Split Fiction [Xbox Series X] | REVIEW

Hazelight Studios has done it again, with Split Fiction taking the imaginative co-op formula that made A Way Out and It Takes Two so successful and pushing it even further. Blending fantasy and sci-fi with a sharp narrative and a seemingly endless stream of creative gameplay ideas, Split Fiction is not only a joy to play, but an absolute masterclass in how to craft a co-op experience that feels fresh, engaging, and downright fun from start to finish.

Check out some screenshots down below:

At the heart of Split Fiction are Mio and Zoe, two struggling authors who couldn’t be more different. Mio writes gritty sci-fi dystopias, while Zoe prefers whimsical fantasy adventures, with each inspired by the events in their lives that shaped them. After visiting a publisher that puts them under the false pretence that their stories were to be published, they find themselves trapped in a machine designed to steal their creative ideas. A malfunction caused by Mio sees them come together in a virtual representation of their fictional worlds, plunging them into a chaotic mashup of sci-fi and fantasy where they must work together to escape.

The story works because it’s not just about surviving the chaos, but also Mio and Zoe learning to understand each other. Their contrasting personalities – Mio’s guarded cynicism and Zoe’s unrelenting optimism – creates immediate friction when they’re thrown together under bizarre circumstances, but with their opposing outlooks on life reflected in the worlds that they have created, they soon begin to appreciate each other’s strengths and perspectives. It’s not groundbreaking storytelling and can lean into some predictable themes despite the game’s creativity, but it’s handled with charm and emotional depth, ensuring you’ll genuinely care about the characters by the time the credits roll.

What makes Split Fiction truly shine is its relentless creativity. Much like their previous titles, Hazelight Studios refuses to stick with one idea for too long, constantly throwing new gameplay mechanics and scenarios at you that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat with a big smile on your face. One moment you’re scaling the walls of a neon-soaked cyberpunk city, and the next you’re riding a dragon across a lush fantasy landscape. Then you might find yourself navigating a gravity-bending puzzle or blasting away at a pursuing robot in a run-and-gun section. You’ll also find yourself rescuing cats from a magical town full of mysterious spells or trying to survive the destruction of a dying star. Honestly, there are SO many different scenarios to face that bring with them so many distinct and enjoyable gameplay mechanics that it’s hard not to find yourself in awe of the constant sense of creativity that’s being showcased.

“Split Fiction is everything you could want from a co-op game – it’s creative, charming, and packed with gameplay variety that constantly surprises you.”

The game blends genres and styles so seamlessly that it feels like a whirlwind tour of video game history – it even brings with it plenty of neat little references to other video games, with nods to Assassin’s Creed, Dark Souls, and even It Takes Two standing out as some of my favourites. The side stories scattered throughout the game only add to the variety, pulling from smaller ideas that Mio and Zoe have created over the years, but that are often more… unusual. These bite-sized missions range from the hilarious (the twist to the section where you play as pigs caught me off-guard), the creative (watching a story get pieced together around you as the world is drawn to life), the thrilling (a race against time to prevent the destruction of a dying star), and even the competitive (a gliding and grappling race through the skies to beat your partner). This variety keeps the game from ever feeling stale, whilst the creative execution of each idea hits a consistently high standard that few games can rival.

Like Hazelight Studios’ previous games, Split Fiction is built around co-op play, and it absolutely nails it. You can only play with another person, either locally or online, and teamwork is essential to progressing. Mio and Zoe each have access to unique abilities tied to the respective world that they find themselves in, and it’s only by using these in tandem that players will be able to survive the challenges in their path.

The game constantly forces you to communicate and coordinate with your partner, whether you’re working together to solve a puzzle or combining abilities during a high-stakes action sequence, and if you don’t manage to pull together, things can go badly fast. It’s the kind of game that’s best played with a close friend or partner… you know, someone you can laugh with when things go wrong, celebrate with you when you pull off a tricky section, or someone you can tease when you manage to out-perform them. The dynamic split-screen presentation enhances this experience, adjusting depending on the scene to emphasize key moments or to provide a shared view when it’s needed, whilst always being able to see what your partner is up to just adds to the fun.

Oh, and the Friend Pass system makes a return once more, meaning only one player needs to own the game when playing. It’s a brilliant idea and helps ensure that Split Fiction really does stand out as the perfect co-op experience.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Visually, Split Fiction is a feast for the eyes, with the exceptional art direction ensuring that each world is brimming with detail and personality. The fantasy landscapes are lush and vibrant, while the sci-fi cities are drenched in bright neon lights, with the contrast of both coming together perfectly to give the game its own unique sense of style. Some of the vistas across the world are simply gorgeous, and with such distinct landscapes to visit across the adventure, you’re always seeing something new that’ll blow you away. Add to that the slick performance that saw zero hitches during my playthrough and it’ll be easy to find yourself impressed with Split Fiction’s presentation.

It’s just an absolutely brilliant game, so much so that I’d even go as far as calling it a co-op masterpiece. Sure, there are some occasions where the pace can slow down a little, there are some sections that are better than others, whilst respawning following death can be a little clumsy at times. But overall? The execution of the game is simply superb and really helps establish Split Fiction as one of the best co-op games that I’ve ever played.

Developer: Hazelight Studios
Publisher: EA
Platform(s): Xbox Series X|S (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PC
Website: https://www.hazelight.se/games/split-fiction/