Split Fiction: The Best COOP Game I've Ever Played

It has come to the point now where when Hazelight Studio announces a game we should all sit up and listen. The mad scientist that is Josef Fares company has completely redefined the COOP experience with the likes of A Way Out and It Takes Two and everytime I play their newest title it quickly becomes the best COOP experience I have ever played. This time though they have created something extremely special, I would even say I might already have my Game Of The Year.

Everytime I have played a Hazelight game it has been with a different person. A Way Out I played with my ex (so obviously no rush to play with them again) and It Takes Two was an extremely funny gameplay session with my sister. This time though I decided to play with one of my best mates Alex and honestly I am so glad I did. Not only is it extremely funny when I play games with him, he is also very much a gamer....like finished every dark souls game kind of gamer. This was very much useful as Split Fiction is not an easy game, it is quite intense and doesn't hold your hand when things get going. I honestly think if I had played this game with my sister she would of really struggled so I am glad Alex was my partner in crime for this one. Anyway onto the game.

In Split Fiction you play either the extremely bubbly fuller than life Zoe Foster or the more realist kind of edgy Mio Hudson. They are both writers and have been invited by CEO J.D Rader and his publishing company RADER (Calling his company after himself shows the ego of this guy) to test their experimental state of the art simulation device that creates the virtual world they are imagining. Both have their own reasons for going, Zoe sees it as an opportunity to finally be published were as Mio sees it as a chance to get paid. However Mio quickly realizes as she is about to enter the machine that J.D Rader is actually using the it to steal the ideas of all the writers who enter. Mio tries to escape but accidentally falls into Zoe simulation bubble causing her to crash into her ongoing story and creating rifts between Zoe and Mio imagination. This means you are jumping from Zoe's world of fantasy into Mio's world of Sci-Fi and vice versa as you play each level creating a really fun and unique adventure. I won't go deep into spoilers till later but as you progress through a strong friendship starts to build as their stories start to reflect on their everyday problems both big and small. As you know when you pour your heart and soul into something you leave a bit of you in there and that is what we see with Zoe and Mio as they explain to each other about the stories you are playing through. This game will make you laugh, cry, cheer and most importantly fall deeply in love with the characters.

I decided to play as Mio just because I vibed with her (I know I know but sometimes it is just that simple) and Alex went with Zoe for the same reason. The game throws you straight into the deep end making you constantly dodge, jump and slide your way through the levels as well as each level having a special skill to use. This can be something like gravity boots, to a drone ball, to even dragons or being able to transform into different animals. This with the constant change of genre from Sci-Fi to Fantasy really made it exciting when a new level started and me and Alex would quickly be laughing at the new quirky mechanic that has been introduced, and then their are the mini rift worlds which are an absolute delight.

During nearly all the chapters you can find a rift that will take you to a mini level in the game. Each mini level comes from the imagination of Mio and Zoe and can be from epic ssx tricky style levels too a completely crazy playing as hotdogs cooking yourself. Each time you played one it was always a very fun break from the normal intense gameplay and sometimes a chance to be a bit competitive in the game. I believe we found all of them and every time we would always be laughing like crazy by the time the level was finished.

Performance wise I think everyone involved in this did a masterful job. The two main voice actors though completely steal the show. Both Elsie Bennett and Kaja Chan completely take the role of Zoe and Mio and deliver a real raw performance which really shows all sides of the characters and make you truly connect to them. They turned this game from a real fun great game into something incredibly deep and special with their performances so really well done to them.

Okay before I get into spoilers I will say I came into this game not knowing anything about it the levels or anything and I 10000% believe that is the best way to play this game. So please play this game before getting spoiled as it is completely worth it and I would even say it will probably be the best game you play this year.

SPOILERS AHEAD

So lets get into the ending of the game. You find out both Zoe and Mio have been through rather traumatic events with Mio having to basically look after herself as her farther has passed away due to cancer, and Zoe's sister having drowned in a river which she blames herself for. This is highlighted as you delve deeper into their heads and imagination and it becomes more and more twisted with you having to fight a cold and heartless version of Mio and Zoe has to speak with her sister to finally be released of the guilt. This leads to a moment which I think everyone has had with one of their best mates where you are just completely open to them with no filter and you know they have your back no matter what. For a crazy videogame sequence it is strangely extremely relatable as you know that you and your best mates have had a similar moment, its powerful and special.

When you have battled and conquered both of their demons you then finally face J.D Raider in one of the most craziest battles I have ever encountered in video games. How the hell they developed this final boss fight is way beyond me as you are constantly getting thrown into different realities and genres. At one point Mio playing a tablet while Zoe is inside it and then the next you are both switching to each others realities at the same time, then jumping from one section of the screen to the other to mix realities, it is just completely wild and so much fun. Eventually you end defeating J.D Raider and escaping the machine. It then skips ahead where Zoe and Mio has published a book together named Split Fiction (very nice touch!) and are walking off together to their launch party where the credits start rolling. This is quickly followed by you hugging your best mate and telling them you love them like true men do.....

This game is just unbelievable, with an incredible story, amazing voice acting, incredibly fun game mechanics and every level just being a joy to be in. It is no question that this will be a hot contender for my game of the year. Playing this game with the right person though is key so grab one of your best mates to play with an just enjoy the craziness. Josef Fares said the game is fucking awesome when he announced it at the Game Awards last year and well all I can say is he is completely right..

...its fucking awesome.