The gaming press has already had the opportunity to dive into the latest offering from Josef Fares, the creative mind behind "It Takes Two," and their impressions of "Split Fiction" are overwhelmingly positive. With an average score of 91 on MetaCritic and 90 on OpenCritic, the game has garnered high praise for its innovative gameplay mechanics that keep players engaged without feeling repetitive. However, some reviewers have noted a weaker narrative and a shorter playtime as areas for improvement.
Here's a breakdown of the scores from various gaming outlets:
- Gameractor UK: 100
- GameSpot: 100
- Inverse: 100
- Push Square: 100
- PC Games: 100
- TechRadar Gaming: 100
- Variety: 100
- Eurogamer: 100
- Areajugones: 95
- IGN USA: 90
- GameSpuer: 90
- Quiteshockers: 90
- PlayStation Lifestiles: 90
- Vandal: 90
- Stevivor: 80
- TheGamer: 80
- VGC: 80
- Wccftech: 80
- Hardcore Gamer: 70
Gameractor UK praised "Split Fiction" as Hazelight Studios' best work to date and one of the most impressive co-op games of this generation, highlighting the game's variety and constant introduction of new ideas. They scored it a perfect 100/100, stating, "Split Fiction is Hazelight Studios' best work to date and one of the most impressive co-op games of this generation. The game amazes with its variety, keeping players engaged at every moment. All mechanics are executed at the highest level, and while a couple of minor flaws can be found, they pale in comparison to the constant flow of new ideas the game introduces at every turn. It’s a true celebration of creativity and innovation."
Eurogamer also gave it a perfect score, emphasizing the game's creativity and engagement, saying, "From start to finish, Split Fiction remains a fantastic adventure. It’s one of the most creative and engaging co-op games on the market, serving as a vivid testament to the boundless nature of human imagination."
IGN USA awarded the game a 90/100, describing it as a masterfully crafted co-op adventure that successfully blends genres and keeps the gameplay thrilling throughout its 14-hour runtime. They noted, "Split Fiction is a masterfully crafted co-op adventure game that straddles the line between two genres. It’s a rollercoaster of ideas and gameplay styles that shift at a breakneck pace, keeping the experience thrilling throughout its 14-hour runtime. Since no single mechanic overstays its welcome, Split Fiction becomes a triumph of imagination. Hazelight hasn’t just rewritten the rules of co-op gaming—it’s created a new chapter that you (and your partner) simply must experience."
VGC gave it an 80/100, acknowledging the game's visual improvements over "It Takes Two" but pointing out a potentially repetitive structure and a less compelling plot. They said, "Visually, Split Fiction takes a significant step forward compared to the studio’s previous project, It Takes Two, though the two games share many similarities in terms of mechanics. At times, the game risks becoming repetitive due to constant switching between two main locations, but its rich selection of side stories and ever-changing mechanics ensure that the gameplay remains engaging from start to finish. That said, the same cannot be said for its plot, which leaves something to be desired."
Hardcore Gamer scored it a 70/100, noting that while "Split Fiction" is shorter and more expensive than "It Takes Two," it still delivers a fun and exciting experience for two players but falls short of the expectations set by its predecessor. They concluded, "Split Fiction is shorter and more expensive than It Takes Two, and while it lacks the originality and variety of its predecessor, it still delivers a fun and exciting experience for two players. It’s a solid project, though it falls short of the expectations set by the studio’s previous game."
"Split Fiction" is set to launch on March 6, 2025, and will be available on current-gen consoles (PS5, Xbox Series) and PC.
