It Takes Two has gained a reputation as one of the most innovative and engaging cooperative games in recent years. Developed by Hazelight Studios and published by Electronic Arts, the game has captured the hearts of countless players with its clever puzzles, emotional storytelling, and, perhaps most importantly, its strict requirement for two-player cooperation. As interest in the game spread across various platforms, a common question started to arise among gamers: Is It Takes Two cross platform?
This article will take an in-depth look at the cross-platform capabilities of It Takes Two, clarify what options are available for players on different systems, and break down what cross-play means in the scope of this wildly successful couch co-op title.
Understanding What Cross Platform Means
Before diving into It Takes Two‘s features, it’s important to understand what being “cross platform” entails. Cross platform, or cross-play, refers to the ability for players using different gaming systems—such as PlayStation, Xbox, and PC—to play together in the same game session. This feature has become increasingly common in modern games, allowing friends to play together regardless of their chosen console.
In truly cross-platform enabled games, a PlayStation player could link up with someone on Xbox or PC seamlessly. This interconnectivity broadens the potential player base and adds value to multiplayer games. However, not all games include this feature, and its presence can significantly affect how players enjoy cooperative titles like It Takes Two.
Cross Platform Support in It Takes Two
To get straight to the point: It Takes Two is not fully cross platform. Although it includes a unique feature called “Friend’s Pass,” this only allows cross generation and cross platform within the same console family. Here’s what that means in practical terms.
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 users can play together.
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S users can play together.
- PC players can play with other PC players through Steam or Origin.
However, a PlayStation user cannot play with someone on Xbox, and neither platform can connect with PC players. If a friend owns the game on a different platform entirely, you won’t be able to play together, unfortunately.
Friend’s Pass: A Unique Feature
Though It Takes Two doesn’t support full cross-platform play, it does offer the very user-friendly Friend’s Pass. This feature allows a friend to play the game entirely for free, under the condition that they are on the same console family or PC distribution platform. The main player needs to own the game, and the second player downloads the free Friend’s Pass to join the session. No secondary purchase is necessary.
This solution was developed to make the game accessible as a cooperative experience without requiring both players to purchase it. However, while it reduces financial obstacles, it unfortunately doesn’t solve the problem of cross-platform limitations.
Why Isn’t Full Cross Platform Support Available?
Many players wonder why such an acclaimed game doesn’t offer full cross-platform play, especially when the cooperative element is essential to its gameplay. The answer lies in the combination of technical and business limitations.
- Technical Constraints: Enabling cross-platform play requires synchronizing game servers, updates, and controls in a uniform way across different platforms, which can be quite challenging and expensive.
- Platform Restrictions: Different platforms come with their own permissions and restrictions. Sony and Microsoft may have distinct policies regarding online multiplayer and data sharing, which complicates cross-play implementation.
- Game Design: The game was designed as a split-screen or tightly synced co-op adventure. Ensuring that this synchronization remains intact across platforms may have posed too many hurdles, especially for a smaller development team like Hazelight Studios.
Even though more and more video games are embracing cross-platform multiplayer, it remains a technically demanding feature, especially for smaller or medium-sized studios. Where studios like Epic Games can handle large-scale network interoperability, indie and niche developers might prioritize other aspects of player experience.
Workarounds and Alternatives
If you and your gaming partner are not on the same platform, unfortunately, you will not be able to play It Takes Two together using your current setups. There are a few alternative solutions:
- Switch to the same platform: One person may opt to purchase or rent the game on the other’s platform to participate via the Friend’s Pass.
- Use cloud gaming platforms: Some services like NVIDIA GeForce Now (for PC) or Xbox Cloud Gaming might offer a potential workaround depending on region and availability, although these aren’t guaranteed and may introduce latency issues.
- Local Couch Co-Op: If you’re in the same physical space, playing locally on the same device offers an uninterrupted and highly enjoyable experience.
Cross Generation vs. Cross Platform
It’s important not to conflate cross generation with cross platform. While It Takes Two does allow for cross-generation play (such as PS4 to PS5, or Xbox One to Series X/S), this is not the same as being able to play across brand ecosystems. Within a console family, architecture and services are designed to dovetail, making cross-generation support significantly easier to implement.
As developers continue to hear community requests, future titles from Hazelight—or even potential updates to It Takes Two—might eventually include broader support. However, as of now, the game continues to limit cross-play between different console families.
Conclusion
It Takes Two offers an unforgettable co-op experience that is both charming and challenging. Its unique Friend’s Pass and cross-generation support make it more accessible within the same platform family. However, if you’re hoping to play across different platforms entirely—like PS5 and Xbox Series X—you’ll be disappointed to learn that full cross platform functionality is not supported.
Still, the engaging gameplay and masterful storytelling are more than enough to merit finding a way to play it with a friend. So, should you decide to purchase it, coordinating platforms in advance is crucial for an enjoyable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Q: Is It Takes Two cross platform between PlayStation and Xbox?
A: No, you cannot play the game between PlayStation and Xbox systems. -
Q: Can a PlayStation 4 player play with a PlayStation 5 player?
A: Yes, It Takes Two supports cross-generation play within the same console family. -
Q: Can PC players use the Friend’s Pass with console players?
A: No, Friend’s Pass only works within the same platform type. PC players can only link up with others on PC through the same client (Steam or Origin). -
Q: Will Hazelight Studios add cross-platform support in the future?
A: There’s no official statement from the developers about future cross-platform support, but players can always hope for updates or enhancements in future titles. -
Q: Is there a single-player mode in It Takes Two?
A: No, the game strictly requires two players, either locally or online.
