It Takes Two
- March 25, 2021
- Hazelight Studio
- 13h median play time
It Takes Two is co-op gaming at its most joyous and whimsical, and will forever be in the hearts of anyone that is lucky enough to play it.
It Takes Two is a cooperative action-adventure game where two players control a married couple who have been transformed into dolls by their daughter's wish. They must work together to navigate through various levels, solving puzzles and battling enemies to restore their relationship and return to their human forms. The game features a variety of gameplay mechanics, including platforming, shooting, and driving, and can be played both online and locally with a friend.
Reviews
- story13,323 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "It Takes Two" revolves around Cody and May, a couple on the brink of divorce who are magically transformed into dolls and must navigate a whimsical world to mend their relationship. While the narrative is often described as heartwarming and engaging, it also faces criticism for its predictability and occasional cheesiness, with some players finding the characters unlikable. Overall, the game successfully blends creative gameplay mechanics with a touching story, making it a memorable co-op experience for players.
“The overall story did a good job of drawing us in and was entertaining in its own right.”
“A really wholesome game about repairing a broken relationship, it has a great storyline and good mechanics.”
“The story is incredibly engaging and gameplay is just challenging enough to be hard but not frustrating.”
“Our only issue was with the story, which was just so cheesy and forced that we were often rolling our eyes.”
“But I'm so surprised that people don't talk about the quality of the story, because... god it's so bad (and frustrating, considering the rest of the game).”
“The story is quite imaginative and every chapter has a beautiful level design and interesting gameplay mechanics.”
- gameplay11,474 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "It Takes Two" is widely praised for its innovative and diverse mechanics, with each level introducing unique gameplay elements that keep the experience fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the seamless integration of cooperative gameplay, requiring teamwork and communication to solve puzzles and navigate challenges, making it a standout title for couples and friends alike. While the story may not resonate with everyone, the gameplay's creativity and variety are consistently highlighted as its strongest features, ensuring that players remain entertained throughout the entire experience.
“The developers have done an amazing job of sewing in the different gameplay types from level to level without making it feel gimmicky.”
“The gameplay is incredibly versatile, with each level introducing new mechanics that constantly keep things fresh.”
“The game constantly introduces fresh mechanics, keeping the gameplay engaging and surprising throughout the entire adventure.”
“The gameplay is all about cooperation, which is code for 'you’ll be trying to explain to your partner why they missed the jump for the 15th time.'”
“The gameplay while its strong suit is half the time fun, the other half tedious.”
“The gameplay is very linear.”
- graphics5,310 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics in "It Takes Two" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and imaginative art style, often compared to a Pixar film. Players appreciate the vibrant colors, detailed environments, and the seamless integration of graphics with gameplay mechanics, which enhance the overall immersive experience. While some users noted minor performance issues on lower-end systems, the game's artistic design and attention to detail consistently impressed, making it a standout title in cooperative gaming.
“The visuals, the story and the gameplay are out of this world for a co-op game.”
“The graphics are super well optimized and look extremely realistic.”
“The graphics are gorgeous, with vibrant colors and whimsical designs that make you forget you’re playing a game about a troubled marriage.”
“It's a mediocre platformer with so-so graphics, stupid cutscenes, and annoying characters.”
“It was nearly unplayable for me, the cutscenes were horrible to get through because it'd lag so much even on the lowest graphics.”
“The graphics will stutter, but don't worry: you'll still be able to listen to the main characters undermine each other constantly.”
- humor2,302 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "It Takes Two" is widely praised for its cleverness and variety, blending lighthearted moments with darker, more absurd elements that keep players engaged and laughing throughout the game. Many players highlight the witty dialogue, funny character interactions, and the comedic chaos that arises from cooperative gameplay, making it a memorable experience for friends and couples alike. While some found certain jokes cringeworthy or juvenile, the overall consensus is that the humor effectively enhances the game's emotional depth and enjoyment.
“The story is heartwarming and funny, with great voice acting.”
“Perfectly told story with an unending amount of varying mechanics that were fun, engaging, surprising, and tied together seamlessly with the quirky, funny, and touching theme and characters.”
“The narrative strikes a perfect balance between sincerity and humor, blending serious themes with lighthearted and funny moments.”
“It’s not funny, it’s not ‘artistically challenging’, it’s just vile.”
“This game was so uncomfortable and unfunny to play it took us almost a year.”
“Super scripted, on-rails experience with unfunny characters and annoying cut scenes that break the flow every 30 seconds.”
- emotional2,096 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "It Takes Two" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and the ability to evoke strong feelings, often leading players to tears. Many reviews highlight the game's exploration of complex themes such as love, divorce, and family dynamics, making it relatable and impactful, especially for those in relationships or with children. The combination of engaging gameplay, whimsical visuals, and a touching narrative creates an unforgettable emotional journey that resonates with players long after the game ends.
“The narrative beautifully captures the ups and downs of relationships, making it relatable and touching.”
“The story is heartwarming and funny, with great voice acting.”
“The story of cody and may, a couple navigating their way through a magical adventure to mend their relationship, is both heartwarming and engaging.”
“Boring story, boring mechanics, boring game.”
“Outstanding gameplay but boring storyline.”
“Boring story, boring mechanics, boring game.”
- music1,468 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "It Takes Two" has been widely praised for its ability to enhance the game's whimsical atmosphere and emotional storytelling. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack is diverse, fitting each level's theme perfectly, and many described it as beautiful and memorable, with some even comparing it to a Disney movie. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the immersive experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The sound design and music perfectly complement the experience, enhancing the emotional moments and adding to the overall immersion.”
“The whimsical soundtrack perfectly complements the game's tone and storytelling, enhancing key moments and adding depth to the emotional journey of the characters.”
“The music seamlessly weaves through the emotional beats of the story, enhancing the player's connection to the characters and their journey.”
“The least favorite level was the beginning of the music level; however, then looking for keys and flying pigs satisfied me.”
“Music - 5/10 - can't remember any of the tracks.”
“The soundtrack isn't all that engaging and it's very cliché at some moments.”
- replayability362 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game "It Takes Two" offers a mixed bag of replayability, with many players appreciating the ability to switch characters for different gameplay experiences and the inclusion of various mini-games. While some reviewers highlight its potential for multiple playthroughs with different partners, others note that the linear story and lack of alternative modes limit its overall replay value. Overall, it is seen as a fun co-op experience with decent replayability, particularly when played with different friends or family members.
“My roommate and I finished it in about 16 hours, but it's got really good replayability since both characters use different mechanics at different times.”
“The game's replayability is unparalleled, with it offering some of the most engaging gameplay I have seen in a long time.”
“It takes two is probably one of the best co-op games out there, great atmosphere in every level with many replayable mini-games, and an overall lovable story.”
“The amount of replayability is a tad minimal unless you want to play through again as the character you didn't play through as the first time.”
“While revisiting the game with different partners can be fun, the lack of alternative gameplay modes or post-story content limits its replay value.”
“The game took us around 14 hours to complete, and while I don't think this game has much replayability, it was 100% worth the money that I spent on it.”
- character development306 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the natural progression and depth of the main characters, Cody and May, as they navigate their relationship challenges. However, some players felt that the character development was inconsistent or lacking, particularly in the early stages, leading to moments where the characters appeared unlikable. Overall, while the visuals and character designs were widely appreciated, opinions on the effectiveness and pacing of character development varied significantly among players.
“The character development feels natural and doesn't swing wildly like it might in other stories.”
“The story is heart-wrenching and the character development is superb.”
“This game truly shows the meaning of love portrayed well, with fantastic character development, music, and we spent like 2 hours playing chess.”
“But at the end, the story became so much worse - cliche Hollywood movie storyline with every single character being annoying and having 'character development' out of nowhere.”
“That being said, it went on for hours and hours with no real character development or interest/connection towards the life experiences of the main protagonists, which led to it being a drag to finish the game and by the end just being glad it was over and genuinely hoping they ended up unhappy instead of wishing them the best.”
“If I had to complain about something, it's that the character development is pretty nonexistent for a lot of the game (and the main characters just come off like bad people) until a point where everything suddenly changes; it feels almost insincere when they start improving.”
- grinding284 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 46 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be quite tedious, with many players feeling that certain mechanics and sections drag on unnecessarily. While some aspects of gameplay are praised for their variety and creativity, others are criticized for being repetitive or overly drawn out, leading to a sentiment that players might need "a second life" to endure the grinding elements. Overall, while there are fun moments, the game can feel grindy at times, especially towards the end.
“Cute story, diverse gameplay, not grindy, fun, good visuals.”
“Fun platforming and puzzles, while not being tedious or repetitive.”
“Story rich, awesome graphics, no grinding, no repetitive chapters, lovely characters, fun fun fun.”
“Some of the mechanics and tools that you'd get for your journeys were interesting, but many fell short and eventually became tedious to use.”
“The cutscenes are horribly tedious to sit through and are filled with empty dialogue.”
“It's fun 40% of the time; otherwise, the gameplay is extremely tedious.”
- stability278 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly during online play and when using the EA launcher. While some users experienced a relatively smooth gameplay experience with minimal issues, others faced frustrating connectivity problems and game-breaking glitches that hindered their enjoyment. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with a notable reliance on troubleshooting to resolve various technical issues.
“The game was almost completely bug free and felt refreshingly completed compared to a lot of modern releases.”
“During our play-through we encountered no glitches, bugs, or anything one would consider unintended behavior.”
“Absolutely no glitches, fps drops, or issues encountered.”
“There are so many glitches that are caused by online play and it completely ruins the experience.”
“The game is buggy and unplayable.”
“About halfway through it became unbearably buggy, with the partner playing on the friend's pass lagging significantly, falling off the map, having their game freeze, unexpected and frequent disconnects.”
- optimization267 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and impressive graphics, while others report significant stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly during cutscenes. Overall, many users find the game well-optimized for various hardware, but there are notable issues that suggest further optimization patches are needed to enhance the experience.
“The graphics are super well optimized and look extremely realistic.”
“The graphics are great and so is the performance on most hardware; the game is friendly to non-gamers so you can play it with pretty much anyone.”
“This game is incredibly creative throughout, has solid platforming, fun co-op puzzles, great optimization, and fantastic visuals.”
“Good game, but the PC performance is horrendous.”
“The game has a terrible stuttering problem.”
“The main problem we both had was stuttering issues in certain areas and cut scenes, so there needs to be some optimization done.”
- atmosphere254 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant, whimsical design and attention to detail, with each level offering a unique and immersive experience. Players appreciate the enchanting visuals, dynamic soundtracks, and the way the environments reflect the game's themes of love and relationships. Overall, the combination of stunning graphics, engaging gameplay, and a captivating atmosphere makes it a standout title in the co-op genre.
“The atmosphere, story, and numerous puzzles, bosses, and mini-games are all incredibly well-crafted, creating an immersive and exciting adventure.”
“From lush gardens to fantastical realms, each level is a visual feast that reflects the game's whimsical and enchanting atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere in this game is magical and fantastic, re-living their love life from how they fell in love to why they are in the current situation, exploring the various different maps and powerups while following every suggestion and direction a magical book gives you!”
“Honestly, if there was even just an extra level after May's concert where the two work together after rediscovering their passions and reading Rose's letter where they have to get to Rose before she runs away and discover they don't want to divorce anymore, or if the game placed the clock level as the final level with a 'your love is timeless/forever' theme to make that happen, it would've made for a stronger and more personal ending, providing a better atmosphere than anthropomorphic glowsticks and fireworks surrounded by dusty shelves and piles of books.”
“Some (minor and kind of irrelevant) complaints I have about the game are that I personally found the story to be a bit unfitting for the game and for me there kind of was a dissonance between the cute fun dolls and the story of divorcing, unhappy parents and maybe I would have picked a different topic that felt more fitting to the goofy, joke-y atmosphere of the worlds, mechanics and general theme of the game.”
“I do feel like the game is pushing the wrong message: 'stay in an unhealthy relationship because it will make the kids happy.' If you are in an unhealthy relationship, it's creating an atmosphere of toxicity for the kids.”
- monetization60 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game has been praised for its consumer-friendly monetization model, notably lacking microtransactions, DLC, and other exploitative practices common in modern gaming. Players appreciate that it offers a complete experience for a reasonable price, reminiscent of older games that prioritized gameplay over profit. This approach has been seen as a refreshing departure from the typical cash grab tactics often associated with major publishers like EA.
“In an age of microtransactions, this is groundbreakingly consumer friendly.”
“I am extremely happy to see such a game find great success, not only that but there are no microtransactions and the game is a breeze to complete (100% or just the main game).”
“In a world of microtransactions and DLCs, this is a breath of fresh air and this restores the faith in the video game industry big time.”
“Shameful scene in a video game and untruthful advertising.”
“Just a cash grab carried by the feeling of 'playing with friends' that can make literally any other game just as fun.”
“Its a glitch in the matrix of AAA, low effort, cash grab corporations.”
Critic Reviews
It Takes Two
It Takes Two Review – The Joys And Heartbreak Of Love
93%Teamwork makes the dream work
“It Takes Two is a charming co-op adventure that combines the best ideas from Nintendo and Pixar.”
90%It Takes Two Review – Interactive Couple Therapy
It Takes Two seamlessly blends multiple genres to successfully deliver a therapeutic coop experience for couples.
95%