best games online

Split Fiction: Perhaps the Best Cooperative Game in History

Home » blog » Split Fiction: Perhaps the Best Cooperative Game in History

Cooperative projects have always held a special place in the industry. From classics like Portal 2 to the pioneering It Takes Two, studios have been constantly striving to redefine the cooperative gaming experience. Split Fiction takes this concept to the next level, offering an original approach to co-op gameplay, unconventional mechanics, and a powerful story that combines elements of both an immersive film and a dynamic session. The game was developed by Yousef Fares, who has already proven his love for cooperative gaming through A Way Out and It Takes Two.

Split Fiction Gameplay: Synchronization and Variety

Unlike many cooperative games that offer standard cooperative missions, Split Fiction is based on the absolute synchronization of two players’ actions. Each level presents original mechanics that require close cooperation:

  1. One player solves a real-time puzzle while the other is in a platforming challenge.
  2. One hero controls a character in a science fiction world, while the other acts in a fantasy dimension.
  3. Some missions require asymmetric gameplay, where one character can change the other player’s environment.

The plot of the game Split Fiction: A Journey Between Genres

The story revolves around two writers, Zoe and Mio, who work in different genres: fantasy and science fiction. Due to a mysterious event, they find themselves trapped in their own worlds, forced to work together to find a way out. This is not just a story-driven game; the idea of combining different game styles directly influences the gameplay. One player controls magical creatures and explores ancient cities, while the other pilots a spaceship and battles robots. The project utilizes the concept of a multiverse, where the decisions of the players can alter reality. By breaking one element of the fantasy world, you can open a path to a future high-tech dimension.

Split Fiction Game Mechanics: Two Realities in One Adventure

An important element of the process is the various worlds and the interaction between them. The mechanics are based on the transition between parallel universes and the need to coordinate actions in different dimensions.

For example:

  1. In one scene, users can work together in the same world.
  2. In other missions, they are separated between different dimensions, but they can influence each other’s surroundings.

This approach not only makes the puzzles more challenging, but also forces the participants to think strategically, creating a genuine sense of unity between the partners.

Visual uniqueness and aesthetics

Each chapter of Split Fiction is a new game world, visually and mechanically different from the previous one.

Types:

  1. The fantasy world is filled with magical creatures, floating islands, and ancient temples.
  2. The cyberpunk biome offers neon cities, androids, and virtual simulations.
  3. The dystopian future shows a collapsing Earth where technology has gone out of control.

The developers paid special attention to the variety of environments, making each episode a separate work of art.

Characters from the game Split Fiction: Two Views on the Same Story

The main characters of Split Fiction, Zoe and Mio, are not just partners in the story, but two completely opposite personalities who find themselves in the same adventure. Their characters, perspectives on the world, and problem-solving methods contribute to the unique style of storytelling and gameplay.

Zoe is a writer who creates epic fantasy worlds. Her stories feature ancient dragons, mysterious mages, and worlds filled with magic. She is emotional, prone to impulsive decisions, and always acts on a whim, following her intuition. This approach is reflected in her gameplay style, where she relies on magical abilities, unconventional solutions, and sudden attacks.

Mio, on the other hand, is the author of science fiction works that prioritize strict logic, rational analysis, and technological breakthroughs. His methodical and consistent approach extends not only to the plot but also to the gameplay. The character uses gadgets, analyzes the world around them, and solves problems in a strategic way.

The game is based on the constant interaction between two characters. Their opposing views on the world not only drive the plot, but also directly influence the gameplay. Sometimes, players must compromise to overcome obstacles, while in other moments, each character’s decisions can lead to alternative outcomes.

The developers intentionally created mechanics that rely on cooperation. If Zoe follows her whimsical ideas and breaks through a magical barrier, Mio must devise a logical strategy to avoid the traps that arise from her partner’s chaotic actions.

Split Fiction Graphics: A Technological Breakthrough in the Cooperative Game Genre

The graphical component of Split Fiction has become one of the key aspects that create immersion in the game. The developers have used the power of Unreal Engine 5 to achieve not only high-detail environments, but also to create the effect of a living world that reacts to the actions of players.

One of the key achievements has been the implementation of dynamic lighting and global lighting, which allow to change the perception of space depending on the light sources. If a hero enters a dark cave, soft rays of light from a torch reflect off the walls, creating a realistic shadow, and the sky above the futuristic city shimmers with moving holographic projections.

The animation of characters and NPCs plays an important role. Enemies and allies have their own behavioral response system, which makes the world feel alive. Unlike traditional games where NPCs follow scripted algorithms, in Split Fiction, they can adapt to the player’s behavior. For example, enemies analyze the player’s combat style, while allies respond to the player’s emotions.

Conclusion

If you like cooperative games, Split Fiction is the perfect choice. It’s not just a project where two players work together on a common task; it’s a game where collective interaction is the core concept. With its challenging puzzles, diverse mechanics, emotional storyline, and innovative approach, Split Fiction stands out as one of the best cooperative games in history.

Share:

Related posts

Platformers continue to adapt to modern tastes, while remaining one of the most resilient and inventive genres. The fast-paced, precise controls, clear visual language, and the ability to build gameplay around a simple yet profound idea continue to attract both developers and audiences. Independent studios and renowned publishers are preparing a series of releases that enhance genre diversity and offer innovative gameplay mechanics. In this article, we will delve into the details of the platformers that are set to release on PC in 2025, highlighting the ones that deserve special attention and explaining why.

Trends and Approaches in Platform Games: What New Features Will Be Released in 2025

Modern platformers operate at the intersection of genres. Games combine elements of metroidvania, roguelike, puzzle, action-RPG and simulation. Authors experiment with level architecture, narrative presentation, integration of sound and physics. Developers move away from linearity, offer open worlds, reactive environment and original ways of navigation. There are more and more projects that use platformer mechanics not as a basis, but as an expressive means.

Aesthetics is another zone of creativity. Games in 2025 are turning to pixel art, pseudo-retro style, hand-drawn animation, stylization under the graphics of the 90s. Many use dark noir, minimalism, concept design based on AI or animation of animated films. At the same time, inside – high-precision gameplay, adjusted for milliseconds, and calculation for tactile responsiveness.

Which platformers will be released on PC in 2025: Top 10

The 2025 platformers are not just a genre line, but a diverse palette of ideas. Developers are shifting the focus from the classic “jump-trap-target” scheme to experimenting with form, mechanics, and narrative. Games are adapting the style of movies, music, physics, biomechanics, and even data structures. The selection includes ten projects that not only answer the question of which platformers will be released on PC in 2025, but also redefine the concept of direction as a form of interactive art:

  1. Hollow Realms. A new chapter in the spirit of Hollow Knight, but with an open world based on procedural generation. Each run creates unique routes and enemy combinations. The focus has shifted to rhythm, stealth attacks, and vertical movement. The developers have implemented parkour, chains, gravity control, and real-time weather changes.
  2. Shadow Loop. A side-scrolling game with time loop elements. Levels restart every 45 seconds, and the player retains knowledge and resources. You need to memorize patterns, plan your route, and act quickly. The graphics are reminiscent of 1990s DOS games, and the soundtrack is a mix of chiptunes and synthwave.
  3. Spirit Construct. A philosophical platformer with an isometric twist. The player controls a neuroform that changes the properties of levels, reflections, and shadows. Every move rewrites space, creating and destroying it, and providing support. The narrative is embedded in the architecture, read through walls, objects, and light.
  4. Echo’s Thread. A minimalist title similar to Limbo and Inside. The levels are made up of light, fabric, and shadows. The mechanics are based on interacting with threads that connect objects. The gameplay offers solutions based on tension, center of mass displacement, and rhythm. The sound is synchronized with the movement and visuals.
  5. Veins of Steel. An arcade platformer with elements of metroidvania. The action takes place in a biomechanical dungeon. The player collects implants, changes their body physics, and discovers new paths through transformations. Visually, it is a hybrid of HR Giger and the aesthetics of 16-bit systems.
  6. Comet Slasher. A horizontal runner with a focus on speed. The mechanics are based on ultra-reaction: every pixel jump and turn affects the result. Support for custom levels, ranked races, and milliseconds competitions. The style is inspired by comics and punk aesthetics.
  7. Glassborn. A project based on the Unreal 5 engine that uses ray tracing and destructible physics. Platforming takes place inside a crystal tower, where any movement breaks the path. Platforms are self-generated, but they lose stability upon re-contact. Special attention is given to light, reflections, and transparency.
  8. Zefir Halls. A surreal platformer where the player controls the sound frequency. Levels are activated through timbre, rhythm, and frequency range. The game combines musical improvisation with jumping, where the tempo determines the outcome. The platforms resemble abstract installations.
  9. Terminal Run. A retro-futuristic story about escaping through ruined digital worlds. The mechanics are based on changing the state of a file: the player “rewrites” levels through actions. Visually, the project is inspired by terminal graphics, ASCII art, and the aesthetics of early hacker films.
  10. Ecliptica. A platformer with a two-level space: each level is duplicated in a reflected reality. The player switches between the layers by solving spatial puzzles. The camera shifts, rotates, and deviates depending on the context. The gameplay requires calculating movements in two coordinate systems.

A variety of approaches and niches

Projects from 2025 demonstrate a wealth of visual and mechanical solutions. Some rely on reaction skills and speed, such as Comet Slasher or Terminal Run. Others play on associations, rhythms, and even intuitive interaction, like Zefir Halls or Echo’s Thread. Games like Glassborn create platforming as a tactile experience, where every step affects the environment. Developers use aesthetics as a form of mechanics, sound as a resource, and light as a means of navigation. The approach has become not only technical, but also expressive.

The genre has ceased to be a niche form of entertainment. Today, it serves as a field for design experiments, sound forms, and narrative innovations. While the core remains the same, each title redefines the fundamentals in its own way. When asked about the platformers that will be released on PC in 2025, the answer encompasses a wide range, from minimalist meditations to high-speed techno-arcades.

Technologies and innovations

New concepts actively use RTX, animation through AI systems, procedural generation of sound and materials. Many offer their own level editors, support for Steam Workshop, modular scaling of complexity. Layers are no longer predefined – the player builds, destroys, re-flashes the environment. The introduction of physical calculations (for example, in Glassborn) creates variability, not scriptability. The emphasis is on reactive mechanics and adaptive architecture.

Conclusion

You already know which platformers will be released on PC in 2025. The list includes both established classics and bold, innovative projects that have the potential to revolutionize the genre. Each game offers a unique experience built around movement, but with different focuses on meaning, sound, and light. The platformer genre is not going away; it is exploring new forms and expanding the boundaries of gameplay.

2D platformers on PC are a genre that has been experiencing a real renaissance in recent decades. An era has begun when pixel graphics, simple mechanics and invariably addictive levels have once again taken their deserved place in the hearts of gamers. All this is thanks to the dynamic development of technology, as well as the incredible efforts of indie developers who have infused a new spirit into the old form.

What are 2D platformers on PC?

If users have ever played Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog or Castlevania on PC, then they are already familiar with what 2D platformers are. But let’s look a little deeper. In such projects, the main focus is on the character’s movement along two axes – X and Y, where each level is a kind of physical world with obstacles, enemies, traps and puzzles that need to be overcome.

That is why these games are ideal for players who value simplicity and conciseness of mechanics, where the main thing is the ability to jump, run, fight and interact with the environment. Despite all their simplicity, such projects have always been full of bright worlds, innovative elements and often challenged the player to the limits of their capabilities.

As technology developed, 2D platformers on PC evolved. From simple adventures with one screen, they approached endless worlds with advanced mechanics and deep plots. Thanks to factors such as roguelike elements, metroidvanias, and atmospheric narratives, the concepts gained a new round of popularity. They now not only entertain, but also offer players psychological and philosophical depth with which they must contend throughout the entire playthrough.

2D Platformers on PC: From Classics to Innovations

Every year, there are a huge number of releases that set new standards for the genre, offering not only interesting gameplay, but also mind-blowing visuals, bold mechanics, and touching stories. Let’s take a look at the best 2D platformers on PC that deserve attention, from classics to modern masterpieces.

1. Super Mario Bros. (1985)

Without a doubt, Super Mario Bros. is a cultural phenomenon that became the basis for all future projects. It was the first 2D platformer on PC that offered open levels, constant character development, and interaction with the surrounding world. Since then, the game has inspired millions of other developers and set the standards for the genre.

For many gamers, Super Mario is a kind of benchmark. Bright graphics, funny characters, and simple, but at the same time addictive gameplay made the concept a favorite among players of all ages. It set not only the style, but also the pace of development of the entire direction.

2. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

Sonic the Hedgehog is not just a game, but a real storm. Sega released its hero with phenomenal speed and dynamics. Due to the fast movement of the character, ingenious levels and unique music, the concept won a huge number of fans around the world. Unlike Super Mario, where the main emphasis was on the size of the levels and their difficulty, Sonic became a symbol of speed.

The peculiarity of the project is that here not only accuracy and speed are important, but also the style of passing. You need to not just jump and run, but do it as dexterously and carefully as possible, avoiding enemies, traps and collecting rings.

3. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997)

One of the brightest representatives of the metroidvania genre is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Unlike regular 2D platformers on PC, here you not only have to jump around the levels, but also explore the gigantic world, find upgrades and new abilities for the character. This was the beginning of a new era, where the plot and exploration became as important as the gameplay itself.

The complex structure of the world and constant exploration of hidden locations are a distinctive feature of the concept. It demonstrated that 2D platformers on PC can be not only beautiful and complex, but also deep.

4. Celeste (2018)

One of the most striking examples of a modern approach to the direction is Celeste. This game was created by a small indie team and quickly became a cult due to its incredible complexity and well-developed plot. Here you need to not only overcome levels, but try to understand the personal history of the heroine, who fights her inner demons and strives to conquer a dangerous mountain.

Celeste touches on the topic of psychology, self-destruction and overcoming personal barriers. With each jump and level, the participant not only explores the world of the game, but also becomes more and more immersed in the world of its characters.

5. Hollow Knight (2017)

Hollow Knight amazes with its atmosphere, depth and gameplay features. Here you will explore huge dungeons, fight dangerous creatures and solve the secrets that this dark but fascinating world hides.

The gameplay on PC combines elements of a 2D platformer, roguelike and metroidvania, which makes the passage not only exciting, but also unpredictable. Hollow Knight is one of the most vivid and exciting projects that can absorb the player for dozens of hours.

6. Cuphead (2017)

If you like 2D platformers on PC with a bright retro style, then Cuphead will be a real discovery. Games in the style of old 20th century cartoons are not just a visual feature, but part of the very idea of ​​the project. Cuphead invites players to fight bizarre bosses in the style of jazz and swing, and the difficulty of the battles brings even the most experienced participants to the limit.

The concept highly values ​​not only style and music, but also, of course, combat mechanics that require maximum precision and quick reactions.

Conclusion

2D platformers on PC are not just old arcades, they are a living and developing genre that continues to delight players around the world. From Super Mario and Sonic to Celeste and Hollow Knight, the projects continue to prove that despite technological progress, simplicity and fun gameplay remain the most important components of the game.

Today’s concepts in this genre do not just offer users to jump and run through levels, they immerse them deeper into worlds filled with history, emotions and challenges. 2D platformers on PC, thanks to indie developers, continue to evolve, combining retro style with new technologies and exciting mechanics.