Split Fiction is the latest co-op masterpiece from Hazelight Studios (the team behind It Takes Two), and it’s earned a staggering 97% positive rating on Steam from over 67,000 reviews. You play as Mio and Zoe, two authors pulled into their own stories — one sci-fi, one fantasy. Before you and your partner dive in, here are 10 beginner tips for Split Fiction that will make your playthrough smoother and more rewarding.
1. Only One Person Needs to Buy the Game
This is the biggest selling point most people miss. Split Fiction includes a Friend’s Pass — if one player owns the game, the other can play the entire thing for free. Your co-op partner downloads a free trial version, you invite them, and you both play the full game together. This makes Split Fiction effectively $20 per person. Coordinate with your partner before you both buy it.
2. Mio and Zoe Play Very Differently — Pick Based on Playstyle
You’ll choose who plays Mio and who plays Zoe at the start, and your choice matters throughout the entire game.
Mio is a gravity-defying ninja with a lethal sword. Her gameplay leans toward fast melee combat, aerial maneuvers, and aggressive play. If you like being in the thick of the action and combo-based combat, pick Mio.
Zoe is a shapeshifter who can transform into various forms including a fairy. Her gameplay focuses on ranged abilities, transformation mechanics, and puzzle-solving. If you prefer a more tactical, ability-focused approach, pick Zoe.
Both characters are equally powerful and equally important — this isn’t a carry/support dynamic. You’re partners, not hero and sidekick.
3. Master Double Jump and Air Dash Early
The tutorial introduces double jumping and air dashing, and these two moves are your bread and butter for the entire game. Platforming sections get progressively harder, and the players who master the timing of these moves early will have a much easier time later.
Key tip: Don’t spam them. Wait until you need the second jump, then use it. Save the air dash for precision adjustments, not as a panic button. The game rewards controlled, deliberate movement over frantic button mashing.
4. Explore Everything — Side Stories Are Hidden Everywhere
Each level contains 2-3 optional side stories tucked away in secret areas and branching paths. These aren’t just collectibles — they’re substantial gameplay segments with unique mechanics, environments, and story moments. Some of the best content in the game is in these side stories.
How to find them: Look for paths that branch away from the obvious route. Check behind large objects, above platforms you might think are decoration, and in areas that seem like dead ends. If you see an unusual visual cue (a glowing object, an out-of-place door), investigate it.
Missing these side stories means missing roughly 30% of the game’s content. Don’t rush through levels.
5. Communicate Constantly — Not Just During Puzzles
Split Fiction’s puzzles and boss fights are designed for two people working together. You cannot brute-force your way through them solo or by ignoring your partner. Effective co-op requires:
- Calling out what you see — “There’s a switch on my side” or “I see an opening above”
- Timing actions together — Many puzzles require simultaneous inputs
- Adapting in boss fights — Bosses have mechanics that target each player differently
If you’re playing with a friend, use voice chat. If you’re playing with a stranger through online co-op, the game’s ping system helps, but voice chat makes everything dramatically easier.
6. Don’t Ignore the Genre Switches
Split Fiction constantly switches between sci-fi and fantasy settings, and each genre switch changes the gameplay mechanics. A sci-fi section might give you a grappling hook and laser weapons, while the fantasy section that follows might give you magic spells and traversal abilities.
Adapt quickly. Don’t try to play every section the same way. Each genre shift introduces new tools and expects you to use them. The game is at its best when you fully lean into whatever mechanic it’s currently offering.
7. There’s a Skip Feature — Use It Without Shame
Some platforming sections and puzzles are genuinely challenging. If you and your partner get stuck, Hazelight included a feature that lets you skip to the next checkpoint. This doesn’t lock you out of any content or achievements — it’s a quality-of-life feature designed to keep the pacing fun.
Use it if:
– You’ve been stuck on the same section for 10+ minutes
– One player is significantly less experienced with platformers
– You’re more interested in the story and puzzles than precision platforming
Don’t use it if:
– You haven’t actually tried the section yet
– You’re looking for the full challenge experience
The game respects your time. Take advantage of that.
8. Take Turns Leading
In many sections, one player needs to lead while the other follows. Resist the urge to have the same person always take point. Swap leadership regularly — the person who’s better at combat should lead combat sections, and the person who’s better at puzzles should lead puzzle sections.
This also keeps the experience fresh for both players. If one person is always following, they’re having a less engaging time.
9. Upgrade Your Abilities When Available
As you progress through Split Fiction, you’ll unlock ability upgrades for both Mio and Zoe. Don’t neglect these. The upgrades make a noticeable difference in later levels, especially during boss fights where raw ability power matters.
Prioritize upgrades that complement your playstyle:
– Mio players: Focus on combo extensions and aerial damage
– Zoe players: Focus on transformation duration and ranged ability power
The game doesn’t have a grinding system — upgrades come naturally through progression. Just make sure you actually equip them when they unlock.
10. Play It in 2-3 Sessions, Not One Marathon
Split Fiction is about 12-15 hours long, and it’s designed to be savored. The genre switches, story beats, and mechanical variety land better when you’re fresh and engaged. A 4-5 hour session hits the sweet spot — long enough to make progress, short enough to keep the excitement high.
Save at natural chapter breaks. Discuss what just happened with your partner between sessions. The story is surprisingly deep, and the emotional moments hit harder when you’re not fatigued from a 12-hour marathon.
Bonus: It’s One of the Best Co-Op Games of 2026
Split Fiction sits at the top of our best co-op games on PC list for a reason. Hazelight Studios has mastered the art of cooperative game design, and every mechanic in Split Fiction is built around two players experiencing something together. If you’ve been looking for a game to play with a partner, friend, or even a long-distance friend online, this is it.
For the smoothest experience, make sure your PC is running well — check our guide on how to reduce input lag before your first session.
Final Thoughts
Split Fiction rewards teamwork, exploration, and adaptability. Don’t rush, don’t play it like a solo game, and don’t skip the side stories. The Friend’s Pass makes it the best value co-op game on the market, and the 97% Steam rating isn’t an accident. Grab a partner and jump in.
