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Note: This review was done with an early copy of the game from Hazelight

I've been a fan of Hazelight's work ever since A Way Out wowed me and my closest friend back in 2018. Its mixture of varied gameplay, ample use of its co-op mechanics, and a well-written story featuring a great twist at the end, all made for my favorite co-op game I've ever played (at least in terms of two players since Left 4 Dead will always be my baby). It Takes Two didn't wow me quite as much, especially around its weird messaging surrounding divorce and marital issues, but it was fun in its own right.

So when I tell you that Split Fiction is the peak of Hazelight's efforts (albeit with the occasional rough edge), I mean it. This is some of the best-looking work the team has ever produced, and the gameplay is arguably the new benchmark for how these sorts of games should be approached. Even the writing, while imperfect, was relatable and nicely interwoven with gameplay in a way that felt natural.

Certain aspects of the story hit on a personal level for me. The two central characters, Mio and Zoey, adore sci-fi and fantasy respectively but abhor the other for one reason or another. The gameplay is a direct reflection of that, alternating between technological marvels and mystical worlds for each chapter. But it's the way the two of them begin to appreciate that other genre that resonated with me so much. I've always been a diehard fan of sci-fi with Mass Effect being my favorite series ever (we don't talk about Andromeda), but only recently through games like Enderal: Forgotten Stories and Dark Souls have I started to truly appreciate fantasy settings more for their strengths. Split Fiction acting as a reflection of that growth and appreciation was awesome to see, along with the central plot focusing on a topic I have a lot of thoughts about (extra points for the accurate depiction of most CEOs).

Admittedly though, the character development could've been delivered a little better. Across the game's eight chapters and roughly 12-hour length, the entire first half is dedicated to Mio with only the occasional mention of Zoey's inner turmoil. Then, after fully wrapping up Mio's story around the end of the fourth chapter, Zoey gets the spotlight for the rest of the game. The issue here is how little they allude to Zoey's turmoil early in the experience, leading Mio to seem like an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ while Zoey comes across as prim and perfect until halfway through, she suddenly shifts. I'm pleased with the individual backstories of each character and how they're resolved, but it can't help but feel almost artificial in its delivery.

Outside of the story though, gameplay is damn near perfect. My friend can attest to this, but I can't count the number of times I said "this is so damn cool" out loud, because Split Fiction just *is* that exciting. Each of the eight chapters is handled with such care and attention to detail for its core mechanics that it manages to hit that sweet spot of never feeling overdone, while simultaneously never feeling underappreciated. Every chapter is not just memorable but endlessly refreshing, from an exciting motorcycle escape sequence to a dance-off with a Monkey King (I'm not joking about that one). The amount of care and passion put into the variety is virtually unmatched, something I haven't felt since playing through Titanfall 2, my favorite FPS campaign ever.

And even if you don't gel with a particular level, four of the eight chapters include three Side Stories. These are optional levels that take a fraction of the time to complete, but feature mechanics that are better for the shorter length and take place in the opposite setting (a train heist in the middle of a fantasy level, for example). It's a super unique way to approach side quests, both working in the context of the experience while offering equally memorable gameplay to the game's other levels.

Almost everything about it is just pitch-perfect. The level design, the mechanics themselves, and the way co-op is utilized while giving space for each individual to breathe. They even include a few hilarious nods in secret areas for those who have played past games or other well-known video games. One of my favorites involved being able to rest at a certain sword embedded in the ground that was barely lit up. I'll let you put that one together yourself.

Like I said, however, it's *almost* perfect. While all these mechanics and levels are perfectly fine-tuned, the controls can be mediocre at the best of times. I recall one particular moment where I had to awkwardly rotate certain discs to let my friend cross, but the rotation randomly inverted on the final cylinder, forcing us to redo that little section. It was never a huge deal, but those sorts of issues were enough to piss us off at times.

But thankfully, the presentation remains among Hazelight's strongest suits. I can count at least a dozen times when both my friend and I kinda just sat back and appreciated the scenery of the level ahead, whether that was mountains above the clouds or a ruined city. Every location was jaw-dropping in one way or another, whether it be the finer details or the stunning vistas. The soundtrack was also a nice surprise, with the sci-fi levels at least featuring the sort of fast-paced techno I typically jive with. It clearly shows that extra labor of love, in a game overflowing with care and passion.

While Split Fiction isn't quite a perfect experience, it is easily Hazelight's best game yet and showcases the immense passion flowing throughout the studio. Every aspect of the game is approached with such immense care and attention to detail that a lot of other titles would likely gloss over, and it's easily one of the most creative experiences I've ever had the pleasure of running through. If recent interviews with Josef Fares are to be believed, this is one hell of a sendoff for the team's trilogy of fantastic two-player co-op adventures. Lord knows I'll check out whatever they cook up next regardless.

P.S. It's crazy that this game still keeps the Friend Pass system they started back with A Way Out. No other developer would dare.