2025 promises an abundance of video games from top studios to grace gaming enthusiasts worldwide. Some of these, such as “Ghost of Yotei”, “The Outer Worlds 2”, and “Mafia: The Old Country”, have been more recently announced. However, many others, like “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond”, “Pokemon Legends: Z-A”, “Borderlands 4”, “DOOM: The Dark Ages”, and “Grand Theft Auto 6”, have long been eagerly awaited. The last few years have seen some fantastic games emerge, but none as promising as this year’s lineup. The competition is fierce, but one game stands out in the sea of action-adventure titles: “Split Fiction” by Hazelight Studio.
In “Split Fiction,” we find ourselves with Zoe and Mio, two writers who find themselves immersed in their own stories. To free themselves and stay alive, they join forces. Hazelight Studios has been renowned for creating compelling relationships in their games, particularly those like “A Way Out” and “It Takes Two,” which focus on family ties. However, the upcoming sci-fi/fantasy game features two strangers instead. Interestingly, the creators have mentioned that the project holds personal significance, as evidenced by the main characters’ names, which are inspired by their own daughters.
In a slightly unconventional twist, let me share something that could stir some debate: This year’s blockbuster games are all associated with a well-known video game franchise. These titles have been acclaimed as premier choices even before their release. Consequently, unique narratives like the one in “Split Fiction” might hold more significance for the gaming industry. After all, who could be a better fit to bring an original story to life than director Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight Studios?
From its inception in 2014, Hazelight has specialized in creating cooperative multiplayer games, a genre that’s not often encountered. Compared to other studios, Hazelight stands out for their dedication to developing games tailored to a specific niche, as evidenced by their creations like A Way Out and It Takes Two. It’s a common question if couch co-op games are popular choices, but the data suggests otherwise.
Initially, “A Way Out” was warmly received and sold a million copies in just two weeks upon its release, eventually selling over nine million units by June 2024. Fast forward to 2021, Hazelight Studio unveiled “It Takes Two,” which garnered rave reviews, bagged two Game of the Year Awards, and sold more than 20 million copies by October 2024. Given Hazelight’s history of innovating gaming experiences, it’s anticipated that their upcoming title, “Split Fiction,” will also be a significant triumph for the studio.
For distinguishing itself from forthcoming AAA titles, the concept of innovation springs to mind. In the case of “It Takes Two”, it broke new ground in cooperative gaming by having its gameplay mechanics adapt to the storyline. “Split Fiction” aims to outdo itself by merging two distinct genres and intricately blending them. Hazelight Studios doesn’t shy away from creating original narratives, as their upcoming game promises peculiar puzzles that even include transforming into pigs – a twist I haven’t seen in any other game before.
Just as two players are required for a dance in a multiplayer game, Hazelight Studio will reintroduce their “Friend’s Pass” feature, enabling the primary player to invite a friend to join them free of charge. Sharing the joy of multiplayer games with loved ones, whether they’re nearby or miles apart, is a cherished experience, and Hazelight Studios have mastered this connection. At launch, Split Fiction will support cross-platform play, following in the footsteps of contemporary multiplayer games such as Marvel Rivals. This shared gaming experience, whether online or face-to-face, has been a source of bonding for many, and Hazelight Studios have previously showcased this unity.
For individuals such as myself who spent their childhood years bonding over cooperative games with family and companions, there’s an authenticity to those shared experiences that resonates deeply. This sense of nostalgia was rekindled when I played “It Takes Two” in 2021, and I eagerly anticipate feeling it again with the release of “Split Fiction” in March. Regrettably, such cooperative games are not produced as frequently these days, so watching Hazelight Studios lead this movement is truly inspiring. The affection for these games is undeniable, and it’s even more heartening to know they’re being developed with passion and commitment.
If the early responses to the trailers of “Split Fiction” seem promising, it could potentially be another standout moment like “It Takes Two”. This year is packed with heavy hitters in gaming, but Hazelight Studios has proven themselves adept at handling multiple challenges simultaneously.
Split Fiction launches on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on March 6, 2025.
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2025-01-31 01:10