Josef Fares founded a gaming company called Hazelight Studios and published its first game with EA titled “A Way Out.” A co-op experience about two prisoners escaping prison that would become a success for the small independent video game studio. After that game’s success, Fares gathered a group to create another similar video game featuring a co-op experience but with less adult edge. That game would later be called “It Takes Two,” a story of a broken married couple turned into dolls crossing imaginative worlds to get back into their original bodies. Released in 2021, the game would become an instant hit, maybe even more so than A Way Out. When I heard about It Takes Two’s success, I invited a friend of mine to join in on the fun, and little did we know that we were in for a treat as we discovered a game full of imagination and heart. I can say that this is one of the best video games I’ve ever played, and I’ll tell you why I believe that is the case.
When the married couple May and Cody’s relationship hits the skids, they tell their daughter Rose they are considering getting a divorce. Saddened by the news, Rose heads to her room, grabs her dolls and therapy book, and actually cries on the dolls, which magically transports May and Cody into the bodies of Rose’s dolls. May and Cody come across Dr. Hakmin, who assumes the form of Rose’s therapy book. He puts May and Cody’s skills to the test to work together to get across imaginative worlds while coming across talking inanimate objects and animals and also fixing their broken relationship in the process.
The story is charming and heartwarming and does not let go of making the players laugh and even cry throughout the journey. Each obstacle May and Cody find themselves in, more often than not, challenges their relationship problems which can lead to very poignant and very well-thought-out moments that elevate the story into being more than just another 3D platformer story. Admittedly it’s not hard to guess how the story will play out and how it ends. Still, by the end of the game, both you and your friend will have gone through so much to beat the game that the results will still leave both you and your friend satisfied, even if the ending might be a little too happy and unrealistic for some. May and Cody's constant banter is very endearing and how they work through their predicament once they become dolls is very fun and enjoyable. However, the game never forgets the heart to shine through both May and Cody and it is very effective, especially in the slower moments. Their daughter Rose also has a few chances to shine, with many of her scenes being very somber and tugging at your and your friend's heartstrings. The inanimate objects also become likable characters in their own right. Especially when it comes to the star of the show Dr. Hakmin, a Mexican-like therapy book who at first seemed to be an annoyance but slowly but indeed became more and more poignant to me and my friend to the point of being delightful. Even if you can guess the story's ending, you and your friend will still have no problem having so much fun being sucked into the story and its characters.
The gameplay is a co-op-only experience, meaning that it is required to have a second player to beat the game. I’ll just say upfront that this is one of the best co-op experiences I’ve ever had. It Takes Two certainly lives up to its name, as many challenges and puzzles will encourage you and your partner to use your newfound skills to get past different areas. Me and my best friend had so much fun learning to work together to solve puzzles and defeat bosses, and each challenge represented a moment to stop and think things through, just like May and Cody have to step back and think about how they are going to get back to their normal bodies. The level design is made specifically for two players, and the game does an excellent job of having each player get their moment to shine without having it just be a one-man show. May and Cody will get a new power-up when entering a new level which will come in handy when finding creative and super fun ways to traverse the level designs that await them so they can try to return to normal. This game is not super hard, but it’s also not super easy either. Luckily this game is nice enough to have a player start right where they left off if they happen to die during a challenging boss fight. Sometimes though, the game is not about platforming as it can sometimes be about having fun with your friend, and this game has many aspects, such as sliding segments or fun mini-games which break up the more challenging puzzle solving. If I did have to complain about anything, I would say the flying controls could have been more polished as they aren’t as smooth as the other controls. Really though, if that is the only thing I have to complain about, that is a true testament to how great the gameplay. Sometimes its fun to play with a friend, and I’m glad this game reminded me why co-op-only gameplay can be just as important as solo gameplay.
The graphics have a very playful and creative feel. The game features realistic designs for humans and backgrounds, especially at the beginning and end of the game. When May and Cody become dolls, the world becomes alive with vast open worlds from a doll’s point of view, unlike anything you’d find in reality. The creators had a lot of fun coming up with new visual ideas that beg for exploration, and each has a theme that relates to the missions that both players need to accomplish to get to the next level. I’m not kidding; this game is extraordinarily inventive and always finds a way to wow players into fantastical worlds that feature inanimate talking objects and unique spins on areas around the house that are given a magical and wondrous point of view. One minute you might be walking through Rose’s room as you pass an endless sea of toys to reach the top of a cardboard castle, and the next minute, you might be in space as you float and puzzle-solve your way to get to the next area. The character designs in the imaginary world are very appealing, and the emotions from both May and Cody are expertly done to help sell their relationship as a broken couple trying to rebuild their relationship. This game won multiple rewards for its level design and graphics, and I would not blame them, this truly is a marvel in creating an imaginative visual splendor that will take you and your friend on a spectacular journey. Much like the story and graphics, the Music has a playful feel but hides a bit of a dramatic side to its compositions.
This music knows how to liven up a mood and be subtle and softer in the more heartwarming or sad moments. Although it may not be the most memorable compared to everything else in this game, the music captures a mood and makes the gamers feel the right emotions at the correct times.
I have not had this much fun with a video game for so long, It Takes Two is one of the most satisfying and imaginative games I have played with a friend in a long time which is really saying a lot given the fact that many other games that require two people usually lack in incorporating the second player to be just as important as the first player is. It’s no wonder this little game from Hazelight Studios has become a smash success with gamers and critics everywhere winning tons of awards and recognitions. What makes this game special to me is that its a game that is ment to be shared with your friend or loved one and even people who are not gamers can find something to appericate from its creative level design or its touching messages in the storytelling. Me and my friend agreed that we should return and play the game again in the future which just shows how much fun this game. You don’t need to be an expert to play this game but as long as you have a good friend by your side, you’ll persevere because it really does take two to appreciate this hidden gem among video games.
(Final Grade: A)