You’re sitting on the couch, looking at that gorgeous, Pixar-style cover art for Hazelight Studios' masterpiece, and you're wondering if there is any way to make It Takes Two single player happen. Maybe your partner is busy. Maybe your friends are offline. Or maybe, like a lot of us, you just prefer tackling a challenge solo without someone else constantly falling off a platform and resetting your progress.
Here is the blunt truth: You cannot play this game alone.
It isn’t like Halo where a second player is just a "nice to have" addition. It isn't like Super Mario Odyssey where a second person can control a hat while you do the heavy lifting. In this game, the cooperation is baked into the literal code. If you don't have a second person—either sitting next to you or connected via the internet—the game simply will not start. There is no AI bot to take over. There is no "single-player mode" hidden in the settings. It’s a duo or nothing.
The Mechanical Reason It Takes Two Single Player Doesn't Exist
Josef Fares, the outspoken director behind Hazelight, has been very loud about his design philosophy. He hates the idea of "tacked-on" multiplayer. For him, the narrative of Cody and May—a couple on the brink of divorce who get turned into dolls—only works if two humans are experiencing that friction and eventual reconciliation together.
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Mechanically, the game uses a permanent split-screen view. Even if you are playing online across the country from each other, you see what your partner sees. This is because the puzzles are asymmetrical. One player might have a hammer head while the other has nails. You can’t nail a platform into place while simultaneously jumping on it. You need those two distinct inputs happening at the exact same time.
Some people have tried to find workarounds. You’ll see "guides" online suggesting you can use a program like ReWASD or specialized controller mapping to control both characters at once. Honestly? Don't do that to yourself. It’s a nightmare. Trying to manage two sets of platforming inputs on one brain is like trying to pat your head, rub your stomach, and solve a Rubik's cube with your feet. You will miss the charm of the game because you're too busy fighting the controls.
Why the "Friend's Pass" is the Real Solution
Since the devs knew that forcing two players is a high bar, they did something pretty consumer-friendly. They created the Friend's Pass. If you own the game, your friend can download the "Friend's Pass" version for free. You invite them, and they play the entire game with you without spending a dime. It’s one of the few times a modern gaming company hasn't tried to double-dip on your wallet just to let you play with a buddy.
The Narrative Conflict of Solo Play
If you could play It Takes Two single player, the story would lose its teeth. The game is essentially a ten-hour therapy session disguised as a 3D platformer. When Cody and May argue about who forgot to do the chores or who is being more selfish, that translates to the players. You might find yourself actually getting annoyed that your friend missed the jump for the fifth time. That’s the point. The frustration of coordination mirrors the frustration of a failing marriage.
Taking that away and replacing it with a perfect AI bot would make the game feel hollow. It would just be another platformer.
Does it work on Steam Deck or Handhelds?
Yes, but the "two player only" rule still applies. You can play it on the go, but you'll need a stable internet connection for online play or a second controller synced to your device for local play. The Nintendo Switch version also requires two Joy-Cons or two Pro Controllers. You can't just pass one controller back and forth because the actions often need to be simultaneous.
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Creative Workarounds (That Usually Fail)
I've seen players try to use "multiboxing" software. This is common in MMOs like World of Warcraft, where one person runs multiple accounts. In a fast-paced action game like It Takes Two, where you're sliding down ice tracks or flying a plane made of undergarments, multiboxing is a recipe for a headache. You’ll hit a wall—literally—within the first twenty minutes.
There are also "Parsec" users who try to find random strangers to play with. Parsec is a tool that lets you stream your desktop to someone else, effectively turning a local-only game into an online one. While It Takes Two already has online play, some people use these communities to find "mercenary" partners. It's a gamble. You might find a pro who carries you, or you might find someone who spoils the ending.
Comparing It to Other "Co-op" Games
Most games offer a compromise. Look at Sackboy: A Big Adventure or Rayman Legends. Those games are fun with friends, but they are perfectly balanced for a lone wolf. The levels shrink or the puzzles change. Hazelight refused to do that. They wanted to make a statement that some experiences are inherently social.
If you are looking for that specific It Takes Two vibe but you absolutely must play alone, you're better off looking at:
- A Juggler's Tale: Similar aesthetic, purely solo.
- Psychonauts 2: Captures the whimsical, sometimes dark, creative level design.
- Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons: Ironically, this was Josef Fares' first big hit. It's a "single-player co-op" game where you control one brother with the left stick and the other with the right stick. It’s the only way to get that "dual control" feel without needing a second human.
What You Need to Know Before Buying
Before you drop the money on Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox, make sure you have a "Player Two" lined up. If you're a parent, it's a great game to play with a kid (though some scenes, like the infamous elephant scene, are surprisingly traumatic). If you're in a long-distance relationship, it's arguably the best "date night" game ever made.
But if you are truly, strictly a solo gamer who doesn't want to talk to anyone? Give this one a miss. It isn't built for you, and that’s okay. There are thousands of games designed for the solo experience; It Takes Two is the rare gem that demands you bring a friend along for the ride.
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Actionable Insights for New Players
- Check your hardware: If playing locally, ensure you have two separate controllers. You cannot share one keyboard effectively.
- Use the Friend's Pass: Don't make your friend buy the game. Have them search "It Takes Two Friend's Pass" in their respective store (PSN, Xbox, or Steam) to download the trial version that joins your full game.
- Communication is key: Use a headset if playing online. Trying to coordinate the "Clockwork" or "Cuckoo Clock" levels via text chat is virtually impossible.
- Don't rush: The game is surprisingly long (10-12 hours). Break it up into chapters so you don't burn out your partner.
- Prepare for the "Cutree" Scene: Just a heads up—things get dark. It’s a comedy, but it has some "what did we just do?" moments that are best discussed with your co-op partner afterward.