On the surface, It Takes Two is about a couple doing everything they can to escape their fate. Anything can happen, and as players move through every chapter together, they’ll experience a vast swath of different mechanics exploring different ways to achieve their goals. The fairy-tale nature of the narrative is the perfect justification for every mechanic introduced in the game.

Soon enough, Rose’s book animates into a lusty, hip-thrusting therapist who tells the couple the only way to return to their bodies is through collaboration. Specifically, their souls are zapped into dolls. But rather than read passages out loud to her parents, she wishes with all her might that things might change, and Cody and May experience a little bit of magic that will change their lives. Their daughter, Rose, is crushed and turns to a mysterious relationship advice book for help. Cody and May are a couple on the brink of divorce. It Takes Two shares some of the design philosophy that made 2018’s A Way Out stand out, though instead of relying on the tropes of prison escape films, it draws from romantic comedies at every turn. It is a simple concept, perfectly executed, and deserves recognition as one of this year’s best games to play with a partner.

But It Takes Two offers something different than short minigames or direct competition: a full-blown narrative adventure that can only be completed by two players working in sync. Teaming up with another player to finish a game is hardly a new concept, and this year alone saw Nintendo roll out WarioWare: Get It Together! as well as Mario Party Superstars, filling the “party game” niche nicely. Image: Hazelight Studios Collaboration Is Keyįrom the jump, It Takes Two is a unique take on co-op multiplayer.

It takes two minigames