Split Fiction has now been in the hands of the co-op community for over a year, and it continues to redefine how we perceive shared narrative experiences. Developed by Hazelight Studios, this title doesn't just ask two players to sit on a couch; it demands they navigate two entirely different genres—science fiction and high fantasy—simultaneously. The structure of the game is its strongest asset, divided into eight chunky chapters that vary wildly in tone, mechanics, and emotional resonance.

For those looking to revisit the game or planning their first playthrough in 2026, understanding the layout of these chapters is essential. Each segment acts as a self-contained exploration of a specific literary trope, filtered through the strained creative minds of the two protagonists, Mio and Zoe.

The Core Structure of the Journey

Split Fiction is organized into eight main chapters. However, calling them "levels" would be an understatement. These are expansive environments that often take between 90 minutes to two hours to complete on a first run. Integrated within these chapters are 12 side stories—optional but highly recommended mini-games and narrative vignettes that provide a break from the main stakes.

The game utilizes a unique "genre-swap" mechanic. While one player handles the high-tech, gravity-defying gadgets of Mio’s sci-fi world, the other navigates the elemental, magic-infused platforming of Zoe’s fantasy realm. As the chapters progress, these worlds begin to bleed into one another, leading to the climactic design choices found in the latter half of the game.

Full Chapter and Mission Breakdown

To help you track your progress or find missing collectibles via chapter select, here is the complete list of every mission and side story within the game.

Chapter 1: Rader Publishing

This serves as the prologue, establishing the tension between the two writers and the publishing house that frames the story.

  • Freedom Fighters
  • Brave Knights

Chapter 2: Neon Revenge

Mio takes the lead here in a vibrant, cyberpunk-inspired metropolis. The focus is on speed and verticality.

  • Rush Hour
  • Play Me Techno
  • Side-Story: Legend of the Sandfish
  • Hello, Mr. Hammer
  • Streets of Neon
  • Side-Story: Farmlife
  • Parking Garage
  • The Getaway Car
  • Big City Life
  • Side-Story: Mountain Hike
  • Flipped Cityscapes
  • Gravity Bike
  • Skyscraper Climb
  • Head of the Crime Syndicate

Chapter 3: Hopes of Spring

Zoe’s first major fantasy environment, utilizing lush forest aesthetics and nature-based puzzles.

  • The Underlands
  • Lord Evergreen
  • Side-Story: Train Heist
  • Heart of the Forest
  • Mother Earth
  • Walking Stick of Doom
  • Side-Story: Game Show
  • Silly Monkeys
  • It Takes Three to Tango
  • Halls of Ice
  • Side-Story: Collapsing
  • The Ice King

Chapter 4: Final Dawn

A gritty, shooter-focused chapter for Mio that introduces pulse bombs and portal mechanics.

  • The Dropship Infiltration
  • Gun Upgrade
  • Toxic Tumblers
  • Side-Story: Kites
  • Factory Entrance
  • Factory Exterior
  • Test Chamber
  • Side-Story: Moon Market
  • Fun and Gun
  • The Overseer
  • Soaring Desperados
  • Side-Story: Notebook
  • The Escape
  • System Fail Safe Mode

Chapter 5: Rise of the Dragon Realm

Widely considered the visual peak of the game, this chapter revolves around the growth and evolution of dragons.

  • A Serpentine Path
  • Water Temple
  • Side-Story: Slopes of War
  • Dragon Riders Unite
  • The Dragon Slayer
  • Craft Temple
  • Side-Story: Space Escape
  • Dragon Souls
  • Treasure Temple
  • Side-Story: Birthday Cake
  • Royal Palace
  • Treasure Traitor
  • Might of the Dragons
  • Into the Storm
  • Megalith’s Wrath

Chapter 6: Isolation

A psychological deep dive into Mio's subconscious, featuring some of the most creative sci-fi puzzles in the genre.

  • Prison Ship
  • Handy Drones
  • Down the Rabbit Hole
  • Hydration Facility
  • Prison Courtyard
  • Pinball Lock
  • Execution Area
  • Waste Depot
  • Cell Blocks
  • Maximum Security
  • The Prisoner

Chapter 7: The Hollow

Zoe’s emotional climax, dealing with themes of grief and memory through haunting, spectral landscapes.

  • An Ominous Welcome
  • Mosaic of Memories
  • Ghost Town
  • Light in the Dark
  • Spiritual Guides
  • The Hydra

Chapter 8: Split

The finale where the literal "split fiction" occurs, forcing players to jump across the screen divider to survive.

  • Split Up
  • A Warm Greeting
  • Face-to-Face
  • Worlds Apart
  • Cross Section
  • Fight a God
  • A New Perspective
  • Outside the Box
  • Final Showdown

Time Commitment: How Long is the Grind?

When planning a session with a co-op partner, time management is key. Split Fiction is longer than previous Hazelight efforts like It Takes Two.

  • Standard Playthrough: For most pairs, finishing the main story while engaging with a few side stories takes roughly 12 to 14 hours. This assumes a steady pace without getting stuck on the more complex gravity puzzles in Chapter 2 or the dragon flight sections in Chapter 5.
  • Completionist Run: If you are aiming for the Platinum trophy or 100% completion, expect to spend 15 to 17 hours. Most of this extra time is spent finding the side stories and completing their specific challenges, as well as hunting for environmental interactions required for certain achievements.

Since the game features a robust chapter select menu, you don't need to worry about missing things in a single run. You can jump back into any specific mission to clean up trophies once the credits roll.

Analyzing Chapter Quality: What Works and What Doesn't

After a year of community feedback, a clear hierarchy of chapters has emerged. Not all chapters are created equal; some lean heavily on cinematic cutscenes, while others are pure mechanical playgrounds.

The Masterpieces: Chapters 8 and 5

Chapter 8 (Split) is frequently cited as the game's crowning achievement. For the first seven chapters, the split-screen is a barrier. In "Split," that barrier becomes a gameplay mechanic. You have to physically move your character into your partner's side of the screen to avoid environmental hazards. It’s a meta-narrative triumph that rewards the hours spent learning both genres.

Chapter 5 (Rise of the Dragon Realm) stands out for its progression. You start with a small dragon and watch it evolve into a massive beast that changes how you navigate the world. It’s the perfect blend of Zoe’s personal growth and epic-scale fantasy combat.

The Experimental Highs: Chapter 6

Chapter 6 (Isolation) is where Mio’s science fiction side finally finds its soul. Earlier sci-fi chapters like "Neon Revenge" can feel a bit hollow, focusing more on aesthetics than emotion. "Isolation" fixes this by using sci-fi tropes—hacking, pinball physics, and drone control—to represent Mio’s internal prison. The final encounter with "Dark Mio" remains one of the most mechanically satisfying boss fights in modern co-op gaming.

The Pacing Issues: Chapters 4 and 1

On the lower end of the spectrum, Chapter 4 (Final Dawn) often receives criticism for its length. While the pulse bomb mechanic is clever, the chapter feels like a standard third-person shooter for too long. Players who aren't fans of aim-and-shoot mechanics may find this section drags compared to the platforming creativity of the other chapters.

Chapter 1 (Rader Publishing) is naturally the weakest because it acts as a tutorial. It’s heavy on cutscenes and light on actual play. While necessary for setting the stakes between Mio, Zoe, and their publisher, it doesn't represent the true potential of the game’s "Split" mechanics.

Mechanical Nuances: Sci-Fi vs. Fantasy

One of the most impressive aspects of the Split Fiction chapters is how distinct the two roles feel.

  • Mio’s Gameplay (Sci-Fi): Her chapters tend to be more logic-based. You’ll deal with gravity manipulation, electricity puzzles, and precision shooting. In Chapters 2 and 4, Mio’s player needs to be comfortable with fast-paced environmental awareness. The "Gravity Bike" sequence is a highlight for those who enjoy high-speed reflex challenges.
  • Zoe’s Gameplay (Fantasy): Zoe’s sections are more rhythmic and elemental. Her shapeshifting abilities in Chapter 3 and dragon-riding in Chapter 5 require a sense of timing and "feel." It’s generally considered the more "creative" role, as Zoe often manipulates the map itself rather than just interacting with objects within it.

In the later chapters, especially Chapter 7 and 8, these roles begin to blur. Zoe might find herself needing to use a technological artifact, while Mio has to navigate a magical landscape. This role-reversal is a great test of the communication between the two players.

Completionist Tips for 2026

If you are just starting your journey through these chapters now, here are a few suggestions to make the most of the experience:

  1. Don't Rush the Side Stories: Many of the game's best moments aren't in the main mission list. Transforming into pigs or competing in the "Game Show" in Chapter 3 provides much-needed levity before the darker turns of the final chapters.
  2. Swap Roles on a Second Playthrough: Because the experience is so different depending on whether you are playing as Mio or Zoe, a second playthrough feels surprisingly fresh. Playing Zoe’s fantasy levels after only seeing them from Mio’s perspective reveals dozens of hidden details in the background art.
  3. Use the Chapter Select for Trophies: Don't stress about 100% completion on your first run. Enjoy the story. Once you finish, the chapter select menu will show you exactly how many side stories you found in each area, making cleanup simple.
  4. Communication is a Mechanic: Especially in Chapter 6 (Isolation) and Chapter 8 (Split), your ability to describe what you see on your side of the screen is more important than your skill with the controller. These chapters were designed to be impossible to finish without active verbal coordination.

Split Fiction’s eight chapters represent a bold step forward for co-op games. By splitting the fiction into two distinct but overlapping worlds, Hazelight has created a structure that keeps players engaged from the first meeting at Rader Publishing to the final, world-shattering showdown in the Split chapter. Whether you prefer the cold logic of lasers or the fiery breath of dragons, there is a chapter in this game that will resonate with you.