Start with Split Fiction. Hazelight made it as the follow-up to It Takes Two, keeping the co-op-only, story-led structure while moving two players through contrasting science-fiction and fantasy worlds. It supports PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck, and Friend’s Pass can let a second player join when the platform and edition support it.
If you want a different kind of partnership game, A Way Out is Hazelight’s more linear cinematic option, Unravel Two offers gentler platforming, Portal 2 makes communication the main challenge, and Overcooked 2 turns teamwork into short, frantic rounds.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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007 First Light - Specialist Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Kena: Bridge of Spirits - Deluxe Edition (PS5) - PlayStation 5 | $29.44 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | $29.50 | Buy on Amazon |
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Quick comparison
| Game | What it emphasizes | Players | Local or online play | Platforms documented in the cited material | Single-copy option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split Fiction | Story, platforming, puzzles and changing action mechanics | Two | Co-op; cross-play is documented for supported setups | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck | Friend’s Pass on supported platforms; one user owns the full game |
| A Way Out | Linear, cinematic narrative adventure | Two | Co-op-only; confirm the current platform’s local or online rules | Not stated in the cited material | Check the current store listing |
| Unravel Two | Calmer two-player platforming and teamwork | Two | Confirm the exact local or online mode for your platform | Not stated in the cited material | Check the current store listing |
| Portal 2 | Communication, spatial reasoning and puzzle solving | Two for the co-op recommendation | Confirm the mode available on your platform | Not stated in the cited material | Check the current store listing |
| Overcooked 2 | Fast, task-based teamwork | Up to four in common platform listings | Local and online co-op | Not stated in the cited material | Check the current store listing |
The table separates what is clearly documented from what depends on a platform listing. Multiplayer rules, cross-play and a one-copy invitation can differ by edition, region and storefront, so verify those details immediately before buying.
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Why it feels like the natural next game
Split Fiction comes from Hazelight, the studio behind It Takes Two. Like its predecessor, it is designed around two players rather than adapting a solo campaign for co-op. The story continually moves between science-fiction and fantasy settings, giving each player new situations and mechanics instead of asking them to repeat one narrow activity for an entire campaign.
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That structure matters if your favorite part of It Takes Two was the feeling that every level had been built for a pair. You are not merely taking turns or having one player follow the other. The appeal is the ongoing need to coordinate while the game changes the kind of coordination it wants from you.
Who should choose it
- Couples or friends who want another substantial, narrative-led campaign built specifically for two.
- Players who enjoyed frequent shifts between platforming, puzzles and action rather than a single repeated game mode.
- Groups that need cross-play or a Friend’s Pass, provided their particular platforms and editions support those features.
Platforms and Friend’s Pass
The current platform information cited for Split Fiction lists PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck. Electronic Arts’ purchase information states that one user must own the full game for the co-op player to play the full game. That is the practical meaning of Friend’s Pass: the owner sends an invitation, and the second player joins without buying a second full copy when the platform rules allow it.
Do not assume that a pass transfers between every device. Check whether your combination of storefronts supports cross-play, whether both players need the same generation of console, and whether the pass is included in the edition you are considering.
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Buying checklist
- Search for the edition that matches the console or PC storefront you actually use, such as a PlayStation 5 edition rather than a different console generation.
- Open the current store page and confirm that Friend’s Pass and cross-play are listed for your platform combination.
- Have the owner install the full game and have the joining player install the pass or trial client required by that storefront.
- Use the in-game invitation system after both players have signed in to the relevant platform accounts.
- If the invitation fails, compare region, edition, account permissions and console generation before purchasing another copy.
2. A Way Out is Hazelight’s more linear story
What makes it different
A Way Out is Hazelight’s earlier co-op-only narrative adventure. It is built as a linear, cinematic two-player story, so the progression is more directed than the constantly changing structure associated with It Takes Two. The official Xbox bundle groups it with Split Fiction and It Takes Two, and Xbox Wire describes Hazelight’s approach as co-op-only games with “big hearts.”
Choose it when the relationship between the two playable characters and the forward motion of the story matter more to you than a large variety of platforming systems. The experience is still designed for two people, but its strongest comparison point is cinematic cooperation rather than playful mechanical surprise.
Best fit
- Adults who want a focused, dramatic campaign rather than a collection of disconnected challenges.
- Players who prefer clear objectives and a directed pace.
- Anyone who wants another Hazelight game but has already had enough of elaborate platforming sections.
Because the cited material does not establish a universal platform list or a current single-copy rule for every edition, check the store page for your system before buying. If you are considering the Hazelight Collection Bundle on Xbox, confirm which editions and invitation terms are included at the time of purchase.
3. Unravel Two offers gentler platforming
Why it works after It Takes Two
Unravel Two is repeatedly recommended as a two-player platforming choice for people looking for an adventure in the same broad category as It Takes Two. Its appeal is cooperation at a calmer pace: both players work through platforming situations together instead of competing for a score or racing through short rounds.
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This is the pick for a pair that enjoyed helping each other over obstacles but wants a less hectic mood. It also suits players who find the louder, more demanding sections of other co-op games tiring.
Questions to settle before starting
- Is the version you own local co-op, online co-op, or both?
- Does the platform require two user profiles or a second controller?
- Are the accessibility settings you need available in that edition?
The cited recommendations identify Unravel Two as a two-player platforming option but do not establish one universal local-and-online configuration. Treat the platform’s current listing as the authority for those details.
Rank #2
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits - Deluxe Edition includes: Base Game, Official Digital Soundtrack, Unique Kena Staff, Golden Rot Skin, Retail Exclusive Sticker Sheet, Unique Celebration Hats for Rot
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- Explore: A forgotten village and a strange curse; Draw on the power of the Spirit Realm to restore this once-majestic world
- Fast-Paced Combat: Spirits have become corrupt, trapped, and unable to move on, challenging Kena at every turn
4. Portal 2 makes communication the game
A puzzle-first alternative
Portal 2 is a classic two-player puzzle recommendation, but it delivers a very different kind of co-op satisfaction. Instead of following a cinematic relationship story, both players solve spatial problems by planning, experimenting and explaining what they see. A successful solution often depends on one player noticing a route or timing issue that the other cannot see from their position.
That makes it an excellent choice when the best part of It Takes Two was talking through a problem. It is less suitable if you mainly want constant movement, spectacle or a narrative that keeps changing the emotional stakes.
Best fit
- Partners who enjoy discussing possibilities before committing to a move.
- Players who like trial and error and do not mind temporarily getting stuck.
- Friends who want the satisfaction of solving a room together rather than simply surviving it.
GamesRadar and Le Monde both surface Portal 2 among strong co-op choices. The cited material does not provide a single platform or ownership rule that applies to every current edition, so verify the version and multiplayer method in your store.
5. Overcooked 2 is the hectic group option
Short sessions instead of a story campaign
Overcooked 2 is documented in common platform listings as supporting local and online co-op for up to four players. That makes it the easiest recommendation here when your group is larger than two or when you want a game that can be played in short bursts.
The trade-off is tone and structure. You are coordinating tasks under pressure, not following a relationship-focused adventure. The fun comes from dividing work, calling out priorities and recovering when the plan collapses. It can be hilarious with a group and exhausting when everyone wants a relaxed evening.
Best fit
- Families or friend groups of three or four.
- Players who want repeatable rounds rather than a single long campaign.
- Groups comfortable with time pressure, mistakes and noisy communication.
Because the cited material does not establish one complete platform list, check the current listing for your device and confirm whether online play requires a platform subscription.
Choose by the part of It Takes Two you miss
If the story and character partnership mattered most
Pick Split Fiction first. It preserves the co-op-only, narrative-led foundation and comes from the same studio. Choose A Way Out when you want that studio’s storytelling in a more linear and cinematic form.
If platforming was your favorite activity
Start with Unravel Two for a gentler two-player platforming experience. Choose Split Fiction when you want platforming alongside frequent changes in setting and mechanics.
If solving problems together was the highlight
Choose Portal 2. Its co-op recommendation is centered on communication and spatial problem-solving rather than a relationship story.
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- The main protagonist James Sunderland searches for clues in the namesake town, after receiving a mysterious letter from his wife Mary… who has long been dead
- Experience the eerie monsters and other manifestations of James' consciousness reworked after 20 years
- Made with state-of-the-art technology to play on modern entertainment systems in 4K
If you want quick, chaotic rounds
Choose Overcooked 2, especially when more than two people are joining. It supports up to four players in common platform listings and offers both local and online co-op.
Local, online and one-copy questions
When one copy can be enough
The one-copy model is explicitly documented for It Takes Two and Split Fiction. For Split Fiction, the owner of the full game can invite a co-op player through Friend’s Pass on supported setups. This is not a blanket promise for every platform, region or edition, and it does not mean that a pass purchased on one storefront automatically works on another.
What to verify on the store page
- Look for the exact console, PC storefront or handheld edition you intend to use.
- Read the multiplayer section for local, online and cross-play support.
- Check whether the second player needs a free pass, a trial client, a subscription or a separate purchase.
- Confirm account, region and generation requirements before assuming an invitation will work.
- Save the owner’s receipt or order details in case customer support needs to verify the entitlement.
Why platform details can change the recommendation
A game can be perfect in design and still be inconvenient for your household if one player is on a different platform or if the preferred edition lacks the required mode. The cited platform list for Split Fiction includes PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck; the other recommendations require edition-specific checking. Treat compatibility as part of the choice, not as a detail to solve after purchase.
A practical decision path for couples and friends
- Count the players. For exactly two people, all five recommendations are relevant. For three or four, begin with Overcooked 2.
- Set the desired mood. Choose a story-led adventure, a calmer platformer, a puzzle session or frantic rounds before comparing individual games.
- Decide whether the campaign should be linear. A Way Out is the clearest directed cinematic option; Split Fiction is the broader, more varied follow-up.
- Check where you will play. Verify the exact platform, generation and local or online mode for every title except the documented Split Fiction platform list.
- Confirm ownership terms. If buying only one copy is important, verify Friend’s Pass or another invitation system on the current store page.
- Match the challenge level to the group. Puzzle-heavy play requires patience and discussion; timed teamwork can create pressure even when sessions are short.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Assuming every recommendation copies It Takes Two
Only Split Fiction is presented as Hazelight’s direct follow-up. A Way Out shares the studio’s co-op-only, narrative-led approach, while Unravel Two, Portal 2 and Overcooked 2 each emphasize a different activity. Select based on the specific element you want to repeat.
Buying before checking the platform edition
Platform support and multiplayer rules are not interchangeable. The current cited list for Split Fiction includes five platform families, but the material does not establish equivalent lists for the other games. Open the listing for your exact device and read the multiplayer and compatibility sections.
Expecting a one-copy invitation everywhere
Friend’s Pass is documented for supported Split Fiction setups, not as a universal entitlement across all combinations of devices and regions. Confirm cross-play, generation and account requirements before relying on one purchase.
Choosing a high-pressure game for a tired group
Overcooked 2 is designed around quick teamwork under pressure. If your group wants a quieter evening, Unravel Two or Portal 2 may be a better fit, depending on whether you prefer platforming or puzzles.
Prices, bundles and availability
No current price or inventory figure is safe to state without a region, storefront and date. Prices, promotions and stock can change, and a bundle may contain different editions from a standalone listing. If you are shopping on Xbox, compare the current Hazelight Collection Bundle with the individual games; for any platform, verify the edition, multiplayer terms and Friend’s Pass language at checkout.
The most direct purchase path is the platform-specific Split Fiction listing that matches your hardware. Use the same verification steps for every alternative rather than assuming that a recommendation’s reputation guarantees compatibility.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhich game should you play first?
For most people finishing It Takes Two, the answer is Split Fiction. It is the only recommendation here explicitly positioned as Hazelight’s co-op follow-up, and it keeps the two-player, story-led design while changing the worlds and situations. Choose A Way Out for a more linear cinematic story, Unravel Two for gentler platforming, Portal 2 for communication-driven puzzles, or Overcooked 2 for short, hectic sessions with up to four players.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
