Review – Split Fiction – Gamerview

Hazelight Studios, known for developing innovative cooperative experiences, can reach a new level with the release of a fun, challenging and unique science fiction and fantasy. After what we saw in and, amid the crowded market of “more of the same” games, the co-op genre seems to have reached unprecedented levels to provide something you could not imagine being possible.

In Split Fiction, you and another player will take the role of Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, two writers with totally opposite styles. Mio, a skeptical and reserved science fiction author, contrasts with Zoe, an optimistic and outgoing fantasy writer. His visit to Rader Publishing in search of a contract takes an unexpected course when writers are connected to a machine designed to simulate their stories. An unexpected event makes the two stuck in a shared simulation, causing their own fictitious worlds to collide and start a surprising journey.

Two worlds, several references and a single journey

The game plot may seem like cliche, but the game surprises since its inception with the narrative construction of Split Fiction proving itself ingenious and meta-referential, capable of exploring deep themes such as creativity, friendship and fears, even playing with the very nature of the narrative. As Mio and Zoe sail between their interconnected worlds, brilliantly interspersed between fantasy and fiction, situations will recreate moments inspired by the main franchises of the nerd, geek and gamer universe. Players will be bombarded by several references, from games to movies.

Through this contents of content and building a journey through 8 chapters, with various secondary stories, Mio and Zoe will discover the emotions of the publisher: James Rader, CEO of the company, intends to steal creative ideas from writers. This premise serves as a backdrop for a journey of self -discovery and forced cooperation between two distinct personalities, creating an engaging and multifaceted story.

While the story unfolds we find moments from Sonic, Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Metal Gear, Wave Racer and various other games, as well as recreating scenes that remembered lord of the rings, gravity, matrix, exterminator and impossible mission, without breaking the gameplay much less forcing the insertion of these references. Split fiction goes further and can adapt unusual sequences of our daily lives, such as a series of mobile validations to disable a bomb while in a wheel escape.

Several narrative resources exceed the idea of ​​fan service to, besides enhancing the dialogues and dynamics between the characters, are also integrated as part of the construction of the characters, the development of the story and, especially, mechanical for gameplay.

These elements build the foundation of Split Fiction based on cooperation, exploring the unique skills that complement themselves from Mio and Zoe. This dynamic, which goes beyond the skills based on their creative styles also reinforces duality between their personalities, requires constant communication between players and a lot of teamwork, making each challenge a shared and rewarding experience. That is, the themes worked throughout the game exceed the limits of the screen, console and control to be internalized by us players while we follow this journey.

Diversity is the surname of the game

If the content is one of the highlights of the game, Split Fiction gameplay is extraordinarily diversified and reinforces the Hazelight Studios proposal, evolving the variety of puzzles we saw in It Takes Two to offer a new and unique experience in each chapter. Constantly alternating between science fiction and fantasy scenarios, each also gains its own mechanics and turns the game into something unexpected as we advance in history.

Running, drove double and dash are the basic movements that are implemented to the new skills for every moment of the narrative of Mio and Zoe. Manipulate gravity, fly with dragons, turn into animals or fairies, surf through water or sand, use energy swords and manipulate scenario elements are some examples of the possibilities we have.

Not to mention the unusual transformations that the characters undergo, after all their narrative creations need to accommodate their characters correctly, as well as lives experiences have also contributed to shaping the Mio and Zoe we know. Remember the references? They exist not only for narrative purposes, but to transform the way we play and interact with the world while we face several puzzles, villains, childhood trauma, children’s stories and discarded ideas, causing Split Fiction to gain a new form of gameplay, look and soundtrack for each chapter.

Evolution in style

Visually, Split Fiction represents a significant advance compared to previous Hazelight Studios titles. Using Unreal Engine 5, the game brings impressive graphics that adapt perfectly to drastic changes between the science fiction and fantasy worlds. Instant exchanges of scenario and gameplays are so fluid that they are impressive by never disturbing the response time of the controls. I played on PS5 while playing on PC (crossplay via ea Connect) and at any time there was delay between our actions and communication.

As if that were not enough, the transition between the worlds is accompanied by changes in the soundtrack, but it is a fundamental element for immersion. With electronic songs for futuristic environments and medievalist melodies for magic kingdoms, care and attention to sound details helps create an even greater and more engaging experience.

Split fiction is the apex of cooperative experience. Whether playing local or online, you will have the friend’s pass that allows the game owner to invite a friend to play for free. It would not be possible to enjoy this game with an NPC, as each challenge, puzzle and action sequence is meticulously designed to demand coordination and communication between players. And although much of the game is on a divided screen, at various times these screens come together to offer a unified experience.

Hazelight Studios has created its own cooperative formula with Way Out, improved it with it takes you (which has won as the best game of 2021) and now with Split Fiction the formula continues to evolve and surprising with its unique and copyright experiences. With charismatic characters, amazing narrative, diverse gameplay, impressive visuals and unshakable focus on cooperation, this game is one of the most memorable experiences of 2025.