It Takes Two is a dazzling, constantly reinventing co-op adventure that turns a couple’s rough patch into a playground of ideas, teamwork, and joyful chaos.
Why It Matters
It Takes Two is the rare game built entirely around two players — and it respects your time by never repeating itself. Every chapter swaps mechanics, genres, and perspectives, yet the design stays intuitive and cooperative-first.
The emotional core — Cody and May navigating a strained marriage for their daughter, Rose — gives the whimsy bite, while Dr. Hakim’s over-the-top guidance keeps the momentum light. This is couch co-op at its best, but it also shines online thanks to the Friend Pass, making it one of the easiest recommendations for pairs who want a polished, inventive journey.
Core Experience
- An idea machine that keeps delivering. Each level introduces new paired tools — nails and hammer, sap and matches, magnets, time powers — and then wrings clever platforming, puzzles, and boss fights from them before refreshing the kit in the next chapter.
- True teamwork, not just parallel play. Puzzles gate progress behind timing, communication, and asymmetric roles. You’ll swap responsibilities often, keeping both players engaged rather than one “carrying” the other.
- Genre-hopping with confidence. Beyond 3D platforming, you’ll see twin-stick shooting, brawler beats, rhythm-game moments, light stealth, even a tiny Diablo-like segment. The shifts are short, polished, and thematic.
- Writing with warmth and bite. The story balances slapstick with sincerity. The couple’s banter lands, the parenting angle feels grounded, and key sequences dare to be uncomfortable to earn genuine growth.
- Set pieces and bosses that teach through play. Encounters use your chapter tools in readable loops — discover, iterate, master. Fail-states are forgiving, reloads are fast, and challenge scales via coordination more than raw twitch skill.
- Friend Pass and accessibility. Only one purchase is required; the second player joins free online. Generous checkpointing, clear tutorials, and flexible difficulty via design, not sliders, make it welcoming.
Ideal For
Pairs looking for a creative, feel-good co-op campaign — partners, friends, or family. Great for players who enjoy platforming, light puzzles, and playful variety over grinding stats or min-max builds.
Platforms
PC / PlayStation / Xbox / Nintendo Switch
(Couch co-op or online two-player only — no solo mode. Friend Pass supports cross-gen within the same platform family; the Switch port is solid at portable performance targets.)
Price
- Frequently discounted; EA Play subscribers may access it as part of the catalog (region and platform dependent).
- No paid gameplay DLC; the full experience is in the base game.
IBBOB Score (1–10)
9.1 / 10
It Takes Two is a celebration of cooperation: smart level design, brisk pacing, and mechanics that evolve before they overstay. Some bits run a tad long and the tone can whiplash between goofy and heavy, but the creativity-per-minute is so high — and the co-op bond so central — that it remains the modern benchmark for shared-play adventures.