"The camera is actually split screen, so retro!" Zhang Yi said with some emotion.
The split-screen setting is quite a retro concept.
In today's internet age, multiplayer online games usually don't require being operated on a single machine.
However, back when networks were underdeveloped, the network conditions couldn't support such operations.
At that time, some two-player online games used local split-screen mode.
In this mode, the screen of the monitor is divided into two parts: one showing the perspective of the 1P player, and the other showing the perspective of the 2P player.
Therefore, Zhang Yi was a bit surprised when he discovered that Divide used a split screen.
"I think it's okay, it just so happens that I can see your picture too. I guess there will be some level design needs later?" Wang Han didn't think too much about it.
The two continued moving forward while chatting.
They soon encountered the first puzzle.
After pulling the switch, the elevator didn't fall. Instead, the three fuses inside grew legs and ran away.
Two of the fuses stayed in place, but the other mischievous one escaped.
"This fuse has long legs!?" Zhang Yi was surprised by this plot twist.
"Why are you surprised? Haven't you seen fairy tales as a child?" Wang Han complained beside him.
This chasing-the-fuse scene is a simple explanation of basic gameplay mechanics.
Basic operations include things like turning on switches in midair, wall jumps, double jumps, double jump sprinting, climbing, and running.
However, the entire novice teaching process gave Zhang Yi and Wang Han a unique experience. They also started to appreciate the advantages of the dual-screen mode.
Being able to see the other person's screen in real time and their actions was beneficial.
If the other person made a mistake, they could immediately point it out and help them through it.
Without the dual-screen mode, it would be difficult to know how the other person was stuck without seeing their screen.
Moreover, the maps in Divide are large, so this dual-screen mode is perfectly suited for the game!
There was little difficulty in solving the earlier levels. Both Zhang Yi and Wang Han laughed and played, quickly finding the missing fuse and putting it back.
Through the lift, they were bounced onto a table, where a daughter was sitting, writing a letter.
Just as Cody and Mei eagerly ran over to speak to her and ask how to remove the doll state...
The Dr appeared and opened a locker door.
Inside was a broken vacuum cleaner.
The vacuum cleaner showed great hostility towards Cody and Mei.
This vacuum cleaner had been used by Cody to suck up all sorts of messes, like nuclear waste, plastic bottles, and other broken items.
Mei said she would fix the vacuum cleaner, but she just left it in the corner of the house and didn't care for it.
"Last time, it seems your cola was spilled on the keyboard, and it stopped working, right?" Wang Han, who was watching the scene unfold, glanced at Zhang Yi beside her.
"It was an accident… an accident. Don't talk about it while watching the plot- a new level just started! This isn't the learning level we were on before!" Zhang Yi coughed twice, his eyed the game screen as he quickly changed the topic.
Life happens, and who hasn't accidentally broken something? Besides, I repaired it very seriously! I soaked it in water for the first time, then left it in the sun for two days. Unfortunately, the keyboard didn't survive.
Hearing Zhang Yi's words, Wang Han pouted but still focused on the game.
In any case, the beginning had already piqued her curiosity.
As the game progressed, Cody and Mei were not the usual figures you'd find in Dark Souls — the ones that grumble about Hey! Uh! What! Ashes.
In the game, based on the actions of the characters, Mei and Cody exchanged some lines. These exchanges revealed the complicated dynamic between them.
Both felt that they were right, and the other was wrong.
From the plot's perspective, it was clear that this two-person story was more of an old-fashioned family ethics drama.
Although the game had just passed the novice tutorial, the promotional video had already shown what to expect from the content up to that point.
Not only Wang Han, but also the players experiencing this game, had already guessed the plot ahead of time.
In the story, with Doctor help and the book of love, Cody and Mei would rediscover their love for each other and finally reunite their family.
It was, without a doubt, a very conventional plot.
And considering the dreamy, cartoonish art style, many players felt that the plot wouldn't have any major twists.
However, what intrigued the players wasn't the ending — it was the journey in between.
What kind of hardships would Cody and Mei face? What obstacles would they overcome together, leading to a stronger bond and a deeper understanding of each other?
After being knocked out by the vacuum cleaner, the real game begins.
Compared to the levels taught by novices, the decryption in the game has become more complicated.
In this section of the journey, there is no way to pass alone. Players must interact with each other on the map to help each other get to different areas, ensuring both can pass smoothly.
For example, in a blower duct, one player enters from one end and is sprayed out from the other. However, going in directly will not lead to the target. One player must lift the pipe to assist. The player at the other end needs to press the corresponding switch, so both can pass the small level.
It's not just about cooperation. Some levels require players to have a certain level of understanding. For instance, in a level with a ventilation duct, the player needs to pass through three fans, arranged with hot air, cold air, and hot air. One player needs to jump over the other to switch between hot and cold air.
In the cold air state, the player can be lifted by the cold air and continue the ascent. But the hot air will burn the player to ashes.
Pulling the button down will toggle the fan's temperature.
Thus, this level tests the tacit cooperation between players. When one player takes off, the other player must immediately switch the fan's temperature.
Cooperation and tacit understanding are crucial here. And the dual-screen mode highlights this perfectly—not only do Cody and Mei in the game need to cooperate, but the two players behind the monitors must work together as well.