Hazelight Studios has perfected co-op. A Way Out, It Takes Two, and Split Fiction are masterfully done 2-player games that take full advantage of the multiplayer formula. You cannot imagine these stories being told effectively without co-op, at least not in a way that would preserve their core themes and gameplay. Although all three are equally fantastic, It Takes Two was the release that really put Hazelight on the map, and it set the bar for modern co-op games in the process. A Way Out and Split Fiction exist in its shadow, even if they might be superior in some areas.
Frankly, games like It Takes Two do not come around often, and projects that are 100% identical do not exist. However, local co-op games have been gaining momentum recently, partially thanks to Hazelight’s efforts and successes, so the future is bright and filled with adventures that experiment with storytelling, puzzles, and teamwork. As It Takes Two‘s biggest strength is its imagination, let’s highlight a few upcoming co-op games that should also have unique identities that set them apart from the crowd.
Tojibo
A Cozy 2-Player Puzzle Platformer
Hazelight is completely committed to co-op, to the point that none of the studio’s games offer single-player options. This was and still is a risky move that automatically disqualifies a large group of people from even considering picking up a game. Hazelight is nowadays well-known enough that any new titles should garner a lot of attention, but that cannot be said for most indie developers who decide to go down this route. Vermeil Soft’s Tojibo is a puzzle-platformer that requires two players, and it supports both local and online co-op.
Now, full disclosure, the game looks wildly different from It Takes Two. If you are mainly looking for an adventure story-driven game, Tojibo might not be the best option for you. However, if you mainly enjoyed It Takes Two‘s clever co-op puzzles, this upcoming release should hit the mark. The 2D platformer is entirely devoted to teamwork, with players needing to support and (literally) carry each other to climb up each stage. While I’m sure it will offer some challenges, the game promises that the puzzles are fun and not excessively difficult, which is the motto that It Takes Two seemed to adhere to.
