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Review of It Takes Two, EA's Great Co-op Game
Butcher79
It Takes Two is the latest Co-op game from EA Originals in which players control two people who have been turned into puppets. Working together, your goal is to rebuild their shattered relationship after their divorce, but in order to do so, you'll have to face a whole load of trials and tribulations.
The game's developer, Hazelight Studios, was founded by Josef Fares in 2014 after the successful game Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. After releasing the first title of A Way Out, which won a BAFTA award in the multiplayer category back in 2019, Josef and his team are breaking the mold and going to a whole new level with their last brainchild.
With early access to It Takes Two, we now know a lot more about the world by digging deeper, because now we are not limited only to the information that was shown in the trailers.
Unlike the prison cells from their latest game, this refreshing project is sure to be full of inspiration, fueled by the success of major film and game studios. Fares himself even admits that they tried to tell stories and create characters in the same way that the successful Pixar did.
The self-proclaimed romantic comedy is also a "love letter to Nintendo" where players can find Easter eggs that reference his favorite games. However, aside from these niche details, it can be said that this is going to be a crazy ride.
Exploring the "It Takes Two" Universe
Falling into May and Cody's shoes, both the player and character are tasked with working as a team to find their daughter Rose after she wants the Book of Love, written by Dr. Hakim, to help solve her family's problems. Starting in their backyard shed, players are gradually introduced to controls that are intuitively introduced as they play - never feeling compelled or rushed.
Players must work together to find solutions to some extremely difficult challenges, and this can be anything from scaling huge walls to fending off an air attack from a battalion of squirrels. It's not easy anyway, but the challenge is what makes the game so much fun.
It's a pleasure to experience being in this incredibly detailed, meticulously crafted landscape. Fares and his team have clearly moved away from collectible-focused games in favor of a refined, interactive place with small moments outside of the game loop that are meant to populate the world we live in.
The mechanics and cinematography of the game really tie into the overall "love conquers all" message in It Takes Two. For example, the game also uses its mechanics in cutscenes. It's not just arm waving as a function without explanation. Similarly, the button-press revive mechanic during boss encounters shows the love heart slowly refilling before bringing you back into the game.
If you like challenges, here is everything you need. The game's boss fights are incredibly entertaining and can even cause you to psych out your controller when both of you are eliminated. Have you ever wanted to take on a vacuum cleaner that wreaks havoc and avenges mistreatment? Look no further!
The puzzles to be solved are also incredibly difficult. The giant squirrel-built acorn lab is one of the most headache-inducing moments in the preview. Using every tool at your disposal to manipulate their gears and pulleys, it took time and careful thought to understand the physics of what you were doing before you could work together to progress.
Fares describes the game as a romantic comedy, but it always balances between the funny and the touching, seamlessly crafting a compelling story that leaves you wanting more.
At one point, May had to fight off a squirrel, and it looked like you were playing Tekken or Street Fighter. It all takes place on the roof of an airplane made out of underpants, just to highlight how random things can be. We can say with confidence that this is an unpredictable game.
Each character also has their own unique set of skills to navigate. Mei is a mobile character, more suitable for people who are really into shooters. For example, she can bridge large gaps with her hammer and move really easily. On the other hand, Cody is more like a tank. If you want to deal a lot of damage but take the slower path, he is your guy.
While these two styles of play are potentially ways to re-experience the game, "It Takes Two" focuses on non-replayability. Fares said: “It shouldn't be the most important thing in the game. I'm not a big collector at all. I would prefer that we create an interesting and interactive world, and not just collect things.”
No collection items?
In the past, many of these co-op games have taken the path of collecting, encouraging people to look for certain things along the way. However, There's nothing to collect in It Takes Two - and there's a reason for that.
Fares understands that collectibles can be used to take players off the beaten track, but feels there are other ways to do it: "I know shiny shit takes the player away from the plot, but you can take your character from the other side." You can have an interactive world; try to complete the built-in mini-game for example.
"So you don't have collectibles in It Takes Two, which we're very proud of, instead you have a world you want to explore."
This vision is paying off incredibly well. With challenges for couples that fit into the flow of a couple building their relationship, like a tug-of-war mini-game or shooting range scattered around the world rather than typical collectibles. You actively feel that they serve the purpose of strengthening (or challenging) the relationship of both the character and the player. In that sense, nothing in this game feels nailed down or out of place.
Relatively polished
Bugs, mechanical problems, and lack of polish were rare. There were stutters from time to time, but it was never entirely clear if it was due to our online connection or problems with our pre-build.
Similarly, clunky mechanics hindered the flow of the game, mainly Cody's ability to throw nails. Pressing the buttons can sometimes feel counterintuitive, especially with Mei's ability to rock her nails.
That being said, every mechanic introduced in It Takes Two is fresh and exciting. There is nothing similar or boring. Abilities and tools come and go, and so does your approach to the game.
This is a joy-filled and serotonin-inducing experience that is sure to put a smile on your face and make you think about your personal relationships.
It Takes Two will be released in two versions on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on March 26, 2021.
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