9.1/10
Released in March 2025 by Hazelight Studios and published under EA Originals, Split Fiction quickly became one of the standout games of the year. Known for its pedigree with innovative cooperative titles such as A Way Out and It Takes Two, Hazelight doubled down on its reputation for narrative-driven co-op experiences. With Split Fiction, players are thrown into a high-concept story where authors become prisoners of their own imagination.
The game stars Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, two writers who must navigate the strange and often perilous landscapes of their unfinished works. What begins as a test of an experimental machine soon unravels into a fight for survival within science fiction wastelands, magical fantasy kingdoms, and even the deepest corners of their subconscious. With its seamless blend of heartfelt storytelling, cooperative mechanics, and genre-shifting gameplay, Split Fiction cemented itself as both a critical darling and a commercial hit, selling over 4 million copies by May 2025.
Split Fiction – Official Story Trailer
Split Fiction – Official Gameplay Reveal
Gameplay Overview
Hazelight built Split Fiction as a cooperative-only game—there is no single-player mode. The design reinforces its central theme: survival requires teamwork.
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Mandatory Co-Op: Available in local split screen or online play, with cross-platform support and a “Friend’s Pass” allowing a friend to join for free.
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Diverse Stages: Levels alternate between Zoe’s fantastical realms and Mio’s sci-fi dystopias, each introducing distinct mechanics, enemies, and environments.
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Unique Abilities: Zoe and Mio wield different powers that complement one another, forcing players to collaborate.
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One-Off Mechanics: Like Hazelight’s previous games, many gameplay systems appear only once, ensuring freshness and unpredictability.
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Side Stories: Optional portals let players explore childhood ideas and unfinished stories, blending side content with deeper character backstory.
The result is a game where no two levels feel the same, and communication between players is as important as reflexes.
Plot Summary
Mio and Zoe arrive at Rader Publishing expecting an opportunity to launch their writing careers. Instead, they are trapped in The Machine, a device that brings submitted stories to life while harvesting every dormant idea from their memories. As glitches spread, their respective narratives collide: science fiction wastelands merge with magical kingdoms, creating surreal hybrids of imagination.
Throughout their journey, the writers uncover Rader’s true motives: he intends to exploit not just their current stories but their subconscious as well. Along the way, both women confront deeply personal wounds—Zoe’s guilt over her sister Ella’s death, and Mio’s struggle with emotional isolation after years of caring for her father.
The climax sees them battling manifestations of their own traumas—“Dark Mio” and visions of Ella—before facing Rader himself in a final godlike form within the collapsing simulation. By combining their strengths, they destroy The Machine, escape captivity, and later co-author their debut novel, Split Fiction.
Is Split Fiction Worth Playing?
Absolutely. Split Fiction isn’t just another co-op game—it’s a milestone in narrative-driven multiplayer design. Its Metacritic scores above 90 and universal acclaim on OpenCritic reflect a title that delivers on every front: gameplay, story, and emotional impact.
For players who enjoyed It Takes Two, this game feels like a natural evolution—bigger in scale, deeper in narrative, and more experimental in mechanics. Even critics who were initially skeptical about Hazelight repeating its formula admitted that Split Fiction pushes the cooperative genre to new heights.
Why Should You Play Split Fiction?
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A Unique Storytelling Concept: Few games let you journey through colliding imaginations while addressing real emotional struggles.
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Perfect for Two Players: Whether with a friend, partner, or family member, the game fosters teamwork and connection.
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Constant Variety: Each stage introduces fresh mechanics, preventing repetition.
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Emotional Depth: Beyond puzzles and combat, the story resonates with themes of grief, trauma, and healing.
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Critical and Commercial Success: With over 4 million copies sold in two months, the game has already earned its place among 2025’s must-play titles.
If you value games that blend inventive mechanics with heartfelt storytelling, Split Fiction deserves a spot on your playlist.
Development and Inspiration
Directed by Josef Fares, Split Fiction was built by a team of 80 developers using Unreal Engine 5. Fares named the protagonists after his two daughters, Mio and Zoe, reflecting his focus on personal storytelling. He described the project as a “buddy movie turned interactive experience,” where two strangers must gradually learn to trust each other.
Hazelight’s biggest challenge was ensuring each unique gameplay mechanic felt polished, even though many would only appear for a few minutes. Months of work went into fine-tuning controls so players could adapt quickly without frustration.
Release
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PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S: March 6, 2025
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Nintendo Switch 2: June 5, 2025
The game launched under EA’s Friend’s Pass system, encouraging accessibility and cooperative play.
Reception
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Metacritic Scores: PC (90), PS5 (91), Xbox Series X/S (93), Switch 2 (91)
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OpenCritic: 98% recommendation rate
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Critical Praise: Reviewers applauded its originality, character depth, and inventive mechanics.
While a few outlets like Digital Trends and Hardcore Gamer offered more modest scores, the overwhelming response was highly positive, with many calling it one of the best cooperative games ever made.
Sales
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1 million copies in 2 days
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2 million copies within a week
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4 million copies by May 2025
The sales figures cement Hazelight’s reputation as a studio capable of turning experimental ideas into mainstream success.
Accolades
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Develop:Star Awards 2025 – Nominated for Best Game
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Hazelight Studios – Nominated for Best Studio
Though only at the start of its awards cycle, expectations are high for more nominations by the year’s end.
Split Fiction FAQ
Q: Can Split Fiction be played solo?
A: No, the game is strictly designed for two players. This is intentional, as its mechanics and story are built around cooperation.
Q: Does the game support cross-play?
A: Yes, players on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 can team up across platforms.
Q: Is it connected to It Takes Two or A Way Out?
A: While developed by the same studio, Split Fiction tells a standalone story. It shares Hazelight’s design philosophy but introduces entirely new characters and mechanics.
Q: How long does it take to finish?
A: On average, completing the main story takes 12–15 hours, with additional time required to explore Side Stories.
Q: Is a film adaptation in the works?
A: Yes. In March 2025, Amazon MGM Studios acquired the rights. Jon M. Chu is set to direct, with Sydney Sweeney attached to star and executive produce.
Conclusion
Split Fiction is more than a game—it’s an experience that highlights the emotional power of cooperative storytelling. By blending action-adventure gameplay with a heartfelt narrative about trauma and friendship, Hazelight Studios has once again raised the bar for what multiplayer-only titles can achieve.
Its success demonstrates that audiences crave not just innovative mechanics but also meaningful stories that can only be told through interaction. With glowing reviews, millions of copies sold, and even a film adaptation on the horizon, Split Fiction is already securing its legacy as one of the defining titles of 2025.
For players seeking a game that challenges, surprises, and moves them in equal measure, Split Fiction is an adventure worth taking—and one that you’ll remember long after you’ve put down the controller.
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