Split Fiction by Hazelight Studios, published by Electronic Arts, is a two-player co-op action adventure about Mio and Zoe, two writers trapped inside shifting sci-fi and fantasy simulations. It is built around split-screen teamwork, changing level mechanics, optional Side Stories, and setup choices like local co-op, online co-op, crossplay, and Friend’s Pass.
This guide covers first-playthrough co-op habits and light cleanup priorities. It does not include a full chapter walkthrough, trophy route, all Side Story locations, or bench checklist.
Essential Tips
1. Name Both Jobs Before You Act
Most obstacles are built for two different responsibilities.
Before pressing the next switch, jumping into the next vehicle, or triggering a moving platform, ask what Mio can do, what Zoe can do, and which action sets up the other. Split Fiction keeps changing mechanics, so old solutions do not always carry forward.
2. Treat Split-Screen as Shared Information
Your partner’s half of the screen is part of your UI.
If your camera does not show the answer, look at your partner’s side before calling a puzzle stuck. They may see a target, symbol, route, enemy, ledge, or timing cue that your view hides.
3. Test Every New Ability Safely
The game teaches by handing you a new toy, then asking you to use it under pressure.
When a new power appears, spend a few seconds checking range, cooldown, aim, jump behavior, lock-on, and whether it affects your partner. Those tests prevent messy timing failures once hazards, vehicles, or enemies appear.
4. Use One Timing Caller
Two countdowns create worse timing than no countdown.
Pick one player to call “ready,” “now,” “hold,” and “reset.” This matters most in fast sections, paired traversal, moving gates, and any sequence where both players must commit at the same time.
5. Slow Down at Speed Changes
Driving, flying, and sudden perspective swaps are where casual pairs get messy.
When the game shifts into a vehicle, chase, turret, flight, or camera-change sequence, stop talking over each other and decide who is reading the route. If one player has the harder job, let their cue control the pace.
6. Swap Roles When Friction Builds
Being stuck on one character does not mean the pair is stuck.
Mio and Zoe often have different jobs in a scene. If one partner is struggling with aiming, platforming, driving, or timing, swap controllers during couch co-op or trade character roles on a later session where possible.
7. Use Checkpoints as Practice
Failure is cheap when you learn something from it.
Split Fiction is forgiving about retries, so do not panic after a fall or combat mistake. Respawn, say what went wrong, and change one part of the attempt instead of repeating the same route at full speed.
8. Enter Side Story Portals When You See Them
Side Stories are optional, but they are the main first-pass detour worth respecting.
The portals are designed as short, separate ideas that return you to the main level afterward. If both players have time, clear them when found so chapter cleanup does not become a separate scavenger hunt.
9. Do Not Search Like a Loot Game
This is not a route built around dozens of hidden currencies.
Look around for Side Story portals, benches, jokes, and trophy interactions, but do not crawl every wall expecting a long collectible list in every room. The first pass works better when you search deliberately and keep moving.
10. Plan Friend’s Pass Before the Session
The best co-op rhythm starts before the first level.
If only one player owns the game, decide who is hosting, have the other player install Friend’s Pass on their platform, confirm EA/platform accounts, and check crossplay settings before sitting down for a long run.
11. Keep the Host Consistent
The host controls where an online session can begin.
For a steady playthrough, let the same full-game owner host each time. This makes latest-save, Chapter Select, and returning-player setup easier to reason about, especially if the Friend’s Pass player later buys the full game.
12. Use Accessibility Before Frustration Peaks
Options are part of the route, not a last resort.
If a speed, combat, or timing section stops being fun, check the accessibility menu and use the available options to make cleanup smoother.
13. Take Breaks by World or Chapter Stretch
Variety lands better when you do not rush every idea at once.
Split Fiction changes mechanics constantly. Play a coherent chunk, finish the nearby Side Stories, then take a break if attention or communication starts slipping.
Co-op Mechanics Tips
- Assign setup and trigger roles: One player usually creates the opening while the other crosses, attacks, aims, or activates the next piece.
- Call screen-side directions clearly: Say “your left,” “my right,” or “top of your screen” when split-screen angles differ.
- Reset together: If a sequence is already failed, stop improvising and restart the timing cleanly.
- Let the harder role set the pace: The player with tighter aiming, movement, or timing should call the start.
- Keep discovery shared: Let both players test a new mechanic before one person starts solving everything out loud.
Progression and Cleanup
Side Stories are the main optional layer to track on a first playthrough. There are 12 total Side Stories across chapters 2 through 5, with three in each of those chapters. Treat the portal bubble as your signal to pause the main route, enter together, and finish the detour before moving on.
For missed Side Stories, use Chapter Select later instead of restarting the whole game. PowerPyx’s route notes say completion needs the Side Story checkmark in Chapter Select, and that skipping through checkpoints is only cleanup-safe if the final checkpoint is completed normally.
Benches are a separate cleanup thread. There are six benches from chapters 2 through 7, and both players need to sit at the same time and stand up afterward for the related trophy/achievement to count. On a first pass, sit on obvious benches together; save exact bench hunting for a dedicated checklist.
Friend’s Pass and Platform Setup
As of the official EA and Steam pages checked on July 6, 2026, Friend’s Pass lets one full-game owner invite another player online, including cross-platform play on supported platforms. The invited player still needs the Friend’s Pass install, applicable platform account, online connection, and EA account setup for online play.
Local co-op has different friction. EA says local co-op can be played offline, while online Friend’s Pass and crossplay require account and network setup. If both players are in the same room, local play is usually the simplest start.
Nintendo Switch 2 has extra platform-specific requirements. EA says the Switch 2 version supports GameShare, GameChat, Friend’s Pass, and crossplay, but Nintendo accounts, online membership, internet access, extra systems, or accessories may apply depending on mode.
Achievements and trophies are also setup-sensitive. EA’s Friend’s Pass page says only players who own the full game can unlock achievements or trophies, so a trophy-focused run should confirm ownership before cleanup.
Hidden Mechanics
| Mechanic | What It Means | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Paired abilities | New sections give different jobs to Mio and Zoe | Identify both roles before acting |
| Split-screen awareness | Both views can show different puzzle information | Check your partner’s screen before guessing |
| Side Story bubbles | Optional portals branch away from the main route | Enter them when found if both players have time |
| Chapter Select cleanup | Missed Side Stories and benches can be revisited | Use it after the story or after a missed chapter |
| Bench counting | Both players need to sit together and stand afterward | Wait until both characters are seated before leaving |
| Host progression | The online host chooses from available save/chapter starts | Keep a consistent host for a clean playthrough |
| Friend’s Pass ownership | A pass player depends on a full-game owner for the full run | Decide owner and host before starting |
| Accessibility assists | Settings can reduce friction or speed cleanup | Use them when a section stops being productive |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Running ahead while your partner is still learning a new ability.
- Triggering a timed object before both players know the plan.
- Watching only your own half of the split-screen.
- Calling two different countdowns during the same sequence.
- Repeating a failed speed section without deciding what changed.
- Skipping Side Story portals and assuming they will be easy to remember later.
- Treating every corner like it hides a major collectible.
- Forgetting that both players must commit to bench interactions.
- Starting online play before Friend’s Pass, EA account, and crossplay setup are ready.
- Trophy hunting while one player is only using Friend’s Pass.
Summary
| Category | Top Tip |
|---|---|
| Co-op Basics | Name both players’ jobs before acting |
| Puzzle Solving | Use both split-screen views as shared information |
| New Mechanics | Test each new ability before pressure starts |
| Speed Sections | Let the harder role set the timing |
| Side Stories | Enter portal bubbles when found and use Chapter Select for cleanup |
| Benches | Both players should sit together and stand before moving on |
| Friend’s Pass | Confirm owner, host, accounts, and crossplay before a long session |
| Platform Caveat | Check online, Switch 2, and account requirements before starting co-op |
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8 checked for this guideEvery factual claim in this guide was checked against at least two independent sources before publication. These are the references used for Split Fiction.
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