Introduction to It Takes Two
it takes two crossplay, developed by Hazelight Studios and published by Electronic Arts, is a critically acclaimed co-op platformer that was released in March 2021. Known for its creative gameplay mechanics, emotional storytelling, and charming visuals, the game quickly became a favorite among players and critics alike. It Takes Two is designed exclusively for two players, requiring cooperation to solve puzzles, overcome challenges, and progress through the story.
Given its co-op nature, the ability to play with friends across different platforms—known as crossplay—has been a topic of interest for many players. Crossplay allows players on different gaming systems, such as PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, to team up and enjoy games together, making it easier for friends to connect, regardless of their preferred gaming platform.
Crossplay in It Takes Two
As of now, It Takes Two does not support full crossplay between all platforms. However, it does offer a feature that allows some level of cross-platform play, specifically between generations of the same console family.
- Cross-Generation Play: It Takes Two supports cross-generation play, meaning that players on PlayStation 4 can play with those on PlayStation 5, and players on Xbox One can play with those on Xbox Series X|S. This feature ensures that players who upgrade to the latest console generation can still enjoy the game with friends who haven’t yet made the switch.
- Friend’s Pass: One of the most innovative features of It Takes Two is the Friend’s Pass. This allows a player who owns the game to invite a friend to play with them for free, even if the friend doesn’t own the game. The Friend’s Pass works across the same console family (e.g., PlayStation to PlayStation or Xbox to Xbox) and is available on both console and PC versions. This makes it easier for friends to experience the game together without requiring both players to purchase a copy.
- Lack of Full Crossplay: Despite the Friend’s Pass and cross-generation play, It Takes Two does not support full crossplay between different console families (e.g., PlayStation players cannot play with Xbox players) or between console and PC players. This limitation has been a point of discussion among the gaming community, as full crossplay would further enhance the cooperative experience by allowing players to connect with friends regardless of the platform they are on.
Why Full Crossplay Matters
The absence of full crossplay in It Takes Two is a notable gap, especially given the game’s emphasis on cooperative gameplay. Full crossplay has become an increasingly important feature in modern multiplayer games, breaking down barriers between different gaming communities and allowing friends to play together, regardless of the hardware they own.
For a game like It Takes Two, where the entire experience is built around collaboration and teamwork, full crossplay could have expanded the potential player base and made it easier for more people to experience the game together. While the Friend’s Pass is an excellent feature that encourages sharing the experience, the addition of full crossplay would have been a natural next step to make the game even more accessible.
Conclusion
It Takes Two is a standout co-op experience that has captured the hearts of many players with its innovative gameplay and touching story. While the game offers some cross-platform functionality, such as cross-generation play and the Friend’s Pass, it stops short of providing full crossplay between all platforms.
For those who can play together on the same console family or take advantage of the Friend’s Pass, It Takes Two remains an incredible journey worth experiencing. As crossplay becomes more common in the gaming industry, it’s possible that future updates or titles from Hazelight Studios might embrace full cross-platform play, further enhancing the accessibility and enjoyment of their cooperative adventures.