While The Game Awards celebrated its winners, the best game of 2025 wasn‘t necessarily the one with the most accolades. Despite a year filled with big-budget releases, a cooperative game offered the most original and emotionally resonant experience. For those who prioritize inventive gameplay and a compelling narrative, this game truly stood out.
The game Split Fiction was a bold and innovative co-op adventure that didn’t get the attention it deserved. Though it didn’t receive much mainstream recognition, its unique ideas, gameplay, and overall quality stood out this year. Looking back, it’s clear that Split Fiction was a hidden gem – arguably the most overlooked masterpiece of 2025.
Split Fiction has a Story That Actually Feels New
Split Fiction, created by the developers of It Takes Two (Hazelight Studios), tells the story of two young writers, Mio and Zoe, who are tricked by a dishonest publisher. They find themselves stuck inside the stories they’ve written, rather than simply dealing with the usual pressures of writing like contracts and deadlines. The game cleverly combines a humorous look at the publishing world with fantastical elements, making for a story that’s both relatable and incredibly creative.
What makes this story special is how seamlessly it blends cooperative play. Each player sees the story from a unique perspective, which means they have to talk to each other and piece things together. Instead of just showing you what’s happening through cutscenes, Split Fiction reveals its themes through how you play, making every story moment feel meaningful and engaging.
Despite its fun appearance and wacky situations, this game has a surprisingly touching story. It’s about the importance of owning your creative work, trusting others, and working together. What’s special is that it explores these themes without being preachy, skillfully blending heartfelt moments with humor.
Split Fiction was a Co-Op Experience That Outshined Everything Else
Custom Image by: Tom Wilson
What really makes Split Fiction stand out is how it constantly changes the way you play. The game frequently surprises you by dividing levels, switching between screens, or completely altering your viewpoint. You might be exploring a 2D side-scrolling world one second, and then instantly find yourself speeding through a detailed 3D environment – all seamlessly connected.
The game is remarkably diverse. It seamlessly blends elements from many different genres – like metroidvanias, puzzle games, racing sims, and creative platformers – keeping the experience fresh and engaging. No single idea feels overused; each new mechanic appears just long enough to be fun before the game introduces something completely different.
Split Fiction stands out because of its constant innovation, feeling carefully made instead of mass-produced. Each level is a daring design choice that surprisingly succeeds. In a gaming landscape often filled with predictable titles, Hazelight has once again created a cooperative game that keeps players engaged, entertained, and challenged.
Ultimately, Split Fiction felt like the most impressive game of 2025. More than just awards, it showed what games are capable of when creativity is the driving force, making it a strong contender for the best game of the year and deserving of lasting recognition.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- Vampire’s Fall 2 redeem codes and how to use them (June 2025)
- Mobile Legends January 2026 Leaks: Upcoming new skins, heroes, events and more
- How to find the Roaming Oak Tree in Heartopia
- World Eternal Online promo codes and how to use them (September 2025)
- Best Arena 9 Decks in Clast Royale
- Clash Royale Season 79 “Fire and Ice” January 2026 Update and Balance Changes
- Clash Royale Furnace Evolution best decks guide
- Clash Royale Witch Evolution best decks guide
- Best Hero Card Decks in Clash Royale
2026-01-13 22:30