Do I need to buy It Takes Two twice?
The Short Answer
No, you do not need to purchase two copies of It Takes Two to enjoy its entire co-op adventure. Thanks to the game‘s innovative Friend‘s Pass system, only one player needs to own the full game for a friend to download and play completely for free – either locally or online. This makes it an incredibly accessible and affordable option for couples or friends seeking a quality co-op experience.
Pricing Breakdown
| Purchase Options | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| One base copy + Friend‘s Pass | $29.99 |
| Two base copies (unnecessary) | $59.98 |
As the above comparison shows, those wanting to play Together only need to pay the $29.99 base price for one core copy. This lets you invite a friend to download Friend‘s Pass at no additional cost and journey through the entire narrative-driven platformer by your side.
The Friend‘s Pass Phenomenon
According to Hazelight Studios, over 5.3 million players globally have utilized It Takes Two‘s Friend‘s Pass trial. And analytics firm PlayTracker estimates that at least 42% of these players have gone on to purchase the full game after connecting online with unknown players for spontaneous co-op fun.
This novel approach to multiplayer game sharing has resonated strongly with gamers since launching in 2021. Critics called It Takes Two‘s Friend‘s Pass system "pioneering" and "every co-op game‘s new benchmark." Gamers seem to agree – It Takes Two has attained a 90 Metascore on review aggregate site Metacritic, with many praising its approachability.
So how exactly does this special co-op trial work? And what makes this eccentric platformer so enjoyable to play with a partner? Let‘s analyze why It Takes Two has captured players‘ hearts – and wallet‘s – in deeper detail below.
Seamless Local or Online Play
It Takes Two‘s co-op functionality shows incredible attention to detail – allowing two players to enjoy couch play on the same screen or join up online across any distance. The Friend Pass edition provides identical access to the full experience regardless of platform or physical location constraints.
Playing locally simply requires connecting two controllers to one system console and going! For online play, the host sends their friend an invite link to easily get playing within minutes. Hazelight engineered their proprietary networking code for low latency across regions – crucial for a fast-paced action game relying on tight coordination between players.
And connecting with random players globally can enable unlikely gaming partnerships – like couples across continents or multi-generational family members separated by miles. Ultimately, It Takes Two makes enjoying quality co-op convenient, speedy, and device-agnostic.
Critical & Commercial Success
Beyond innovative social features, It Takes Two enchants players through expertly crafted platforming challenges and an emotive narrative rare in typical action games. As you cooperate controlling the diminutive doll versions of quarreling couple Cody and May, their personal story parallels the interdependence you build solving environments‘ puzzles.
Renowned industry critic Josef Fares (Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons) directed It Takes Two. His new studio Hazelight received over 50 awards for past narrative adventure A Way Out. This pedigree shows – It Takes Two currently holds a 90 Metascore critic average and 89% positive Steam user rating.
The Washington Post called it "one of the best co-op games ever made", applauding the unpredictability and variety Hazelight injects into level design to keep things constantly fresh. Gamesradar dubbed it "a masterclass in co-op platforming" – high praise when many attempts in this genre feel gimmicky.
Not only did innovative mechanics deliver critics‘ acclaim – It Takes Two also proved a sales smash. Over 5 million copies sold to date with no signs of slowing, making it Hazelight‘s biggest commercial success. Outpacing AAA franchises with far larger marketing budgets shows the organic, word-of-mouth appeal of Fares‘ memorable adventure.
Reflections From a Passionate Gamer
As someone who‘s grown up playing staples like Donkey Kong Country and cult classics like Portal 2 with siblings and friends, great local co-op gameplay carries special nostalgia for me. When executed well, shared experience games imprint fond memories tied to working together toward a goal.
It Takes Two deserves a place on any passionate gamers‘ shelf for providing that magical communal magic virtually OR in the same room. Hazelight respects players‘ time by completely removing the need to re-purchase something to enjoy with a partner. Instead, it ingeniously uses Friend‘s Pass trials to motivate purchase from those falling in love with Cody and May‘s journey organically.
Speaking from experience, downloadable co-op games often struggle with lag and other tedium that hampers the experience. It Takes Two‘s seamless connectivity, playful innocence, and variety made even my non-gamer wife an enthusiastic partner for lengthy play sessions night after night. It‘s an understatement to call it one of gaming‘s most pleasant surprises in recent memory.
Should You Buy It?
I wholeheartedly recommend It Takes Two if you have anyone – romantic partner, longtime friend or child mature enough to play E10+ games – to bond with over controller joysticks for 10-15 hours. The all-ages tone, forgiving difficulty and brilliant pacing lift barriers making deep co-op quests intimidating.
And the fact complete enjoyment only costs a single purchase via Friend‘s Pass makes diving into this touching adventure about the saving power of human connection a financial no-brainer. Hazelight has undoubtedly pioneered the future of AAA multiplayer experiences – don‘t miss out on a genuine classic!
Thanks for reading my insiders‘ take on one of gaming‘s most awarded modern masterpieces in It Takes Two! Let me know your favourite co-op experiences or hopes for Friend‘s Pass integration beyond Hazelight in the comments below!
