Remember the glory days of plopping down on the couch with a friend, controller in hand, ready to tackle a game together? That magical experience has become increasingly rare in modern gaming, but Hazelight Studios clearly didn't get the memo.
Their latest title, Split Fiction, released in March 2025, is a love letter to cooperative gaming that proves the couch co-op format isn't just alive—it's thriving.
From the creative minds behind It Takes Two and A Way Out, this genre-bending adventure throws two aspiring writers into a fantastical journey through their own sci-fi and fantasy stories, and it's absolutely bursting with the kind of inventive gameplay that makes you wonder why more developers aren't doing this.
Two Genres, One Brilliant Experience
Split Fiction's core concept is deceptively simple but brilliantly executed. You and your co-op partner control Mio and Zoe, two writers working at a publishing house who get sucked into a machine that brings their creative stories to life. What makes this special is how the game constantly shifts between Mio's sci-fi world and Zoe's fantasy realm, often splitting you between the two at once.
One moment you're piloting a mech while your partner rides a dragon, the next you're solving puzzles that require both technological gadgets and magical spells. The game never settles into a rhythm, constantly introducing new mechanics that last just long enough to feel fresh before moving on to something completely different.
This variety isn't just window dressing—it forces constant communication and coordination between players, making every section feel like a genuine collaborative effort rather than two people simply playing side by side.
Asymmetrical Gameplay That Actually Makes Sense
Where Split Fiction really shines is in its asymmetrical design philosophy. Unlike games that give both players identical abilities and call it co-op, Hazelight understands that the best cooperative experiences come from making players feel genuinely dependent on each other.
Throughout the roughly twelve-hour campaign, you'll encounter puzzles and challenges where one player might be navigating a stealth section. At the same time, the other provides cover fire, or scenarios where timing-based platforming requires perfect synchronization.
The game even features mini-games scattered throughout, ranging from competitive racing to collaborative music-making, providing natural breathers between story beats. What's remarkable is how seamlessly Split Fiction handles difficulty scaling. Whether you're playing with a seasoned gamer or someone who rarely picks up a controller, the game adjusts without making either player feel like dead weight.
The accessibility options ensure everyone can participate and contribute meaningfully to the adventure. And here's the kicker: like all Hazelight titles, Split Fiction only requires one copy of the game thanks to their Friends' Pass system, meaning your buddy can join for free.
It's this kind of player-first thinking, combined with endlessly creative level design and genuine charm, that makes Split Fiction the gold standard for what couch co-op should be in 2025.
