Introduction
Basic information
Developer Name: Hazelight Studios
Full Name: It Takes Two
Release Date: March 26, 2021
Released on: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
Cross Play: No
Initial thoughts
Following our playthrough of Split Fiction, we were eager to dive into something equally imaginative and emotionally charged. It Takes Two looked like the perfect candidate, and it absolutely was. The game immediately charmed us with its art style and humor, and from the first levels, it pulled us into a surprising rollercoaster of feelings, mechanics, and unpredictable scenarios. It was a memorable and heartfelt experience.
Story and setting
Plot overview
The story centers on Cody and May, a married couple on the verge of divorce. Through the accidental magic of their daughter’s tears, they are transformed into dolls and must navigate a wildly imaginative world to fix their broken relationship. Guided (and taunted) by the over-the-top Hakim, the Book of Love, their journey is both absurd and deeply human.
World building and immersion
Cody and May evolve not only in gameplay but also emotionally. You feel their frustrations, moments of connection, and growth. The banter is believable and well-written, making their eventual understanding feel earned.
Character development
The game does not shy away from darker or heavier moments. One of the most intense scenes, dealing with a stuffed elephant, is unexpectedly emotional and disturbing in a way we did not see coming. The final scenes had both of us genuinely moved.
Emotional impact
Each level is like its own world, creatively themed and bursting with detail. From snowy wonderlands to mechanical mazes, the game never stops surprising. The transitions between themes feel seamless and fresh.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story, and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with an 10
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
Every chapter introduces new powers or tools, with each player having distinct abilities. Whether it’s magnet boots or time control, each pair of mechanics encourages coordination and teamwork. Which is the core of this game: if you cannot co-operate, you will not be able to get through this game. A must play game for married couples.
Difficulty and balance
Well-balanced for co-op. Some segments are harder than others, but never unfair. Although we did find a few glitches. Puzzles and platforming offer just enough challenge to keep things interesting. You need to both think to solve puzzles.
Pacing of the game
Excellent. Just as a mechanic starts to wear thin, the game introduces a new one. There’s always something novel to do, keeping the experience tight and engaging. The switching of game mechanics is perfectly paced.
Innovation and uniqueness
The gameplay design is highly creative. Few co-op games shift style and genre this frequently while still maintaining cohesion. It made us realize where the inspiration and power to make Split Fiction came from.
Controls and user interface
Fluid and responsive. We never had issues with camera control or input lag, and everything was presented clearly. (Except for the glitches.)
Microtransactions
None. The full experience is included from the start.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing, and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with an 8.8.
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
Visually stunning in a stylized way. The game blends reality and imagination with whimsical flair and attention to detail.
Technical performances
Solid performance throughout with minimal bugs or crashes. There were a few glitches and one major one.
Environment and design uniqueness
Each area feels handcrafted with purpose. From a squirrel-operated war zone to dreamlike pillow forts, no two chapters feel the same. It is pretty insane how they managed to do so.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 9.0.
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
The music adapts well to each environment and boss battle, heightening tension and playfulness as needed. There is a space theme, a warfare theme, and so much more to explore.
Sound effects quality
Everything from footsteps to magical effects is crisp and appropriately exaggerated.
Voice Acting
Hakim steals the show. His over the top delivery is grating in the best way and provides much of the game’s comic relief. Cody and May are also voiced with great nuance.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 9.
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
Roughly 12 to 15 hours of content, depending on exploration. Plenty of hidden mini-games and dialogue to discover. The same way as you can find them in Split Fiction, there are also a few easter eggs to hunt.
Extra Content
Aside from collectibles and minigames, there’s not much additional content, but the main game is rich enough. It is a game that is one and done.
Replay value
Moderate. The story won’t change, but it’s still fun to try the opposite player’s abilities in a second run. Except for that, there is not much replay value.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of It Took Two with a 7.8.
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
Some control segments can be a little clunky. A few puzzles repeat ideas slightly too soon. Still, very minor critiques. Most of these were properly fixed in Split Fiction, so they did learn from this.
Comparisons
Compared to Split Fiction, It Takes Two is less polished and slightly less narratively complex. However, it’s a must-play for fans of A Way Out or narrative driven co-op games.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
Like we said, nothing prepared us for the elephant scene. Both of us were yelling “No way!” as we saw what the game made us do. It was intense, emotional, and uncomfortable, and that’s what made it memorable. It’s rare to see a game commit to such storytelling bravery. And Hakim… well, he became a running joke between us long after the game ended.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with It Took Two, I give it a personal rating of 9.5.
Last words
Pros
- Beautiful and imaginative worlds
- Emotional, character-driven story
- Strong co-op integration
- Amazing variety in gameplay
- Great music and sound
- No microtransactions
- Meaningful dialogue and character growth
- Fantastic boss battles
- Clever puzzles and level design
- Loads of humor and heart
Cons
- Some gameplay segments feel slightly off
- Limited replay value
It Takes Two is a shining example of what co-op gaming can be: emotional, hilarious, creative, and above all, meaningful. If you’re looking for a game to play with someone you care about, this one won’t disappoint. It’s an experience worth sharing.
FINAL RATING
9.1
Please let me know what you think of It Took Two in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
If you liked reading this review, maybe you would like to share this review with your friends.
Very fun game. The all-star couple game of all time right now. Only play together if you have a strong relationship.
I think it’s a good game.
However, I’m having trouble deciding who to choose it with. lol
Hi. I have question did you played “Sheep Home Sheep”? 😉
or rather “Home Sheep Home”.. that happen when you not sleep lol
All I see is a solo cat. I guess the image/video links are wrong?
I take this as an omen to play this game solo (Maybe it is not possible :p), if not, I think I will skip it because I can’t find a second player.
I would say that the game looks good, but the screenshots are from Little Kitty, Big City, so I will have to take your word for it! 😂
Very acurate review! Me and my girlfriend still have nightmares about the elephant 🐘
Too bad I got nobody to play it with, I played 1 session for a few hours and it was a ton of fun, but the co-op definitely locks out people with no friends, totally agree with the review, almost everything is perfect
This is like one of my all time favorite games haha… I have finished it 3-4 times already xD
Well, looks like you didn’t have any replayability issues with the game then! 😀
Did you play it with the same person each time?
Also, 12-15 hours of playtime seems great, but leaves you wanting for more when a game is so great.
… well.. don’t have more to say than good game 😀
yeah the elephant was really heavy stuff!
Love the game ^^
I think it is a great game for two of friends. Didnt had chance to play it or Split Fiction (however i have it on my wishlist). I for example loved Sheep Home Sheep even when i played single 😉 Btw our user “SleepySheep” should play it if he didnt yet.. I mean SHS. sry for offtopic 😉
It’s good to have a game like this to play with someone
It takes two to play this game but only one to write this excellent review! 😎
Yes, A Way Out was fantastic and Split Fiction looks so good. Hazelight really struck gold with these games.
I’ve always wanted to try this game along with the developer’s other titles. The only issue is it can’t really be enjoyed solo, and my co-op partner rarely has time
It still seems like such a charming little game though, the kind you’d want to share with someone else. Hopefully one day I’ll actually get the chance to dive in properly
It might have taken two to finish the game, but it doesn’t take two to know it’s a really awesome one!