Sometimes you wonder how something like this is possible! For years you're bombarded with formulaic games into which millions of dollars and thousands of hours of work have been poured, and then a relatively small indie developer like Hazelight comes along with their new project “It Takes Two an entire industry in its pocket.
Already with their first game “A Way Out (our review) they demonstrated an innovative co-op concept, which they are now showcasing in their new adventure game. "It Takes Two" It shoots into a league that even AAA productions struggle to compete with – just like that. You're constantly amazed as you move from one themed world to the next, reveling in incredible variety, having hours of unbelievable fun, and all of it presented with a technical perfection that's long been missing elsewhere. Why "It Takes Two Find out in our review which game you absolutely shouldn't miss.
All you need is love
"It Takes Two" The story revolves around Cody and May, a married couple who have grown apart over the years. He, the stay-at-home dad, tries to keep everything running smoothly, while she, the engineer, works overtime and is hardly ever home. After numerous arguments and disagreements, the couple decides to divorce and must now tell their daughter, Rosie. The little girl is, of course, shocked and heartbroken, and seeks solace in Dr. Hakim's "Book of Love." Unwittingly, her tears transfer her parents' spirits into two small, handcrafted wooden figures; a situation the two must come to terms with. Naturally, they want to return to their human forms, and fortunately, the brought-to-life Dr. Hakim, with his Spanish fire, tells them what they must do: they must work together and save their relationship.
To achieve this, Cody and May battle their way through many different themed worlds around their home, such as the basement, the garden, and objects like a snow globe or the tree in front of the house. The two encounter numerous puzzles and challenges that they must overcome as a team, gaining new powers and abilities to conquer the levels and, along the way, experiencing what is probably the greatest adventure of their lives. The boisterous humor that arises naturally from the fact that everything is presented in oversized detail from the perspective of the wooden puppets.
A wild mix of genres
They receive items like a nail gun and a hammer, a resin launcher and a matchstick flamethrower, or simply half a magnet each, which must be skillfully used to utilize its physical properties. The powers are always complementary to each other, emphasizing co-op and teamwork in every section. The constantly evolving powers ensure incredible variety throughout the game, consistently captivating and enthralling the player.
Added to this are constantly changing gameplay and genre elements – for example, there are sections where we have magical powers and move through the levels like in a dungeon crawler, in another section we're treated to a third-person shooter, and then elsewhere a first-class platformer. Rarely has a title managed to combine so many different styles while maintaining a consistently high and engaging level throughout. We are genuinely surprised, no, absolutely fascinated by how well it all works. "It Takes Two" It works and remains true to its mantra of co-op gameplay down to the smallest detail.
Beyond the teamwork, there are also frequent mini-games where you can challenge and defeat each other, such as the snail race or a darts competition. These also serve as a kind of couples therapy, where you have to prove how much you can still rely on each other. A truly charming idea. These little mini-games are especially fun in couch co-op, as they sometimes allow you to rub your victory in each other's faces even more effectively.
All in all, the story and the numerous gameplay elements are truly enjoyable! For over 15 hours, boredom never sets in, and we're incredibly surprised by how such a small indie studio manages to combine so many different elements so effectively. The variety is consistently appealing and keeps us eager to see what elements await us next. Furthermore, their simplicity makes them very easy and quick to master, making them suitable even for less experienced players, like your girlfriend.
A story from the heart
In "It Takes Two" At its core, the story is always about cooperation and saving their relationship without losing themselves in the process. The narrative reveals many different facets of Cody and May, their relationship, and especially the problems they face. We develop a compelling connection with the characters, understanding some of their decisions, while also questioning others and feeling guilty about our own choices. However, we are also presented with a development in which the two characters openly acknowledge their problems and difficulties and, over time, find their way back to each other.
Furthermore, the entire game is peppered with incredibly funny moments and situations, such as when the guerrilla squirrels wage war against the wasps for control of the tree, or when Dr. Hakim, in his inimitable way, does everything he can to guide us onto the right path. These moments provide numerous lighthearted situations and laughs, which we can often relate to perfectly because we would have reacted exactly the same way. The game world also features absurd situations, such as in the Cloud Palace, where you can rub the belly of a pink flying bear, who then blissfully lies down on its back.
But it's not just the story and the humor that create such a consistently enjoyable atmosphere; it's also the many different levels, each with its own unique design and countless little details that make it easy to get lost in them. The small studio has gone to great lengths to breathe life into the various sections, paying attention to every single moment that could possibly fit. This is complemented by the truly impressive graphics and the meticulously crafted character models, which could rival any animated film. Simply fantastic!
Total offers "It Takes Two" The complete package in terms of atmosphere. We get a great story, exceptionally good graphics, a wealth of details and gameplay elements, as well as appealing voice acting, even if it's only available in English. We were thoroughly entertained throughout the entire game and really connected with the characters. It's truly fantastic what the studio has achieved here. The only criticism would be the rigid, linear storyline, as it feels somewhat repetitive outside of the mini-games. “It Takes Two” There is hardly any room for extensive exploration or reasons to take a closer look around the game world.
As I've written elsewhere: Definitely one of the games of the year! More of this, please! The most varied 12 hours I've ever had in a game.