Split Fiction Beginner’s Guide#
Before starting Split Fiction, a few things must be settled first: this is a forced two-player game with no single-player mode, and you need a partner before you can begin. This page covers purchasing, online play, system requirements and pre-launch prep in one pass, all from public post-launch verifiable information.
Must-Know Facts Before Starting#
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Two players required | Forced two-player throughout; no single-player option and no AI partner |
| How to play | Local same-screen split-screen, or online; both players get a full view online |
| Friend’s Pass | One copy is enough — invite a friend to play the full game free; the invitee doesn’t need to buy |
| Cross-platform | PS5 / Xbox / PC / Switch 2 can play together; an EA account is required |
| Console memberships | Online play on consoles needs that platform’s membership service |
| Death penalty | Instant retry from checkpoint on death; punishment is minimal, nothing is permanently lost |
| Difficulty settings | The game has no difficulty selector |
Buying and Editions#
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 Standard Edition |
| Editions | Standard is the only edition; no Deluxe or add-on versions |
| Steam (CN region) | ¥198 |
| Steam (HK region) | HK$399 |
| Platforms | PC (Steam / Epic Games Store / EA App), PS5, Xbox Series X |
| Not supported | PS4 / Xbox One |
In other words, two people need only one copy of the game: the owner invites their partner through Friend’s Pass, and the invitee downloads the pass version free to access the full game. The approach carries straight over from Hazelight’s previous game, It Takes Two.
PC System Requirements#
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel i5-6600k / AMD R5 2600X | Intel i7-11700k / AMD R7 5800X |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | GTX 970 4GB / RX 470 4GB | RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT |
| Storage | 85 GB | 85 GB |
The game was Steam Deck verified at launch. Console players should note this is a current-gen-only title — PS4 and Xbox One are out of scope; the Switch 2 version launched on June 5, 2025 with GameShare / GameChat support.
Platform Support Detail#
| Platform | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Yes | ¥198 in the CN region, HK$399 in the HK region |
| PC (Epic Games Store) | Yes | A PC channel alongside the EA App |
| PC (EA App) | Yes | EA’s own platform |
| PlayStation 5 | Yes | PS4 not supported |
| Xbox Series X|S | Yes | Xbox One not supported |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes | Launched June 5, 2025 with GameShare / GameChat |
Steam Deck verified at launch — handheld players can jump straight in. Reserve 85 GB of storage. The game supports Simplified / Traditional Chinese and is rated ESRB T (Teen) and PEGI 16.
Play Modes Compared#
| Mode | Equipment Needed | View | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local split-screen | One console / PC plus two input devices | Split-screen | Couch co-op |
| Online co-op | Each player has their own device | Full individual views | Long-distance partners |
| Cross-platform online | Each player’s platform plus EA accounts | Full individual views | Friends on different platforms |
| Switch 2 GameShare | One Switch 2 plus another device | Per Nintendo’s official notes | Family settings |
Three Things to Settle Before Playing#
1. Pick a side: Mio or Zoe#
- Mio Hudson: a sci-fi writer; her levels are cyberpunk cities and space facilities, full of mechs and energy weapons.
- Zoe Foster: a fantasy writer; her levels are magical forests and mythical creatures, with dragon riding appearing in her chapters.
There is no difficulty difference between the two sides — pick the genre you like. Each player can always see the other’s world from chapter select; that contrast is core to the game’s charm.
2. Take the prologue tutorial seriously#
The prologue, “Rader Publishing,” has no special abilities — it is a pure tutorial. Follow the prompts to learn movement, interaction and co-op basics. Its real value is building two habits: watching colors (pink interactions belong to Mio’s side, green to Zoe’s) and talking out loud (many mechanisms require both players to act simultaneously).
3. Know that you will fail a lot#
Death penalties are minimal: fall and you retry instantly from the checkpoint. There is no “die and redo half an hour” segment and nothing missable forever. So be bold in co-op sections — failing is part of the flow, and there’s no reason to feel bad about wiping.
First-Night Advice#
- Reserve a solid block of time: the story runs about 12-15 hours across 8 chapters; most chapters run one to two hours, and quitting mid-chapter costs some re-entry friction, so plan around whole chapters.
- Play side-story portals when you see them: chapters 2-5 each hide 3 side-story portals just off the main path. They are self-contained mini-levels, wilder in style than the main story; missed ones can be replayed later via chapter select.
- Keep voice chat on: synced mechanisms, relay platforms and boss phase transitions all depend on real-time communication — typing is too slow.
- Don’t research “builds”: there is no skill tree, no equipment, no character build planning — abilities are granted chapter by chapter. Spending that energy on co-op rhythm pays far better than studying “point allocation.”
Beginner FAQ#
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I play alone? | No. Two players are forced; there is no single-player mode |
| Does my partner need to buy it? | No — Friend’s Pass lets the invitee play the full game free |
| Can different platforms play together? | Yes; PS5 / Xbox / PC / Switch 2 are cross-play enabled with an EA account |
| Keyboard-mouse or controller? | Go by in-game key settings and personal preference |
| Does quitting mid-run lose progress? | Checkpoints and chapter select cover revisits; exact save behavior follows what the game does |
| Is there Chinese? | Simplified / Traditional Chinese supported |
More on online play and editions lives on the Controls & Settings and FAQ pages; once you’re ready for the story, work through the Full Walkthrough chapter by chapter.