ReviewPaul RobertsAugust 04, 2025Maxi Geek Review, Split Fiction, EA, Hazelight, Switch 2Comment

Split Fiction - Nintendo Switch 2 - Review

ReviewPaul RobertsAugust 04, 2025Maxi Geek Review, Split Fiction, EA, Hazelight, Switch 2Comment

Developers Hazelight Studios is known for delivering co-op only experiences that have won them awards previously, with It Takes Two being a big hit. Earlier in 2025 their new title Split Fiction hit other platforms, now I’ve gotten to check it out as a brand new Switch 2 launch title.

Split Fiction revolves around Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, two ambitious authors that have been invited to take part in an experimental project through Rader Publishing. ‘The Machine’ is touted as helping authors to experience their story ideas, with keen authors seeking to publish their stories leaping at the opportunity. The cautious Mio accidentally winds up enmeshed in Zoe’s device/bubble, causing the unintentional duo to become trapped in a combination of their story ideas. Mio’s stories have a futuristic Sci Fi bent, while Zoe deals in fantasy. Upon discovering the mysterious company’s ill intent, feeding their story ideas to The Machine, Zoe and Mio need to work together to save their stories and break out of The Machine.

It’s an very relevant story, where AI and ownership of people’s creations continue to be under the threat of corporations and those who intend to profit off others' work without compensation (usually corporations again). At the same time, it's presented in a fun and emotional buddy adventure. Two strangers whose fictional worlds are built on their past and present experiences have to learn to work together and trust one another to take on Rader.

Split Fiction is predominantly a third person platformer/action game, but also throws in fun sequences that deviate from this. The game manages to effortlessly make action sequences feel exciting on a grand scale, while also filled with plenty of quieter moments amongst the chaos shared between newly formed friends. Given how the game keeps Mio and Zoe on the move, the sci-fi and fantasy settings change, and their different stories show more of both characters' real world circumstances. It also allows Hazelight to get really creative with the settings. It keeps you wondering where it will all go next.

A lot of the ‘puzzles’ throughout are variations on working together to allow Mio and Zoe to progress on separate paths until you rejoin for the next area. Progressing often means having to coordinate with your co-op partner, whether it’s a united action or to work out the step by step as you each need to activate your character's unique ability. This could be a potential source of upset if you’re not happy with the abilities you get (temporarily), but it never takes long to come around on whichever ability you have, and they generally manage to be fun in their own ways. What works really well is that no section of the game really outstays its welcome. Because there’s such a wide range of sequences, everyone will favour other sections more than others. With so many Sci Fi and Fantasy themes to draw from, it allows even the short side stories to feel different and unique.

As the entire experience revolves around cooperative gaming it does pay to have someone you can communicate with, and also ride out frustrations with. Even while the game is great fun and the story is enjoyable, there’s likely to be a few tense moments when you don’t both feel on the same page. However, it never feels like those moments can last for long. The story keeps moving along as you both have new game mechanics to pick up together.

Split Fiction Split Screen worked great. The game never struggled with intense action scenes. If you’re bothered by frame rates, Split Fiction runs at a steady 30 FPS. Personally it was never an issue, especially while the majority of the game is through a split screen. Given that it looks so nice and you’re near constantly in motion, I’d say the Switch 2 hardware holds up really well. With all the fantastical and bombastic sequences thrown your way while also managing a split screen throughout, all on a Switch 2, it feels like a good way to showcase what’s to come too.

Split Fiction is a co-op only game, and you have a few options to how you’ll do this. With either a local game, where you just need two controllers and ideally a decent sized TV screen. There’s also online co-op with a friend. As long as one person owns the game, if they have a Switch 2 they can download a Friend’s Pass, the same as it was with It Takes Two. Then there’s also gameshare, which allows Switch 1 owners to join in on the adventure too. If you have two Switch 2’s you’d be better off with the Friend’s Pass, but if you have a Switch 1 available then you can use it to gameshare/stream to. Although this way is the less ideal way to play, but it is an option!

Following smash hits like It Takes Two, it shouldn’t be a surprise that you should check out Split Fiction. The co-op only can be a potential limitation when the game is such a joy to play, but then it wouldn’t be the really enjoyable shared experience it’s intended to be. Split Fiction is a wild adventure about two people becoming friends that is best shared with a friend.