Outriders brings together several elements from the studio’s previous games, combining a Gears of War cover system with Bulletstorm abilities and a Destiny 2-like loot system. It comes from developer People Can Fly, known for its work on Bulletstorm and Gears of War: Judgement. It Takes Two is co-op done right, and it shows just how powerful a cooperative experience can be when it’s built for two people. Each character has access to a new ability with each level, forcing players to work together to progress the story. True to the name, every puzzle and enemy encounter takes two people to beat. Still, It Takes Two stands out with its gameplay. The story is touching, and it isn’t afraid to dive into the darker parts of its subject matter. From there, it’s up to you and a teammate to make your way back to the house and, hopefully, fix your marriage in the process. The couple’s daughter cries on dolls she made, transforming them into miniature knitted creatures. It Takes Two follows a struggling couple as they deal with an impending divorce. It Takes Two is the latest from Hazelight Studios, which made a name for itself with exclusively co-op experiences like A Way Out and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. The studio’s latest attempt is its best, and that’s saying something.
