Split Fiction, Hazlelight's phenomenal follow-up to the already incredible and award-winning It Takes Two, is a riotously good co-op game that features two central protagonists: Mio and Zoe. Each player takes control of one of these characters at the start of the game and then proceeds to play as them for the rest of it. They're both dramatically different in personalities, wants, and desires, but also exceptionally similar, which is what makes up the foundations of Split Fiction's narrative.

Rightfully earning itself a spot as one of 2025's biggest games, Split Fiction will entertain anyone looking for a poignant and fun co-op adventure for two. Crucially, it requires two real people to play it, so there's no playing with an AI bot. Once everyone has settled onto the same couch or snuggled up on their own chair and connected online, they'll just need to decide whether they're going to play as either Zoe or Mio.

How Zoe Plays In Split Fiction

She's More Lighthearted & Fun

Zoe is the more optimistic and lighthearted character out of the dual protagonists. While she's in the same boat as Mio, she's more trusting, kindhearted, and has a whimsical flair to her that carries through into the stories that she imagines. This makes her a more fun protagonist, at least narratively, although she still has plenty of depth behind her that leads to some truly exceptional scenes. Zoe is a great choice for the person who feels her personality type better suits them when playing Split Fiction's groundbreaking co-op adventure. However, she does have a few gameplay differences from Mio.

In certain levels, just like in It Takes Two, she has a functionally different yet ultimately complementary ability that will help players solve each puzzle. For example, in one level, she can shapeshift into a tiny pixie, allowing her to access certain areas, or a giant tree-like creature that can pull up platforms. Similarly, in one of the many sci-fi levels, she has an electric whip that helps her in both combat and traversal. There are more examples, such as a level where she turns into a springy pig, but I don't want to spoil them all for you.

How Mio Plays In Split Fiction

She's More Nihilistic & Gets A Katana

In Split Fiction, Mio, unlike Zoe, is far more nihilistic, tending to see the worst in people and situations, including during the game's opening sequence. While Zoe prefers a fantasy setting as it is more hopeful, Mio skews more towards sci-fi, which leads to a lot of her levels being dark and gritty, full of revenge, and a lot more somber. Those who identify more with Mio as a character should pick her when prompted, although, like Zoe, she has a few gameplay differences.

During the level in which Zoe can transform into a pixie or Groot-like creature, Zoe gains the ability to turn into a giant monkey that is strong enough to push around platforms and even gets its own Donkey Kong-style level. Similarly, in the aforementioned sci-fi level, she has a katana rather than Zoe's whip, and in the pig level, she can fart to propel herself forward, rather than turn into a spring. These gameplay differences are one of the many ways that Split Fiction is better than It Takes Two, but ultimately shouldn't be deal-breakers.

Is Zoe Or Mio Actually Better?

They're Both Just As Good As Each Other

While both Zoe and Mio have their own unique abilities during certain levels, as well as their own characteristics and traits, they play identically to one another and, therefore, neither can be considered better than the other. The benefit of each one having unique abilities is that Split Fiction has plenty of replay value, as each player can switch to being the other character for another playthrough.

If both people are playing locally - literally in the same room and playing on the same console - then they can just switch controllers with one another if they decide that they'd rather be the other character, or want to test out the other character's abilities.

People definitely shouldn't worry about picking the "right" character in Split Fiction, but rather just the one they most identify with or sounds like has the most enjoyable gameplay mechanics. Ultimately, if the character you've picked is making you not enjoy Split Fiction, then there is always the ability to restart and choose again. Frankly, both Mio and Zoe are incredible protagonists in Split Fiction, and playing with either is an absolute blast.