Gameplay
As with Hazelight's previous game, It Takes Two , Split Fiction was specifically designed for split screen cooperative multiplayer, which means that it must be played with another player through either local or online play. In the game, players assume control of either Zoe or Mio, two authors who both become trapped inside their own stories. The two strangers must work together to escape and overcome numerous challenges along the way, as Mio's science fiction story interweaves with Zoe's fantasy story, putting both characters in grave danger. [1] The game is an action-adventure video game played from a third-person perspective, requiring players to complete platforming challenges and occasionally combating against hostile enemies. [2] Stages are often accompanied with a unique one-off gameplay mechanic. For instance, the two may be commanding dragons in one stage, while wielding a laser sword in another stage. The ability for both characters within each stage is also different, meaning that the two must collaborate with each other and utilize the respective abilities of their playable characters in order to progress. [3] There are also side content in each stage named Side Stories, which can be accessed by entering a portal. Side Stories are based on unfinished ideas and stories written by both Zoe and Mio when they are younger. [4] As with the main level, each side story also features an accompanying gameplay mechanic. [5]
Plot
Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster are writers invited by a company called Rader Publishing to test out an experimental simulation device along with four other writers. While the eccentric Zoe sees this as an opportunity to be published as a real author, the reserved Mio is only interested in the payout. CEO J.D. Rader introduces “The Machine”, which allows occupants to experience the stories they submitted as reality. As the Machine starts up, each occupant is encased in a bubble and placed into suspended animation while they experience their story. Suspicious of the experiment and Rader's motives, Mio panics and tries to back out; however, Rader forces her to stay, and a scuffle leads her to inadvertently fall into Zoe’s bubble.
Mio appears in Zoe’s fantasy story, followed by a glitch which tears apart the environment. When they approach the glitch, they are both transported to Mio’s science fiction story. The duo make their way through both of their submitted stories and find the glitch to be expanding, since the Machine was never designed to handle two occupants in one bubble. The system is also unable to shut down due to the glitches. After some debating with his superiors, Rader decides not to shut down the experiment, as the ideas are too valuable to lose.
Overhearing Rader and his scientists, Mio realizes Rader is stealing all their ideas, not just the ones submitted, including dormant and unfinished ideas from each of their memories as they are played out in the simulation. Zoe suggests finding more glitches may destabilize the system and set them free. After managing to establish communication between both groups, Rader then tries to bribe Mio, but she sees through his bluff. The duo travel through more fantasy and science fiction inspired worlds from each of their imaginations. At one point, Rader's scientists attempt to hinder the duo's efforts and repair the system, but are thwarted at the last second. This causes a frustrated Rader to rebel against his superiors.
As they travel through the stories, the duo begin to learn more about each other. Zoe is unable to accept and move past her sister Ella’s death when she was young, which she blames herself for. Mio is unable to open up to others and shuts out all emotion to deal with her trauma. Their stories and thoughts reflect these themes. With the glitches threatening to destroy his Machine, Rader sets it to full power against the wishes of his superiors, which pushes Zoe and Mio into their subconscious. The scientists are against this, leading Rader to fire them.
In Mio’s subconscious, the duo fight through a harsh wasteland before encountering “Dark Mio”, a personification of Mio’s repressed negative emotions. Zoe manages to defeat her after Mio forces herself to let go of her trauma. In Zoe’s subconscious, the duo travel through dark childhood memories before encountering Ella. Mio encourages Zoe to embrace her sister, and she is finally able to move past her death.
Escaping their subconscious, the duo threaten to destroy the Machine. A desperate Rader forces himself into their bubble, appearing as an enormous God-like figure. Zoe and Mio work together to defeat him and destroy the Machine, which sets them free. As the police come to arrest Rader for endangerment, the duo leave as friends. A year later, Mio and Zoe publish their first novel “Split Fiction”, based on their experience in the simulation.
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