Gameplay Breakdown

My usual Gameplay Breakdown cannot be applied to It Takes Two, as it mixes-and-matches so many genres, making a full breakdown of each would prove nigh impossible, other than a spoiler as well.

As main genres, ITT puts high emphasis on Platformer and Puzzle Game: in each stage, there will be multiple obstacle courses that often will need the combination of the two players' different tools or powers, in order to overcome them. The difficulty curve of such enigmas and platforming sections gently soars, first to accustom players to the new mechanics, and then leaving them free to use them at their full potential. However do not expect a hardcore challenge, as the game is more oriented towards an average / casual audience - which is fine, as it's not *too* easy, anyway.

Secondary genres vary for each level, and in many cases they are unique, non-repeating sections with their own, specific gameplay mechanics. For instance, one of them will have players being able to manipulate their body size and gravity respectively, while another one will see Cody pilot an aircraft while May mans the turret to fend off attackers. Multiply cases like this for the totality of the game's duration, and the result is amazing variety.

Minigames are found throughout the adventure, and put Cody and May against each other in small, competitive-oriented challenges. Also in this case, each minigame is unique and original, can be replayed unlimited times, and some of them will even change or become more difficult as the rounds go on. Winning or losing them doesn't give anything to the victor, they're just for fun's sake, a diversion. Certain side activities though, have unique achievements related to them.

Sure, players can die during a boss fight, a platforming section, or any of the unique combat-oriented ones - although a game over only triggers when both are dead at the same time: the blessing of immortality allows both to quickly resurrect if defeated. Checkpoints are anyway very frequent and forgiving, even boss fights will checkpoint at every new phase's start, so losing progress in a frustrating way is not an issue.