It Takes Two creators Hazelight are no strangers to the multiplayer genre. Having some success with A Way Out, a game about two cellmates breaking out of a maximum-security prison, Hazelight sought to refine the gameplay with It Takes Two. Instead of breaking out of prison, you controlled a married couple whose relationship was on the rocks. Your cooperation ultimately mended a strained relationship with the couple and their daughter. It Takes Two was an instant success. The game was nominated for twenty-nine awards and won nine. Currently holding a 9/10 rating on Steam, this is a must-have multiplayer for any gamer.
It Takes Two’s Story
The game centers around May and Cody, a couple on the brink of divorce, as they are magically transported to two dolls made by Rose, their daughter. With the help of Dr. Hakim, anthropomorphized into a therapy book, the two must participate in co-la-bor-a-tion to save their marriage. This journey will take them through various levels where players must cooperate with a partner to advance to the next areas. This will take them to an oak tree to help squirrels fend off wasps. You will also travel to Cody’s neglected garden to rid it of the poisons overtaking the area. These are just two of the many areas.
Each character has its own play style. For instance, when fighting against wasps to help the squirrel civilization, May and Cody are each given a different weapon to use. Cody is given a sap gun which shoots rapid-fire sap at enemies. May is given a rocket launcher-styled weapon which detonates the sap. She tends to be more fun mechanically than Cody gameplaywise but both are needed to progress further in the game.
It Takes Two Can Be Played For Free
It Takes Two has what is called a “friend’s pass.” Those who purchase the game instantly receive a friend’s pass. You can share that pass with a friend or loved one who can play the game without purchasing. That means one does not necessarily have to own the game to enjoy it. The first chapter is free if you do not have a friend’s pass meaning you can try the game out before deciding to buy. After that, only one of the pair needs to buy the game.
It Takes Two Is Pick Up and Play
My wife tends to play games like Animal Crossing and Disney Dreamlight Valley. While she loves the Horizon Zero Dawn series, she is not what one would refer to as a “hardcore gamer.” That does not matter with It Takes Two. While the game does have a few challenging moments, it is nothing that would frustrate someone not familiar with gaming.
It Takes Two also features more than just cooperation. There are a few competitive mini-games strewn throughout the levels. Much like the rest of the game, these are not so difficult to play that a new gamer would find them difficult. Some of these mini-games found my wife handily defeating me despite all my years of gaming.
Death is usually a major frustration in video games. Death means starting over from the beginning in video games. Thankfully, this is not the case in It Takes Two. When a player is killed by an enemy or perishes in a bottomless pit, that character respawns close to his ally. This means the game can proceed with few problems and annoyance.
It Takes Two is a Therapeutic Game
It Takes Two is being used by some therapy offices for couples counseling. The two would be given homework to play a chapter and answer questions concerning Cody and May’s relationship and how it mirrors their situation. Couples are encouraged to discuss what has been lost in the relationship or self in light of It Takes Two.
This is possible as each level is themed after some failing part of Cody and May’s marriage. The first chapter centers on the couple’s refusal to work on something broken. In this case, a vacuum that shows that it is much easier to replace something broken. Their marriage was something neither worked to fix but rather sought to get rid of it.
Rose would resonate with gamers as well. Many have dealt with parents who acted selfishly (as Cody and May are) before, during, and after a divorce. The fear that children have to ask themselves, “Did I do something to cause this to happen?” Wishing something could be done to fix your parent’s relationship. This makes It Takes Two a great therapy device and a multiplayer game.
Closing
It Takes Two delivers on so many levels. It has been so successful that a feature-length film has been developing since 2022 with talks of Dwayne Johnson being involved. Even if that never pans out, It Takes Two is a must-have multiplayer game for any gamer. The only thing you may end up hating about the game is Dr. Hakim but I am sure he would be willing to co-lab-or-ate to change your mind.
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