Split Fiction arrived in March 2025 and immediately became one of the most talked about co-op games in years. It sold over 7 million copies and earned a 98% recommendation rate on OpenCritic, with perfect scores from GameSpot, Push Square, NME and others. If you're wondering whether it's worth your time, the short answer is absolutely. If you want the longer answer, including exactly how long it takes, how many chapters there are, and who Mio and Zoe actually are, read on.
Already a Hazelight fan? See how Split Fiction stacks up in our post on 7 Things Split Fiction Does Better Than Most Co-Op Games.
How Long Is Split Fiction?
For most players, Split Fiction takes between 12 and 15 hours to complete the main story. That's the sweet spot for a casual to moderate playthrough where you enjoy the story, experiment with the mechanics, and don't rush through every level.
If you're the type to explore every corner and find every hidden moment, expect something closer to 15–20 hours. There are branching paths and secret levels that reward curiosity significantly.
One important note: Split Fiction almost never feels as long as it is. Hazelight's design philosophy involves changing the mechanics so fundamentally between levels that there's no sense of repetition. You're never doing the same thing twice for long enough to get bored. Players routinely report that Split Fiction flies by, which is high praise for a 12–15 hour game.
How Many Chapters Are in Split Fiction?
Split Fiction is structured across 6 main chapters, each spanning multiple levels and alternating between two entirely different worlds: Mio's sci-fi stories and Zoe's fantasy stories.
The alternating structure is central to how the game works. One level you're escaping a sun going supernova in a cyberpunk cityscape. The next you're riding through a forest on dragon back in a high fantasy realm. The shift in aesthetics, tone, and mechanics is dramatic each time. And it's completely intentional. Each world has its own visual language, its own rules, and its own gameplay systems.
There are also optional side stories hidden off the main path. Shorter self contained adventures with their own unique mechanics that add meaningful playtime for players who seek them out.
Who Are Mio and Zoe? Meet the Split Fiction Characters
The two Split Fiction characters at the heart of the game are Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster. They start as complete strangers and end up as each other's only way out.
Mio Hudson
Mio is a sci-fi writer: precise, guarded, and self sufficient to a fault. Her imagination runs to chrome cities, malfunctioning AI, and dystopian futures. In gameplay terms, Mio tends to get the more technical, high precision mechanics: gadgets, grapples, and systems that reward careful thinking. Her arc throughout the game is about learning to rely on someone she barely knows.
Zoe Foster
Zoe is a fantasy writer: instinctive, emotional, and expressive. Her stories are full of dragons, ancient forests, and magic that bends physical laws. Zoe's gameplay abilities are more fluid and improvisational. She's comfortable in the chaos. Her journey is about grounding that creativity in something real.
The Split Fiction dragon is perhaps the game's most beloved element. It comes from Zoe's world, becomes central to the story, and has inspired some of the game's most iconic fan moments, plus a very popular line of official merchandise.
One quietly wonderful detail: Mio and Zoe are named after game director Josef Fares' two daughters. That gives the game's story of two very different people learning to trust each other a particularly personal resonance.
Split Fiction vs. It Takes Two. Which Is Longer?
If you've already played It Takes Two and you're wondering how Split Fiction compares in length, here's the honest side by side:
|
It Takes Two |
Split Fiction |
|
|
Main story |
10–14 hours |
12–15 hours |
|
Completionist |
14–18 hours |
15–20 hours |
|
Chapters |
7 chapters |
6 chapters |
|
Optional content |
Minigames |
Full side stories |
|
Crossplay |
No |
Yes |
Both games feel longer than their runtimes suggest, and both leave you wanting more when they end. Split Fiction edges ahead for completionists thanks to its optional side stories, but the real answer is they're both exactly as long as they need to be.
Curious how Cody and May compare to Mio and Zoe as characters? See our deep dive into It Takes Two's characters.
What to Know Before You Play Split Fiction
Platforms: Split Fiction is available on PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 (from June 2025). It is not available on PS4 or Xbox One. the game requires current generation hardware.
Friend's Pass: Only one player needs to own the game. The second player downloads the free Friend's Pass and plays the entire game at no cost. That makes Split Fiction one of the most accessible co-op experiences available.
Cross-platform play: Split Fiction supports crossplay, meaning you can co-op with a friend on a different console or PC. This is new for Hazelight. It Takes Two required both players to be on the same platform family.
Difficulty: The game is challenging enough to feel rewarding but never punishing enough to block the story. Players at very different skill levels can enjoy it together without frustration.
Official Split Fiction Merchandise
The official Hazelight store carries a full range of Split Fiction merchandise for fans who want to take a piece of the adventure home.
- Mio Plushie — Soft collectible featuring Mio in her sci-fi look; perfect for the player who always picks the tech heavy side
- Zoe Plushie — Her fantasy world counterpart, for the player who rode the dragon without hesitation
- Mio's Dragon Plushie — The beloved Split Fiction dragon in plush form; one of the most iconic images from the entire game
- Zoe's Dragon Plushie — Zoe's version; collect both or start an argument about which one is better
- Split Fiction Game Scenes Poster — High quality wall art featuring key scenes from across the game's worlds
- Full Split Fiction Collector's Collection — Apparel, accessories, plushies and more from across both worlds
FAQ
Is Split Fiction on PS4?
No. Split Fiction requires current generation hardware and is only available on PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. It is not available on PS4 or Xbox One.
Can you play Split Fiction on Xbox One?
Split Fiction is not compatible with Xbox One. The game is built for Xbox Series X/S only. If you're on Xbox, you'll need a current-gen console to play.
When did Split Fiction come out?
Split Fiction was released on March 6, 2025 for PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The Nintendo Switch 2 version followed on June 5, 2025.
Who made Split Fiction?
Split Fiction was developed by Hazelight Studios, the Swedish studio founded by Josef Fares in 2014. It was published by Electronic Arts under the EA Originals label. Hazelight's previous games are It Takes Two (2021) and A Way Out (2018).
What happens in the Split Fiction ending?
Without spoiling specifics: the ending brings Mio and Zoe's journey to a genuinely earned emotional conclusion that reflects how far both characters have come. The final chapter ties together threads from both their stories — sci-fi and fantasy — in a way that feels cohesive and satisfying. Most players report it landing harder than expected.
