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I was very excited forSplit Fiction.
I mean, who wasn’t?
I, like everyone else in the world, lovedIt Takes Two.
The story was cliche and the dialogue was shlocky, but it fitted the tale of family strife.
This was a cheesy family game, and the dialogue reflected it.
But I expected more from Split Fiction.
Butthat same cheesy dialogue plagues Split Fiction, and in this story it’s a major problem.
Split Fictions Cardinal Sin
The first problem is the writing itself.
It’sthat same corny scriptthatdoesn’t sound like any real person I’ve ever talked to.
I could let this go when it was a fraught family affair, but in a more serious setting?
The second problem is that Split Fiction is incredibly rote.
There is a level based on Dune.
You turn into Iron Man at points.
It’s got levels inspired by everything from Metroid to SSX.
From a gameplay perspective this keeps things fresh and you never know what to expect.
But the ludonarrative dissonance is overpowering.
Split Fiction liberally borrows every narrative thread from sci-fi and fantasy that has come before.
It does new things, too, but it’s narratively bereft.
When the primary antagonist is stealing ideas, the irony is simply too much to bear.
Shoutout to the original ideas that do show up in the game.
The pig level and subsequent hot dog set-piece were fantastic.
I can forgive borrowing mechanics.
Flitting between genres is Hazelight Studio’s whole thing.
Is Split Fiction Worse Than It Takes Two?
Specific writing choices aside, I thought that Split Fiction would have a better story than It Takes Two.
Not a lot, it turns out.
Both sci-fi and fantasy levels feel generic and bland.
Theres not enough to Split Fictions levels to do the same.
Theres one saving grace in this co-op affair: the side quests.
Theyre routes through our dual protagonists minds, emotional journeys and clever storytelling devices in their own rights.
Its a shame that the whole game isnt presented with such whimsy and freedom.
Split Fiction is great fun - when you could actually play.
