It’s truthful to say that not even the headstrong Josef Fares might have predicted that his studio’s recreation It Takes Two would develop into such an astronomical success.
Due partially to a big enhance in reputation in China after profitable a prestigious Recreation of the Yr award there, It Takes Two bought round 23 million copies, a determine that a number of the trade’s most notable family names would kill to attain.
With such a outstanding accomplishment beneath his belt, Fares now faces the daunting job of both replicating or in some way surpassing It Takes Two’s gross sales together with his subsequent recreation, Cut up Fiction. Whereas such a milestone could show to be too far to succeed in, it gained’t be as a consequence of an absence of effort from Fares and his staff at Hazelight who’ve as soon as once more delivered a high quality co-op journey.
Cut up Fiction tells the story of Zoe and Mio, a pair of wannabe authors who attend an appointment at Rader Publishing with the view to getting their books revealed. It quickly emerges that one thing extra sinister is afoot at Rader, as a result of relatively than contracting them the corporate’s CEO as a substitute plans to make use of a particular machine to steal their concepts from them.
This doesn’t fairly go in line with plan and Zoe and Mio discover themselves in the identical machine. They’re then transported to a fictional world through which their tales have come to life. Now the 2 strangers should work collectively to make their means by way of their respective storybook worlds in an try to flee and maintain Rader’s high canine to justice.
Anybody who beforehand performed It Takes Two might be instantly acquainted with the setup in Cut up Fiction. As soon as once more the sport is often introduced in a split-screen view even should you’re enjoying on-line. The rationale for it’s because quite a few puzzles within the recreation require synchronisation between each gamers, and the flexibility to see your accomplice’s display screen is invaluable in a number of the timing-based challenges which are encountered.
As a result of Zoe writes fantasy novels and Mio as a substitute specialises in sci-fi, the sport’s levels typically alternate between these two wildly various varieties of atmosphere, serving to to make sure issues stay recent – not less than initially. Over time, as the sport continues to modify from fantasy to sci-fi and again once more, it does begin to really feel a little bit repetitive.
That is lessened considerably by the best way the sport continuously throws new gameplay mechanics on the play to maintain mixing issues up a bit. This was one of the pleasing features of It Takes Two and it’s replicated efficiently right here for essentially the most half.
Each characters are often armed with a double soar, a touch transfer and a grapple gun, and these stay current all through nearly all of the journey besides when newly earned skills make it unimaginable. These new abilities are often granted to the participant after they enter a brand new stage, and are then changed with one thing else when that space is cleared.
One stage, for instance, offers each gamers machine weapons and differently-coloured distant bombs – one crimson, one blue. These are then used to wreck forcefields and enemies of the identical color, which means gamers should work collectively to make sure their respective obstacles are cleared. This mechanic solely lasts about 45 minutes earlier than it’s gone, changed with one thing else solely.
One minute you would be in a high-speed part racing a jet ski as if it have been a brand new Wave Race recreation, the subsequent you’re in a flying part the place one individual steers a airplane whereas the opposite controls a big gun, the subsequent you’re in a shapeshifting part the place one participant can flip right into a fish (to swim) or a large ape (to climb and wreck issues) whereas the opposite can remodel right into a fairy (to fly) or a strong tree monster (to regulate nature).
Naturally, with so many various concepts thrown on the participant issues can get a little bit hit and miss at instances, however the ratio leans closely in favour of ‘hit’, with flat moments fortunately being comparatively scarce.
Visually, Cut up Fiction is streets forward of It Takes Two. Whereas a part of its predecessor’s extra primary look was right down to the truth that the 2 protagonists have been handmade dolls, the environments in Cut up Fiction are additionally considerably extra detailed than these of Hazelight’s earlier recreation.
The fantasy worlds of Zoe’s tales are pretty sufficient to have a look at however the sci-fi worlds of Mio are significantly spectacular, typically presenting the participant with huge neon-lit environments and sometimes permitting them to zoom by way of them in some kind of excessive pace chase or one other.
As famous, provided that the 2 protagonists are people relatively than dolls this time, they’re additionally considerably extra detailed with wonderful facial animations. These nonetheless sadly aren’t sufficient nonetheless to enhance on the one facet the place we felt It Takes Two was most missing – the plot.
Whereas Cut up Fiction has an undoubtedly attention-grabbing premise, most of their interactions are about how they love their world and don’t get the attraction of their newfound accomplice’s. On high of this, nonetheless, each characters are additionally coping with baggage that we wouldn’t dare to elaborate on for concern of spoilers, however cope with pretty grim conditions.
It’s clear the sport desires the participant to empathise with the protagonists and possibly even shed a tear or two at their plights, however one thing about it – whether or not it’s the writing, the performances or one thing else – simply falls barely flat, and take a look at as we’d we couldn’t emotionally make investments ourselves of their respective tragedies.
However, within the grand scheme of issues Cut up Fiction remains to be a completely entertaining recreation, primarily due to the sheer quantity of range provided all through. Whereas the fantasy and sci-fi environments do get a little bit samey by the top that is salvaged by the quite a few aspect tales that may be discovered hidden all through the journey. These allow Hazelight to let down its hair a little bit and experiment with extra unique concepts.
“Whereas the fantasy and sci-fi environments do get a little bit samey by the top that is salvaged by the quite a few aspect tales that may be discovered hidden all through the journey. These allow Hazelight to let down its hair a little bit and experiment with extra unique concepts.”
This might embody as a large kite race within the sky, a splendidly summary stage involving two sausages or a beautiful hand-drawn part which takes place inside a pocket book. It’s these side-stories that guarantee Cut up Fiction’s size of round ten hours doesn’t start to really feel like a chore by the top, one thing that will have been the case had gamers solely had entry to the 2 foremost environments.
Fares and his staff are additionally not afraid to drop as many references to different video games and well-liked tradition phenomena as they will. Our playthrough finally became a recreation of Spot the Reference as we shouted “Darkish Souls!” “Akira!” “Contra 3!” at one another all through. You don’t must get these references to benefit from the recreation, however they’re enjoyable nods to those that perceive them.
In the end, for a recreation that depends on stunning the participant at each flip, our verdict on Cut up Fiction is considerably predictable. Whereas it seems to be considerably higher than It Takes Two, each video games clearly share the identical DNA and as such followers of the earlier recreation might be instantly at residence with what’s on provide right here too. The alternative is in fact true, then – should you and your accomplice struggled with It Takes Two for no matter purpose, there’s not a lot right here to alter that.
Specifically, regardless of the clear attraction of native co-op with different members of the family, should you’re enjoying with somebody who is probably not as skilled at video video games there are virtually no concessions to be discovered right here – both your accomplice has to ‘git gud’ or you’ll be able to count on quite a few irritating moments.
By and enormous, nonetheless, Cut up Fiction is properly price your time should you’re searching for one other co-op journey that’s assorted, entertaining and stuffed to bursting with concepts, most of which land efficiently. It could not blow It Takes Two out of the water however – considerably fittingly, given the theme of each video games – it’s actually a worthy companion.
