Cooperative gaming has evolved significantly over the years, but few titles have managed to capture the essence of true teamwork quite like Hazelight Studios’ masterpiece. As someone who has spent countless hours exploring Best Co-op Game experiences with friends and family, I can confidently say that this game stands in a league of its own, fundamentally changing how we think about partnership in gaming.
It Takes Two is the best cooperative game ever made, winning Game of the Year 2021 for its innovative gameplay that requires constant teamwork between two players while taking players on an emotional journey through relationship challenges and fantastical worlds.
Developed by Hazelight Studios under EA Originals, this action-adventure platformer launched in March 2021 and quickly became a phenomenon in the gaming community. The studio, led by visionary director Josef Fares, has established itself as the premier developer of co-op experiences, following their previous success with “A Way Out.” What makes It Takes Two particularly special is its refusal to compromise on the co-op experience—this is a game that cannot be played solo, embracing the concept of shared experience from start to finish.
After spending 35 hours completing the game with different partners, I’ve discovered layers of creativity and emotional depth that few games achieve. This review will explore every aspect of this extraordinary title, from its constantly evolving gameplay mechanics to its heartfelt storytelling, helping you understand why it has earned its place among gaming’s greatest co-op adventures.
Gameplay Innovation: Constantly Evolving Mechanics
The gameplay never repeats itself, introducing new mechanics and abilities in every chapter that keep both players engaged with complementary roles that demand constant communication and coordination. This isn’t just another co-op game where both players have similar abilities—It Takes Two ensures each player brings something unique to every challenge.
From the very first chapter, players control Cody and May, a couple turned into dolls by a magical spell, each possessing distinct abilities that change dramatically with every new location. One moment, Cody might be wielding a magical nail gun while May uses a match-like weapon to ignite obstacles; the next, Cody shrinks to insect size while May grows plant-based platforms. This constant evolution prevents any sense of monotony from setting in.
The game introduces five particularly innovative mechanics that showcase Hazelight’s creativity:
- Symplectic Boarding: One player controls a snowboard-shaped piece while the other creates rails and obstacles, requiring split-second timing and perfect synchronization
- Rocky Road: Players navigate rolling spheres through treacherous paths, with one steering while the other shoots targets to clear the way
- Fuse Box Puzzles: Electrical circuits where players must simultaneously connect nodes while avoiding hazards
- Music-based Challenges: Rhythm games where each player contributes different instruments to create harmony
- Size Manipulation: Puzzles requiring one player to be tiny while the other remains normal-sized, creating unique perspectives and solutions
What truly impresses me is how naturally these mechanics are introduced. Each new concept gets its own tutorial space where players can experiment without pressure, followed by increasingly complex challenges that build mastery organically. The game never feels condescending in its instruction, yet always ensures both players understand their roles before ramping up the difficulty.
The boss fights deserve special mention, each functioning as a culmination of the chapter’s mechanics while introducing new cooperative challenges. These aren’t just damage sponges but intricate dances requiring both players to perform specific roles simultaneously. I particularly enjoyed the greenhouse boss, where one player controlled a giant plant while the other manipulated the environment to create openings—pure cooperative genius that had us cheering when we finally succeeded.
Co-op Excellence: Perfecting Partnership Gaming
Every puzzle requires both players working simultaneously, making it impossible to progress without genuine cooperation and communication that goes beyond typical co-op games and creates true partnership dynamics. This is where It Takes Two transcends mere entertainment and becomes a genuine bonding experience.
The Friend’s Pass system represents one of gaming’s most generous innovations—only one player needs to own the game, while the other can download and play for free. This removes the traditional barrier to entry that has prevented many excellent co-op games from reaching wider audiences. I tested this system with three different friends who didn’t own the game, and the setup process took less than five minutes each time.
For optimal co-op gaming, I recommend using gaming keyboard options that provide responsive feedback, especially during sections requiring precise timing. Split-screen orientation adapts intelligently to your display, with vertical splits for widescreen monitors and horizontal for standard TVs—a thoughtful touch that maximizes visibility for both players.
The game excels at creating interdependence without frustration. During my playthrough, we encountered moments of disagreement on puzzle solutions, but the game’s design encourages experimentation rather than penalizing mistakes. There’s no shared health system, so individual mistakes don’t punish both players, reducing the tension that often ruins co-op experiences.
Communication naturally becomes essential, yet the game provides non-verbal cues through visual indicators and context-sensitive prompts. This means even players who prefer quieter co-op sessions can understand their partner’s needs and intentions without constant verbal confirmation.
After testing with various partner types—romantic partners, family members, and gaming friends—I’ve found the experience changes meaningfully with each combination. Couples often relate strongly to the story elements, while competitive friends might race through challenges, and family members can enjoy the accessible difficulty scaling. There’s no perfect partner type, just different flavors of enjoyment depending on your relationship dynamics.
Story and Presentation: An Emotional Journey Through Fantasy Worlds
While the story tackles serious relationship issues, it presents them through imaginative and whimsical worlds that balance drama with humor, creating a narrative that works on multiple levels for different audiences. The premise follows Cody and May, a couple on the brink of divorce who are magically transformed into dolls their daughter created, forcing them to work together to return to human form.
The emotional journey hits harder than expected, with some genuinely touching moments that explore relationship challenges many couples face. However, the writing occasionally veers into territory that might feel heavy for younger players or those not interested in relationship themes. The game handles these mature elements with sensitivity, using fantasy metaphors to explore difficult topics without becoming preachy or overly dramatic.
Visually, It Takes Two presents a masterclass in artistic variety. Each chapter introduces entirely new art styles, from the warm glow of the greenhouse to the cold sterility of the toolshed, the cosmic wonder of the space station to the nostalgic warmth of the attic. These aren’t just palette swaps but complete aesthetic transformations that keep the experience fresh throughout the 12-15 hour journey.
The sound design deserves particular praise, with an adaptive soundtrack that responds to player actions and emotional beats. Voice acting brings genuine personality to Cody and May, making their journey feel authentic despite the fantastical circumstances. Even minor characters receive memorable performances that add depth to each world’s ecosystem.
Parents should note that while the game features family-friendly cartoon violence and no graphic content, the relationship themes might prompt questions from younger players. The T for Teen rating primarily reflects some mild language and emotional maturity rather than inappropriate content. Most families find it an excellent conversation starter about relationships and communication when approached thoughtfully.
Technical Performance: Smooth Across All Platforms
The game runs consistently at 60fps across all platforms with responsive controls, though split-screen can reduce visibility on smaller screens, making display choice important for the best experience. Having tested on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, I can confirm that each platform delivers excellent performance with minor differences in loading times and graphical fidelity.
PC players will appreciate the robust graphics options that allow fine-tuning for various hardware configurations. Even on modest systems, the game maintains smooth framerates thanks to excellent optimization. Those interested in gaming on MacBook will be pleased to know the Mac version runs surprisingly well on Apple Silicon chips, though integrated graphics on older Intel models might struggle at higher settings.
For precision aiming during action sequences, adjusting your gaming precision settings can make a significant difference in comfort and performance. The game’s sensitivity options are comprehensive, allowing each player to customize their controls independently—a thoughtful touch for co-op play with different preferences.
Load times are minimal on current-gen consoles, typically lasting only a few seconds between chapters or after deaths. This maintains immersion during extended play sessions, especially important when you’re in the middle of challenging cooperative puzzles that require momentum and focus.
Online co-op works flawlessly with stable internet connections, though local play offers the best experience with immediate communication and shared physical presence. The game includes network quality indicators that help players identify connection issues before they become frustrating, a simple but effective feature that prevents many potential co-op problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play It Takes Two alone?
No, It Takes Two requires exactly two players throughout the entire experience. There is no single-player mode or AI partner option. This co-op-only design is intentional, as the entire game is built around cooperation and shared experience.
Do both players need to buy the game?
Only one player needs to purchase It Takes Two. The Friend’s Pass system allows the second player to download and play for free without owning the game. Both players simply need the Friend’s Pass installed to play together online or locally.
How long does it take to beat It Takes Two?
The main story takes approximately 12-15 hours to complete for most players. Completionists might spend 18-20 hours finding all collectibles and exploring optional areas. The exact time varies depending on puzzle-solving speed and how much time you spend exploring each creative environment.
Is It Takes Two appropriate for families and children?
The game is rated T for Teen primarily due to relationship themes and mild language. While there’s no graphic violence or inappropriate content, the story about a couple working through relationship issues might be better suited for teenagers and adults rather than young children. Many families enjoy it together as a way to discuss relationships and communication.
Final Verdict: A Must-Play Co-op Masterpiece
With a 9.5/10 score, It Takes Two is essential gaming for anyone with a regular co-op partner, offering an unmatched experience of shared creativity and teamwork that few games have ever achieved. The innovative gameplay mechanics, heartfelt storytelling, and perfect co-op integration create something truly special in the gaming landscape.
What elevates It Takes Two from merely excellent to absolutely essential is how it uses gaming as a medium to explore relationships while never sacrificing fun for message. The constant gameplay innovation ensures there’s always something new around the corner, while the emotional story provides genuine stakes that make your cooperation feel meaningful rather than mechanical.
The game particularly shines in specific scenarios: couples looking for a shared activity that goes beyond typical entertainment, friends who enjoy creative problem-solving together, and family members seeking a bonding experience that appeals to different age groups and gaming skill levels. Each pairing discovers something unique in the experience, making repeat playthroughs with different partners worthwhile.
While the relationship themes might not resonate with everyone, and the mandatory co-op requirement limits accessibility for solo players, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise flawless execution of creative vision. The Friend’s Pass system removes financial barriers, making it easy to try with any potential partner without additional investment.
It Takes Two represents co-op gaming at its most creative and heartfelt—a true masterpiece that will be remembered as a high point in cooperative gaming history. If you have someone to play with, this isn’t just recommended; it’s required gaming that offers an experience you simply can’t find anywhere else in the medium.
