It Takes Two

It Takes Two is the finest cooperative game ever made, and that is not hyperbole. Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios achieved something extraordinary: a game where every single level introduces entirely new mechanics, yet none feel underdeveloped or gimmicky. One moment you are navigating a snow globe with magnetic powers, the next you are piloting a pair of fidget spinners through a clockwork tower. The inventiveness never lets up across the entire runtime. The co-op design is genuinely asymmetric, giving each player different abilities that interlock beautifully. The Friend's Pass -- letting one player share online access for free -- is a commendably generous touch. The narrative about a troubled marriage is earnest if occasionally heavy-handed, but the emotional beats land when they need to. The game absolutely requires a partner, which limits accessibility, and solo play is impossible. But as a shared experience, It Takes Two is a triumph of creative game design that earned every bit of its Game of the Year award.