When a video game makes me audibly gasp, it’s a rare treat. But when it happens more than once within a single hour of play, you know you’re onto something special. Such was my experience with Split Fiction, the latest gem from Hazelight Studios, set to be released by EA once more. This time around, the game is a co-op adventure, and I had none other than Hazelight’s founder, Josef Fares, as my playing partner. If I were in the UK, I’d call him quite the snazzy fellow; here, we might say he’s got some serious charisma. His sharp attire had me almost feeling like I needed to apologize for being just another gaming journalist rather than writing a style piece for a glossy magazine. As a watch enthusiast, I couldn’t help but glance at his wrist when we met, and yes, I was impressed.
Now, let me tell you something amusing. I tend to use my phone for recording interviews, and after the conversation, Google’s AI usually tries to label the recording. For instance, when I spoke with the Flight Simulator devs, it was tagged as ‘Flight,’ and with Capcom’s Ryozo Tsujimoto, it was simply ‘Monster.’ So, what did the AI name my chat with Josef Fares? ‘Shitload.’ It’s fitting—given both his expressive language and the nature of Split Fiction itself.
The game embraces a ‘more is more’ philosophy, but not in a way that drowns you in endless side quests. Unlike some sprawling open-world icons, Split Fiction focuses on a linear journey with occasional side elements. Inspired by the award-winning It Takes Two, this game constantly dishes out fresh experiences at a brisk pace that had me more than once uttering ‘wow’ in genuinely colorful language.
The underlying philosophy of Split Fiction is akin to Hazelight’s prior successes. While there’s a potential risk of the game seeming similar at first glance, its innovative mechanics and engaging plot ensure it stands apart. Essentially, the game is a clash of opposites. Our protagonists, inspired by Fares’ daughters Zoe and Mio, are two writers with conflicting tastes: Mio loves sci-fi while Zoe revels in fantasy. When the duo ends up in a mind-bending machine crafted by an ominous corporation, their fictional worlds come head-to-head.
As you’d expect, gameplay takes you on an alternating adventure between these two fantastical realms. One moment you’re navigating a neon-soaked sci-fi city, and the next, you’re in a verdant fantasy forest filled with wonder.
This unique format ticks all the right boxes, cleverly playing with video game tropes in delightful ways. Some levels echo classic game mechanics like Metroid puzzles, while others have you snowboarding through a sci-fi setting reminiscent of SSX, complete with all the thrills and spills.
Fares is visibly excited about the game, grinning ear to ear as I struggle to keep up with the rapid transitions he orchestrates via debug menus. Each shift unveils yet another intriguing mechanic, as he proudly announces, “Games are art, right? They’re not just content.” Indeed, Split Fiction is packed with varied experiences that are as unique as they are abundant.
Some elements feel like nods to Fares’ interests or humorous asides that engage players briefly before moving on. With Split Fiction’s levels designed around cooperation, Hazelight ensures their cooperative gameplay is not just top-notch but integral, providing dynamic puzzles and cinematic moments seasoned with humor and suspense.
Fares notes that Hazelight is continually refining its craft and claims they’ve mastered co-op gameplay in a way no other studio has, given their dedicated approach to it from the ground up.
There are challenges, of course, like ensuring that even brief sequences achieve a high standard. “We have to nail each element,” Fares explains. “Players have expectations for quality, even in short spurts.”
Back in the demo, Fares tantalizes with a glimpse of gameplay from later levels. As enthusiastic as he is, many aspects remain under wraps, but suffice it to say, the insane energy of Split Fiction is palpable.
In some respects, Split Fiction channels the unpredictable spirit of something like Doctor Who—constantly refreshing and unchained from the standard confines of recurring settings. The game surprises you with its unpredictability, never allowing you to settle into a single narrative or environment for too long.
This preview was less about a traditional playthrough and more about a director’s tour through the game’s vast and varied universe. While it’s hard to predict how the final product will hold up, my brief experience suggests it could be one of the standout titles of its release year, 2025.
And we won’t have much longer to speculate—Split Fiction hits shelves on March 5. I, for one, am eagerly counting down the days.
