![[No-Cost Game] The Tale of Bistun (Available on PlayStation 5 or Switch – NA Region)](https://www.pressstartreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/No-Cost-Game-The-Tale-of-Bistun-Available-on-PlayStation-5-360x180.jpg "[No-Cost Game] The Tale of Bistun (Available on PlayStation 5 or Switch – NA Region)")
If you’ve enjoyed a Hazelight Studios game before, you’re likely familiar with their knack for crafting characters with distinctive personalities, intriguing backstories, and compelling motivations that make for truly memorable co-op adventures.
Hazelight Studios continues this tradition with their upcoming release, Split Fiction, set to debut on the PS5 this March 6th. The game introduces us to Mio and Zoe, a pair of unpublished writers who couldn’t be more different. When they arrive at Rader Publishing Headquarters for what they believe is a chance at a big break, things take a wild turn. They’re trapped in a simulation of their own stories and it’s up to you, alongside a partner, to guide them to freedom. Let’s dive into who Mio and Zoe really are, so you can pick your favorite character once you’re in the thick of the action.
Meet Mio Hudson, a science fiction author. She’s quiet, decisive, grounded, and a bit of an introvert. Mio was raised in the hustle and bustle of the city, just trying to make ends meet. Writing isn’t about fame for her; rather, it’s purely for financial survival. Her stories, steeped in her love for sci-fi, transport readers to neon-drenched cyberpunk worlds, futuristic weaponry factories, and the vast coldness of space.
Expect Mio’s sci-fi passion to manifest in her unique abilities within the game’s simulations. She might transform into a gravity-defying ninja with a deadly energy sword, don a high-tech exosuit that controls drones, or dual-wield laser blasters in a sleek combat setup.
Then there’s Zoe Foster, who writes tales of fantasy. Zoe is upbeat, caring, optimistic, and an extrovert. She’s a lively figure hailing from the countryside, eager to show her family she’s not just a dreamer. For Zoe, a publishing deal seems like the solution to life’s hurdles. Her fantasy works invite readers into worlds rife with troll-infested towns, chilling forest battles, and quests to save dwindling dragon populations.
In Zoe’s fantastical realms within the game, get ready for her to morph into a magical shapeshifter. She might flutter over landscapes as a fairy, wield a legendary sword while riding a dragon into epic clashes, or glide among floating islands using an enchanted kite.
Both Mio and Zoe are polar opposites, and as their adventure unfolds, they must confront their differences. To break free of the simulated tales that bind them, they will need to uncover hidden truths about themselves and embrace the power of teamwork and friendship.
During The Game Awards in December, Josef Fares shared a heartwarming tidbit: the characters bear special significance as they’re named after his daughters, Mio and Zoe.
Now, the burning question for you and your co-op buddy: Who’s going to step into Mio’s shoes, and who will take on Zoe?
A familiar feature for Hazelight fans returns: the Friend’s Pass. This allows a friend to join in online gameplay for free, providing at least one of you owns the game. With the added bonus of crossplay on the horizon, teaming up with friends has never been easier, no matter the platform.
Look out for Split Fiction arriving on PlayStation 5 on March 6, 2025.
Note: The Friend’s Pass requires the installation of Friend’s Pass software, a steady internet connection, and an account on the gaming platform. While one player must own the full game, it allows the second player to join in the full experience without additional purchase.
