Split Fiction

Split Fiction confirms Hazelight as the genre's defining co-op studio. Every chapter reinvents its mechanics, dragons one moment, gravity boots and hoverbikes the next, forcing genuine teamwork rather than parallel play, and the asymmetry between Mio and Zoe's abilities keeps communication essential throughout. The sci-fi/fantasy split premise is a clever excuse to constantly reset expectations, and the game rarely repeats an idea long enough to overstay its welcome. Presentation is a clear step up from It Takes Two, with sharper visuals and a well-paced story that lands its emotional beats. The Friend's Pass remains one of gaming's best accessibility features, letting a second player join for free. If there's a criticism, it's that the constant mechanical churn occasionally sacrifices depth for novelty, and a few sequences feel more like tech demos than game design. Still, this is co-op gaming at its most inventive, and it earned its Game of the Year honors.