Split Fiction shows that co-op can be a genre in its own right rather than a bolt-on mode. Hazelight Studios, the team behind It Takes Two, built a two-player-only adventure in which each stage introduces a new idea and drops it just as it could get stale. The result is a rare game praised almost unanimously by critics.
The game launched on March 6, 2025 on PS5, Windows and Xbox Series X|S, followed by Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release | March 6, 2025 (PS5, Windows, Xbox); June 5, 2025 (Switch 2) |
| Developer | Hazelight Studios; published by EA Originals; directed by Josef Fares; Unreal Engine 5 |
| Modes | Two-player co-op only, split-screen or online, with Friend's Pass and cross-platform play |
| Critic scores | Metacritic 91 (PS5), 90 (PC), 93 (Xbox), 89 (Switch 2); OpenCritic 98% |
| Sales | 1 million in two days, 4 million by May 6, 2025, 7 million by April 2026 |
| OtaHub score | 9.6/10, Masterpiece |
Story
Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, two authors with opposite personalities, are trapped in a simulation machine built by CEO J.D. Rader to steal creative ideas. Their stories merge, sending both through science-fiction and fantasy worlds of their own imagining.
The two leads are named after director Josef Fares' daughters. Beyond the main path, the game features optional Side Stories based on unfinished childhood ideas from both characters.
Behind The Scenes
Split Fiction was developed by Hazelight Studios, a team of 80, under director Josef Fares, who co-wrote with Sebastian Antonios Johansson. The two leads are named after Fares' daughters. The publisher is EA Originals and the game uses Unreal Engine 5.
Within weeks of launch, Amazon MGM Studios won the film adaptation rights, with Jon M. Chu directing and Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick writing.
Experience
Co-op design
Each character has different abilities, forcing two players to coordinate in real time. The signature is that every stage offers its own mechanic before moving on to something new, keeping the pace fresh. The game mixes platforming, puzzles and combat, and Friend's Pass lets the owner invite a friend for free, lowering the barrier to finding a partner.
Storytelling and music
Two settings, science fiction and fantasy, let the game change scenery constantly, from cyberpunk scenes to enchanted forests. Music is composed by Gustaf Grefberg and Jonatan Järpehag. The team numbers 80 people, small for a game of this caliber, yet its polish was widely noted by critics.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- A new idea every stage keeps the pacing from repeating
- Co-op design genuinely forces two players to coordinate
- Friend's Pass and cross-platform play make finding a partner easy
- Strong sales, 7 million copies by April 2026
Weaknesses
- No single-player mode, you need a partner
- The experience depends on your partner: schedules and skill levels of both players matter a lot
- Platform quality varies slightly (Switch 2 scored 89)
What Critics Say
GameSpot and Push Square scored 10/10; Eurogamer, VG247 and NME gave 5/5; IGN 9/10, Destructoid 9.5/10, PC Gamer 87/100 and Famitsu 34/40. Overall the game received universal acclaim for its co-op design and narrative depth.
It was also a commercial success, and within two weeks of launch Amazon MGM Studios won the rights to a film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu. The game won Best Multiplayer to Enjoy Together at the 2025 Ultra Game Awards and earned nominations at The Game Awards, BAFTA, D.I.C.E. and GANG.
Who Is It For
For couples, friends, siblings or anyone who wants a game to play together from start to finish. If you usually play alone it is not a fit, since there is no solo mode. For It Takes Two fans, it is a natural step forward.
OtaHub Score
The overall score is the weighted average of the four criteria, with up to ±0.2 editorial adjustment. See our review standards.
Verdict
Split Fiction is one of the best co-op games available, endlessly inventive and well polished. The only condition is that you need someone to play with. OtaHub scores it 9.6/10.
FAQ
Can I play Split Fiction alone?
No, the game is two-player co-op only, split-screen or online.
What is Friend's Pass?
It lets the game owner invite a friend to play for free, including cross-platform.
Is it on Switch 2?
Yes, the Switch 2 version launched on June 5, 2025 with a Metacritic score of 89.
Sources: critic scores, awards and figures are taken from the outlets named in this review. The score is OtaHub’s editorial judgement under our review standards.