By Ronald Gordon 

Cooperative games have always led to a joyous time for me, but never did I think I could relate to one as heavily as I did with Split Fiction. Being a fledgling writer whose dream is to one day publish his own fiction stories, I couldn’t help but feel excited by the idea of a machine that could suck the ideas out of my head and into a visual medium, which is the theme surrounding Split Fiction. Yet, I would also turn tail and run if I thought my ideas were about to be stolen from me. 

Split Fiction is an adventure platformer developed by Hazelight Studios and published by EA Originals. Following the tried and true formula of split screen co-op that Hazelight has associated themselves with, Split Fiction follows the story of authors Mio and Zoe. Having gotten a once in a lifetime opportunity to publish their stories via a huge publishing company, Mio and Zoe soon find themselves stuck in a machine meant to steal the original ideas right out of their heads. 

Yet in a brief struggle against the organizers of this dastardly plan, Mio ends up falling into Zoe’s story, mashing together both of their ideas into an unorthodox collaboration. Now they have to make their way through each other’s stories, causing glitches in the machine that will hopefully keep their original ideas untouched when they make it out. The biggest problem, however, seems to be a matter of taste, as neither can agree on what fiction genre is the best one. 

The mechanics are simple. You and a partner (on the couch or online) control Mio or Zoe, both of whom gain different abilities throughout the many varied stories they venture through. As you dive into their ideas you’ll begin to not only overwork the machine outside, but also learn a bit about their lives and inspirations. What makes this game enjoyable is not only the various stories and the different mechanics, but also the banter between Mio and Zoe who couldn’t be more opposite. Mio is an aloof pessimist who loves Sci-Fi, and Zoe is a bubbly optimist with a heart for Fantasy. Levels involving Mio’s science fiction  stories are action packed and wild, while Zoe’s fantasy tales are more cheery and relaxing, giving the game a dramatic switch up on what you’re going to experience next. 

Being a Hazelight Studios game means that Split Fiction is not only going to be dramatic and emotional, it’s also going to be a ride fit for two people. Cooperative gaming has always been a favorite of mine, especially since I grew up on split screen co-op with friends in games like Gears of War or Resident Evil 6. Split Fiction takes me back to those days, as my partner and I couldn’t help but get lost in the wonderful, puzzle-solving nonsense for hours on end. 

The fact that the game switches genres from Sci-Fi to Fantasy and back again was a major selling point for me. Getting to journey through a rain soaked techno city in one chapter just to end up as a shapeshifting forest dweller in another kept me locked into what sort of story this game would show next. Each story had some importance to the character who wrote it, with a lot of Mio’s stories having deep personal conflicts and a lot of Zoe’s stories having joyful memories of her childhood. Their adventure together felt less like hearing another author ramble on about their transcripts and their drafts, and more like diving into the head of another adventurous creator for a moment to see what makes them tick. 

There’s no sugarcoating it, this game is simply awe inspiring. Throughout the levels my partner and I couldn’t help but blurt out “Can this game get any more beautiful?” And the answer was always ‘yes.’ Each time narratives changed or we encountered one of the side stories, there was always some piece of the world or some moment where the game let you sit and just take in the scenery, as in the portion, early on, that featured bouncing or farting pigs or the cyber city you see while zipping through it to avoid enemies. It was as if to say “We know what you’re here for. Go ahead, take your screenshots and recordings.” 

The music is equally as enthralling, giving each story you dive into its own soundtrack or musical score that simulates the environment, hardcore techno for Mio’s Sci-Fi and lighthearted symphony for Zoe’s Fantasy. 

I’d recommend Split Fiction for any pair looking to sink their time into a long journey. Not only do the clashing personalities of Mio and Zoe keep you questioning just how they’re managing to work together, but you also get to see them grow and change along the way as they wander through each other’s stories. The Hazelight Studios co-op formula continues to reign supreme when it comes to making multiplayer games that keep people hooked, and I’m personally glad it is. Split Fiction is one of the few successful offerings out there that’s keeping screens split and couches full. 

Ronald Gordon is a New York Videogame Critics Circle Member and Mentor. He was the first of our writers – or any intern anywhere – to complete an internship at Rockstar Games.

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