Mio and Zoe are contrasting writers – one writes sci-fi and the other writes fantasy – who become trapped in their own stories after being hooked up to a machine designed to steal their creative ideas. They’ll have to rely on each other to break free with their memories in-tact, working together to master a variety of abilities and overcome diverse challenges while jumping between sci-fi and fantasy worlds in this unexpected tale of friendship.

This is a highly anticipated new release from Hazelight Studios. The good news is that, just like its predecessor, this game blends different creative ideas and experiences. The even better news? This time, there’s even more content to feast on, constantly keeping your nerves on edge. The only slight drawback is that it’s a bit shorter than the previous game (I admit, I’m a little greedy).

Beyond all the praise, EA and Hazelight have truly addressed one major issue: online connectivity. This time, not only does the game support cross-platform online play, but the Steam version also allows players to connect through Steam servers.

Graphics & Performance

Thanks to technological advancements, I played this game on the same setup I used four years ago (GTX 1070), and the overall performance was smooth and visually stunning. The game is Steam Deck Verified, meaning it’s fully supported. However, in actual gameplay, some combat sequences experienced noticeable frame drops and stutters—especially in the first chapter’s motorcycle vs. tank battle. It’s unclear whether this is due to unoptimized shader caching or hardware limitations at that point, but it significantly affects the experience. Hopefully, Steam and Hazelight will find solutions and optimizations for this issue.

Speaking of visuals, we have to talk about the art style. The game features a vibrant fantasy world filled with thriving life, intricate mechanisms, and grand architecture, as well as cold neon aesthetics, vast space environments, and explosive artistic expression (art is an explosion, after all). I have every reason to believe that the budget for this game was twice that of the last one—and I can confidently say, every penny was well spent.

Gameplay & Story

This time, the pacing is tighter. Unlike the previous game, which had more relaxed traversal sections, the new game doesn’t necessarily increase the difficulty of controls but makes the overall gameplay more engaging. Players will need a certain level of gaming experience to fully enjoy the mechanics.

Mini-games from the last installment now appear as side missions in unique worlds, seamlessly blending into the game’s setting while offering players distinct, immersive experiences.

As for the story, it’s a rather traditional narrative but incorporates elements reflecting today’s global landscape. Overall, it’s well-executed and engaging.

Final Thoughts

Art is subjective, but as someone who played the previous game, I’m more than happy to give this one a solid 10/10. It met my expectations in its own unique way and left me eagerly anticipating what Hazelight will create next.