A great port for the most captivating and memorable co-op game
It Takes Two is an action-adventure platformer that will take you and a friend into a cutting-edge co-op experience that you’ll have a hard time forgetting. Developed by Hazelight Studios (A Way Out), the latest creation of Josef Fares (Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons) lands on the Switch with its best and most accessible version to date. Jump into a fun and emotional adventure full of surprises, puzzles and 2-player mechanics unlike anything you’ve seen before. Are you ready to dive into the imaginative world of It Takes Two?
An unforgettable story of communication and love
It Takes Two follows the story of May and Cody, a married couple who are planning to get a divorce. Rose, their little daughter, sees her world fall apart after learning about the imminent break-up of her family. In a desperate attempt to prevent her parents splitting up, the girl takes two hand-made dolls that look like May and Cody and, while crying, starts play-acting how they both could repair their relationship. What Rose doesn’t know is that all the sadness and tears she shed has made her parents’ consciousness get trapped inside the dolls.
Now in doll form, May and Cody are forced to talk things out and work together to reach Rose and see if she’s able to send them back to their real bodies. Both parents won’t be alone through their adventure though... Dr Hakim, a witty and kind of self-centered relationship therapy book will accompany them, making them remember what brought the couple together and try to save their relationship. Not only for their own sake, but also for Rose's.
Mixing humor and lighthearted moments with sad and emotive ones (mark my words: no matter how tough you are, you’ll cry), It Takes Two offers a beautiful story that’s definitely worth playing.
Gameplay: A puzzle-filled world of wonders
It Takes Two is a platformer like you’ve never played before. What makes this game so special? Easy. It’s a strictly co-op experience and you’ll have to play it with someone else either through local split-screen or online play. Each level of the game is full of puzzles that you’ll have to solve by combining the different powers and abilities Mary and Cody have. For that reason, communicating with the other player is vital if you want to advance.
Don’t let the simplicity of the game’s premise fool you. It Takes Two does a wonderful job at feeling challenging and fresh thanks to its ever changing gameplay. Just when you’re used to May and Cody’s abilities, the game will swoop in and give them different ones. Adjusting to their new powers will take time but only adds fun to the experience of solving all kinds of clever puzzles and conundrums along your comrade.
Exploring the maps and levels of It Takes Two is really a pleasure. Clearly reminiscent of films such as Toy Story or The Borrowers, It Takes Two sends you on a journey through different wild-yet-homely locations such as a garden, Rose’s Room, a cuckoo clock or a messy attic. Through them you’ll find all sorts of magical characters, from kid’s toys and evil appliances to giant animals that will either aid us on our quest or make our journey a tad more difficult. Don’t be afraid to explore and interact with everything you see, since all the objects can be used in order to advance in your adventure. The clue to success? Non-stop communication with your fellow player.
Even though the game avoids the trope of collectibles, there is a lot to do in It Takes Two. The game is full of interactions and incentives to explore the environment. You’ll find buttons to push, gadgets and interactive objects that completely have no purpose whatsoever except entertaining you. Also, the game offers a wide range of minigames such as chess, tug of war or even a rhythm game to play with your partner.
Graphics: Lackluster graphics for a beautiful adventure
Due to the limitations of the Switch, It Takes Two shows a significant graphical downgrade compared to the colorful and stunning versions on Microsoft and Sony’s respective consoles. But don’t let that disappoint you, the game is still great on Nintendo’s hybrid console. With the aid of a few extra loading screens, our little big adventure runs smoothly and without any notorious frame drop, performing excellently on the Switch. Keeping in mind the co-op nature of the game and the portability of Nintendo’s console, It Takes Two is definitely a perfect match for it.
How to download It Takes Two for free
Yes, we’re not joking. You can download It Takes Two free of any cost. Since the game has been designed to play in couch co-op (split-screen), local wireless play (full screen) and online co-op, it includes the ability to send what the developers call “Friend Pass”. This feature lets any player that owns a copy of It Takes Two to send an extra copy to a friend, allowing them to download it for free.
Does the game allow cross-platform multiplayer?
No, the game doesn’t allow cross-play. Owners of the PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 or PS5 version of It Takes Two won’t be able to co-op with you.
How many joy-cons are needed to play It Takes Two
Due to the complex controls of the game, each player of It Takes Two either needs both joy-cons (4 in total) or use one Pro-Controller each.
How long does it take to complete It Takes Two?
It takes an average of 15 hours to beat It Takes Two. However, the game is full of extras, easter eggs and minigames that are worth discovering and spending time on finding.
A must-play to any co-op fan
It Takes Two is, from start to finish, a wonderful co-op experience. Considered its most complete and accessible version to date, the Switch version of this award-winning masterpiece is the best cooperative experience you’ll find on Nintendo’s hybrid console. While the graphical sacrifice is indeed noticeable, the game performs smoothly, captivating players with its vast and colorful worlds to explore. With clever puzzles, charming characters and great storytelling, It Takes Two is definitely a real treat you’ll want to enjoy with a friend over and over.
