It Takes Two

It Takes Two turns cooperation into the whole point rather than a side mode. You and a partner are constantly solving problems together, whether that means coordinating jumps, combining chapter-specific abilities, or simply talking through a puzzle before either of you makes a move. Its rapid-fire variety keeps the campaign from settling into a routine.

The catch is non-negotiable: this is a game for two people, all the way through. Find the right co-op partner, though, and the frequent surprises, forgiving respawns, and playful competitive minigames make it one of the easiest games to recommend for a shared weekend or a few longer sessions.

Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

It Takes Two grabs you by making cooperation active from the first obstacle. This is not a solo platformer with a second character tagging along. Cody and May have to contribute at the same time, and the best moments arrive when you and your partner finally understand how two mismatched abilities fit together. A puzzle that initially produces a few confused pauses can become satisfying the second you communicate clearly and execute the plan.

Hazelight keeps changing the terms. Platforming remains the foundation, but chapters introduce their own tools and detours, from environmental manipulation and puzzle-solving to shooting sequences and rail grinding. Abilities reset between chapters, which means you never coast on one favorite trick. That constant reinvention is the game’s biggest strength, even if a particular mechanic does not land equally well for both people on the couch.

Bosses ask both players to use their current powers in tandem, while quick respawns prevent mistakes from turning into a long wait. Exploration is worth a little extra effort because it can uncover minigames and silly interactions rather than mandatory power upgrades. The minigames are a smart pressure valve: after cooperating through a tough section, you can immediately try to beat each other in a race or rhythm challenge. Local split-screen and online play both suit the design, and Friend’s Pass makes inviting an online partner far less of a hurdle.

Graphics

The toy-sized journey gets a lot out of familiar places made enormous. A home, garden, attic, and child’s toy castle become large-scale spaces for Cody and May to cross, giving each chapter a distinct setting instead of repeating the same rooms. The split-screen view can shift its framing to keep both characters and important simultaneous actions in view.

Story

Cody and May begin as a married couple close to divorce, then wake up transformed into the wooden-and-clay dolls made by their daughter Rose. It is an unabashedly sentimental setup, but it gives the cooperative structure real stakes. Their journey through distorted versions of their own lives turns family, trust, and reconciliation into the subjects of each major stretch.

The story works best when the friction between the couple feels recognizably human. They argue, misunderstand each other, and have to keep moving anyway, which makes the requirement to cooperate feel like more than a clever multiplayer rule. The eccentric Book of Love, Dr. Hakim, pushes the pair forward with broad comedy that will either break up the heavier material or test your patience, depending on your taste.

There is no branching outcome to chase, so this is a fixed road toward its resolution rather than a relationship drama shaped by your choices. Still, the dialogue during play and the comic interruptions help the campaign feel lively between bigger cutscenes. The emotional material is direct, sometimes very direct, but the game commits to it instead of hiding behind irony.

Overall Experience

It Takes Two is at its best with someone willing to talk, laugh at mistakes, and meet you halfway when a solution is not obvious. Its platforming is enjoyable, but the real payoff is the feeling of working out something neither person could handle alone. The design repeatedly gives each partner a meaningful job, which makes success feel shared rather than carried.

Its relentless variety also makes it unusually easy to keep playing. One chapter’s abilities and challenges do not overstay their welcome before the next changes the rhythm. Not every experiment has the same spark, and two players with very different patience levels may hit a few rough patches, but quick retries keep annoyance from taking over.

If you want a campaign to play alone, this is simply the wrong game. If you have a friend, partner, or family member ready to commit to a full co-op adventure, it is an exceptional pick. The story can be earnest to a fault, yet the inventive teamwork and steady stream of new ideas make the trip worthwhile.