Split Fiction – First Impressions

Hazelight Studios – aka. the creators of "couch co-op" games are back in a big way!

Yesterday, 6 March, Split Fiction officially launched. If it slipped under your radar, perhaps because you were too caught up with Avowed or Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, or simply didn't have time to keep up with the latest in the gaming world, in short: Split Fiction is the second highest-rated game released this year and one of the best co-op titles in recent years. Yes, I said it and I stand by it!

If you terrorised your wives or girlfriends with It Takes Two, or your neighbours and friends with A Way Out, then Split Fiction is guaranteed to captivate you from the very first second. Hazelight Studios took everything that worked in their previous games, added an extra layer of creativity and finesse in execution, put it all in the oven (with ventilation, obviously!) and delivered this marvel.

First Impressions

As soon as I received the review code and 6 PM rolled around (so as not to raise suspicions among my colleagues who have me on PSN that I'm playing during work hours – God forbid!), I instantly put it to download. Initially, the plan was to wait for the weekend and play it with Tudor and Aidan, but... who has that kind of patience? So, as soon as my PS5 notified me that the installation was complete and the game could be started, I pressed the "X" button on the controller and jumped into the action.

Split Fiction doesn't have a single-player mode, so I called upon the most talented gamer in the house (after me, obviously!): Iris – my 4-and-a-half-year-old daughter. After a brief negotiation, we chose the characters – I went with Zoe, and my teammate with Mio. Without giving any story spoilers, I'll just tell you this: Zoe is the blonde passionate about fantasy, and Mio is the bob-haired brunette who writes sci-fi stories.

Graphics and optimisation: a true visual delight

From the very first seconds, it was clear to me that we were dealing with a title crafted with attention to detail. After 20+ hours spent in Avowed, with my eyes red from the "fleas" Obsidian calls shadow textures, Split Fiction felt like a visual feast. A tear almost rolled down my cheek when I saw how clean everything looked and how well optimised it was.

According to a Digital Foundry review, the game runs on Unreal Engine 5, but the difference in optimisation is enormous. In the first hour of gameplay, I didn't encounter any glitches, bugs, or textures popping up out of nowhere on the screen. Everything is flawless. The game runs impeccably on PS5 (the standard model), and on PS5 Pro or PC it probably looks even better. Hazelight deserves all the praise for their attention to detail and especially optimisation. This is how a game should look and perform in 2025!

Gameplay: classic, but improved

Split Fiction uses the classic Hazelight recipe, but refined. The story is captivating, the interactions between characters are amusing but not tiresome, and the new mechanics develop in an interesting and natural way.

In the first levels, the game familiarises you with the two worlds, but just as it starts to reveal its true potential, unfortunately, I had to stop. The combat mechanics were just beginning to come into play, and they seem extremely promising. The last time I had this incredible feeling was with Astro Bot, that game that genuinely gives you the sensation of "playing" something in the true sense of the word.

Cooperation is essential, and that makes the experience even more special. The game cannot be played alone, so you need a "player two" – just like in the good old days! But don't worry, Split Fiction helps out with Friend Pass: it's enough for just one player to own the game, and the other can play it for free via an invitation. What's more, it's cross-platform, so you can play it on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, regardless of your friend's platform.

The only downside? On consoles, you need PS Plus or Game Pass for online. If you're playing locally, all you need is a second controller and an available partner. It's that easy!

Provisional verdict

I can't wait to continue Split Fiction this weekend and come back with a full review. So far, the game easily ranks in my top 3 favourite games of 2025 and will certainly remain in the Top 5 by the end of the year. It's too well thought out, implemented, and optimised to be overlooked. I even think we're dealing with a possible Game of the Year contender. Hazelight has once again managed to create an exceptional co-op experience, and that's no small feat.

Where to find it and at what price?

If I've convinced you to try it, Split Fiction is available digitally on your favourite platform's stores for 240 lei. If you're a collector and want the physical edition for your shelf, you can find it on Jocurinoi.ro for 225 lei (they currently have the best price). Regardless of the format, I'd say it's worth every penny. Especially if you're a co-op fan, it's a must-play!

Played on: PS5
Release date: 06 March 2025
Developer: Hazelight Studios
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Review written by Leo Luția