Split Fiction Walkthrough — Start to Endgame

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.

This walkthrough takes you from your first session to endgame content. Each phase has specific goals, priorities, and milestones. Follow this path to avoid common traps that stall most players.

Quick Progression Summary

Phase 1: Getting Started — 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.

Level/Difficulty: Chapters 1-3 Key Rewards: Blaster upgrades, story collectibles, sci-fi costume unlocks

What to Do in Sci-Fi World

1. Learn co-op gameplay. Every moment is designed for exactly two players, either online or local split-screen. Spend your first session getting comfortable with this.
2. Pick Zoe as your starting build. It's the most forgiving option.
3. Communicate constantly. Every puzzle in Split Fiction requires both players to understand the full solution — you each only see half the picture.
4. Acquire your first equipment upgrade — Fantasy Sword or whatever's available.
5. Clear all main content before moving on.

Phase 1 Checklist

• Understand co-op gameplay fundamentals
• Zoe selected and functional
• Sci-Fi World main content cleared
• Ready for Fantasy Realm

Phase 2: Early Game — 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.

Level/Difficulty: Chapters 4-6 Key Rewards: Sword upgrades, spell upgrades, fantasy costume unlocks

What to Do in Fantasy Realm

1. Work on genre switching. The game regularly transitions between sci-fi and fantasy settings, completely changing the gameplay mechanics. This system becomes critical from here on.
2. Farm for Fantasy Sword if you haven't already. It's the key upgrade for this phase.
3. Try interacting with everything using both characters. Many secrets are only revealed when both Mio and Zoe interact with the same object simultaneously.
4. Complete all objectives before pushing to Mixed Dimension.
5. Consider whether Mio might suit your playstyle better than Zoe.

Phase 2 Checklist

• genre switching integrated into gameplay
• Fantasy Sword acquired
• Fantasy Realm fully cleared
• Ready for Mixed Dimension

Phase 3: Mid Game — Mixed Dimension

The mid-game twist where sci-fi and fantasy elements blend together. You might fight robots with swords or solve magical puzzles with a gravity gun. The most creative and surprising gameplay sections.

Level/Difficulty: Chapters 7-9 Key Rewards: Hybrid ability unlocks, major story revelations, unique cosmetics

What to Do in Mixed Dimension

1. Master physics puzzles. Environmental puzzles use a physics engine where objects have weight, momentum, and material properties. This unlocks a new layer of gameplay.
2. Start working toward Sci-Fi Blaster. It's the best equipment and becomes accessible around now.
3. In combat encounters, Mio should draw enemy attention while Zoe provides ranged support. This asymmetric approach matches their ability design.
4. This area is the main skill check. If you can clear it, you're ready for late game.
5. Start investing in character abilities for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.

Phase 3 Checklist

• physics puzzles mastered
• Sci-Fi Blaster acquired or in progress
• Mixed Dimension fully cleared
• Ready for Final Chapter

Phase 4: Late Game — Final Chapter

The climactic sequence combining all learned mechanics in a gauntlet of puzzles and combat encounters. Multiple ending paths based on earlier narrative choices. The final boss requires every cooperative technique mastered throughout the game.

Level/Difficulty: Chapter 10 Key Rewards: Game completion, ending variant unlock, New Game+ access

What to Do in Final Chapter

1. Finalize your build. You should be running Mio or Zoe with optimized gear.
2. Sci-Fi Blaster should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
3. Genre transition sequences often contain hidden collectibles that only appear for a few seconds. Watch for unusual objects during world-morphing moments.
4. narrative choices optimization starts here. Small improvements compound into massive advantages.
5. Farm this area for the resources needed to push into Secret Areas.

Phase 4 Checklist

• Build fully optimized
• Sci-Fi Blaster upgraded to max
• Final Chapter fully cleared
• Ready for Secret Areas

Phase 5: Endgame — Secret Areas

Hidden rooms and challenges scattered throughout every chapter, accessible through non-obvious cooperative interactions. Some require returning to earlier chapters with abilities gained later. Contain lore that fills in the backstory.

Level/Difficulty: All chapters Key Rewards: Lore collectibles, costume unlocks, developer commentary nodes

What to Do in Secret Areas

1. Secret Areas tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
2. 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.
3. The endgame loop: run Secret Areas, optimize gear, push harder content.
4. Experiment with Explorer Team for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
5. This is where narrative choices mastery separates good players from great ones.

Phase 5 Checklist

• Endgame content on farm
• Best-in-slot gear acquired
• Secret Areas fully cleared
• Ready for challenge content

Common Progression Mistakes

• One player trying to solve puzzles alone without communicating. Every puzzle is designed for two — working alone wastes time and misses the intended experience.
• Ignoring the partner's screen in split-screen mode. Your partner's perspective often shows critical information that your angle doesn't reveal.
• Button-mashing through combat instead of using cooperative combos. The combo attacks are not optional flourishes — they're the optimal damage strategy.
• Rushing past genre transition sequences. These moments contain collectibles and visual storytelling that only appear briefly.
• Playing with a stranger without voice chat. Split Fiction requires real-time communication — text chat is too slow for the cooperative puzzles.

Key Tips for Smooth Progression

1. Communicate constantly. Every puzzle in Split Fiction requires both players to understand the full solution — you each only see half the picture.
2. Try interacting with everything using both characters. Many secrets are only revealed when both Mio and Zoe interact with the same object simultaneously.
3. In combat encounters, Mio should draw enemy attention while Zoe provides ranged support. This asymmetric approach matches their ability design.
4. Genre transition sequences often contain hidden collectibles that only appear for a few seconds. Watch for unusual objects during world-morphing moments.
5. 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.

For detailed build optimization, see Split Fiction builds. For quick wins, check tips & tricks.