Split Fiction review: It was the most wonderful of times, it was the most dreadful of times.

      **Split Fiction**

      

      **MSRP:** $50.00

      “Split Fiction offers exhilarating co-op action, but its lackluster narrative is a different tale.”

      **Pros**

      - Precise platforming

      - Abundant creative gameplay elements

      - Brilliant co-op puzzles

      - Strong performance

      **Cons**

      - Poor writing

      - Uninspired sci-fi world design

      - Levels may linger a bit too long

      How do I begin this review? Hundreds of Split Fiction evaluations are set to launch simultaneously. To capture readers' attention, I need a compelling opening. I want this to be the ultimate review! Perhaps a humorous story about my girlfriend getting me killed? It's personal and relatable for players planning to experience this with their partner. No, too common. Everyone will do that. What if I go hard right from the start? This review will gush with praise and stir up immediate “game of the year” talk. I could start with a critique of its weak narrative—a divergent viewpoint! Actually, maybe that’s too extreme. I still had a lot of fun playing it.

      Oh, I've got it! It’s a game about writers! I could do a whole meta angle! Like, I’m writing about writing this review. I can reflect on what the story reveals about the creative process while engaging in a sort of “co-op” review where I debate with myself. That’s clever! That’s original!

      No, wait, that sounds incredibly foolish.

      Split Fiction, the latest cooperative adventure from Hazelight, the creators of It Takes Two, comes at a perfect moment. The story of Mio and Zoe, two writers ensnared by a publishing house's exploitative tech initiative, arrives when artists are grappling with AI mining their work and turning it into soulless content. Their adventure is not only a fun showcase for Hazelight’s design prowess and world-class co-op puzzle platforming; it’s also a crucial reminder that creativity is intertwined with humanity.

      Great art cannot simply emerge from a string of prompts. Every piece, be it a book or a video game, is the result of significant choices that only a human can make. The pain of losing someone dear can morph into touching prose. The nostalgic memory of playing Sonic the Hedgehog for the first time can inspire a meticulously crafted platforming level. Even the way a narrative begins is influenced by myriad creative decisions designed to immerse readers into a particular mindset. Sometimes it works, but art can mirror the chaos of its creators. It may be thematically confusing, self-indulgent, or in dire need of an editor. Split Fiction certainly isn’t flawless—far from it—but that only means it has vitality. Something we've started to overlook in this era of major tech dominance.

      That sounds intelligent, doesn't it? People generally appreciate critiques of AI, after all. An easy win. Hopefully, this allows me to critique the poor writing while also celebrating it as a well-crafted co-op adventure from a passionate team dedicated to their art. Sure.

      **Games on Books**

      Building on the successful formula of its 2021 Game of the Year, It Takes Two, Split Fiction is another two-player split-screen adventure from Hazelight. Although the previous title was a charming romantic comedy merging story and gameplay seamlessly, Split Fiction struggles to unite these elements. The premise is that Mio and Zoe, aspiring writers, are so eager to get published that they accept a dubious offer from Rader, a corporation that has created a magical machine bringing stories to life. When Mio hesitates, she accidentally becomes trapped in the machine with Zoe, where their conflicting ideas manifest as sci-fi and fantasy realms.

      It should be an easy win. Split Fiction positions itself as a timely game, with Rader symbolizing big tech firms like Google. One could view it as a sharp critique of AI, as Rader aims to extract ideas from unwitting subjects and transform their meaningful creations into shallow, immersive experiences. The narrative articulates everything players wish to hear, portraying Mio and Zoe as genuine artists whose work stems from authentic experiences that a machine could never comprehend.

      Should I mention VGC’s interview with director Josef Fares, where he shrugged off concerns about AI being a real threat and appeared unconcerned about potential layoffs? Is that pertinent context for my critique, or would it just be an empty paragraph designed for screenshot sharing on social media? Art should stand on its own, but perhaps the disparity between the story’s stance on technology and its director’s can partially explain why it falters. Better to concentrate on the piece at hand.

      In a cruel twist, the meaningful commentary gets overshadowed by confusing writing at every turn. Mio and Zoe are depicted simultaneously as exceptional artists and complete hacks throughout the narrative. Their “novels” unfold as a series of uninspired genre clichés lacking substantial plot. There are epic fantasy dragon battles, thrilling motorbike chases,