Split Fiction Switch 2 Review

Split Fiction Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

My wife and I rarely get to game together much these days. With our jobs, kids, and general chaos of everyday life, it’s very rare to get a moment together to sit back and relax. But since the launch of the Switch 2, I have recruited her to help assist with capturing footage, and as a part of that, we recently played through Split Fiction on Switch 2. Aside from a few little clips making the rounds on social media, we both went into this completely blind, and I think that made all the difference. So many moments in this game are built around discovery… strange puzzles, surprising twists, and clever little design tricks. Not knowing what was coming made each one feel that much more special, and we shared these moments of laughter and wow factor so much so that playing through the game had become a nightly tradition after the kids were in bed. Because of that, I’ve made this review and all the footage you’ll see as spoiler-free as possible. If you’re thinking of playing this yourself, I want you to have those same little ‘wow’ moments we did. What’s it Like? Get an extra controller, grab a friend, and let your imagination go free as we review Split Fiction on Nintendo Switch 2.

Split Fiction follows the story of Mio and Zoe, two young authors on the verge of having their work published. Mio writes science fiction, while Zoe’s passion is fantasy. Together they head to Rader Publishing, where they’re introduced to a strange new technology that promises to let them literally live out their stories (Think the Animus from Assassin’s Creed.) But of course, things don’t go as planned. After a mishap with the machine, Mio and Zoe’s worlds collide, causing a system malfunction that mashes their very different story universes into one chaotic, unpredictable adventure. Very early on, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems at Rader Publishing. What follows is a genre-bending journey full of surprises and odd twists that keep you guessing. The game itself is easy to pick up and play, starting as a simple platformer with some light timing elements. But as the chapters progress, the mechanics steadily build from gravity shifting during a futuristic rush hour to, farting pigs. yes… You read that right. It sounds strange, but these quirky touches work in the game’s favour. The puzzles gradually become more involved, but the difficulty curve is gentle enough that both casual and more serious players can have a good time. This steady ramp-up is one of Split Fiction’s strengths, as it keeps things fresh without ever overwhelming you.

Split Fiction is built entirely around two-player co-op, so there’s no way to play this one solo. That design choice is intentional in the best way. Whether you’re playing split-screen on the big screen, in tabletop mode (an extra controller is required), or online using the game’s Friend Pass feature (which lets a friend download a free version to join you), Split Fiction is meant to be shared. For us, playing side by side, both in tabletop mode and on the TV, felt natural and fun. Communication is key here. You’re constantly solving puzzles that require teamwork, timing, and coordination. But what I really appreciated was that neither player felt like a passenger. Both Mio and Zoe have their own role in every puzzle, and you always feel involved in what’s happening. That said, our different gaming abilities did mean one of us would get through certain sections a little faster. But surprisingly, this never made things boring or frustrating. In fact, it was honestly fun to sit back and watch the other person laugh their way through tricky parts, even when she was failing. The game keeps the mood light and low stakes, so mistakes never feel punishing. If one player goes down, they can just tap X to speed up their respawn timer, as long as the other player stays alive, they come right back in the action. It keeps the experience smooth and frustration-free, even when you’re out of sync. The variety of challenges also kept things fresh and led to plenty of laughs and a few “Wait, what are you doing?!” moments. But that’s part of the charm. Split Fiction feels like it was made to encourage moments like that.

Split Fiction is a great-looking game that uses its setting in clever ways. Because the story shifts between the fictional worlds created by Mio and Zoe, every chapter brings something new to see. Mio’s sci-fi levels are dark, moody, and industrial, which perfectly matches her personality, while Zoe’s fantasy-inspired worlds are bright, vibrant, and full of life… although some of her levels take a surprisingly dark turn too. The variety keeps things fresh, and no two areas feel the same for long. Visually, the game is crisp and clean, which makes it easy to keep track of what’s going on, even when the screen gets busy with enemies, moving platforms, or split puzzles. One of the game’s best tricks is how it plays with the split-screen presentation. Sometimes, both players share the same screen space, only for the view to split apart again as each character heads into different parts of the world. It’s a neat effect that not only looks good but also makes the co-op gameplay feel more dynamic and connected. Performance-wise, Split Fiction runs well on Switch 2 in both docked and tabletop mode. Tabletop mode actually runs at a higher framerate, thanks to its lower resolution, which makes portable play feel especially smooth. On the big screen, the game still holds up nicely, but I would have loved to see a dedicated performance mode for docked play to really take advantage of the Switch 2’s extra power. Even so, the experience never felt sluggish or unresponsive.

Split Fiction shines when it comes to accessibility. The game offers a robust suite of options, starting with the usual features like subtitles and closed captioning. But it goes much further… players can skip forward through difficult sections, automate rapid button presses, add crosshairs, remove damage entirely, and remap controls. What’s really impressive is that these settings can be customized separately for each character. This thoughtful design means two players with very different needs can tailor the experience perfectly for themselves, rather than being forced into a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s refreshing to see such a considerate and inclusive approach, especially for a game built entirely around co-op.

In terms of value, Split Fiction is priced at $70 AUD, available digitally and as a boxed code in retailers. The main story takes about 12 hours to complete, with an additional 6 hours or so if you want to tackle all the side stories. For an indie co-op adventure, that feels like a solid amount of content, especially given how varied and engaging the gameplay remains throughout. Replayability comes mainly from the Friend Pass feature that lets you share the game with a friend online and the experience of playing as two different characters with distinct worlds and abilities. While the story itself is linear, the way you live it through Mio and Zoe’s perspectives adds enough variety to keep it feeling fresh. If you’re after a charming, well-crafted story and co-op experience, Split Fiction delivers a satisfying package worth your time.

Split Fiction ended up being one of the most pleasant surprises my wife and I have played in a long time. It’s fun, well-written, and offers a genuinely unique co-op experience that stands apart from so many other games out there. If you’ve got two controllers or a friend with a Switch 2 of their own, this is absolutely worth diving into together. With its clever split-screen design, varied worlds, and thoughtful approach to both gameplay and accessibility, Split Fiction feels like a rare kind of game: one that’s built from the ground up to be shared and enjoyed with someone else. And for us, that made it a real highlight on the Switch 2 so far.

So, What’s it Like? Split Fiction is like “It Takes Two” crossed with “Crash Bandicoot”

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