they jump on the opportunity without question. 

Another relatable theme is introduced at Rader headquarters, which is the use of AI for storytelling. It’s evidently an efficient way to churn out consumable content, referencing ChatGPT and the like. However, the ways of creating said content are questionable. Copyrights are often disregarded as are the authenticity of the original pieces.

And while Split Fiction doesn’t quite delve deep into the specifics of how AI affects the artistic expression of today’s creatives, it does subtly poke at the subject with flair. Mio and Zoe, among other recruited unpublished authors, are to hop into a machine that extracts all the stories they have ever written from their subconscious.

The machine then creates virtual worlds consumers can experience immersively. More bonkers, the machine will use the virtual worlds it creates to come up with an infinity of stories that Rader will maximize for profit. 

Polar Opposites

Mio and Zoe swear to not let Rader have their way. They are imprisoned in the virtual worlds the machine creates. However, they discover glitches they can take advantage of to break out and stop Rader for good. Now, the story grows a lot more complex. The virtual worlds being representations of Mio and Zoe’s stories reflect who they are.

They portray Mio’s passion for the sci-fi genre, which across the stages in her life, brings forth neon-soaked TRON-like universes brimming with cyberpunk themes. And alternating with Zoe’s fantasy worlds that are bright, colorful, and whimsical. The virtual worlds match their personalities, too. Mio leans a little too heavily on revenge stories with lots of killing and Zoe’s focuses on optimism.

At first, it all feels cut in stone. You can only bear through enough revenge stories to begin to feel annoyed at Mio’s grating personality. However, Zoe’s always positive outlook, even when their lives are in danger, can become overbearing. Even as you, the player begins to grow impatient with Mio and Zoe’s personalities, they too barely get along.

They’re always at odds with each other on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Onwards, though, the protective layers both characters have put on themselves begin to crumble. And during the most touching moments, too. It may be right after narrowly escaping a nasty boss fight or discovering a hidden truth about either character’s past trauma snuck into the very virtual world you explore. 

Strangers Who Become Friends

There are clever ways that Split Fiction pulls back the outward personalities of both characters to reveal their human selves. That at the core, they are, in fact, lovable beings, pummeled down by life and choosing to rise above the hurt in different ways. We all are familiar with Mio and Zoe, even though they are annoying in the beginning.

Once we discover that Mio’s angsty and introverted self is the result of past trauma that she resorts to expressing via tragic sci-fi stories. Zoe, on the other hand, may be outgoing and bubbly. But it’s because she chooses to give back to the world so others don’t share the same pain she did growing up. Both characters find common ground and once they do, begin to bounce off each other in beautiful ways through to the climax that will blow your mind. 

Admittedly, the story can be a bit cheesy at times. Other times are predictable. There are moments when the writing feels cringey and forced. Yet even when the storytelling falters, it still manages to draw that elusive tear down your face. Or stretch your lips in a smile. And even let out hearty belly laughs from time to time.

With a partner in tow, these moments can be truly memorable and create lasting bonds transcending the actual game into real-life. And that’s the beauty Hazelight Studios often manages to capture, even without getting to the gameplay. The stories they tell create such heartfelt and touching moments that take a minute to digest with a partner by your side. Anyway, for gamers keen on whether the gameplay is just as good, you’ll be happy to know Hazelight Studios nails its action-platforming, too. 

Hop Between Worlds

With each new virtual world you hop into, whether high-fantasy or sci-fi-based, you’ll be handed new ways to traverse and fight back. There’ll be puzzles, too, you’ll be solving, although not too taxing to turn your co-op experience into a word fight. There aren’t any unconventional ways to action-platform through Split Fiction’s worlds.

You have your usual sprint, run, jump, double jump, and dash. Platforming focuses more on perfect timing rather than precise jumping. So, you won’t suffer unfair deaths or require prime concentration to beat the levels. If anything, platforming should be an easy ride for a veteran and an accessible adventure for a casual gamer with a few sections that may need more practice.

Remember TRON’s light cycles? Oh, yeah. Those are thrilling chase sequences you’ll engage in, among lots of borrowed mechanics from popular franchises, familiar and not overstaying their welcome. 

As for combat, you’ll have access to a ton of ways to destroy enemies. I mean, you need all the handy tools you can get when you’re trying to stop a supernova sun from exploding, beating a dancing monkey to a dance battle, showing off your hoverboard tricks, or silencing a nasty kitty. You’ll be taming dragons and fighting cyber ninjas in seemingly one heartbeat.

A robotic parking attendant will be throwing hover cars at you. Farts will be not only a means to fly but life saving, among many more weird and wild ways to experience Split Fiction. It may seem like a lot but Split Fiction makes it surprisingly cohesive. Even as you hop between worlds and learn cool ways to smack enemies and navigate the world. 

Co-op at its Best

I really love how co-op is emphasized not only in the story but also in combat. With each player gaining a unique ability that complements the other, you’ll have no choice but to work together to solve puzzles and survive battles. Seriously, there’s no playing this game without communicating.

You’ll be telling your partner what you’re doing as you do it, being in sync with each other and winning together. In an age when co-op mode is fading into game modes or completely struck out of the equation, it’s amazing that Hazelight Studios is doubling down on teamwork and collaboration in 2D and 3D worlds.

Verdict

What’s not to love in Split Fiction? Okay, the writing may be a little weak, suffering from predictability and cheesiness at times. However, the overall story pokes at real-world issues, depicting relatable moments between strangers who become friends. But the gameplay shines the most, thriving on tight and seamless co-op play.

Not only does the story weave a touching plot on friendship between polar opposites, but the combat encourages combining our diverse skills and abilities to beat a common enemy. It showcases the best ways that teamwork and collaboration can bring you one step closer to fulfilling your goals in the game while fostering closer bonds in real-life.