Split Fiction
News, coverage and analysis tracking Split Fiction across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Weekend PC Download Deals for Sept. 11: Blizzcon 2026
This weekend's PC gaming deals include sales on World of Warcraft and Diablo 4, free titles like Astral Ascent and Luftrausers, and discounts on various new releases across multiple storefronts. The Steam Programming Fest is also ongoing, featuring computer-themed titles.
Recension – Orbitals bär sitt anime-hjärta från 90-talet till en succé för två
Orbitals is a highly successful co-op adventure game for the Nintendo Switch 2, developed by the Swedish studio Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive. It masterfully captures the 80s and 90s anime aesthetic with vibrant colors and pop-culture references, offering a delightful experience for fans of classic Japanese animation. While its core tools could offer more variation and its playtime is on the shorter side, the game is a polished and charming triumph, particularly for its visual and audio design.
PS4, PS5 Hardware Architect Says He’s “Nearing the End” Of His Career, Announces Nova Foundation
PlayStation 4 and 5 lead architect Mark Cerny, nearing the end of his career, has partnered with Geoff Keighley to launch the Nova Foundation. This initiative aims to foster independent game development by offering six-figure grants and mentorship to aspiring designers, with applications opening in December. Cerny and Keighley have personally donated to establish the foundation, emphasizing its philanthropic nature.
Recension – Recension: Orbitals bär sitt anime-hjärta från 90-talet till en succé för två
Orbitals is a co-op adventure game for the Nintendo Switch 2, developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive. It successfully captures the 80s and 90s anime aesthetic with vibrant colors and pop-inspired sound effects. The game features two protagonists, Omu and Maki, and requires cooperative puzzle-solving and gameplay, drawing comparisons to Hazelight Studios' titles like It Takes Two and Split Fiction.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – September 6, 2026 – Orbitals takes down Elden Ring
The Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for September 6, 2026, show Orbitals taking the top spot, dethroning Elden Ring. New releases like Onimusha: Way of the Sword and NBA 2K27 also entered the top rankings.
Weekend Console Download Deals for Sept. 4: Last chance for PlayStation's Gamescom Sale
This weekend features significant sales on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch titles, with many deals ending soon. Notable discounts include God of War Ragnarok, Red Dead Redemption 2, and various titles from Capcom and the PlayStation Gamescom Sale.
Age Twisters is a simple yet charming spin on the co-op adventure that aims to feel like watching a Pixar movie
Age Twisters is a charming co-op adventure from Piccolo Studios aiming to evoke the feeling of watching a Pixar movie. Players control a granddaughter-grandfather duo who can manipulate their age using special bracelets, unlocking unique abilities for puzzle-solving. While the story touches on themes of loss and bridging generational gaps, the game's approachable puzzles and cooperative gameplay are highlighted as its main strengths, making it suitable for families or friends.
Orbitals is a gorgeous anime throwback, but I've had a tough time enjoying its mandatory co-op
Orbitals is a visually stunning game with a strong anime aesthetic, but its mandatory co-op requirement presents a significant barrier to enjoyment for players without a compatible partner. The game's design, while appealing artistically, demands a level of coordination that can be difficult for casual players or those with less gaming experience to meet.
Orbitals Review – An anime-zing adventure
Orbitals is a co-op puzzle-platformer that serves as a beautiful homage to 20th-century anime, featuring faithful animation, a strong soundtrack, and excellent voice acting. Players control siblings Maki and Omura, working together to solve clever puzzles and navigate space to save their colony. Despite minor issues with checkpoint frequency and online play, the game is a joyful and polished adventure.
Orbitals review: We walk together, we fly together
Orbitals is a charming co-op splitscreen platformer with a retro anime-style sci-fi adventure, developed by Shapefarm. Players control Maki and Omura as they scavenge a broken space station to find parts to escape, utilizing unique tools and coordinating ship maintenance and piloting. Despite occasional camera issues and momentum-based puzzle frustrations, the game offers a heartwarming experience with solid voice acting and a forgiving checkpoint system.
Orbitals review - gorgeous anime stylings from breakaway It Takes Two devs only make for a lesser light of the co-op renaissance
Orbitals, a co-op puzzle platformer from former It Takes Two developers, features gorgeous anime stylings and charming characters but ultimately falls short of its inspirations. While the game's presentation and character interactions are endearing, its core gameplay mechanics and narrative feel derivative and lack memorable moments, making it a lesser entry in the co-op genre.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – August 30, 2026 – Elden Ring and Metal Gear Solid battle for first
The Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of August 30, 2026, show Elden Ring retaining the top spot, driven by its recent launch and higher price point. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 debuted at second place, with other new releases like Orbitals and Onimusha: Way of the Sword also appearing on the revenue-based charts.
Nintendo announces 2026 Blockbuster sale for Switch 2 and Switch, the full list of deals
Nintendo has launched a "2026 Blockbuster" sale on the eShop, featuring discounts of up to 80% on a wide range of third-party titles for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The sale includes popular games like Dave the Diver, Persona 3 Reload, and Red Dead Redemption, and will run until September 9th.
UK software sales chart for the week ending August 22, 2026 – Pokemon Pokopia, Tomodachi Life, and Mario Kart in the top 5
The UK software sales chart for the week ending August 22, 2026, shows EA Sports FC 26 reclaiming the top spot. Nintendo titles remain strong, with Pokemon Pokopia and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream at #2 and #3, and Mario Kart World at #5. Mortal Shell II entered the top 5 at #4.
7 developers that will save the video games industry - Reader’s Feature
This reader's feature highlights seven smaller developers, including 11 bit studios, AdHoc Studios, Daniel Mullins Games, Hazelight Studios, Larian Studios, Sandfall Interactive, and Supergiant Games, who are seen as vital to the future of the video game industry. The article praises their innovative approaches to game design and storytelling, contrasting them with the perceived missteps of larger publishers.
Games You Only Need One Copy Of To Play With Others
This article highlights games that support a 'Friend's Pass' or similar feature, allowing one player to own the game while others can join in without purchasing a copy. It covers titles across various platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, emphasizing cooperative play and cost-saving for gamers.
Weekend Console Download Deals for Aug. 21: Catching up with Black Myth: Wukong
This weekend's console deals include significant discounts on Black Myth: Wukong for PlayStation and Xbox. Nintendo Switch owners can find deals on Sega titles, Dispatch, and BALL x PIT. Numerous other games across various genres are also on sale for PlayStation and Xbox platforms.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 7: Steam Cyberpunk Fest
This weekend's PC gaming deals include a Steam Cyberpunk Fest featuring discounts on titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Deus Ex games. Several storefronts like Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and Humble Bundle are also offering significant sales on various games, with some titles available for free. Additionally, Ubisoft is celebrating 25 years of Ghost Recon with deep discounts and a free trial for Ghost Recon Wildlands.
EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private ownership.
Saudi Arabia's $55 billion takeover of EA could waste "one of the best catalogues in the industry" by reducing it to a "sequel-and-mega-franchise machine," Helldivers 2 boss worries
Electronic Arts has officially been acquired by a group of investors led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for $55 billion. Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, expressed concern that this consolidation could lead EA to focus solely on sequels and mega-franchises, potentially wasting its diverse catalogue of games and reducing creative diversity within the industry.
