From the movement to the wielding of certain weapons and tools, there were rarely any aspects of the gameplay that felt cumbersome. Most importantly, no matter how the gameplay mechanics changed, It Takes Two just feels good to play. Mechanics will even progressively evolve over the course of a level, like the aforementioned magnets eventually gaining an attraction to each other that really changes things up. Sometimes some creative thinking is required, and we were always overjoyed at discovering the creative co-op solutions to the trickier puzzles. Those devices are best left to your own discovery, but you can look to the two opening chapters-Cody with nails and May with the hammer, and Cody with a Sap Gun and May with a Match Gun-for great examples on just how different things are throughout. Moment to moment, mechanic to mechanic, It Takes Two flows perfectly from one to the next, feeling like an altogether cohesive adventure.Ĭody and May are often each given separate gameplay devices that work independently for certain tasks while also coming together to accomplish specific things via teamwork. Yet these mechanics are never so different that game feels disparate or disconnected. From the themes of the areas you’ll visit-a snowy mountain town inside a snow globe, a child’s room full of toys, a garden and greenhouse, and even space-to the actual gameplay mechanics in those environments, it never gets dull to play and you can always expect something new around the corner. The variety in It Takes Two is staggering. Gameplay is constantly shifting and changing to adjust to the narrative. It Takes Two Review – Gameplay Variety Show I mean sure, one portion does go into “attraction,” using magnets as a gameplay device to get to the point, but even if you aren’t married or in a relationship, It Takes Two’s themes are incredibly relatable throughout and the gameplay is just fun. After 10 years of marriage, It Takes Two just gets us.Īnd again, it’s not so overly focused on the “lovey-dovey romance” aspects of a relationship as much as it is the interpersonal dynamics between two people. It Takes Two captures the ever changing dynamics of a relationship so exceptionally well, my wife and I were often exchanging knowing glances, grins, and nudges back and forth as they navigated these nuances. They cast blame on each other for the various situations they find themselves in and embrace the efforts each takes to overcome them. They weave through snippy little remarks to one another back to genuine praise for the good work they’ve each done. Hakim, rediscover the little things and celebrate working together to find a way to return to their bodies, even as they begrudgingly set out on this co-op adventure of self discovery. The story continues to evolve as Cody and May, assisted by the anthropomorphic Book of Love named Dr. For the unique mandatory co-op, I appreciate the effort to make it as seamless as possible to experience. While my wife and I played via couch co-op, you can also enjoy it online in case your co-op partner is a little bit farther away. And like Hazelight’s last game, A Way Out, you’ll get a free buddy pass so you don’t need to make your friends buy the game too if you want to play with them. It Takes Two is a co-op only game, so in the same way that Cody and May are forced to work together to get through this situation, so too are you forced to work with a partner to play the game.ĭon’t worry, you don’t have to be in a relationship or married to enjoy this adventure (though it certainly helps). We previously played and detailed the opening few hours of It Takes Two, talking about the strained nature of the forced co-op (in a good way). Caught in the middle is their daughter, Rose, who makes a wish that her parents can be friends again, which turns them into dolls (as any good wish from a sad child does). They’ve simply grown apart and have lost their love for one another. These are the elements that really tie everything together in a unique exploration of a marriage unlike anything I’ve seen in a video game, let alone a platformer.Ĭody and May are headed for divorce. It Takes Two is an exceptional co-op platformer, with no shortage of fascinating set pieces, but it’s the story that speaks to the gameplay and some moments that get all too real when it comes to portraying the fraying relationship between Cody and May and their journey to rediscover their love for each other. 10 years of memories and changing priorities and balancing each other’s independence with reliance on one another. 10 years of learning and understanding the ever shifting dynamics of a relationship and the simple act of growing older. 10 years of marriage and all of the ups, downs, and in betweens that come with it. I don’t know that I could have fully appreciated It Takes Two 10 years ago.
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