Summary
Split Fictionstormed into the video game world with flying colors, excelling atfun and engaging co-op scenariosand creating unique and exciting worlds in each subsequent level. The blending of sci-fi and fantasy is a perfect way of keeping the game feeling new, and with the addition ofside stories, that freshness lasts right to the end.
The side stories themselves lower the stakes significantly, offering a break from the intense action sequences with some more laid-back areas and fun movement mechanics. Each one is distinctive and different, and there is truly something for everyone: some comedic, some scary, and some outright insane.
8Collapsing Star
Be Sure To Bring Some Sunscreen
Collapsing Staris one of themore cinematic and breathtaking scenariosthat can be found inSplit Fiction’sside content. It is accessed in the Ice King’s palace and sends players to a sci-fi world with a dying star. The main mechanic is the solar waves that are constantly emitted every few seconds and have to be dodged by either taking cover or activating certain barriers throughout the level.
It truly is gorgeous, and it’s hard not to stand and stare into the sun, even with the danger it poses. The level is fairly straightforward, requiring some coordinated jumps and button presses, but the lack of complexity is more than made up for by the grandeur of the spectacle in the background.
7Space Escape
Which Way Is Up Again?
If Hazelight Studios were going to make a sci-fi side story, then space would be an obvious setting choice.Space Escapesees players flying through the silent vacuum outside of Jupiter, using grapples to propel themselves from object to object, all while managing a depleting supply of oxygen.
The grappling mechanic is always one of the more fun aspects of the regular levels inSplit Fiction, so adding the zero-gravity element introduces an extra element of engagement and allows for some unique twists on laser dodging and the already satisfying movement.
6Train Heist
Mission Impossible Taken To Another Level
Put on all the tactical gear possible and get ready for a windy ride.Train Heistis a hectic rush to the finish, taking players across mountains on gliders, on waterskis, and on foot in one of the most fast-paced and action-packed side stories in the game.
The movement feels so great to play with, allowing expert control over the character’s direction and trajectory, which is especially important when aiming for tighter gaps in the terrain. It really feels like the player is taking on the role of an action hero, flying sky-high above the train and dipping down low alongside it in this exhilarating chase.
5Notebook
Hand Drawn And Straight From The Mind Of A Writer
Notebookis probably the most unique of all the side stories inSplit Fiction. This is due to a complete shift in art style and aesthetic, still staying within the theme of fantasy generally but ditching all the color and flair for more cartoony depictions of the protagonists and their adventures in this unknown world.
There is a lot to love, from Zoe’s charming monologue to theinteractive elements like enemy and weapon selection, providing a different feeling from the other stories in the game. It also provides a good amount of lore and background for Zoe herself, as players listen and watch her create a simplistic story and are given an inside look at her creative process.
4Slopes Of War
1v1 Snowboarding Mayhem
Finally, some competition.It Takes Twofamously included many small yet funny mini-games where players could compete with one another for bragging rights and glory while not interrupting the actual main game.Split Fictionlikes to keep things fairlyfriendly and co-operative, but inSlopes of War, the tables turn into a back-flipping, rail-grinding race to the finish line.
The story feels very akin to skating games of the past, incorporating a combo system that rewards players for chaining together tricks and maintaining their style. By the end of the race, both players will be out of breath from the rush, but only one can call themselves that champion; unless there’s a rematch, of course.
3Moon Market
Kittens And Critters Galore
Moon Marketis an absolute treat for the eyes and the senses. Heavily inspired by magical media likeHarry Potter,players find themselves in a magical village full of charming animals of various shapes and sizes—from ghostly cats to human-sized moles—many of whom are attending the many stalls and stores that line the town square.
The number of Easter Eggs and hidden references here is hard to count.Dark Souls,the Baba Yaga, and more are all tucked away in the alleys, just waiting to be uncovered. When the players are done chasing the cats around, they can visit the potion stall for some wacky transformations, the wand shop for transfiguration, and draw some pretty pictures in the soil with flowers. It’s simply a breeding ground for fun and delight.
2Birthday Cake
Delicious And Sweet, With A Deadly Twist
Sugary, sweet, and a visual overload,Birthday Cakeis one of the most vibrant and adorable stages in the game. Taking on the persona of a set of teeth, the players must platform across a whole candy store of treats, traversing over the chocolate sea and enjoying the adorable surroundings and delightful soundtrack.
However, when the mood is at its highest, thingstake a sharp turn into horror, revealing the side story’s boss: a nightmarish dentist straight out of a slasher film. It’s terrifying and comedic at the same time, requiring coordination and focus to take down, and providing one hell of an emotional rollercoaster for players.
1Farmlife
Absurdity On Another Level
The best for last and one of the first,Farmlifeis the obvious winner, as it has everything the players could ever want from a side story. It has color, it has comedy, and it has a sprinkle of horror mixed in between, providing an absolutely hilarious and unforgettable experience that truly cannot be found in any other game.
Hazelight clearly didn’t think playing as a farting pig was good enough, so towards the end of the story, players are plunged into a meat grinder and turned into sausages, needing to cook and coat themselves before hopping into a bun to be eaten. The description alone is absurd, and it deserves every piece of praise and credit for being possibly the most unique and ridiculous gameplay experience in recent memory.
