It Takes Two

It Takes Two is a 3D platform and action-adventure game, offering two-player co-op only, in which players take control over a pair of characters - Cody and May. It was developed by Hazelight, an independent studio led by Josef Fares, known for the highly acclaimed A Way Out. The game was released as part of the EA Originals program for indie game developers, developed by Electronic Arts.

Plot

Rose's parents, Cody and May, plan to divorce. Rose is distressed by the divorce and creates two dolls, one of clay and one of wood, to represent her mum and dad. In mysterious circumstances, the minds of the parents are transferred into the bodies of the dolls created by Rose. The miniaturised protagonists wake up in their own house, which reveals a fairy-tale side to them that has never been seen before.

A conflicted couple start looking for a way to get back into their proper bodies. Dr Hakim - an eccentric magic book specialising in saving relationships - tries to help them. But Cody and May refuse to accept that they won't become human again until they start getting along. Nonetheless, they set off together on a journey through a known-unknown world where only by working together can they overcome numerous adversities.

Co-op

At the heart of It Takes Two is co-op mode, requiring two players to tackle both arcade and logic challenges. Players take on the roles of Cody and May as they travel together through scenic and often surreal locations, helping each other overcome obstacles. The game features a variety of challenges: players must avoid traps, annihilate enemies (including bosses) and solve puzzles. They can also compete in optional mini-games, which act as collectibles.

The locations we visit are also varied. For example, Cody and May find themselves in a garden, where they travel through lush vegetation on the backs of hairy spiders or leaping frogs. Other times they end up inside a snow globe, where they skate across the ice, jump over chasms and solve puzzles using magnets. They also explore, among other things, a toy outer space and a shed overrun by rogue tools. At each stage, characters use different gadgets or abilities to help them deal with puzzles and enemies.

The 3D world of It Takes Two has a pleasant, vibrant colour scheme. The characters and locations presented in the game are shown in a simplified style, bringing to mind films or animated series.

Friend's Pass

The game includes a unique feature - free "Friend's Pass" in the online co-op mode. Even if one of the players has not purchased the title, they can still join a friend's game - all they have to do is download the free Friend's Pass and receive an invitation from them. However, it is important to note that this feature does not work cross-platform - for example, a PS5 owner cannot play alongside an Xbox user. However, cross-generation gaming is possible within the same hardware family, i.e. PS4 and PS5 owners and XOne and XSX/S owners.