Summary
Some games are plain better when played together. A facet of gaming that the existence of online multiplayer has killed isco-op using split-screen, but thankfully,Split Fictionhas come to the rescue. It puts the split back on the player’s screens – quite literally. This is thanks to Hazelight Studios, a company that has been doing this since 2018.
While Hazelight Studios’ other titles are definite candidates, certain games also prove that, while local co-op games that focus on narrative might not be the focus of the AAA industry right now, they still exist, hidden behind the likes ofCall of DutyandGrand Theft Auto. Here are some of thebest co-op games to check out for those who loveSplit Fiction.
Sometimes, the best co-op experiences don’t involve grand narratives or epic battles. Sometimes, they involve two goofy pieces of paper trying desperately to cut each other into the right shape.Snipperclipsis the kind of game thatturns players into chaotic problem-solvers, arming them with nothing but the ability to snip in the face of increasingly ridiculous solutions.
Designed for two players, the game’s core mechanic revolves around snipping and reshaping each other to complete various physics-based puzzles. Whether it’s fitting into a silhouette, moving an object, or creating a perfect basketball hoop, the game forces players to communicate in ways they likely won’t expect, often requiring a lot of pointing, yelling, and accidental snipping. And much likeSplit Fiction,Snipperclipsthrives on cooperation. Success isn’t about individual skill; it’s also about working together in unpredictable, often hilarious ways.Snipperclipsdoesn’t have a story of its own, but it acts as a blank canvas for players tp create their own story, written in a language of laughter, frustrated groans, and the occasional “I swear I didn’t mean to cut you there!”
TheLittleBigPlanetseries has always been about creativity and cooperation, andSackboy: A Big Adventuretakes those ideas and transforms them into a charming 3D platformer built for teamwork. While it can be played solo, the game truly shines in co-op, where players must navigate levels together, solving puzzles and helping each other through various obstacles.
Much likeSplit Fiction’s world-hopping premise, Sackboy throws players into wildly different environments, each brimming with personality. Plus,with its whimsical art styleand endearing characters, it captures that same sense of adventure and companionship that makesSplit Fictionso engaging.
Solving puzzles is one thing, but what about solving puzzles when the only way forward is trusting another player with your life? That’s a whole different challenge.Portal 2’s co-op mode isn’t just an extension of the single-player game; it’s also a masterclass in designing puzzles that demand cooperation.
Playing as two robotic test subjects, players must think with portals in entirely new ways,using each other’s portals to reach impossible places, launch across deadly gaps, and avoid the ever-present threat of GLaDOS’ dry, mocking commentary. It’s an experience that requires communication, patience, and just the right amount of trust (or lack thereof, depending on how often someone decides to “accidentally” remove a portal at the worst possible moment). LikeSplit Fiction, it’s a story of two characters needing to work together, even when the circumstances—and maybe their own instincts—suggest otherwise.
Some games test reflexes, and some test strategy. Then,there’sOvercooked 2, which tests relationships. This cooking-based co-op game turns meal preparation into a high-stakes, chaotic ordeal where communication is more important than skill. Players must chop ingredients, cook meals, wash dishes, and deliver orders, all while dealing with increasingly ridiculous challenges, like kitchens that split in half, moving platforms, or, for some reason, portals. It’s the kind of game that starts with a calm plan and quickly descends into frantic shouting as everything catches fire.
Much like the unpredictable twists and turns ofSplit Fiction,Overcooked 2thrives on both teamwork and improvisation. Those who think they have everything under control will quickly learn that, in this kitchen, disaster is always just one mistimed throw away.
For those who love deep storytelling and character-driven experiences,Baldur’s Gate 3offersan unparalleled co-op RPG adventure. Built on the foundation ofDungeons & Dragons, this game allows players to create their own characters, make crucial story decisions, and explore a vast world where every choice has consequences.
Unlike other co-op games that focus on quick reflexes,Baldur’s Gate 3is all about strategy and narrative. Each player brings their own unique skills and personalities to the party, leading to dynamic interactions and, sometimes, hilariously bad decisions. And just like inSplit Fiction, where Mio and Zoe shape their own stories, here, countless conversations and actions can alter the course of the adventure.
TheTrineseries has always been about magical cooperation, andTrine 5is no different. This physics-based puzzle platformer puts players in control of three distinct characters: a knight, a thief, and a wizard, each with unique abilities that must be used in tandem to solve intricate puzzles and overcome enemies.
What sets it apart is the seamless way it integrates teamwork into its gameplay. Players must constantly switch characters or rely on their co-op partners to progress, much likeSplit Fiction’s emphasis on collaboration. Whether it’s Zoya swinging across chasms with a grappling hook or Amadeus conjuring platforms from thin air, every challenge feels like a mini escape roomwhere creativity is the key to success.
Not all co-op games are about high-stakes action or brain-bending puzzles. Sometimes, it’s just about building something together.Stardew Valley’s multiplayer mode lets players share a farm, divide responsibilities, and carve out their own slice of digital paradise.
With a relaxed pace and an almost meditative quality,Stardew Valleyfosters a different kind of cooperation, one based on long-term planning rather than split-second reactions. For those who love the quieter,character-driven moments ofSplit Fiction, this is the perfect co-op experience.
Unravel 2is a game about connection, both literally and emotionally. Players control two small creatures made of yarn, tied together by a single thread, and are forced to navigate a world filled with environmental puzzles and quiet beauty.
What makes this game special isthe way it emphasizes both cooperation and storytelling. There’s no dialogue or big cinematic cutscenes; there are two characters helping each other through a journey that feels deeply personal. LikeSplit Fiction,Unravel 2is about partnership—figuring things out together, overcoming obstacles, and sometimes just taking in the beauty of the world.
Coming from the same masterminds behindSplit Fictionand following the same formula,A Way Outis designed to be played by two players, andit offers no single-player option. It’s a cinematic story about two prisoners, Leo and Vincent, working together to break out of prison and navigate the dangers beyond.
With split-screen gameplay that keeps both perspectives visible at all times, the game forces players to cooperate in ways few others do. And just likeSplit Fiction, it’s not just about solving problems; it’s also about understanding and adapting to another player’s decisions.
Hazelight Studios’ next foray into a narrative-focused split-sreen co-op title afterA Way Outtook them right to the doorsteps ofCody and May, a divorcing couple who were magically turned into tiny dolls by an accidental wish by their daughter. Despite facing a fragmented relationship,the duo must work togetherto navigate the wildly imaginative world where every level reinvents the gameplay. One moment, players are platforming through a sentient toolbox’s wrath, and the next, they’re in a dungeon-crawling RPG segment.
UnlikeSplit Fiction, which thrives on competition,It Takes Twois all about synchronized cooperation. Both players have unique abilities, forcing them to communicate and coordinate constantly. The mechanics never stop evolving, keeping things fresh from start to finish. It’s charming, unpredictable, and filled with unforgettable moments, whether said moments involve laughing at the absurdity of the talking book or feeling genuine triumph after nailing a tricky puzzle.
