Many upcoming games were announced during The Game Awards in 2024. One of the more interesting ideas was Hazelight Studios’ original IP, Split Fiction. The game follows two authors trapped in a digital version of their created worlds who must team up. The game caught the attention of many for its revival of split-screen gaming. Upon its release, Split Fiction sold well and earned rave reviews from critics and gamers alike. Here is a breakdown of why this game’s success is such big news for multiplayer games.
Split Fiction Sees Successful Launch
According to the Steam Page, Hazelight Studios’ Split Fiction has succeeded commercially and critically within days of its launch. The game has “overwhelmingly positive” user reviews, a title usually reserved for the most acclaimed games from Steam’s library. The fact that the game won this title so quickly is a good omen for its future. Additionally, it has similarly impressive sales to accompany it. As the game has only just been released, fans can expect this to be the beginning of its victory lap.
This title has piqued gamers’ interest since its announcement at The Game Awards last year. This news is exciting because Split Fiction is an entirely original IP from a relatively small studio, lacking the same brand recognition as other major games released. Many early reviews praised its emotional story, plot twists, and inventive gameplay. There’s a good chance gamers have gotten another Game of the Year contender for 2025. The game is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows.
Hazelight Studios’ Hits
Split Fiction follows aspiring authors Mio and Zoe, who write sci-fi and fantasy, respectively. Under Rader Publishing, they enter a VR simulation, only to be trapped by the company trying to steal their ideas. Therefore, they join forces to escape the virtual world. In many ways, the story’s setup highlights how major publishers exploit creatives, especially through today’s generative AI. Additionally, the setup allows endless exploration of the sci-fi and fantasy genres.
The game was the latest hit from Hazelight Studios, which specializes in these multiplayer hits. Their previous game, It Takes Two, was a massive hit and 2021’s official Game of the Year, and it laid the foundation for its successor’s mechanics. Furthermore, the game was directed by Josef Fares, who became famous with the artistic Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. As such, the game had a strong legacy behind it.
Reviving a Multiplayer Subgenre
Finally, one of the best reasons gamers should try Split Fiction is its innovation in the cooperative formula. While an action platformer at its core, the game takes full advantage of its split-screen multiplayer setup. The lead duo must coordinate their moves to pass each challenge. Each level has a unique gimmick, including dragon-riding or battling through a cyberpunk city. This builds upon the story’s theme of teamwork and weaves it into the gameplay.
Back in the day, when online games weren’t as popular, many games relied on split screens for multiplayer. These were the perfect games to play during basement parties or club meetings. However, as more games moved online, this feature became obsolete and was left behind, made worse in a post-pandemic era. Fortunately, Hazelight Studios’ titles reminded gamers why this format was so fun while adapting to the online age.
Conclusion
Split Fiction quickly became a breakthrough hit for its innovative take on cooperative multiplayer. Following the tradition of their previous successes, Hazelight made a multiplayer title that fully embraced the potential of the split screen. As such, the game quickly earned massive sales and rave reviews. Like film and TV, too many modern game franchises rely on reboots and sequels while delving into microtransaction-heavy live service models. However, Hazelight Studios stepped forward to deliver an unforgettable experience for two players to share.
