It Takes Two – The Ultimate Family Co-Op Experience

🎮 Introduction

Few games capture the magic of cooperation like It Takes Two.
In a sea of competitive titles and solo experiences, this one dares to make teamwork its beating heart.

For us, this was more than a game – it was a father-daughter adventure. We laughed, failed, learned, and triumphed together. The more we played, the more it felt like the game was designed for families like ours: curious, communicative, and eager to explore something meaningful together.

Developed by Hazelight Studios under the direction of Josef Fares, It Takes Two blends story, gameplay, and emotion with an artistry few modern titles achieve. It’s not just about finishing levels – it’s about rediscovering what it means to work together.

🧩 Story & Emotional Core

Cody and May are parents on the edge of divorce. Their daughter, Rose, desperate to fix her broken family, makes a wish that turns them into small clay-and-wooden dolls. What follows is a surreal journey through the echoes of their own relationship, guided by a talking self-help book named Dr. Hakim.

At first glance, it sounds whimsical – and it is – but beneath the humor lies a surprisingly honest exploration of relationships and communication. Cody represents the dreamer, the imaginative parent who feels unheard; May, the practical one, exhausted by responsibility. Their banter is playful yet real, their frustrations familiar to any family.

What struck me most was how naturally the game translates emotional tension into gameplay. A level about attraction literally gives each character a magnetic power. A garden sequence becomes a metaphor for nurturing what’s been neglected. Each chapter is a new reflection of their emotional state – told not through dialogue, but through mechanics.

For my daughter, it was a magical adventure. For me, it was a reminder that teamwork, even in games, mirrors real life: communication, patience, and a sense of humor go a long way.

🛠️ Gameplay Mechanics & Design Brilliance

Hazelight’s design philosophy is simple: never repeat.
Every level introduces fresh mechanics, new ways to play, and unexpected surprises. In one chapter, you control nails and hammers; in another, time itself. Later, you might glide through snow, pilot a paper airplane, or wage war against an army of squirrels armed with matchstick rifles.

Each section feels handcrafted – imaginative and wildly different. What keeps it grounded is that both players always have equally important roles. One isn’t just “helping” the other; you both matter. That balance makes It Takes Two perfect for parent-child play.

Mechanically, it’s a blend of puzzle-platforming, light combat, exploration, and mini-games. The controls are intuitive enough for kids but polished enough for experienced players to appreciate. There’s no filler, no grind – every moment feels deliberate.

And the pacing? Flawless. Just when you’ve mastered a new ability, the game replaces it with something completely different, keeping you engaged for the entire 12-hour runtime.

🌈 Level Variety & Visual Storytelling

Each world inside It Takes Two feels like it came straight from a Pixar film mixed with a child’s imagination.

• The Shed – You battle a toolbox boss in a sequence that feels like a blend of Toy Story and Indiana Jones.
• The Tree – A squirrel military base where acorns become ammo and aerial dogfights erupt among branches.
• The Garden – A lush, heartfelt metaphor for renewal, where Cody regrows his neglected garden while May fights off corruption with pruning shears.
• The Snow Globe – One of the game’s most touching chapters, where the couple rekindles old memories in a miniature winter village, complete with ice skating, sledding, and cooperative puzzles.
• The Clock Tower – A time-bending level that fuses emotional storytelling with breathtaking design.

Every environment bursts with color and texture. There’s something magical about seeing everyday household items turned into colossal landscapes. As a parent, you appreciate the craftsmanship; as a kid, it’s pure wonder.

🎭 Humor, Heart & the Magic of Dr. Hakim

The flamboyant Dr. Hakim, voiced with exaggerated energy, is the game’s comedic anchor. He’s ridiculous, loud, and occasionally infuriating – but always entertaining.

My daughter adored every scene with him. I rolled my eyes and laughed in equal measure. But behind the silliness lies genuine wisdom: his lessons about connection, attraction, and trust come through in the mechanics more than in his words.

The humor never undermines the emotion. The script balances slapstick and sincerity with rare precision, making both kids and adults feel seen.

👨‍👧‍👦 Our Father–Daughter Experience

No review of It Takes Two would be complete without acknowledging how personal this game can become.

From the first puzzle, it demanded that we talk, plan, and react together. When one of us rushed ahead or got impatient, we’d fail. When we communicated and supported each other, everything clicked.

It sparked conversations about teamwork, problem-solving, and even empathy. At one point, after we finished the emotional “Elephant” sequence (you’ll know it when you get there), my daughter looked at me and said, “That was sad… but also kind of beautiful.”

That’s It Takes Two in a nutshell: it’s never mean-spirited, even when it breaks your heart a little. It’s a story about rebuilding – both literally and emotionally.

We’ve played countless family co-op games – from Super Mario 3D World to Luigi’s Mansion 3 – but none captured our dynamic like this one. It’s challenging without being punishing, silly without being shallow, and emotional without being heavy-handed.

⚙️ Accessibility & Replayability

Hazelight’s “Friend Pass” feature is a gift to families. Only one copy of the game is needed for two players – perfect for gifting to relatives or letting friends join in remotely.

The difficulty curve is generous. There are checkpoints before every major section, and death never feels punishing. The game encourages experimentation rather than perfection.

Replay value is surprisingly high. Each character has unique mechanics, meaning that switching roles the second time around feels like an entirely new experience. Plus, dozens of optional mini-games – from snowball fights to whack-a-mole – add hours of side fun.

🎨 Audio & Atmosphere

The sound design is sublime. From the squeak of wooden joints to the orchestral swells in boss fights, every audio cue enhances immersion. The soundtrack, composed by Gustaf Grefberg and Kristofer Eng, shifts seamlessly between playful whimsy and emotional intensity.

The voice acting deserves special praise. Joseph Balderrama and Clare Corbett breathe life into Cody and May, conveying frustration, humor, and warmth with authenticity that rivals animated films.

🏆 Why It’s the Gold Standard for Family Co-Op Games

It Takes Two stands out because it understands that co-op isn’t about splitting tasks – it’s about sharing experiences.
Every mechanic reinforces partnership: if one player fails, both restart; if one triumphs, both succeed. There’s no carrying, no waiting around – just constant interaction.

This makes it ideal for dads playing with their kids. It fosters patience, laughter, and teamwork in a way few other games manage. It’s not just a game you finish; it’s one you remember.

📌 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions