It Takes Two has already been showered with praise from critics everywhere, but it isn’t often that non-gamers get a chance to share their thoughts on a game. For those players that have been gaming for as long as they can remember, it’s easy to forget that there are just as many that may only just be experiencing it for the first time. Thankfully, Hazelight Studio’s newest game makes it incredibly easy for non-gamers to jump straight into the fun, and this has the added side effect of making it a perfect experience for couples to play together.
While it certainly isn’t unheard of for a couple to consist of two avid gamers, many instead find themselves in a relationship in which one person plays more video games than the other. Often, this difference in skill can make playing cooperative games difficult, as the lower skilled player is likely to feel rushed while the higher skill player may feel somewhat bogged down. It Takes Two isn’t entirely free from this issue, but it certainly makes strides in addressing it and creating an experience that is a blast to play regardless of skill level.
One of the most difficult things for new players to get over when they’ve recently started playing video games is grasping the controls. For veterans, it may be a no brainer that in a game like It Takes Two, X is probably the jump button (on PlayStation), but this isn’t always as clear for beginners. Despite this, It Takes Two does a great job of starting players off easy with just a hand full of buttons to memorize. If players can remember that X is jump and Square is dive, they should have no problem getting through the first level and beating the boss.
Whenever new controls are introduced like the hammer and nail that come after the first boss, the level design expertly guides players into learning how to use them. Over time the number of options players have can get a little confusing, but the gradual way in which they are introduced helps to ensure that players don’t get lost in the mire. In no time at all, players will find themselves working together with their partners to solve interesting puzzles and overcome unique challenges against bosses and the level itself.
One of the things that sets It Takes Two‘s take on co-op apart from other games is the freedom it gives to each player. Rather than forcing both players onto a single screen, they each have their own half of the screen that is completely independent from the other. This means that each player can move through the level at their own pace, taking the time to explore or running straight through. Obviously, there are times when the level calls for a cooperative effort to progress, but these feel natural and require just a little communication between players to work out.
This ability to play together while apart is huge, as it provides agency to both players. Far too many times in cooperative games, the lower skilled player will find themselves following along with the higher skilled player while they solve everything, but that isn’t the case in It Takes Two. While one player searches the area for a path forward, the other might notice a switch that lets them reverse the flow of a vacuum cleaner. There are also parts of certain levels that require players to use their own character’s unique skills to assist their partner. This isn’t anything new in game design, but It Takes Two executes it incredibly well.
Difficulty in video games has become a popular topic as of late, with games like the infamous Dark Souls popularizing challenging and punishing games. At the same time, there are casual players or even non-gamers that prefer a more laid back experience, and It Takes Two is the perfect combination of these two approaches. The challenges themselves within the game can sometimes be rather difficult, but what’s important is that the punishment for failing is light. Players are permitted to die as many times as necessary before finding the solution to a problem, but there are no shortcuts to skip ahead.
As an example, in the very first level of the game, players are tasked with navigating a bunch of vacuums throughout the level. Some of these vacuums shoot players high up into the air and require a bit of aiming in order to land in the next one. While this was probably easy for many players, some inexperienced gamers may find themselves struggling here. Rather than punish the player with a game over screen or make them lose progress, the player instead can simply try again from right where they left off.
Playing through the game with a non-gamer is certainly an eye opening experience, but it also speaks volumes to how great It Takes Two really is. After playing the game for a while and defeating the first boss, a non-gaming partnrt made the surprising comment that the game was “more fun than [she] thought it would be.” As someone who isn’t typically interested in many video games, this is high praise that most games don’t get. It Takes Two earned this honor because it managed to provide a fun experience without expecting too much from the player at the start.
Even with her limited experience, the game presents itself in a way that is approachable and fun. It doesn’t make things so easy that new players will find it boring but somehow still manages to make it engaging enough for skilled gamers to enjoy. The simple controls at the start of the game aren’t intimidating in the slightest, and she is given the freedom she needs to explore the game world and come up with her own solutions to problems. There’s no real punishment for mistakes so experimentation is encouraged, and if she ever does get stuck, she has the support of someone that’s played video games their whole life. All of this comes together to make It Takes Two a perfect game for couples, both gamers and non-gamers alike.
It Takes Two is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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