Given the success of Hazelight games like Split Fiction and the Game of the Year-winning It Takes Two, it’s no surprise that more and more co-op video games are being released that look directly inspired by those genre-defining titles. Whether it’s a kung-fu adventure, controlling a group of brave mice, bringing a grandfather and granddaughter closer together, or—in the case of Steam’s Ikuma: The Frozen Compass—guiding a boy and his dog to safety, there are plenty of upcoming co-op gems to look forward to. And when it comes to Ikuma specifically, making each player character fundamentally different could prove to be a stroke of genius.
While games like Split Fiction differentiated their protagonists by giving them distinct looks and character traits, such as Mio’s love for sci-fi and Zoe’s adoration for fantasy, Ikuma goes a bit further by offering two leads that are members of completely different species. This should result in distinct gameplay loops that take advantage of the boy’s ability to climb and the dog’s ability to squeeze through tight spaces. And, from a story standpoint, there’s room to explore a relationship that differs from a budding friendship or struggling romance. Ikuma tells...
