Split Fiction - Review
Table of Contents
Overview
Split Fiction, the latest instalment from Hazelight, a studio renowned for their incredible co-op single player experiences, from the Prison Break escapades of A Way Out through to the marriage counseling critically acclaimed gem that is It Takes Two. From a gameplay standpoint, we have reached our peak here with the release of Split Fiction. This game is absolutely incredible and is an easy Game of the Year contender, providing constant, thrilling gameplay that isn't afraid to throw new puzzles, platforming, and outright game genres at players in a whole new way. When I played It Takes Two, it blew my mind how effortlessly Hazelight would introduce new mechanics or ideas, and how experimental and versatile they were with each level. Split Fiction takes this concept and completely lets loose, not only introducing new mechanics but shifting genres on the fly effortlessly and seamlessly. It makes for a game that will continuously surprise and enthrall you throughout. There is never a dull moment in this game, and it is a must-play video game.
Story
Split Fiction tells the story of Zoe and Mio, both novice authors looking to get published, who are given the opportunity by Radar, a major publisher running a new campaign that enables them to gather and conceptualize authors' narratives in a virtual space. What Radar isn't telling these authors is to be discovered, and as a reluctant Mio tries to back out of stepping into this simulation, she falls into Zoe's world. The fiction of these characters' worlds collide, and they have to work together to escape. Now, look, both Mio and Zoe start as one-dimensional characters, but I do like how they're developed over time. Split Fiction doesn't have the immediate hook of It Takes Two, where a divorce-filed couple are forced to work together and mend their marriage in the process, but there is a charm to the plot points, and the characters do grow on you. But whilst Split Fiction's narrative isn't bad by any means, I wouldn't call it the major selling point of this experience, that goes to the gameplay, which we'll get into now.
Gameplay
Split Fiction as a video game is absolutely exceptional, where from the get-go, there is a plethora of unique and distinct mechanics that are easy for each player to understand, and allow you and your friend to work together cohesively, solving each level with your unique set of skills depending on who you're playing as. The core gameplay loop is hard to define, as it depends on the level you're playing through. Still, for the most part, Split Fiction is a puzzle platformer where you and your friend are working together, solving puzzles and using your abilities that harmoniously correlate to the visual and narrative themes of the current world you're captured in. There are new side stories, where you and your mate will enter alternative worlds that offer unique stories for one of our two characters. Still, it is incredible how wacky and out there some of these side stories are, with satisfying mechanics, level design, and visual stylization that make each stop-off so memorable. So many of these side stories feel like they genre-swap, with some feeling like a shoot-'em-up and others legit like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. It was mind-blowing, and none of these ever felt like duds. Each time we stumbled across a side story, my mate would sit there in awe, wondering how or what they could do to top the last side story, and frankly, all the way till the end, we'd be surprised.
I know that some of these points may read opaque, but let me say this, Split Fiction is brilliantly tied together making a a cohesive relationship between presentation, level design, and overall gameplay mechanics, as each chapter will narratively be exploring one of Mio and Zoe's stories, and the world's visual and level design will reflect this, along with the respective mechanics that both yourself and your mate will have. One world may have you exploring a farm as pigs, where your ability is rainbow farts and your mates being a pig that expands like a spring. The level in kind will revolve around these mechanics and have you work together, and the variety of worlds is incredible, from Cyber ninjas to whimsical fantasy creatures; the game has it all, and none of them feel undercooked or like an afterthought.It all feels intentional and cleverly crafted in its design, bursting with creativity. There are these games that provide a sense of wonder in what the game will throw at you next. Mario Wonder is a fantastic example, and even last year's game of the year, Astro Bot, is another. Split Fiction is up there with its creative mechanics and level design, which is crafted in a way to encourage experimentation for not just one player but two, and Hazelight is filling a unique void in the gaming market, offering up an experience like this for not just one player but two.
Need A Player 2
Yes, you can't play Split Fiction by yourself; you will need to find someone else to play with. But please do not let this detract or put you off this experience. There are many ways to find people to play with if you don't have anyone to play games with. There is a Discord server that Hazelight is managing for you to find people to experience this game with, and the beauty of this game is that only one player needs to own Split Fiction to be able to play the game, as player 2 can download and play the game through a version called the Friend Pass. Whether it is with a friend or a stranger, Split Fiction is a game that can and will be a great memory for you and whoever you jump into this experience with.
Conclusion
Split Fiction doesn't just play hot potato with all the different game mechanics that it introduces. Still, it does the same with full genres too, where one moment you're platforming like you're in Uncharted, and then in a heartbeat you'll be in a shoot 'em up, or riding a snowboard doing tricks like it is SSX meets Tony Hawk. There is no shortage of genre swaps, mechanics to flex, and video game homages to behold in this game, where both my mate and I were continuously like "NO WAY". To me, this game really felt like the magic of an old-school video game. Like in recent years I feel like the reason why games like Mario Wonder, and the legit game of the year last year with Astro Bot, are so special and successful, because they feel magical and full of wonder with the mechanics, the level of diversity in their approach to level design and mechanics, and seriously, Split Fiction is in the same realm and ballpark as these entries, and I'm telling you even with juggernauts like GTA 6, KCD2, and Death Stranding 2. Metroid Prime 4, I can confidently tell you Split Fiction is an easy Game of the Year contender and an experience that we will be talking about for years to come.
