I tried the sequel game to It Takes Two, Split Fiction, alongside Josef Fares.

Hazelight has unveiled its new project, known as Split Fiction, at the 2024 Game Awards, following the success of its title It Takes Two. This cooperative game, which blends elements of science fiction and fantasy, will be published once again under the EA Originals label. Its release is scheduled for March 6, 2025, and it will be available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Like its previous productions, Split Fiction presents itself as a narrative adventure focused on cooperative gameplay. The story follows Mio and Zoe, characters named in honor of the director Joseph Fares' daughters. Both are aspiring writers who join a publishing house that turns their stories into reality. Mio is a science fiction writer while Zoe specializes in fantasy, leading to an intersection of worlds and styles.

The game’s structure resembles that of It Takes Two, but with a more spectacular production level and a variety of surprising side missions. Purchasing the game includes a Friend Pass, allowing another person to download it at no additional cost. In a pre-announcement demo, Fares took me on an exciting tour of Split Fiction, showcasing cooperative action that spans multiple genres, each with unique abilities for each player in every chapter.

The main difference from It Takes Two is the inclusion of optional missions, which can take between five and ten minutes to complete. These missions not only offer platforming challenges but also introduce completely new mechanics and artistic styles. Fares emphasizes the creative freedom of his studio, comparing it to an unchained dog going wild with innovative ideas.

The alternative missions shown in the demo included eclectic moments like controlling pigs that shot rainbows or participating in a snowboarding minigame, each offering unique and distinct experiences. Additionally, Fares shared that they had to cut recent content due to the high standards they set for themselves.

The presentation culminated with impressive technical demonstrations, ensuring that the game will run smoothly at 60 frames per second upon release. Fares spoke about the rapid growth of the development team and the decision to start work on Split Fiction immediately after the success of It Takes Two. Despite his experience, Fares was surprised that other developers have not tried to create similar titles in the time it has taken to develop his game, considering the 20 million copies sold by It Takes Two.

Fares expressed confidence that Split Fiction will be part of a new trend in the video game market, highlighting his studio's aspiration to not follow the market path but to create it.

Split Fiction is set to be released on March 6, 2025, on the mentioned consoles and PC.