It Takes Two Friend's Pass

It might sound hard to believe, but EA – yes, 'that' EA – released one of the best co-op games of all time this generation. There's only one issue: as much as the game demands collaboration between two players, our agitated modern schedules mean that local co-op isn't always possible. That's where the impressively useful It Takes Two Friend's Pass comes in.

A game changer in many ways, the Friend's Pass allows a second player to play It Takes Two without actually owning the game. Essentially, the Friend's Pass is the modern equivalent of using the generic controller – you're still playing the same game, only that you're using a more stripped-down version of the modern classic that is It Takes Two.

Still, the Pass is one of the most cost-effective ways to enjoy the game, and a testament to It Takes Two's commitment to testing all sorts of relationships, including those based on freeloading friends.

Same Game, No Price

The Friend's Pass in It Takes Two helps a second player play the game sharing one license. What this means is that at least one of the players needs to own the original It Takes Two. Compared to other games like The Dark Pictures Anthology series or Until Dawn, this is the perfect way for online co-op players who want to share the experience without dishing out insane amounts of money.

Of course, there are some limitations. The Friend's Pass isn't a cross-platform deal. That means that both users have to be playing on the same console family when using the Friend's Pass. For example, you can't play with your friend who owns the game on Switch using a PlayStation 5.

The Magic of It Takes Two

Once you look past the obvious limitations of a system like the Friend's Pass, what's left is undoubtedly one of the best deals in gaming. One lucky friend gets to play the masterpiece that is It Takes Two for free – which, in theory, should test the mettle of your relationship just as much as the challenges in the game.

It Takes Two might need no introduction at this point. Developed by the same team behind A Way Out, the game is a platformer with a heavy focus on plot and story branches. Your relationship with the other player is put to the test every step of the way.

A Game for Non-Gamers

The first time I played It Takes Two, I was trying the game with my then-girlfriend. After all, It Takes Two is the cheapest – and most frustrating – way to get couples therapy. Even though she wasn't a gamer, It Takes Two never gets frustratingly difficult.

Despite the convenience of the Friend's Pass, I still believe that playing the game locally is the way to go. Still, some relationships simply can't break the distance barrier, and that's where this deal comes in. For long-distance partners or those with busy schedules, being able to play It Takes Two with a single license sounds like a godsend.

You still get to play one of the best co-op games ever made, but you do so at an impossibly cheaper price. If "free" isn't one of the best offers you've ever heard for a game like It Takes Two, then you might seriously need new friends.

Pros

• Complete access to the game as "Player Two"
• No need to get a second copy of the game
• Delivers the same It Takes Two experience

Cons

• Local multiplayer is still the way to go
• Can't play cross-platform
• Can't get achievements