Split Fiction is Hazelight Studios' latest co-op adventure from the creators of It Takes Two and A Way Out, blending sci-fi and fantasy genres in a seamless narrative experience. Two writers — Mio and Zoe — get trapped in their own stories and must cooperate to escape through constantly shifting genre landscapes. The game alternates between sci-fi shooter segments and fantasy action segments, with each player experiencing different mechanics depending on their character. True to Hazelight's DNA, every puzzle and encounter requires genuine cooperation between both players, with no AI companion option available.
Starting Split Fiction can feel overwhelming. This guide tells you exactly what to focus on during your first hours so you don't waste time on things that don't matter yet.
What Kind of Game Is This?
Split Fiction is a adventure game built around co-op gameplay and genre switching. The core loop involves mastering these systems to progress through increasingly challenging content.
What to expect: Time investment in learning mechanics, experimentation, and gradual mastery. The game rewards patience and knowledge.
Choosing Your First Build
| Build | Beginner Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mio | Good (but demanding) | Frontline action with melee combat and mobility traversal, supporting Zoe's ranged abilities with positioning. |
| Zoe | Good (but demanding) | Ranged support and environmental manipulation, creating opportunities for Mio's close-range combat. |
| Co-op Duo | Good (but demanding) | Constant communication, alternating between leading and supporting roles based on the current genre and puzzle type. |
| Speedrun Pair | Situational | Execute memorized solutions rapidly, skip optional content, optimize every transition and movement. |
| Explorer Team | Excellent for beginners | Search every corner, test every interaction, and communicate about anything that looks unusual. |
Our recommendation: Start with Zoe. Zoe plays as the tactical and ranged character with environmental manipulation abilities. Her gravity gun in sci-fi and spell casting in fantasy give her more puzzle-solving responsibility. Players who prefer ranged combat and environmental interaction should choose Zoe.
Avoid Explorer Team as your first pick. Focuses on finding all hidden collectibles, secret areas, and narrative fragments scattered throughout each level.
First Session Step-by-Step
Step 1: Learn co-op gameplay
Every moment is designed for exactly two players, either online or local split-screen. Puzzles require both players performing different actions simultaneously — one might hold a platform while the other crosses. Combat encounters give each player different weapons and abilities that complement each other. The game cannot be played solo.
This is the foundation. Spend your first 15-30 minutes getting comfortable with how co-op gameplay works before worrying about anything else.
Step 2: Head to Sci-Fi World
A neon-lit space station and alien planet environment with zero-gravity sections, hologram puzzles, and robot enemies. The aesthetic shifts from clean corporate interiors to hostile alien exteriors as the chapter progresses.
Clear the main content here before moving on. Everything teaches fundamentals you'll need later.
Step 3: Get Your First Upgrade
Look for Fantasy Sword — it's the most accessible early upgrade. Mio's primary weapon in fantasy segments with a 3-hit combo chain and a dodge slash. Sword combat is timing-based with parry windows against enemy attacks. Upgrades throughout the fantasy segments add elemental properties.
Step 4: Understand genre switching
The game regularly transitions between sci-fi and fantasy settings, completely changing the gameplay mechanics. In sci-fi sections, you have blasters, hover platforms, and hacking. In fantasy sections, you wield swords, cast spells, and solve magical puzzles. Transitions happen mid-level with seamless world-morphing sequences.
This is the system most new players overlook. Invest time here early — it pays off throughout the entire game.
Step 5: Push to Fantasy Realm
A high-fantasy world with enchanted forests, crystal caves, and a castle under siege. Magic-based puzzles involving elemental interactions dominate. Combat is melee-focused with magical enemy types.
Essential Mechanics Explained
co-op gameplay
Every moment is designed for exactly two players, either online or local split-screen. Puzzles require both players performing different actions simultaneously — one might hold a platform while the other crosses. Combat encounters give each player different weapons and abilities that complement each other. The game cannot be played solo.
genre switching
The game regularly transitions between sci-fi and fantasy settings, completely changing the gameplay mechanics. In sci-fi sections, you have blasters, hover platforms, and hacking. In fantasy sections, you wield swords, cast spells, and solve magical puzzles. Transitions happen mid-level with seamless world-morphing sequences.
physics puzzles
Environmental puzzles use a physics engine where objects have weight, momentum, and material properties. Sci-fi sections feature gravity manipulation puzzles. Fantasy sections use magical element interactions (fire melts ice, water conducts electricity). Both players must understand the physics to cooperate on solutions.
character abilities
Mio and Zoe have asymmetric abilities that evolve as the story progresses. In sci-fi segments, Mio gets a grappling hook while Zoe gets a gravity gun. In fantasy segments, Mio wields a blade while Zoe casts spells. Abilities are designed to interlock — Zoe's gravity gun can hold objects that Mio grapples to.
narrative choices
Branching dialogue and story decisions affect the narrative progression and can change which genre you experience next. Some choices determine which player gets the more active role in upcoming sections. The ending has multiple variations based on choices made throughout the game.
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. One player trying to solve puzzles alone without communicating
Every puzzle is designed for two — working alone wastes time and misses the intended experience.
2. Ignoring the partner's screen in split-screen mode
Your partner's perspective often shows critical information that your angle doesn't reveal.
3. Button-mashing through combat instead of using cooperative combos
The combo attacks are not optional flourishes — they're the optimal damage strategy.
4. Rushing past genre transition sequences
These moments contain collectibles and visual storytelling that only appear briefly.
5. Playing with a stranger without voice chat
Split Fiction requires real-time communication — text chat is too slow for the cooperative puzzles.
First 5 Hours Checklist
- Understand co-op gameplay and genre switching
- Choose Zoe as starting build
- Clear Sci-Fi World main content
- Acquire Fantasy Sword or equivalent upgrade
- Reach Fantasy Realm
- Communicate constantly. Every puzzle in Split Fiction requires both players to understand the full solution — you each only see half the picture.
- Try interacting with everything using both characters. Many secrets are only revealed when both Mio and Zoe interact with the same object simultaneously.
Tips for New Players
- Communicate constantly. Every puzzle in Split Fiction requires both players to understand the full solution — you each only see half the picture.
- Try interacting with everything using both characters. Many secrets are only revealed when both Mio and Zoe interact with the same object simultaneously.
- In combat encounters, Mio should draw enemy attention while Zoe provides ranged support. This asymmetric approach matches their ability design.
- Genre transition sequences often contain hidden collectibles that only appear for a few seconds. Watch for unusual objects during world-morphing moments.
- The charged blaster shot in sci-fi segments can activate objects at range. If something looks like it should be interactive but isn't responding, try the charged shot.
- Zoe's shield spell in fantasy sections reflects boss projectiles back for massive damage. Position the shield between the boss and Mio for dual benefit — blocking for Mio and reflecting for damage.
- Combo attacks deal roughly 3x the damage of individual attacks. Learn each chapter's combo triggers and use them on tough enemies and bosses.
- Narrative choices that seem minor can change which genre you play next. If you prefer sci-fi or fantasy, pay attention to the choice framing.
- New Game+ lets you replay with all abilities from the start, making exploration for missed secrets much more accessible.
- The game is designed to be completed in about 10-12 hours. Don't rush — the environmental storytelling and cooperative moments are the point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Split Fiction solo?
No. Split Fiction requires exactly two players at all times, either online or local split-screen. There is no AI companion option. This is a core design philosophy from Hazelight Studios.
How long is Split Fiction?
The main story takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete. Finding all secrets and collectibles extends this to roughly 15-18 hours. New Game+ adds replay value with all abilities unlocked from the start.
Is Split Fiction like It Takes Two?
Same studio, same co-op philosophy, but different themes and mechanics. Split Fiction focuses on genre-switching between sci-fi and fantasy, while It Takes Two explored miniature-world themes. Both require constant cooperation and feature inventive gameplay variety.
Does Split Fiction have Friend's Pass?
Yes, only one player needs to own the game. The second player can download a free Friend's Pass version and play the full game cooperatively with the owner.
What to Read Next
- Split Fiction Builds — Optimize your build once you've learned the basics
- Split Fiction Walkthrough — Full progression path
- Split Fiction Tips — Advanced strategies for when you're ready
