Split Fiction — the co-op apotheosis. Review

Played on PC

The author would like to thank Viola V. for her assistance in preparing the review.

Split Fiction doesn’t go into a long introduction or multi-level exposition: a couple of scenes introducing us to the main characters – Mio and Zoe, a quick demonstration of local technological experiments with the integration of authors into simulations based on their ideas, and then the action itself begins. Mio, dissatisfied with the opacity of the intentions of the Rader Publishing management, enters into a confrontation with the project team, and now the experiment is going completely wrong. Mio accidentally ends up in the same bubble (literally – a bubble in which the authors are immersed in the simulation) with Zoe, and their simulation becomes a derivative of the ideas of both: Mio’s fantastic and brutal epics, and more fabulous and creative stories in fantasy settings invented by Zoe. Together, the girls will have to go through many tests invented by themselves, find a way out of the simulation and unravel the true essence of the experiment. And also to better understand yourself and, through your works, reflect on your life experiences, painful experiences and long-forgotten traumas…

Extremely spectacular scenes occur almost every five minutes, and their staging is at an incredible level.

⇡#Synergy of Opposites

Split Fiction continues to develop the game design leitmotif of Hazelight Studios – asymmetrical cooperative gameplay, in which two players must overcome countless obstacles, relying not only on themselves, but also on the ingenuity of their partner in the game. There are a lot of different situations in Split Fiction, they are replaced by a rapid cascade, and this is so clearly verified that hardly a single game episode will have time to tire or cause even a hint of boredom.

Here, a fast run along the wall is replaced by a high-speed chase, and a tense stealth episode flows into a segment that requires miracles of reaction and acrobatics. In another episode, you will have to fiercely shoot back at the enemies, and at the same time use weapons to solve puzzles, and sometimes a small dance rhythm game will smoothly flow into … a cooperative “Snake”! And, of course, the most interesting thing begins when the heroines get the opportunity to shine with their individual abilities.

I’ll be honest, this was the most stressful captcha in my life

For example, in the cyberpunk world, Mio will receive a sword that will not only be used for its intended purpose, but will also allow the heroine to defeat gravity, climbing onto ceilings and walls. Zoe in the universe of the victorious neon will receive a whip with which she will be able to attract objects, throw them, or control the environment, opening up new paths for herself and her fellow writer. And, for example, in one of her fantasy universes, Zoe will be able to transform into either a miniature fairy capable of flying and squeezing through doorways, or into a giant Groot-like tree that can move unwieldy chunks of levels. Mio in this world will be able to turn into a monkey and crush everything in her path, or into a waterfowl, and in this guise, overcome water spaces inaccessible to other forms of life.

And, of course, the fundamentally different game mechanics form an excellent synergy of the heroines, allowing them to get out of the most difficult scrapes and confusing situations. For example, Zoe-tree can tilt or bring closer the surfaces on which Mio can move in the form of a monkey. Or in the space epic, the heroines will receive blasters of different colors, and, accordingly, they will have to distribute targets by color in order to succeed in further passage. And sometimes Zoe even takes control of an entire level to help Mio overcome obstacles.

The video game references in Split Fiction are particularly appropriate.

By the way, optional mini-adventures are also very organically integrated into the amazingly rich canvas of large plot segments. Sometimes the heroines will encounter portals that lead to different hidden corners of their creativity – to short stories, unfinished sketches or sketches of ideas. So we can find ourselves in the arena of a futuristic show, where a kind of artificial intelligence (hello, GLaDOS) acts as the master of ceremonies. Another story will throw us into an adrenaline-fueled aerial chase on wingsuits, which by the end will also turn into a fast-paced scrolling shooter. And one of the portals will even send Zoe and Mio to a world where a dying star is dousing the base where they ended up with destructive waves of plasma, and the heroines will have to figure out how to survive in this hopeless scenario. An insanely tense and spectacular episode!

But the back alleys of the writers’ minds hide not only epic sketches, but also, say, stories… about sausage production. And believe me, the chamber (and heartbreaking) adventure of two pigs will amaze you many times more than any explosive action episode. And not only that, because in Split Fiction, as in the studio’s previous games, behind the spectacular adventures and adrenaline scenes there is a reflection on the past, difficult life situations and the complexities of the creative path.

Thanks for another psychological shock…

⇡#Adventures in Reflections

At first glance, it might seem that Split Fiction favors spectacle, excitement, and spectacular staging, with the main plot about Rader Publishing’s suspicious experiments being presented only to establish coherence between episodes with different aesthetics. But Split Fiction is more subtle and does not rush to reveal all its trump cards at once. Instead, it carefully gives us pieces of history and insight into the characters’ motives and personalities: sometimes with a little dialogue, sometimes with details of levels, sometimes with a touching scene.

After all, Zoe and Mio, like all of us, are going through much more inside than they want to show, and are not ready to immediately open up to an unexpected fellow traveler. But the further their joint adventure goes, the more they begin to trust each other, and the more they see not only the complete opposite of themselves, but also, in many ways, a kindred spirit. And we, going through their joint path with them, realize that in their work, each of the heroines found an outlet, salvation, answers to exciting questions. Each game segment is a reflection of a certain stage in the life of one of them. A dashing episode of unrestrained action suddenly turns out to be an attempt at escapism in difficult times, and a fight with the terrifying Ice King is a reflection of childhood fear associated with an overly aggressive neighbor’s cat.

How nice it is to find a moment of calm between intense episodes and just sit on a swing or play hopscotch

Each adventure in the heroines’ creative worlds, big or small, adds touches to their characters, tiny living details and human diversity. And the further you go, the more acutely Zoe and Mio’s personal experiences are perceived, the brighter the moments of joy flare up, and every second of this unusually personal adventure becomes even more exciting, reflecting their characters, their pain and happiness, their human essence. Just like Split Fiction reflects its creators – people who put their souls into the game and created a stunning masterpiece.

Advantages:

• Touching story and beautifully written characters;
• A superbly balanced pace that constantly introduces new gameplay mechanics;
• Each game segment is exciting in its own way;
• Wonderful additional levels that await you in the portals;
• Stunningly effective staging of spectacular episodes and sensitive chamber direction of dialogue scenes.

Disadvantages:

• Youssef Fares continues to reward players with psychological trauma – as if the Elephant from It Takes Two wasn’t enough!

Graphic arts

Every minute is a feast for the eyes: a metropolis drowning in neon, a shining fantasy world, a fairy-tale kingdom of heat and sand, a futuristic pavilion for a hardcore show, a base torn apart by emissions of energy from the local sun or a cozy farm. And the game is also technically stunning: perfectly constructed lighting, mesmerizing effects, convincing facial animations – all this immerses you in the adventures of Zoe and Mio as much as possible.

Sound

The sound of Split Fiction makes you empathize with what’s happening on the screen every second – both in the action section filled with explosions, clanging metal and deafening gunfire, and in the fast-paced rhythm game with the monkey king.

The voice acting of the characters was also excellent: I would especially like to note the work of the leading actresses, who gave their heroines truly deep characters with many subtle emotional nuances.

And of course, the cherry on the cake is the soundtrack. The original music perfectly complements the mood of the scenes, and in itself has a powerful charge of emotions. And how good is the song from the final credits!

Single player game

Not foreseen.

Estimated time of completion

Mio and Zoe’s adventure will take between twelve and fifteen hours, depending on how meticulous you are in completing the additional activities.

Collective game

A stunningly effective and soulful co-op adventure that will not let you get bored for a second.

General impression

Hazelight Studios has once again delivered us a uniquely immersive, stunningly visual and emotionally charged co-op adventure that you won’t want to miss out on!

Rating: 10/10

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