Hazelight Studios is back at it again, doubling down on their love for cooperative play with Split Fiction, a game that’s basically what happens when you take a sci-fi epic and a fantasy novel, mash them together in a blender, and crank it to eleven. Following in the footsteps of It Takes Two, this latest adventure throws you into a world where stories quite literally collide. With ever-evolving mechanics and some of the most inventive level designs in recent co-op gaming, Split Fiction is a whirlwind of creativity.

A genre-bending journey

In Split Fiction, you step into the shoes of Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, two struggling writers whose wildly different artistic visions clash. Thanks to the shady Rader Publishing and its dastardly idea-stealing machine, their stories merge into one glitchy simulation where the pair go back and forth between each other’s stories. From there, they become cyberpunk ninjas riding neon bikes, chasing cats amongst magical floating castles, and encountering representations of their subconscious thoughts and feelings.

At its core, Split Fiction is a story about opposites colliding; Mio, the sharp-edged sci-fi writer, and Zoe, the fantasy-loving dreamer. Their clashing perspectives make for plenty of banter, but as the game unfolds, so does their emotional depth. Their debates over whether techno qualifies as “real music” or the merits of city life versus a rural upbringing lean heavily into trope territory. An odd couple dynamic that feels familiar, even a little tired at first. Still, Split Fiction knows exactly what it’s doing. The game revels in these contrasts early on, lulling players into thinking it’s a simple clash of creative visions.

Mio starts guarded, pouring her emotions about her life and father into intense, action-packed sci-fi stories where control and defiance rule. Zoe, on the other hand, embraces the beauty of imagination, using fantasy storytelling to hold onto cherished family memories and ignore darker experiences from her past. As they journey through each other’s worlds, they’re forced to confront and challenge their own beliefs, learning to see beyond their personal narratives. There’s even a moment where one of Zoe’s worlds allows Mio to embrace something softer, a break from her usual darkness, and it’s genuinely touching.

Their dynamic shines through how naturally their growth is woven into the gameplay. The way their distinctive styles shape the world and how they start influencing each other’s stories adds layers to their development without slowing things down. The game also cleverly plays with childhood fears and memories, bringing a sense of wonder and nostalgia to their evolving bond. Some emotional beats certainly hit harder than others depending on who you are but the journey these two take together makes Split Fiction a special experience.

Perfecting co-op gameplay

True to Hazelight’s style, Split Fiction is a game that demands teamwork. One minute, you’re navigating a high-speed hovercar chase with one player steering while the other fires at enemies and obstacles ahead; the next, you’re solving a puzzle by matching patterns to unlock a giant gate to an ice palace. Each level centres around fresh mechanics for Mio and Zoe that even evolve within themselves, keeping these admittedly long missions with a mix of action, platforming, and puzzle gameplay engaging all the way through. Designing each world with so many gameplay twists for each character and still making it feel cohesive results in one of, if not the best, use of cooperative play in a video game.

Mio’s high-tech gadgets (jetpacks, gravity shifting, laser shields) contrast beautifully with Zoe’s fantasy (fireballs, vine-swinging, shapeshifting creatures). The game forces you to rely on each other in both tough and immensely satisfying ways. Want to get through spikey flowers in a river? Mio transforms into a fish and dives into the water to move a platform for Zoe to hold onto. Or perhaps Zoe’s exosuit can gravity push a little drone that Mio can hack with her nano-tech ability. This is the majority of the gameplay and the synchronicity that makes Split Fiction such a delight.

Two against one

The boss fights in Split Fiction are a masterclass in smart co-op design, each encounter pushes beyond the usual three-phase format. From a dance-off with the Monkey King to a chaotic battle against the Parking Inspector, every fight evolves in surprising ways by shifting perspectives, altering mechanics, and keeping you on your toes. A standout is the roller truck boss, where you fight on Akira-style motorcycles before launching off a ramp to land a final shot mid-air. In our playthrough, we crossed paths in slow motion, both firing at the same time for a cinematic, fist-pumping moment. The comedic writing, thrilling action, refreshing challenge, and reflection of the narrative make these moments stand out. Split Fiction’s boss fights have been some of the most memorable I’ve played in a long time.

Stunning sights and sounds

Hazelight Studios has always pushed the boundaries of co-op gaming, but Split Fiction might just be its most visually and audibly striking game yet. With Unreal Engine 5 at their disposal, Karl Löwenberg, Jacob Larsson, and their art teams have crafted a true spectacle playing on the PlayStation 5. Mio’s neon-soaked cyber cities pulse with electric energy while Zoe’s painterly fantasy landscapes feel like a living storybook. Later in the game, certain mechanics evoke the visual innovation of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s universe tears, making for some visually mind-bending moments.