- Fun, polished co-op experience exceeding expectations.
- Dynamic, varied gameplay mechanics for two players.
- Generous Friend Pass enables co-op play.
- Excellent optimization and stable performance.
- High difficulty may deter casual players.
- Lacks language support and matchmaking features.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 96% · Negative 4%. Score: 4 / 100
Positives:
- The game is praised for its fun and engaging gameplay, stunning graphics, and high level of polish. Many reviewers compare it favorably to "It Takes Two", with some considering it superior due to its more diverse gameplay and improved mechanics. The game is also noted for its excellent co-op experience, often described as innovative and memorable.
- Reviewers consistently highlight the game's dynamic and varied gameplay, with new mechanics and systems introduced frequently to keep the experience fresh. The game offers a mix of intense action and strategic elements, ensuring that players remain engaged and challenged throughout. This constant innovation prevents the game from becoming repetitive.
- The game's "Friend Pass" feature, which allows one player to purchase the game and invite a friend to play for free, is widely appreciated. Additionally, the game's lack of microtransactions and the absence of a required EA login are seen as significant positives, enhancing the overall player experience.
- The game features a well-written and engaging story with compelling characters. The narrative is enhanced by the dual protagonists, who add depth and emotional resonance to the experience. The characters' interactions and development are well-executed, making players care about their fates.
- The game features high-quality Chinese voice acting and subtitles, demonstrating a focus on the Chinese market. This localization enhances the experience for Chinese players, allowing them to enjoy the game without needing to rely on subtitles. The game is also offered at a competitive price in the Chinese region.
Negatives:
- The game is considered more difficult than similar titles like 'It Takes Two', requiring precise controls, teamwork, and mechanical skill. This increased difficulty can lead to frustration, especially for casual players or those new to gaming, and may strain co-op partnerships.
- The game suffers from a lack of language support (specifically Ukrainian and Russian), making it difficult for non-English speakers to understand the plot and in-game prompts. Additionally, the game lacks an online player search feature, making it challenging to find partners and enjoy the co-op experience as intended.
- The game's story is criticized for being mediocre, cliché, and poorly written, with weak character development and dialogue. Some reviewers found the plot uninteresting and hard to follow, with forced character interactions and a lack of causality in the narrative.
- Reviewers noted the absence of mini-games and puzzle elements compared to previous titles, leading to a less engaging experience. The lack of competitive mini-games, in particular, was disappointing for some players who enjoyed those features in similar co-op games.
- Several reviewers reported experiencing motion sickness due to the game's dynamic action, frequent driving/flying sequences, and disorienting movements. This can detract significantly from the overall enjoyment, especially for players susceptible to motion sickness.
Gameplay:
- The game blends science fiction and fantasy elements, often alternating between the two within chapters or scenes. This is reflected in both the settings and the gameplay, with technological marvels and mystical worlds each offering unique challenges and mechanics.
- The game emphasizes cooperative gameplay, requiring teamwork and coordination to solve puzzles and overcome challenges. Some reviewers noted similarities to "It Takes Two" in terms of operation and level design.
- The game is designed exclusively for two players, with split-screen control and cooperative gameplay mechanics. It cannot be played solo and lacks in-game matchmaking, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and coordination.
- The game features dynamic and unusual platforming challenges, such as transitioning from cyber ninjas jumping from cars to riding sand sharks, and navigating environments while upside down or spinning.
- The game contains numerous homages to other works, such as Akira and Dark Souls, adding to the enjoyment for players familiar with those references.
Performance:
- The game generally exhibits excellent optimization across various PC configurations and platforms, delivering stable frame rates and smooth performance. Many reviewers reported no crashes, bugs, or significant performance issues, even on day one. Some reviewers noted that the game is almost perfectly optimized from the start.
- The game supports FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), with some reviewers specifically mentioning using FSR3. Enabling FSR can significantly improve visual quality and performance, allowing for higher frame rates and resolutions, especially when using quality settings and maximum graphics.
- The game utilizes distinct sound design and haptic feedback to differentiate between the light and shadow realms. The PS5 version uses the DualSense controller's haptic feedback as a puzzle-solving clue, while the light realm uses natural sound effects and the shadow realm uses electronic interference sounds.
- The game is compatible with the Steam Deck, indicating that it has been optimized to run well on the handheld gaming device.
- One reviewer noted that the game's performance is worse than It Takes Two. Without further context or supporting evidence, it's difficult to determine the significance of this point.
Recommendations:
- The game is overwhelmingly praised as a must-buy, a masterpiece, and a strong contender or potential winner for Game of the Year. Reviewers highlight its high quality, fun gameplay, and overall positive experience, often giving it perfect scores. Some reviews may be inflated due to hype.
- The game is highly recommended for co-op play, especially with friends, partners, or family members. Many suggest it's best enjoyed with someone you can share the experience with, and some even offer character selection advice for specific players. Some reviews suggest playing with a girlfriend may lead to frustration.
- Reviewers express strong support for Hazelight Studios, praising their dedication to creating high-quality co-op games. Many believe this title is their best yet and encourage others to support the developers. Some reviewers express a desire for the game to be more like the studio's previous titles.
- Many reviewers draw comparisons to Hazelight's previous title, 'It Takes Two,' with some considering this game to be even better. It's often recommended to fans of 'It Takes Two' and 'A Way Out,' and some suggest playing those games first. Some reviewers express a desire for the game to be more like 'It Takes Two'.
- The game is seen as a positive influence, both within the gaming industry and for interpersonal relationships. Some reviewers suggest it can even act as a 'family psychologist' due to its potential to improve relationships through cooperative gameplay.
Miscellaneous:
- The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and was released relatively soon after its announcement without delays. It is priced at $50, which is lower than the cost of many new games. The game uses Steam for connecting with friends instead of EA servers.
- The game incorporates numerous references to other video games and movies, including nods to the developer's previous titles. Some reviewers noted similarities to the movie 'Maze Runner'.
- The game is easy to pick up and play, with a fast pace and many surprises. The initial sections of the game are short with quick scene transitions.
- The game requires a significant amount of storage space, ranging from 50 to 100 GB, with playtime estimated between 10 to 30 hours. This information helps players manage their expectations regarding storage requirements and the potential time investment needed to complete the game.
- The game's atmosphere is very different from "It Takes Two", so preferences will vary. The game is described as a high-energy, special effects-driven action movie, contrasting with the more heartwarming tone of 'It Takes Two'.
