The Game Awards 2021, "Game of the Year," "it takes two," play review!　What are the 10 attractions you should experience?

Have you ever heard of the game "It takes two"? Don't know it? That would be a shame.
It takes two" is a genuine "best game of the year" that won an award at "The Game Awards 2021," a festival that determines the best game title of the year.
However, even though "It takes two" won the Game of the Year award, it is still not well known in Japan. However, it is a really good game and I urge you to play it! In this article, we will report on our actual playing of this game and summarize its 10 charms.

Attraction 1: Easy to invite friends!

One of the features of this game is that it is a "2-player cooperative game. While recent games range from single-player titles that allow you to play alone to large-scale multiplayer titles that allow you to play against a large group of friends, it is surprisingly rare to find a title that is exclusively for 2-player cooperative game play.

The problem with 2-player cooperative titles is that it is difficult to invite a friend to play with you, and asking them to buy a moderately priced game software for you may be a difficult task. In this case, the "Friend Pass" feature allows two people to play together as long as one of them owns the game software. This makes it easy to invite a friend.

There is no need to worry if your friend does not have a compatible console such as PS4, PS5, or PC. As long as you have enough controllers for two people, you can get together at home and play. This is a game that you can easily invite your friends to play.
This time, I asked my friend, with whom I always enjoy playing games together, to help me out in the "It takes two" challenge!

When you start the game, you are greeted with surprisingly realistic graphics. Two men and a woman are arguing about something. It seems that they have decided to divorce but have not told their daughter about it.

The daughter seems to have noticed that they are not getting along, and she and her doll are reading an old love self-help book, "Book Of Love," hoping to mend their relationship. Tears come from my daughter's eyes as she reads the book: ......

Then, lo and behold, the two couples have become dolls. They are on the verge of divorce, but they must work together to become human again, and so begins the cooperative action between the two! By the way, you do not need to have downloaded all the game data when you start playing. The first stages of the game were ready to be played when the game was launched.

Attraction 2: Simple and Comfortable Operation

The first thing that strikes you when you start the game and control the character is how comfortable the controls are. I should say that the game feels good to the touch. The character moves as you expect, and in many cases, such as when you are just barely out of reach of a cliff, the game will casually help you with the controls.

Aim assist is quite strong for shooting, so those who are not used to shooting games such as FPS and TPS will not have to worry. However, quicker reactions may be required once the player becomes accustomed to the controls. This balance is exquisite and leads to the enjoyment of this title.

Attraction 3: Abundant Gimmicks

It takes two" is packed with a variety of gimmicks, too many to count.

Basically, the action is in the third-person perspective, but it can also be a side-scrolling perspective, a shooting game, or a sound game.

It can even become a fighting game! Challenging countless gimmicks with two people makes you feel like you are enjoying an attraction at a theme park.

Attraction 4: A screen structure that makes it easy to guess your partner's thoughts

In fact, this game has a split-screen configuration that allows players to see their partner's point of view even when they are playing online on separate displays. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is unusual. However, thanks to this split-screen configuration, it was easy to understand the other player's thoughts, and cooperative play went smoothly.

For example, in the gimmick of passing through a foothold that is poured sap and rotated by the weight of the sap, the split screen allows both players to see where the other is aiming and proceed while conversing with each other.

Attraction 5: Elements that enhance conversation

I mentioned earlier the abundance of gimmicks in this title. In these gimmicks, each player must cooperate with the other to fulfill his or her own role in order to advance. This naturally forces us to discuss what we need to do, what we want the other person to do, and how we should do it.

This game has a variety of gimmicks that can only be completed through conversation, but at the same time, there is a wonderful balance in the level of difficulty so that players will not get stuck if they are able to communicate well.

For example, conversation is essential in the shooting scene. In the scene where the player is setting the opponent on fire by covering him with sap, the conversation becomes lively as to when to launch the attack.

Conversation is also important in the scene of switching on the air while calling out for the right timing. In this way, the game is full of gimmicks that allow the two players to synchronize their breaths and make the conversation more lively.

Attraction 6: A fast and furious pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat

The game itself changes at a truly dizzying pace. One minute you are throwing nails, the next you are spraying enemies with sap, the next you are piloting an airplane, and so on. And so on.
And yet, the same gimmick never appears in the game twice. A tremendous variety of course meals are supplied one after the other. You will never get bored.

The comical characters you meet as you progress through the story, the flashy explosions, and the beautiful scenery are also elements that will keep you coming back for more.

There are mini-games throughout the game, and it is also a good element to be able to play against each other occasionally as well as cooperate with each other.

Attraction 7: You can always enjoy the pleasure of cooperation.

In both the real world and in games, "cooperation" becomes difficult when you don't know how to cooperate. In this game, however, there are many gimmicks that allow you to cooperate intuitively without explanations.

For example, in a gliding scene, each player controls the other's character to steer left or right.

When using a barrel lid as a ship, the players cooperate to shoot at obstacles and steer the ship. The game allows players to cooperate intuitively at all times without frustration, and to share in the joy of the experience.
Also, there is no unreasonableness in this game. There were no gimmicks or attacks from enemies that we knew would be difficult to control and would clog up the game.

Attraction 8: Beautiful Graphics

The quality of graphics in these casual party games is often not so high, but this title is decorated with very beautiful graphics.

The woodiness of the dolls and the dull shine of the metal are perfect.

In addition, although the game is basically divided into separate screens, at key points the game becomes a single screen, allowing the viewer to share the same perspective of the beautiful scenery. Because the screen is usually divided and viewed on different screens, the special feeling of being on one screen is wonderful.

Attraction 9: Story tied to gameplay

While the attractive gimmicks and powerful elements of this game tend to attract attention, the story is also a major attraction because it is tied to the gameplay.

The story of a couple on the verge of divorce who work together to restore their relationship is consistent with the gameplay, and the fact that the content of their cooperation is based on a self-help book about relationships read by their daughter is also an interesting element.

The fact that the stage is set in the family's former home is also thought-provoking.

Attractiveness 10: Good playing time to clear the game

In fact, it does not take much time to complete this work. I won't go into details because it would be a spoiler, but it was about the same as 10 movies.
If you play alone, a game that can be played for a long time is great, but if you play with just two people, it is difficult to fit in each other's time for a long time. The play time to complete the game, which is neither too short nor too long, is a modest but very pleasant attraction.
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These are the 10 attractions I noticed while playing "It takes two". Along with these attractions, the most surprising thing about this title is that it has no flaws. It is a marvel that I could not find any faults while playing it. <

The game is rich in gimmicks, conversation enhancers, storyline, and graphics. This is a gem of a game that deserves the "Game of the Year" award for its ability to be played by two people, rather than one or three.
As you may have noticed, this game, which was played by the author and his friend, was played by two men, but it is definitely more enjoyable when played with loved ones who do not usually play games together, such as a lover or a family member. With the threat of the newly introduced Omicron strain and the ongoing difficulty of going out, a date in the world of "It Takes Two" might be a good idea.

It Takes Two
Compatibility: PS5/PS 4Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S/ Steam
Price: 4,298 yen (tax included)
Genre: Action Adventure
Publisher: Electronic Arts

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