What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Start with Split Fiction. Hazelight, the studio behind It Takes Two, built this follow-up specifically for two players. Its story moves between science-fiction and fantasy worlds, continually changing the abilities and situations you share. Electronic Arts lists it for PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck, and its Friend’s Pass can let a second player join when the platform requirements are met.
If you want a different kind of partnership, A Way Out keeps Hazelight’s cinematic, co-op-only storytelling; Unravel Two offers gentler platforming; Portal 2 makes communication and spatial reasoning the main event; and Overcooked 2 turns teamwork into short, frantic kitchen rounds.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
007 First Light - Specialist Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Kena: Bridge of Spirits - Deluxe Edition (PS5) - PlayStation 5 | $29.44 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | $29.50 | Buy on Amazon |
At a glance: which game should you choose?
These games overlap with It Takes Two only in part. The right choice depends on whether you are chasing Hazelight’s story structure, coordinated platforming, deliberate puzzles or noisy party-style teamwork.
Recommended Free Tools
| Game | Best fit | Core emphasis | Multiplayer details established in the cited material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split Fiction | The closest overall follow-up | Story-led action, platforming and constantly changing mechanics | Designed for two players; Friend’s Pass and cross-play are documented on supported setups |
| A Way Out | A linear, cinematic adventure for adults | Coordinated progression through a narrative campaign | Co-op-only, two-player narrative adventure |
| Unravel Two | Calmer teamwork and platforming | Two-character platforming and environmental cooperation | Frequently presented as a two-player platforming option; confirm the exact local or online mode for your platform |
| Portal 2 | Players who prefer thinking over spectacle | Communication, experimentation and spatial puzzles | Two-player cooperative puzzle campaign |
| Overcooked 2 | Short, hectic sessions with a group | Time-pressured coordination and task sharing | Local and online co-op for up to four players in common platform listings |
1. Split Fiction: the most direct next step
Split Fiction is the obvious first recommendation because it comes from the same studio and preserves the design premise that made It Takes Two unusual: the entire experience is built around two people solving problems together. Rather than giving each player a mostly independent role, it repeatedly asks you to watch what the other person is doing, combine abilities and react to new rules.
#1 Best Overall
- ONLY AT AMAZON - SPECIALIST EDITION
- EARN THE NUMBER - Discover a new James Bond origin story, and the events that led a young maverick to become the best MI6 agent.
- A THRILLING ESPIONAGE ADVENTURE - Embark on missions in breathtaking locations, drive iconic vehicles, and dive into a cinematic adventure in pursuit of a rogue agent who’s always one step ahead.
- SPYING, YOUR WAY - Go silent or go loud. Whether fighting with fists or firepower, using gadgets to infiltrate, or bluffing your way past guards, the approach is entirely up to you.
A story that keeps changing its rules
The protagonists, Mio and Zoe, travel through contrasting science-fiction and fantasy settings. That contrast is more than a visual theme. The game uses the changing worlds to introduce different mechanics, so a section can feel unlike the one immediately before it. This suits players who enjoyed the surprise and variety of It Takes Two more than those looking for a single repeated competitive loop.
The campaign is still a shared narrative rather than a collection of detached mini-games. You and your partner progress together, see the same story beats and need to coordinate when the environment or abilities change. Choose it when you want a substantial, cinematic co-op journey rather than a game designed for quick rounds.
Friend’s Pass and the one-copy question
Electronic Arts documents a Friend’s Pass model for Split Fiction. One user must own the full game for the co-op player to play the full game, and the second player joins through the supported invitation system. This can make the cost of starting a two-player campaign lower than buying two full copies, but it is not a universal license: platform, region and edition rules still apply.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBefore buying, open the store page for the exact platform you will use and check:
- Whether Friend’s Pass is available in your region.
- Which account or platform network the invitation uses.
- Whether the two systems are covered by the documented cross-play support.
- Whether both players need the same edition or a current game update.
Do not assume that owning the game on one storefront automatically grants access on another. The store listing for your platform is the authority for the current terms.
Supported platforms
The current Electronic Arts and PlayStation listings cited for this guide name PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck. That list is edition-specific and can change, so verify the listing before purchase, especially if you are using a newer hardware revision or a backward-compatibility route.
Who should pick it?
- Choose it if your favorite part of It Takes Two was its two-player-only structure, cinematic presentation and steady stream of new mechanics.
- Choose something else if you want a relaxed platformer, a pure puzzle game or four-player party sessions rather than a story campaign for two.
2. A Way Out: Hazelight’s more linear story
A Way Out is Hazelight’s earlier co-op-only narrative adventure. It is the natural alternative when the studio’s storytelling matters more to you than the playful platforming variety of It Takes Two or Split Fiction.
What the partnership feels like
The game is structured around two people moving through the same linear story. Progress depends on staying coordinated, but the emphasis is on cinematic scenes and joint decisions rather than a new platforming gimmick in every area. One player should not expect a solo campaign with an optional second character: cooperation is the format.
That focus makes A Way Out a good choice for two adults who want to sit down for a narrative adventure and continue through a shared plot. It is less suitable if your group wants drop-in sessions, several difficulty modes or a large number of independent activities.
Where it fits in a Hazelight marathon
If you have just finished It Takes Two, playing A Way Out next shows how Hazelight’s co-op-only approach developed. You will recognize the commitment to designing scenes around two participants, while the pacing is more linear and the mechanical variety is not the same. The Xbox bundle that groups A Way Out with Split Fiction and It Takes Two is one option for Xbox readers who want all three adventures, subject to the current store’s edition and availability details.
3. Unravel Two: gentler, more focused platforming
Unravel Two is a strong pick when you want teamwork and platforming without the constant tonal and mechanical escalation of Hazelight’s games. Its appeal is the relationship between two small characters whose movement and abilities must be coordinated through the environment.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #2
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits - Deluxe Edition includes: Base Game, Official Digital Soundtrack, Unique Kena Staff, Golden Rot Skin, Retail Exclusive Sticker Sheet, Unique Celebration Hats for Rot
- Find the Rot: Timid and illusive spirits scattered throughout the forest. They maintain balance by decomposing dead and rotting elements
- Build Your Team: Find and collect Rot to gain powerful abilities, make discoveries, and transform the environment
- Explore: A forgotten village and a strange curse; Draw on the power of the Spirit Realm to restore this once-majestic world
- Fast-Paced Combat: Spirits have become corrupt, trapped, and unable to move on, challenging Kena at every turn
Why it works after It Takes Two
Both players are involved in the physical problem in front of them: positioning, timing and helping the other character reach a safe route. The result is cooperative play that feels tactile and readable, especially for partners who enjoy figuring out a route together rather than racing for a high score.
The tone is calmer, making it a useful choice for a first co-op game or for a couple who found the pressure and spectacle of It Takes Two tiring. It also works well when you want to play in shorter sittings, although the exact session length depends on how quickly you solve each section.
Check the mode on your platform
Co-op references consistently identify Unravel Two as a two-player platforming option, but the exact local or online mode can vary by platform and edition. Confirm that detail on the store page before buying. If playing online, also check whether both players need separate accounts or copies; the one-copy Friend’s Pass rule documented for Split Fiction should not be assumed here.
4. Portal 2: communication and spatial reasoning first
Portal 2 is the best recommendation when the part of It Takes Two you remember most fondly is solving a problem together. Its cooperative campaign is built around two players placing portals, reading the room and testing ideas until a route works.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A different kind of co-op challenge
There is no equivalent of Hazelight’s rapid genre shifts. Instead, the game develops a vocabulary of spatial rules and asks you to apply those rules in increasingly demanding combinations. One player may need to create a portal while the other carries momentum, redirects a beam or activates a timed surface. Talking through the sequence is often more important than reflexes.
This makes Portal 2 particularly good for partners who like planning, experimentation and the humor that emerges when a carefully explained plan fails. It is less appropriate if one player dislikes trial and error or wants a heavily cinematic relationship story.
How to approach the puzzles as a pair
- Describe the room before acting. Identify portal surfaces, buttons, hazards and any moving elements.
- Assign one immediate objective. Decide whether you are trying to open a door, create momentum or move an object.
- Call out the timing. Say when you are placing a portal, stepping on a button or launching yourself.
- Reset without blame. Failed experiments are part of the puzzle loop; explain what the attempt taught you and try a changed sequence.
5. Overcooked 2: chaotic teamwork for up to four
Overcooked 2 is the biggest departure from It Takes Two on this list. It is not a cinematic relationship adventure. It is a kitchen-management game in which players divide tasks, communicate under time pressure and recover when an order goes wrong.
Why groups keep returning to it
Common platform listings document local and online co-op for up to four players. That makes it a better fit for a family or friend group than for a pair seeking a long, authored story. A round can be short, and the source of tension is immediately clear: someone must prepare ingredients, someone must cook, someone must serve and everyone must adapt when the layout changes.
Know the mood before you start
The game is deliberately hectic. Players who enjoyed the teamwork in It Takes Two but want lower pressure may prefer Unravel Two instead. Choose Overcooked 2 when laughter, quick retries and imperfect coordination are part of the appeal. Set expectations before starting: a player who treats every order as a test can make the experience unpleasant for everyone else.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose by the experience you want
You want the closest possible follow-up
Pick Split Fiction. It is the only recommendation here explicitly positioned as Hazelight’s follow-up to It Takes Two, and it retains the two-player-only, story-led foundation.
You want another Hazelight story but a straighter structure
Pick A Way Out. Its co-op-only design keeps both players central, while its linear presentation avoids the rapid mechanical shifts that define Split Fiction.
Rank #3
- Fully Remade to terrify modern audiences
- KONAMI's intense psychological horror masterpiece SILENT HILL 2 is made exclusively for PlayStation 5
- The main protagonist James Sunderland searches for clues in the namesake town, after receiving a mysterious letter from his wife Mary… who has long been dead
- Experience the eerie monsters and other manifestations of James' consciousness reworked after 20 years
- Made with state-of-the-art technology to play on modern entertainment systems in 4K
You want platforming without constant spectacle
Pick Unravel Two. It centers on coordinated movement and environmental problem-solving with a gentler tone.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
You want puzzles that reward precise conversation
Pick Portal 2. The challenge comes from understanding space, timing actions and revising plans together.
You need a game for three or four people
Pick Overcooked 2. Its documented support for up to four players makes it the clearest group option in this set.
Local, online and one-copy planning
Multiplayer terminology is not interchangeable. “Co-op-only” describes the game’s design; it does not by itself tell you whether a particular edition supports couch play, online play or a one-copy invitation.
For two people sharing a room
Check the platform listing for local multiplayer and the number of supported controllers. Do not infer local support from a game being described as cooperative. The cited material specifically flags Unravel Two as needing a platform-level mode check, and it does not establish a universal local setup for every title in this list.
For two people in different locations
Confirm online co-op, account requirements and whether cross-play covers your two systems. Split Fiction has documented cross-play and Friend’s Pass support on supported setups; those terms are not automatically transferable to A Way Out, Unravel Two, Portal 2 or Overcooked 2.
For a single-copy purchase
Only rely on an explicitly documented guest or pass system. For Split Fiction, Electronic Arts states that one user must own the full game for the co-op player to play the full game. Check the current platform store for the other games instead of assuming the same arrangement.
Platform and purchase checklist
- Identify both players’ hardware. Write down the exact platform and generation, such as PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S.
- Open the matching store page. Confirm that the edition is sold for that hardware. The cited listings place Split Fiction on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck.
- Read the multiplayer section. Look for local play, online play, cross-play and the maximum player count.
- Check the ownership rule. If you plan to use a guest pass, verify the region, edition and account conditions before paying.
- Confirm updates and accounts. Multiplayer invitations can require both players to be on the current version and signed into the relevant platform network.
- Buy only after the checks match your setup. Prices, inventory and regional availability change, so no current amount should be treated as universal without a region and date.
A practical order for playing them
For a pair coming directly from It Takes Two, start with Split Fiction while you still want another large, story-led Hazelight adventure. Follow it with A Way Out if you want to compare the studio’s more linear approach. Use Unravel Two for quieter platforming sessions and Portal 2 when you are in the mood to stop, discuss and experiment. Save Overcooked 2 for a group night or for short sessions where chaotic teamwork is the point.
That order is not a quality ranking beyond the first recommendation. It is a way to move from the closest structural match to increasingly different kinds of cooperation, so you can identify whether it was Hazelight’s storytelling, two-character platforming, puzzle communication or shared pressure that made It Takes Two work for you.
The Bottom Line
Choose Split Fiction first. It is Hazelight’s two-player, story-led follow-up and the only option here with a documented Friend’s Pass and cross-play model on supported platforms. Choose A Way Out for a more linear Hazelight story, Unravel Two for gentler platforming, Portal 2 for communication-heavy puzzles or Overcooked 2 for up to four players and hectic rounds.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
