After winning multiple Game of the Year awards with It Takes Two in 2021, it seems like developer Hazelight Studios has done it again — with a game that not only meets the lofty heights of its predecessor but even exceeds it. Split Fiction feels genuinely innovative for the very idea of co-op games, but more than that proves that there’s a real hunger players have for these kinds of experiences. In an industry that seems to endlessly pursue live service games and multiplayer universes, Split Fiction feels like a heartening breath of fresh air.
The single defining trait of Split Fiction is actually surprisingly simple — it’s joy. This is a game meticulously built around the idea of eliciting joy from players at every turn, constantly surprising you with new gameplay ideas and twists, while providing a fluffy story that keeps the action moving. In this way, the core design philosophy of Split Fiction is shockingly similar to one of last year’s best games, Astro Bot.
