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Play OverviewPlay Overview

It Takes Two (2021) is a running, jumping and exploring game that tells the story of a young girl, Rose, whose parents are divorcing. The girl creates two dolls to represent her parents, which unexpectedly traps the clashing couple in them. You and a friend cooperate as the dolls, each with unique abilities, to solve puzzles and help them work together, rather than pull in opposite directions.

The mother doll is made of wood and the father doll is made of clay. As you play you need to use their different qualities to solve each challenge. It's an existential journey that wants to land some real-world emotions about relationships, vulnerability and coping with parents splitting up.

Like other games from this developer (Brothers A Tale Of Two Sons and A Way Out), this is a co-operative adventure unique because each player has a different perspective on the action and the game is always played in split screen.

The style of play changes as you progress. But throughout it is set in a larger-than-life world from the perspective of the two dolls. Whether it is puzzle-solving, action-focused or platforming, the game leverages these interactions as metaphors for the reluctant couple saving their fractured relationship.

Some may find the simplistic approach to relationship advice a little trite. However, the beautiful setting and unusual topic offer a novel way to talk about this difficult subject that may lead to a deeper consideration of what really makes relationships break down and how we can put them back together again.

Our examiner, Rich Adams, first checked It Takes Two 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 4 weeks ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to It Takes Two. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is a Puzzle and Traversal game with Action, Adventure, Narrative and Platform elements. You can play with 1 to 2 players in the same room or as a 2-player online game. Choose from couch or online co-op with split-screen play, and face ever-changing challenges where working together is the only way forward.

On Switch, you can also play on two consoles via local wireless or online with a friend who doesn't have the game via the free Friend’s Pass.

Cross-Platform: You can't play PlayStation and Xbox, but you can play between Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Also, you can play online with a friend even if the other person doesn't own the game. The Friend's Pass feature enables them to join for free.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 12 hours and 13 hours to complete. There are competitive mini-games you can unlock as you play. These, and other collection aspects of the levels, will extend the play time.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 12 for moderate violence and use of bad language. Violence is non-realistic, and no blood or injuries are shown. While some enemies can be blown up, they merely disappear in the explosion without any gory details. When the players’ characters are hit, they fall over, and stars appear before they get up again. If they are defeated, they simply break apart into particles before reforming at the last save point. Sometimes the players’ characters can be pinned down by their enemies. In one scene, they are briefly held captive and are repeatedly jabbed by wasps armed with spears. They wave their arms and shout while breaking apart and repeatedly reforming until their captors call off the attack. The game also includes infrequent use of bad language (‘*!@?*’, ‘bloody’, ‘*!@?*’ and ‘goddamn it’). In one scene, the player characters are required to harm and kill another toy character. They do so in order to further their mission of attempting to escape from the fantasy world in which they’re trapped. While the violence has a purpose in the game’s narrative, and the violence is unrealistic in nature, featuring as it does toy characters, younger children may find the toy character’s frightened reaction (and powerfully voiced response) to the violence upsetting.
 
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.

Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Parental Guidance (PG) for Violence, Mild Themes, Coarse Language.

Skill Level

8+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. The storybook look and feel appeal to really young players. Provided they have good hand-eye coordination and are willing to persevere to solve puzzles they can enjoy the game. Playing with two people enables the very young to progress more easily.

Account Rating

  • You need be 18-years-old to to subscribe to Xbox Live Gold for online play, but can then configure family accounts for younger players to play online with Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
  • You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to Nintendo Online, but can then create accounts for children of any age to play online with Nintendo Switch.
  • You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to PlayStation Plus for online play, but can create sub-accounts for younger players of 7-years or older to play online with PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.

CostsCosts

It Takes Two usually costs £34.99. 

It Takes Two

XBox Store Xbox One £34.99 £31.49

EA Play

PlayStation Store PS5 £34.99 Free

EA Play

PlayStation Store PS4 £34.99 Free

EA Play

Steam StoreSALE PC £34.99 £8.74 until 21/03/2024
Switch Store Switch £34.99
Origin Store PC Free Free

EA Play Pro

XBox Store Xbox X|S Free Free

EA Play

It Takes Two: Digital Version

XBox Store Xbox One £34.99
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
  • You need a subscription to play online:
    • You need to purchase a Nintendo Online subscription to play online with Nintendo Switch.
    • You need to purchase a PlayStation Plus subscription to play online with PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.
    • You need to purchase a Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online with Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
 
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 26/03/2021, updated in 2022

Price: 75% off

Out Now: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox X|S

Skill Rating: 8+ year-olds

Players: 1-2 (2 online)

Genres: Puzzle, Traversal (Action, Adventure, Narrative and Platform)

Accessibility: 27 features

Components: 3D Third-Person and Cartoon

Developer: Hazelight Games (@HazelightGames)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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