We all spend too much time in front of screens and I believe that screen time should be limited and managed. I love to read and enjoy a good book (and whilst I enjoy my Kindle, I do prefer a physical book). But that doesn’t mean screen time should be stopped and can be enjoyed, just in moderation. Like everybody else I have a television, computer, phone and games console and whilst I am not a massive gamer, I do like to play on the games console, I have a Xbox One, and relax with a fun game or two, games such as It Takes Two!
As an adult, I prefer a variety of games including action games and shoot ‘em ups (or shmups), but I love puzzle and logic games – something where you must use a bit of brain power and deduction. And I have been playing a fantastic action game that combines a shoot ‘em up with puzzle solving and very much enjoyed it. This game is called It Takes Two.
It Takes Two is a 3D action adventure, puzzle solving platform game from Hazelight and EA (Electronic Arts). A co-op game for two players where you must work together as a team to complete it (you cannot play it as a single player). Available for Xbox, Playstation, EA App for Windows, Nintendo Switch and Steam. I have been playing on the Xbox One.
It Takes Two stars parents Cody (Dad) and May (Mum). They lead very busy lives, and they just aren’t getting along. After years of marriage, things are just not working and they want a divorce. Cody never finishes anything, and May spends far too much time at work. When their young daughter Rose hears about their proposed split, she isn’t very happy. She makes some dolls that represent her parents and with the aid of the Book of Love that she found at school she makes a wish (or rather a spell) that her parents do not split up and when the tears that she sheds hit the dolls, her parents are magically inserted into their bodies. Now the dolls must get along and work together to find their way back to their own bodies and their daughter (and maybe even repair their broken relationship in the process). They are now on a quest that takes them on a wild journey through their home and garden in ways that they have never seen them before, featuring a talking vacuum cleaner, a nasty toolbox, a band of militant squirrels and lots more. Lots of co-operation will be required to complete their missions.
As Cody and May make their way through their new surroundings in their new bodies, they have some help, guidance, and a bit of couples therapy thrown in from their guide, Dr. Hakim, a suave Latin love guru with gyrating hips who just happens to be a talking book (the Book of Love). Dr. Hakim is fantastic and funny (I love him, although for some reason he just reminds me of the ‘one sheet’ kitchen roll advert with his dodgy accent).
Overall, It Takes Two is a game that must be played with two players and we absolutely loved it. Completed over 7 levels and with plenty of mini games to be found within the gameplay, it is lots of fun. Cooperation, teamwork and speaking with each other to solve the array of puzzles is key – an escape room type game on the screen!
The world Cody and May find themselves in, and where you play the game, is an exaggerated world that is seen through the eyes of a child – everyday household objects become monsters, tree houses are filled with armed squirrels, clocks can change and bend time, snow globes and magic castles are filled with wonder (and lots of danger), etc. And then there are some fabulous villains to defeat along the way.
The game is played mostly on a split screen. It is a game that constantly challenges players, finding new ways to keep you entertained using lots of different abilities and unique ways to solve puzzles. The creativity of the puzzles and games is excellent – and they are all different but require good teamwork to complete them!
As you work your way through the visually pleasing levels, with themes such as DIY and a toolbox (using the head of a claw hammer and nails as weapons and tools), a tree house with an army of mercenary squirrels and a deadly wasps nest (where a sap gun and rocket launcher rule), a space theme, cuckoo clock and magic castle, even the inside of a piano and fighting diseased plants in the garden and greenhouse, mini games are unlocked during the game. These mini games can see you electrocuting your partner (only on the screen of course), playing whack-a-mole with your partner as the ‘mole’, playing tug of war over a hole in the ground, snowball fights and lots more – all designed to take out Cody and May’s frustrations out on each other.
The game features an excellent array of diverse and some very strange characters, to help and hinder you along the way, making the game very interesting, challenging fun and extremely playable.
Whilst it is a two player game, a fantastic feature of the game is the Friends Pass. The Friends Pass lets a friend play for free, they do not need to own a copy of the game. This makes the game accessible to more players and makes the game much better value for money. You can read more about the Friends Pass here.
It Takes Two has a PEGI rating of 12 (for 12 years plus) but is probably better suited to older and more mature children. It features some infrequent mild bad language and some of the challenges can be quite difficult to work out. It has a theme based on divorcing, arguing parents, an upset crying child who is stuck in the middle wanting them to fix their relationship, and to break the spell the parents are under, they must try to make their daughter cry by destroying one of her favourite toys to do so. It might just be upsetting for some younger emotionally immature players.
Other than the emotionally difficult backstory of Cody, May and Rose that may work for some and not others, It Takes Two is a delightful, charming and visually brilliant game with some excellent gameplay. The characters have two completely different personalities with different skill sets and rather than racing each other to the end, they have to work together in harmony, complementing each other’s skills sets to achieve their goals.
It Takes Two is a fun and entertaining game that we lost several evenings to. It is definitely one of the best co-op games we have played. Probably better suited for older teens and adults than the kids, but if you love co-op puzzle-solving games with lots of action and adventure then this is it!
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £34.99
Available to buy through EA.com or Amazon.