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.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mio | S | Frontline action with melee combat and mobility traversal, supporting Zoe's ranged abilities with positioning. | Sci-Fi Blaster, Fantasy Sword, Grappling Hook |
| Zoe | S | Ranged support and environmental manipulation, creating opportunities for Mio's close-range combat. | Sci-Fi Blaster, Shield Spell, Grappling Hook |
| Co-op Duo | S | Constant communication, alternating between leading and supporting roles based on the current genre and puzzle type. | Both characters' full ability sets |
| Speedrun Pair | B | Execute memorized solutions rapidly, skip optional content, optimize every transition and movement. | Optimized ability usage, memorized solutions |
| Explorer Team | A | Search every corner, test every interaction, and communicate about anything that looks unusual. | All character abilities, thorough exploration mindset |
S-Tier: Mio
Mio plays as the action-oriented character with melee combat and mobility abilities. Her grappling hook in sci-fi sections and sword combat in fantasy sections put her on the front line. Players who prefer direct action and movement challenges should choose Mio.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Sci-Fi Blaster | Standard ranged weapon in sci-fi segments with unlimited ammo and a charged shot. |
| Core Gear | Sci-Fi Blaster, Fantasy Sword, Grappling Hook | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Timing, Spatial Awareness, Combat Reflexes | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | co-op gameplay | Every moment is designed for exactly two players, either online or local split-screen. |
How to Play Mio
Frontline action with melee combat and mobility traversal, supporting Zoe's ranged abilities with positioning.
Mio plays as the action-oriented character with melee combat and mobility abilities. Her grappling hook in sci-fi sections and sword combat in fantasy sections put her on the front line. Players who prefer direct action and movement challenges should choose Mio.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Sci-Fi Blaster and co-op gameplay creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Sci-Fi Blaster, Fantasy Sword, Grappling Hook amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Timing, Spatial Awareness, Combat Reflexes) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
S-Tier: 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.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Fantasy Sword | Mio's primary weapon in fantasy segments with a 3-hit combo chain and a dodge slash. |
| Core Gear | Sci-Fi Blaster, Shield Spell, Grappling Hook | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Puzzle Solving, Timing, Communication | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | genre switching | The game regularly transitions between sci-fi and fantasy settings, completely changing the gameplay mechanics. |
How to Play Zoe
Ranged support and environmental manipulation, creating opportunities for Mio's close-range combat.
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.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Fantasy Sword and genre switching creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Sci-Fi Blaster, Shield Spell, Grappling Hook amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Puzzle Solving, Timing, Communication) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
S-Tier: Co-op Duo
The intended experience where both players communicate constantly and learn each other's abilities. Split Fiction is balanced for cooperative play where neither character is complete without the other.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Grappling Hook | Mio's traversal tool in sci-fi segments that attaches to specific anchor points and Zoe's gravity-held objects. |
| Core Gear | Both characters' full ability sets | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Communication, Coordination, Patience | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | physics puzzles | Environmental puzzles use a physics engine where objects have weight, momentum, and material properties. |
How to Play Co-op Duo
Constant communication, alternating between leading and supporting roles based on the current genre and puzzle type.
The intended experience where both players communicate constantly and learn each other's abilities. Split Fiction is balanced for cooperative play where neither character is complete without the other.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Grappling Hook and physics puzzles creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Both characters' full ability sets amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Communication, Coordination, Patience) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
B-Tier: Speedrun Pair
For experienced players replaying the game. Speedrunning requires memorizing puzzle solutions, optimal routes through combat encounters, and frame-perfect cooperation on timed sequences. The leaderboard tracks completion times per chapter.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Shield Spell | Zoe's defensive ability in fantasy segments that creates a temporary barrier blocking enemy projectiles and physical attacks. |
| Core Gear | Optimized ability usage, memorized solutions | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Speed, Memorization, Tight Coordination | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | character abilities | Mio and Zoe have asymmetric abilities that evolve as the story progresses. |
How to Play Speedrun Pair
Execute memorized solutions rapidly, skip optional content, optimize every transition and movement.
For experienced players replaying the game. Speedrunning requires memorizing puzzle solutions, optimal routes through combat encounters, and frame-perfect cooperation on timed sequences. The leaderboard tracks completion times per chapter.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Shield Spell and character abilities creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Optimized ability usage, memorized solutions amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Speed, Memorization, Tight Coordination) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Explorer Team
Focuses on finding all hidden collectibles, secret areas, and narrative fragments scattered throughout each level. Many secrets require both players to cooperate in non-obvious ways that the game doesn't hint at.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Combo Attacks | Special cooperative attacks triggered when both characters perform synchronized actions. |
| Core Gear | All character abilities, thorough exploration mindset | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Observation, Curiosity, Patience | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | narrative choices | Branching dialogue and story decisions affect the narrative progression and can change which genre you experience next. |
How to Play Explorer Team
Search every corner, test every interaction, and communicate about anything that looks unusual.
Focuses on finding all hidden collectibles, secret areas, and narrative fragments scattered throughout each level. Many secrets require both players to cooperate in non-obvious ways that the game doesn't hint at.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Combo Attacks and narrative choices creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like All character abilities, thorough exploration mindset amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Observation, Curiosity, Patience) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Zoe — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Mio once you understand core mechanics and have access to Sci-Fi Blaster
- Keep a Co-op Duo setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Explorer Team for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first — it gives the biggest power spike
- 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.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
