Anticipation Mounts as Gash Up Fiction Secures Multiple Perfect Scores Before Xbox Release This Week
We have consistently expected that the upcoming title from A Way Out and It Takes Two creator Hazelight Studios might possibly be impressive, but can they produce yet another Game of the Year contender? Well, the response is a resounding yes!
Split Fiction is launching on Xbox this Thursday, and the reviews have been pouring in today — including from us at Pure Xbox, where we awarded it an “Outstanding” 9/10. Some outlets have gone even further, giving it a 10/10 (or 5/5 stars) rating, including our friends at Push Square along with GameSpot and Eurogamer.
So, let’s take a look at the roundup, shall we? Here’s what the reviewers are saying about Split Fiction:
Pure Xbox (9/10)
“Split Fiction elevates the standard for cooperative adventure games and is sure to be included in the ‘Game of the Year’ discussions by the end of 2025. Its increased challenge may discourage some players, but those who embrace the challenge will uncover an incredibly diverse, innovative, and ambitious gameplay experience that is sure to linger in memory.”
Push Square (10/10)
“Split Fiction stands as Hazelight Studios’ finest creation so far, distinguishing itself as one of the most accomplished and enjoyable co-op experiences on PS5 thus far. Its unmatched variety ensures there’s never a tedious moment, and all of its various mechanics are consistently well-crafted. While a few minor criticisms could be raised, they quickly fade into the background as the game continually introduces new concepts and rarely takes a break.”
Eurogamer (5/5)
“As the credits roll and you reflect on everything you’ve accomplished — all the incredible locations you’ve visited, the crazy moments you’ve experienced, and the genuinely great fun you’ve shared — it doesn’t take two to realize that, whether cooperative or not, nothing else in gaming today quite matches Split Fiction.”
GameSpot (10/10)
“Split Fiction may very well be the finest cooperative game I’ve encountered. At the very least, I am convinced it establishes a new benchmark for this genre. However, it is much more than that. Split Fiction is a tribute to creativity—honoring stories, games, and the individuals who craft them.”
Windows Central (4.5/5)
“Split Fiction demonstrates that Hazelight Studios is still redefining the potential of co-op games, featuring superb gameplay and unique level designs that remain fresh throughout the entire journey. Mio and Zoe may occasionally fall into some cliché tropes, but that is completely intentional in this heartwarming narrative that prioritizes human creativity above all else.”
IGN (9/10)
“With no concept lingering long enough to grow stale before transitioning to the next, it’s a triumph of both imagination and restraint. Hazelight has been reshaping the co-op playbook for a decade, and Split Fiction marks a new chapter that you (and a friend) definitely need to experience.”
Video Games Chronicle (4/5)
“The game occasionally risks becoming repetitive with its constant transitions between two primary settings, but its rich variety of side-stories and ever-evolving mechanics keep the gameplay stimulating and enjoyable throughout, even if the same cannot always be said for its narrative.”
Noisy Pixel (8/10)
“Split Fiction is a wildly creative cooperative adventure that excels in its unpredictability. Hazelight Studios expertly merges platforming, puzzles, and genre transitions into a thrilling yet sometimes overwhelming experience.”