Split Fiction, Hazlelight’s phenomenal follow-up to the already incredible and award-winningIt Takes Two, is a riotously good co-op game that features two central protagonists: Mio and Zoe. Each player takes control of one of these characters at the start of the game and then proceeds to play as them for the rest of it. They’re both dramatically different in personalities, wants, and desires, but also exceptionally similar, which is what makes up the foundations ofSplit Fiction’snarrative.
Rightfully earning itself a spot as one of2025’s biggest games,Split Fictionwill entertain anyone looking for a poignant and fun co-op adventure for two. Crucially, it requires two real people to play it, so there’s no playing with an AI bot. Once everyone has settled onto the same couch or snuggled up on their own chair and connected online, they’lljust need to decide whether they’re going to play as either Zoe or Mio.
How Zoe Plays In Split Fiction
She’s More Lighthearted & Fun
Zoe is the more optimistic and lighthearted character out of the dual protagonists. While she’s in the same boat as Mio, she’s more trusting, kindhearted, and has a whimsical flair to her that carries through into the stories that she imagines. This makes her a more fun protagonist, at least narratively, although she still has plenty of depth behind her that leads to some truly exceptional scenes.Zoe is a great choice for the person who feels her personality type better suits themwhen playingSplit Fiction’sgroundbreaking co-op adventure. However, she does have a few gameplay differences from Mio.
In certain levels, just like inIt Takes Two,she has a functionally different yet ultimately complementary ability that will help players solve each puzzle. For example, in one level, she can shapeshift into a tiny pixie, allowing her to access certain areas, or a giant tree-like creature that can pull up platforms. Similarly, in one of the many sci-fi levels, she has an electric whip that helps her in both combat and traversal. There are more examples, such as a level where she turns into a springy pig, but I don’t want to spoil them all for you.
How Mio Plays In Split Fiction
She’s More Nihilistic & Gets A Katana
InSplit Fiction,Mio, unlike Zoe, is far more nihilistic, tending to see the worst in people and situations, including during the game’s opening sequence. While Zoe prefers a fantasy setting as it is more hopeful, Mio skews more towards sci-fi, which leads to a lot of her levels being dark and gritty, full of revenge, and a lot more somber. Those who identify more with Mio as a character should pick her when prompted, although, like Zoe, she has a few gameplay differences.
Split Fiction Continues Hazelight’s Legacy Of Revolutionizing Co-op Games
Hazelight has become synonymous with epic co-op adventures, and recent footage from Split Fiction appears to be taking that one step further.
During the level in which Zoe can transform into a pixie or Groot-like creature,Zoe gains the ability to turn into a giant monkey that is strong enough to push around platforms and even gets its ownDonkey Kong-style level. Similarly, in the aforementioned sci-fi level, she has a katana rather than Zoe’s whip, and in the pig level, she can fart to propel herself forward, rather than turn into a spring. These gameplay differences are one of the many ways thatSplit Fictionis better thanIt Takes Two, but ultimately shouldn’t be deal-breakers.
Is Zoe Or Mio Actually Better?
They’re Both Just As Good As Each Other
While both Zoe and Mio have their own unique abilities during certain levels, as well as their own characteristics and traits, they play identically to one another and, therefore,neither can be considered better than the other. The benefit of each one having unique abilities is thatSplit Fictionhas plenty of replay value, as each player can switch to being the other character for another playthrough.
If both people are playing locally - literally in the same room and playing on the same console - then they can just switch controllers with one another if they decide that they’d rather be the other character, or want to test out the other character’s abilities.
People definitely shouldn’t worry about picking the “right” character inSplit Fiction, but rather just the one they most identify with or sounds like has the most enjoyable gameplay mechanics. Ultimately, if the character you’ve picked is making younot enjoySplit Fiction, then there is always the ability to restart and choose again. Frankly, both Mio and Zoe are incredible protagonists inSplit Fiction, and playing with either is an absolute blast.
