It Takes Two is a game that swept The Game Awards back in 2021, winning numerous awards, including Game of the Year. It was a victory well-earned, according to many fans, as It Takes Two has been consistently praised as one of the best co-op titles of all time, managing to passionately, meaningfully innovate in a space that is often overlooked by many larger developers.
Indeed, It Takes Two is a remarkably special game, not just because of its cooperative features, but because of the panache and enthusiasm with which it presents its myriad game mechanics. Coming from the same development team that made A Way Out and Brothers, It Takes Two represents a major leap forward for Hazelight Studios, as it is untethered from the comparatively grounded and restrained premises of its prior titles. This ingenuity and verve was recognized by The Game Awards, where it took home three awards and six nominations. It also received several other accolades from ceremonies like BAFTA and The Golden Joysticks. With the game arriving on PlayStation Plus this month, and with awards season in full swing, gaming audiences have the perfect excuse to check it out.
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It Takes Two Is an Unmissable Co-Op Experience
Gameplay Variety Is Where It Takes Two Shines
While It Takes Two has a fairly strong and engaging story, its gameplay is the crown jewel. Even some of the best co-op titles can suffer from a degree of repetition, with most of the variety and player expression coming from the nature of the multiplayer experience, but It Takes Two works hard to ensure that it is as refreshing as possible. Indeed, perhaps the only consistent part of the game is its inconsistency and unpredictability.
Each level of It Takes Two feels like it could form the basis of a standalone game. Every chapter introduces a wildly inventive central mechanic, like the ability to speed up time or shoot enemies with explosive tree sap, and just when they threaten to become familiar, the game yanks them away, replacing them with something fresh. The novelty of each of these distinct mechanics isn’t surface level, either, as they are genuinely well-designed, intuitive, and offer room for gratifying critical thinking and creativity. Aside from such mechanics, each level’s theme, sound design, and visuals are radically unique, and this prioritization of variety makes It Takes Two an all killer, no filler title.
It Takes Two Is the Quintessential Co-Op Game
While one could theoretically play It Takes Two by themselves, such a playstyle would rob the game of its most important aspects. The aforementioned level-specific mechanics, for instance, are different for Cody and May, the player characters: Player 1 will never have the same experience as Player 2. As such, communication and teamwork are essential for success in the game, and one player can never “carry” the team to victory. This makes It Takes Two stand out against its co-op competition, as the genre can often neglect synergy in favor of versatility and accessibility.
While
It Takes Two
has surprisingly deep gameplay, it’s also fairly easy to get a grasp on, making it a good fit for anyone unexperienced with video games.
Simple-yet-satisfying controls, charming level design, competitive mini-games, and thrilling sense of variety combine to make It Takes Two one of the best co-op games ever made, and a can’t-miss title for anyone with even a passing interest in the genre. With The Game Awards around the corner, now could be the perfect time to explore one of its most sensible GOTY picks, and for those in the relevant climates, It Takes Two could be the best balm for the cold winter months ahead.