Summary
When it comes to visuals, Hazelight has upped the scope withSplit Fiction,redefining what beauty can be in a video gamein new and exciting ways. This is thanks to more realistic graphics and a thematic marriage between sci-fi and fantasy that oozes flavor and captivates the eyes in every scene.
When the puzzles are solved and the enemies are defeated, it is hard not to sit and gaze at the spectacles that the artists have crafted in the chapters. Each one provides a new, visually stunning array of structures, mountains, and entire planets to soak up in all their glory. No scene is the same and every chapter drops the jaws of the player even further.
8Halls Of Ice - Hopes Of Spring
Eat Your Heart Out, Elsa
After exiting the overgrown forest and traversing into the highest peaks of the mountains, players are greeted by a glorious icy castle, surrounded by stunning mountain ranges. The crystalline glass, the swirling mists, and sheer scale of the area make the player feel like royalty, ruling atop a civilization of mystery and magic.
Snowy levels are always a great settingwhen it comes to creating beautiful and clean levels that feel like porcelain sculptures that could shatter at the softest touch. The game recognizes the spectacle, giving players a handy bench to rest on and take in the scenes before pressing on into the grand halls of the castle itself.
7The Drop Ship - Final Dawn
A Triumph In Action And Awe
The Drop-Ship is an memorable and unique stage inSplit Fiction.It begins in a seemingly simple manner, but the action kicks off in no time. Dropping directly from an aircraft as the name suggests, aerial combat litters the background. With each passing second, more and more structures and objects come into view, creating a sequence of adrenaline and absurdity.
It is actually quite difficult to fall through unscathed, as players will be too busy trying to take in the environment and backdrop. The devs have done a great job building an immersive sequence that feels like taking on the role of a sci-fi soldier infiltrating a high-tech military base.
6Moon Market - Final Dawn
Cats, Wands, And Castles Galore
If the action sequences are too much and players need a break from it all, take a journey to the magical Moon Market, a quaint village that lies just below a grand and spectacular castle. Hazelight went to the drawing board, wrote down everything to include in a magic level, and threw it all in, building a gorgeous town square, surrounded by haunting mountainscapes and several references that keen-eyed fans will appreciate.
Things go further,as the magic in the levelextends to interactive items that can change the player’s appearance, and lead to some hilarious moments like becoming a chair for the other player. Gamers will be smiling from ear to ear while platforming up a giant Baba Yaga house and leaping across a flowing stream of bubbles.
5Collapsing Star - Hope Of Spring
Be Sure To Bring Some Sunglasses
They always said never to stare at the sun for too long, but in this stage, it might be too hard to resist. Collapsing Star is one of thebest and most beautiful side storiesin the game. It also offers a unique gameplay mechanic that actually allows players to pause for a moment and admire the craftsmanship and artistry at work in the background.
The stage is simplistic conceptually, but in execution it surpasses any expectation. Having a pulsating ball of fire that constantly emits waves of light is overwhelming and striking, eliciting both a sense of fear and amazement at the sheer scale and might of the universe.
4Birthday Cake - Rise of The Dragon Realm
Like Being A Kid Again
Birthday cake is great. In this stage, gamers play as a tooth, jumping across chocolate streams and candy, all surrounded by a sea of sweetness. What’s not to love? The main praise is the attention to detail. Every crumb of the screen is coated in sugary goodness, with flavor and hidden secrets crammed into each and every corner of the cake.
The color is a pleasure to behold. Everything glows and beams with vibrant light, showing off the beautiful graphical fidelity in a more cartoonish form. If that wasn’t enough, the level includes one of the most horrifying bosses in all of gaming. It is both a terror to fight as well as a spectacle of detail and perfect design.
3Neon Revenge
A Sci-fi Scenery Masterclass
It is impossible to pick out a favorite scene in Neon Revenge when the whole chapter is perfection. The setting is superb: a sprawling cityscape filled with skyscrapers and flashing lights, covering every inch of the screen in beauty and delight.
From the upside-down tower-scaling to the fast-paced bike chase, every scene could be framed in a gallery for all to admire. It feels like the world is alive, and is certainly missed once cleared. It’s a standout achievement by Hazelight and one to be remembered for years to come.
2Water Temple - Rise Of The Dragon Realm
A Scene Fit For A God
The Water Temple is a breathtaking and inspiring area of the Dragon Realm. While it might not have flashing lights or a million lasers, the tranquility and peace the players feel at the mountaintops creates a sense of calm and comfort, allowing them to appreciate the expanse of the region in all its glory.
Working together and traversingthe gigantic structures feels like a scene straight out of a movie. The only downside of the entire chapter is the itching desire for more dragon flight and more gorgeous scenery to take in and admire.
1Split
Mind-Melting, Generational Visuals
When Josef Fares, the lead developer onSplit Fiction,mentioned that the final level would blow people away, he couldn’t have understated it more. Split is absolutely ridiculous from a visual perspective, taking the screen mechanic and physically blending fantasy and sci-fi into a single world.
It is hard to keep track of who is who and what is what when dragons, helicopters, and gigantic buildings are flying past the players at high speed. But when players get a moment to breathe and admire, the entire scene and sequence feels like a completely different realm compared to other video game titles.
