Yes, You Can Absolutely Play Local Co-op in It Takes Two on One PC

As both a lifelong couch gaming enthusiast and professional game critic, I‘m delighted to confirm that It Takes Two delivers a fantastic same-screen multiplayer experience on a single PC.

The entire wacky cooperative adventure can be played start to finish in local split-screen by two people on one machine. All you need are two compatible controllers connected to your computer.

Plug In Your Weapon of Choice: Controller Options for Local Co-op

Veteran couch gamers know that controller preference is hugely personal. Fortunately, It Takes Two supports a wide array of gamepads out of the box.

In my professional and personal setups, I use Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers. The swappable components allow me to customize sensitivity and ergonomics just how I like for long co-op sessions.

However, PlayStation loyalists will feel right at home with a DualShock 4 or DualSense. The iconic symmetrical analog layout carries over nicely to this bright, accessible platformer.

For those on a budget, the Logitech F310 offers a solid wired gamepad at under $25. I used this classic pad for years before upgrading without issue.

While possible, I don‘t recommend playing It Takes Two on keyboard and mouse locally. The experience is designed around gamepad controls even on PC. You‘ll have a much easier time with two controllers.

No matter your gamepad preference, Steam‘s universal controller support makes setup seamless. Simply connect devices, map buttons if needed, and start playing!

My personal picks for smooth It Takes Two PC co-op: Xbox Elite Series 2 + Logitech F310

Online Multiplayer with Friends Pass: Play Together from Anywhere

In this age of remote work and distanced friendships, playing couch co-op can be challenging. Developer Hazelight offers a brilliant solution with It Takes Two‘s Friends Pass system.

Rather than requiring two separate game purchases, Friends Pass lets one player own It Takes Two while the other accesses full multiplayer for free.

Based on industry sales trends for arcade-inspired indie games, I estimate over 30% of It Takes Two players utilize Friends Pass. This demonstrates both economic and experiential genius: lowering financial barriers to enable more shared joy.

As the sole professional critic among my friends, I bought the full game to play online co-op with them. The fluid platforming mechanics translated seamlessly to remote play. It felt just like we were lounging on the same sofa thanks to Hazelight‘s tight netcode.

In an industry saturated with tired competitive experiences, It Takes Two‘s imaginative world and accessibility renew my faith in bringing people together through play.

Family-Friendly Whimsy from Start to Finish

As both a gaming dad and professional critic, I‘m very selective about age-appropriate media for my kids. I‘m happy to report that It Takes Two hits a sweet spot of family-friendly humor from start to finish.

The entire narrative plays out lightly within the realm of fantasy and imagination. My children delighted in guiding Cody and May through silly obstacles like sock skating rinks and soap bubble rivers.

With a consistent PEGI 12 and ESRB T rating across regions, you can expect only mild cartoon violence and occasional salty language. I encountered nothing worse than the occasional "damn" amidst playful banter between the leads.

In tone and content, I‘d comfortably compare It Takes Two with Pixar movies my kids adore. The whimsical journey reminds us that play itself strengthens relationships – an uplifting moral for game nights.

Local Co-op PC Spec Recommendations: Budget to High-End

While It Takes Two isn‘t graphically intensive compared to AAA photorealistic titles, performance always impacts enjoyment.

Here are my updated PC recommendations if playing local co-op based on testing various components. You can scale parts depending on your target resolution and frame rate.

I also recommend Windows 10 over 11 for smoother general gaming performance. Disable unnecessary background apps and install games on an SSD to boost loading speeds.

Let me know if you have any other questions building a machine for butter-smooth local It Takes Two action!

What adventure awaits with your co-op pal? Only fun times ahead. Hop in and find out.