It Takes Two is one of Hazelight’s best games, and the Switch 2 version is a solid way to experience it, especially if you haven’t played it before. The original Switch release ran at 30 FPS, while this version targets 60 FPS. According to the developers, docked mode runs at 1080p. There are also improvements to lighting, textures, visual effects, dynamic shadows, and loading times.
The higher frame rate is the biggest improvement. The game holds close to 60 FPS most of the time, with occasional drops, and I found it much more stable than Split Fiction, which never felt particularly consistent to me. Considering this is an older game running on Switch 2, that’s a welcome improvement.
Image quality in docked mode was a bit disappointing, though. On a large TV, the picture looks softer than I’d like. I’m not convinced the game makes meaningful use of DLSS, assuming it’s using it at all, and I was hoping for a higher resolution than 1080p. The visuals are still good, but there’s room for improvement.
If you already own the original Switch version, the upgrades are worth having. The higher frame rate makes a noticeable difference, the visuals have received some improvements, and loading times are shorter. Since the upgrade is free, there’s little reason not to take advantage of it.
As for the game itself, It Takes Two throws so many different gameplay ideas at you that it’s difficult to explain its mechanics in just a few sentences. You play as May and Cody, a married couple whose relationship has hit a rough patch. They have a young daughter named Rose, whom they both love, but their marital problems have started affecting their family life.
One day, Rose’s tears fall on two handmade dolls representing her parents, and May and Cody suddenly find themselves trapped inside them. To return to their daughter, they must work together and overcome challenges in places such as a garden shed and an attic. Along the way, they encounter Dr. Hakim, a talking book that takes it upon itself to repair their marriage.
May works as an engineer, while Cody is a stay-at-home parent. Their different personalities and backgrounds influence how the levels play out, making the challenges feel connected to the characters rather than simply being a series of unrelated obstacles.
I think there’s something in the story that many people can relate to. It explores the problems couples face and how those issues can affect their children, handling the subject in a way that I found genuinely heartwarming. Split Fiction has the edge in certain areas of gameplay, and I enjoyed seeing how far its unusual ideas went, but I still prefer the story in It Takes Two.
Hazelight has built a strong reputation for co-op games, and this is my favourite of the studio’s releases. The story and gameplay complement each other particularly well, making the experience feel more cohesive than a collection of separate co-op challenges. There’s one limitation to keep in mind, though. It Takes Two is designed exclusively for two players and has no single-player mode, so you’ll need someone to play with.
The Switch 2 version offers several useful ways to do that. Cross-platform online multiplayer lets you play with people on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, while local split-screen is available for playing together on the same system. You can even play with someone who owns the original Switch version by downgrading to that release yourself. Having these options makes the game more accessible, and I’m glad Hazelight has supported them.
If you already own It Takes Two on Switch, the free upgrade is an easy recommendation. The performance improvements are noticeable, even if the image quality could be sharper. For anyone buying the game for the first time, I’d choose the Switch 2 version. It runs better and gives you more options for playing with friends.
A higher resolution would have made the upgrade more impressive, but the package is still good. It Takes Two remains an excellent co-op game, and the Switch 2 version does it justice. Alongside Split Fiction, it’s one of my top recommendations for anyone looking for a good co-op experience on the system.
Game Information
- Game Title: It Takes Two
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA Originals)
- Developer: Hazelight Studios
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Review Code: Provided by the publisher
