It Takes Two Review – The Best Co-Op Game for Couples and New Gamers

It Takes Two isn’t just one of the best co-op games ever made — it might be the best game to play with your significant other, period. Hazelight Studios crafted an experience that is funny, chaotic, emotionally meaningful, and brilliantly designed around teamwork.

In this It Takes Two review, we’ll look at why the game works so well for couples, how its story and gameplay mirror real relationships, and why it’s also one of the best introductions to gaming for non-gamers.

The Story: A Broken Marriage Turned Into an Adventure

The game centers on May and Cody, a married couple on the brink of divorce. When they tell their daughter Rose the news, she tearfully wishes they would just love each other again — and her tears magically transform them into small dolls.

Trapped in tiny bodies inside their own home, May and Cody must work together to become human again. Their journey takes them through fantastical versions of everyday spaces: the garden, the attic, the toolbox, and even inside a jukebox.

The twist is that their success depends not only on how well May and Cody cooperate — but how well you and your co-op partner cooperate.

This is why the game feels so perfectly tailored for couples. The story isn’t just about teamwork — it forces teamwork.

Why This Is the Perfect Couple’s Game

People often ask, “What game should I play with my partner?” The answer is usually complicated… until now.

It Takes Two is:

• Accessible for non-gamers
• Engaging for experienced gamers
• Built entirely around cooperation
• Funny, heartfelt, and deeply creative

Unlike many co-op games where one player carries the other, both players are equally important here.

Complimentary Abilities = Built-In Teamwork

Each level gives May and Cody different, complementary abilities.

For example, one player might:

• Shoot nails
• Control electricity
• Scale walls

While the other player might:

• Hammer platforms into place
• Manipulate magnets
• Activate mechanisms

You can’t progress unless you work together — and that’s the point.

This design creates endless opportunities for:

• Problem-solving together
• Playful sabotage
• Friendly competition
• Moments of “Ohhh, I get it now!”

Mini-Games That Reveal Strengths (and Weaknesses)

Every level contains competitive mini-games that pit players against each other.

These include:

• Snowball fights
• Rhythm guitar challenges
• Platform races
• Skill tests

Even if one player is the “better gamer,” these mini-games balance things out — sometimes the non-gamer wins!

A Playground of Toys and Gadgets

One of the most brilliant parts of It Takes Two is how it fills every level with recognizable objects:

• Etch-A-Sketch puzzles
• Crocodile Dentist
• Rube Goldberg machines
• Musical instruments
• Jukebox worlds

This makes the game intuitive for non-gamers. You don’t need complex tutorials — you already understand how many things “should” work.

Gameplay That Mirrors the Relationship

The genius of It Takes Two is how the gameplay reflects May and Cody’s emotional journey.

• Early levels feel competitive and chaotic — just like their arguing.
• Later levels demand precise cooperation — just like real partnership.
• Boss fights require communication, trust, and coordination.

By the end of the game, both players — and both characters — have learned how to work together.

The Real Message of It Takes Two

At its core, It Takes Two is about:

• Communication
• Trust
• Empathy
• Listening
• Mutual support

And the game doesn’t just say this — it makes you live it through gameplay.

Why Hazelight Deserves Praise

Hazelight Studios deserves major credit for making a co-op game that feels:

• Fresh
• Inventive
• Inclusive
• Emotionally intelligent

They didn’t just make a fun game — they made a game that brings people closer together.

Final Verdict (It Takes Two Review)

This It Takes Two review comes down to one clear conclusion:

If you want a game to play with your partner, friend, or even a non-gamer — this is it.

It’s funny. It’s heartfelt. It’s wildly creative. And most importantly, it’s designed from the ground up for two people to play together.

If you have someone you care about, you owe it to yourselves to play this game.