Hazelight Studios has done it again. The Swedish developer behind award-winning titles It Takes Two and A Way Out has released their latest cooperative adventure, Split Fiction, to widespread acclaim across PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC platforms. The game is currently sitting at an impressive 91–93 Metacritic score, solidifying Hazelight’s reputation as masters of the co-op gaming experience.
Split Fiction follows Hazelight’s signature formula of requiring two players to complete the journey, either locally on the same screen or online. The game introduces a variety of gameplay styles, switching between platforming, third-person shooting, and puzzle-solving segments that keep the experience fresh throughout.
One of the most player-friendly features is the “Friends Pass” system, which allows only one person to purchase the game while their partner can download and play for free. This continues Hazelight’s tradition of making their co-op experiences more accessible, similar to what they did with A Way Out and It Takes Two.
Cross-platform play is fully supported, meaning friends can team up regardless of whether they’re playing on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC. This feature removes a common barrier in cooperative gaming where friends often need to own the same system to play together.
Players looking for a challenge won’t be disappointed. Early reviews note that Split Fiction offers substantial difficulty that will test even experienced gamers. However, the developers have thoughtfully included options like damage reduction and the ability to skip particularly tough sections, ensuring that less skilled players can still enjoy the story.
Studio head Josef Fares, known for his passionate (and sometimes colorful) presentations at industry events, has further cemented his studio’s legacy with this release. Before founding Hazelight, Fares worked as a film director, which explains the cinematic approach that has become a hallmark of the studio’s games.
Hazelight’s rise to prominence began with Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, continued with the prison break thriller A Way Out, and reached new heights when It Takes Two won Game of the Year at The Game Awards in 2021. Split Fiction appears to be maintaining this upward trajectory.
The game’s success highlights the enduring appeal of cooperative experiences that bring players together to solve problems and share victories. In an era where many major releases focus on competitive multiplayer or solitary adventures, Hazelight’s dedication to crafting meaningful two-player journeys has earned them a dedicated fanbase.
