It Takes Two Game: Co-op Review for Couples & Playtime

Grab a partner and settle in—there are few co-op games that stick with you quite like It Takes Two. Released by Hazelight Studios in March 2021, this action-adventure platformer won Game of the Year that same year, and for good reason. It was built from the ground up for two players to navigate a surreal story about a couple trying to save their marriage, and it weaves relationship themes directly into its platforming puzzles. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful night in or something to rekindle a little friendly competition, this one pulls you in from the first level.

Developer: Hazelight Studios · Publisher: Electronic Arts · Release Year: 2021 · Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox · Co-op Required: Yes · Average Playtime: 10-12 hours

Five attributes stand out when comparing It Takes Two against typical co-op titles: the mandatory two-player requirement, the split-screen implementation, the playtime length, the depth of relationship-driven narrative, and the integration of competitive mini-games.

What this comparison reveals: It Takes Two trades the flexibility of typical co-op games for a deliberately constrained experience that pushes two people into constant collaboration. The pattern shows Hazelight designed every system to eliminate the option of passive participation.

Is It Takes Two a fun game for couples?

It Takes Two is one of the most deliberately couple-focused games ever made. The developers at Hazelight Studios built every level around the idea that two people need each other to move forward—there’s no solo mode, no AI companion, no way to play it alone. That constraint turns out to be the whole point.

Co-op mechanics designed for two players

Each of the protagonists—May and Cody—has abilities that complement the other’s. May might need to shrink objects or build platforms while Cody handles the heavy lifting or operates mechanisms. You literally cannot finish a level without trading off and coordinating. The gameplay doesn’t just tolerate collaboration; it demands it at every turn. Girlfriend Reviews noted that the mechanics mirror real relationship skills: listening to your partner, understanding what they need, and sometimes doing something that doesn’t benefit you directly.

The 25 competitive mini-games accessible from the main menu add a layer of rivalry when the mood shifts. They’re quick, playful diversions that let couples compete without derailing the main adventure. Video Chums highlighted this as one of the game’s most underrated features.

Relationship themes in gameplay

The story follows May and Cody, a married couple who have turned into dolls and must work together under the guidance of Dr. Hakim—a literal relationship counselor disguised as a book. Every chapter reinforces some dynamic of partnership: vulnerability, compromise, letting the other person lead. Her Cozy Gaming reported that playing through the game opened up conversations on topics that couple had never discussed before, evoking both tears and laughter throughout their sessions.

Players frequently reported that the game felt less like a typical co-op platformer and more like a guided experience in forced communication. Boss fights particularly amplify this—when both players die, the fight restarts, so you have to sync up or you’ll be stuck in a loop. King Pitch found this mechanic surprisingly challenging but ultimately rewarding when it clicked.

The implication: the game works best for couples who are ready to actually engage with each other. If you’re looking for something to play while you’re half-watching a show in the background, this isn’t it—every level asks for your full attention and active cooperation.

How many hours to finish It Takes Two?

Most players report spending 10 to 18 hours on It Takes Two, with the spread depending on skill level, how much side content you explore, and how many restarts you hit on the trickier boss encounters.

Main story playtime

Critical Hit estimated around a dozen hours for a first playthrough, calling it “long for a dense co-op 3D platformer.” That tracks with the broader consensus: most couples finish in a single weekend if they play in concentrated sessions, or over a few weeks if they spread it out.

One couple documented their full playthrough and clocked 14 hours 22 minutes across multiple play sessions. King Pitch noted this was roughly double the length of A Way Out, Hazelight’s previous co-op game, and they took about half a year to finish because they were pacing themselves between sessions. The pacing is flexible—there’s no penalty for stopping and picking it back up later.

Completionist time estimates

Hidden details, Easter eggs, and interactable objects reward exploration throughout each level. Switching characters on subsequent playthroughs gives access to different ability sets, which adds replay value without extending the initial run significantly. King Pitch highlighted that replaying through a character’s perspective reveals content you missed the first time around.

The game doesn’t have a conventional side-quest system, so the replayability comes more from swapping roles than from grinding optional content. Most players won’t feel compelled to 100% it unless they’re specifically chasing all the hidden moments. For those interested in completionist gaming patterns, similar time-investment guides like Attack on Titan Revolution Codes April 2026 demonstrate how long-form content keeps players engaged across extended periods.

The pattern: a 10-12 hour base experience that stretches toward 18 hours if you explore thoroughly or restart often on harder sections. The game respects your time while still delivering a full narrative arc.

Is It Takes Two a free game?

It Takes Two is not free by default—you need to purchase a copy. That said, there are a couple of workarounds worth knowing if you want to try it before committing.

Friend’s Pass feature

The Friend’s Pass lets the owner share a free copy of the game with one other person, essentially giving a friend or partner a free key. Critical Hit praised this as one of the most couple-friendly policies in gaming, since it means one person pays and the second plays at no additional cost. The pass is linked to the buyer’s account, and only one recipient can claim it per copy.

Availability on services

It Takes Two has appeared in Xbox Game Pass, which means subscribers on that platform can access it at no extra charge as part of their subscription. Grow Up Grow Old noted this as a major value add for Xbox users evaluating whether to buy. The game’s price has settled around standard new-release pricing on other storefronts, and no permanent free-to-play model exists outside of subscription access.

The catch: the Friend’s Pass only works one way—one person buys, one person gets it free. You can’t both get it free, and neither method gives you permanent free access.

Is It Takes Two worth playing?

It Takes Two won Game of the Year at its industry awards in 2021, and the critical consensus has held up well since then. Critical Hit called it “near-perfect couples gaming,” and that framing has stuck because it genuinely captures what the game does differently from typical co-op titles.

Awards and reception

The Game of the Year win at the 2021 awards placed It Takes Two in rare company for a co-op-only game. Reviews from co-op-focused outlets like Video Chums highlighted the graphics and cutscene direction as particularly polished, noting that the game doesn’t feel like a lower-budget indie project despite its specialized audience.

Value for co-op fans

Coop Bros put it bluntly: “We’ve reviewed a good amount of co-op games on the channel but none hold a candle to how unique It Takes Two is.” King Pitch summed it up as “a pretty perfect co-op experience” and said they could see exactly why it won its award.

The value calculus is straightforward: if you have a partner or friend who will actually commit to playing through it with you, the experience justifies the price. If you’re buying it hoping someone will eventually play it with you, it will sit in your library unused—there’s no single-player path.

Is It Takes Two couch co-op only?

It Takes Two supports both split-screen couch co-op and online multiplayer, so you’re not limited to playing in the same room. The game requires a persistent internet connection regardless of which mode you use.

Online vs local play

Split-screen couch co-op is the default experience most players expect, and Grow Up Grow Old reported no split-screen UI headaches during their playthrough. Online co-op works just as well for couples in different locations, though you’ll need to coordinate schedules since both players need to be online simultaneously.

Cross-play support

It Takes Two supports cross-play between platforms, so PlayStation users can connect with Xbox users and PC players. This broadens the matchmaking pool significantly if you’re looking to play online with friends on different ecosystems.

The trade-off: you always need an internet connection. The game doesn’t support offline co-op, which limits where you can play if your connectivity is spotty.

What this means: you’re not locked into couch co-op, but you are locked into online connectivity. The flexibility on screen setup is generous, but the always-online requirement is a hard constraint that single-player games don’t impose.

Hazelight Studios (Game Developer)

It Takes Two was created purely for co-op—there is no single-player option, no AI companion, and no way to play it alone.

Electronic Arts (Publisher)

It Takes Two is the craziest co-op platforming journey we’ve ever published.

Critical Hit Reviewer

It Takes Two is literally a game for couples, and while two friends could play together, you’ll definitely get more out of the game if you are playing it with someone you have an intimate relationship with.

Her Cozy Gaming Reviewer

It Takes Two opened up conversations about topics we’d never discussed as a couple. It moved us both to tears and made us roar with laughter.

For couples willing to commit to playing it the way it was designed—as a genuine two-player experience—It Takes Two consistently delivers moments that go beyond what a typical co-op game can generate. The EA-published title from Hazelight Studios runs roughly 10-12 hours for most players, with no solo path and no AI substitute for your partner’s presence. Split-screen couch co-op and online multiplayer with cross-play between PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch give you options for how to connect, though a persistent internet connection is mandatory in every mode. The Friend’s Pass makes the second copy free, which helps with the cost barrier, and it has shown up in Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers free access on that platform.

The stakes are simple: if you have someone who will actually play through it with you and you’re ready to engage with the mechanics honestly, this game does something few others attempt. If you’re buying it hoping someone will eventually join you, it will sit unused. There is no workaround for the two-player requirement, and the game doesn’t pretend there is.

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It Takes Two captivates couples with its mandatory co-op platforming, earning 2021 GOTY as detailed in co-op gameplay platforms awards alongside platform insights.

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