In the current age of gaming, the days of story based games that can be played co-op style are dwindling. Often times multiplayer seems like an afterthought unless its competitive or a shooter. So what happens when a game is created to only be played in co-op? Well you get It Takes Two. Not only can this game only be played with 2 people, but the gameplay was specifically crafted and tailored around the idea. Every single part of this game was crafted around 2 people and it was done to a massive success. Not only is the gameplay super fun, but the worlds that you will explore are breathtakingly beautiful and full of creativity. A brilliant emotional story about a couple finding out how to work together while in the process of getting a divorce tie it all up brilliantly. It Takes Two is an incredible game that is well worth the praise and a game that will make you yearn for the long lost days of couch co-op.


In It Takes Two, you play as a husband and wife who are going through the process of getting a divorce. They have a daughter named Rose who believes that she's the reason the two playable characters, May and Cody are always fighting and no longer love each other. May and Cody are turned into toys and must learn to work together again in order to get back to their human form. The story takes them through different environments and as time goes on and you overcome obstacle after obstacle the couple learns what it means to be husband and wife and slowly mend their broken relationship. It's honestly done much better than I expected, and doesn't rely on cheesy dialogue and it's not rushed. It's done instead over many little moments and you can really see the change as it happens through little things like the dialogue between them as you're running around, or the way they begin to tease each other with banter instead of insults, its brilliantly done.


Where It Takes Two shines is in the brilliant co-op gameplay. You must work together in order to solve puzzles, take down bosses, even something as simple as getting over a wall relies on the two players working together. Unlike some games, you cannot do much of anything by yourself. You and your partner will need to communicate in order to succeed. If one of the players is much more experienced in gaming then the other, they will need to work with the other player to help them which really fits in with the games theme and message. There are some pretty challenging fights where the two players will need to help each other a lot and when you do succeed the feeling is incredible. Something that really shocked me was how much variety there is in the gameplay. I honestly lost track of time as I went from platforming, to a top down shooter, to a rhythm game, to flying a plane and shooting down enemies, it was an absolute blast. The variety does a great job of keeping the game feeling fresh and it all feels great to do. The controls were crisp and movement was fun. Every chapter has a different gimmick, or gimmicks that is the focus of that area so you won't feel like the game is repetitive at all. There are also minigames to discover and play which are fantastic little distractions and are great fun.


There's no mistakes here, the game is absolutely jaw dropping gorgeous. The environments are full of so many little details and are filled with character and love. The feeling of being shrunken down to the size of a toy is absolutely nailed perfectly here. Objects like vacuums become larger than life monsters, and frogs and squirrels become methods of transportation. The variety in the levels is great with every single one feeling unique and wondrous just begging to be explored. Going from a garden to inside a cuckoo clock to a jukebox will have you grinning from ear to ear as they're brought to life through gorgeous visuals and a bumping soundtrack that will have you nodding along. The last level in particular really stood out not only on a visual note, but a soundtrack one as well. Few games look this good, with this much variation. At times I forgot I was in a house and thought I was on an alien planet, and I mean that in the best of ways. The developers took an idea as simple as being put in a snowglobe and made it into an unforgettable winter world that was full of colorful lights, adorable creatures, and blistering winds. This game is as much a treat to look at as it is to play.


In conclusion, It Takes Two is the type of game that defines a genre. This is the standard that every co-op game will be held to for years to come and honestly should be the standard that most single player games are held to as well. It's full of unforgettable set pieces. brilliantly fun gameplay, and a story that sucks you in and doesn't let go until it's over. When the only flaw you can think of is a talking book with creepy purple eyebrows than you know you've played something truly special. I cannot recommend this game enough, and it's an absolute must play. For more reviews, follow my curator page.