Hazelight Studios (makers of _A Way Out_, _It Takes Two_) are famous for their **forced co-op design**. You literally cannot play these games alone. Each player is given different roles, abilities, and challenges, and only by **working together** can you move forward. Even more, their games are designed with the assumption that sometimes one player will be more experienced than the other. The game slows the experienced player down, requiring them to be patient, teach, and adapt so both can enjoy the journey. This is more than just good game design—it’s a picture of what discipleship and spiritual growth look like in the church. God calls us into community, where the strong help the weak, the mature guide the new, and everyone learns by actually participating in God’s story. Place your eggs down here and they will hatch into baby dragons. Mio's dragon can glide a short distance, while Zoe's dragon can latch onto certain terrain. After this, both players need to use their dragon's powers to follow a relatively linear path. Mio must glide across several gaps, while Zoe must use her dragon's sharp tail to leap up vertical surfaces on her way up. Eventually you will reconvene together outside of a gate. This second dragon pool turns your once-cute tiny dragons into full-fledged riding dragons. Mio's dragon has the ability to soar (but not fly) and armor-melting acid breath, while Zoe's dragon can climb up ivy-covered vertical surfaces and roll into a ball to travel faster and hit obstacles out of the way. After the cutscene ends, you will enter a segment where you can get used to flying with your dragons. Use Zoe's dragon to zoom through crystals, and Mio's dragon to shoot out any acid obstacles in your way. [Split Fiction Gameplay Walkthrough - Rise of the Dragon Realm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ic431zeKes) **It Takes Two** continually **introduces new mechanics** (magnets, clocks, rhythm challenges), **develops them in creative settings**, **twists them with unexpected combinations**, and wraps each section up before moving on. One designer notes that mechanics change constantly so they remain special—avoiding repetitive reuse. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Takes_Two_%28video_game%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com)[Game Verdict](https://www.gameverdict.net/hazelight-studios-games-revolutionizing-co-op-storytelling-in-modern-gaming/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) > [!bible]+ [1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - NASB](https://bolls.life/NASB/46/12/) > ^**4**Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. ^**5**And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. ^**6**There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all [persons]. ^**7**But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ^**8**For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; ^**9**to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ^**10**and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another [various] kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ^**11**But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. %% #1Corinthians #1Corinthians12 %% > [!bible]+ [1 Corinthians 12:27 - NASB](https://bolls.life/NASB/46/12/) > ^**27**Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. %% #1Corinthians #1Corinthians12 %% > [!bible]+ [Titus 2:2-7 - NASB](https://bolls.life/NASB/56/2/) > ^**2**Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. ^**3**Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ^**4**so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ^**5**[to be] sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. ^**6**Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; ^**7**in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, [with] purity in doctrine, dignified, %% #Titus #Titus2 %% > [!bible]+ [Hebrews 5:12-14 - NASB](https://bolls.life/NASB/58/5/) > ^**12**For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ^**13**For everyone who partakes [only] of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. ^**14**But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. %% #Hebrews #Hebrews5 %% > [!bible]+ [Galatians 6:2 - NASB](https://bolls.life/NASB/48/6/) > ^**2**Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. %% #Galatians #Galatians6 %% > [!bible]+ [Romans 15:1 - NASB](https://bolls.life/NASB/45/15/) > ^**1**Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not [just] please ourselves. %% #Romans #Romans15 %% ### Learning Through Participation: Faith in Action - **Game Example**: You can’t beat Hazelight’s games by watching—you must _play_. The inexperienced player only learns by pressing buttons, failing, and trying again. - **Scripture Tie** - Naaman had to wash in the Jordan to be healed (2 Kings 5:10–14). - Jesus told people to act: “Stretch out your hand” (Mark 3:5), “Take up your mat and walk” (John 5:8), “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (John 9:7). - The principle: You don’t grow in faith by watching others—you grow by _participating_ in what God calls you to do. **Reflection Question**: When you’re helping a friend, spouse, or child grow in faith, how can you give them space to _participate_ rather than just listen to you talk? What are some ways you can guide them to take small steps of faith for themselves? ### A4. Don’t Cause Your Partner to Stumble - **Game Example**: In _It Takes Two_, your success is tied to your partner. If you rush ahead, fail to communicate, or play recklessly, it can cause your partner to fall, die, or miss the timing of a puzzle. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the challenge itself, but learning how not to trip each other up. - **Scripture Tie**: - _Romans 14:13_ — “Decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” - _1 Corinthians 8:9_ — “Take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” - _Philippians 2:3–4_ — “Do nothing from selfish ambition… let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - **Reflection Question**: In your relationships (spouse, kids, friends, church), what are ways impatience, pride, or selfishness might cause someone else to stumble? How can you slow down and communicate so they grow instead of being discouraged? ### A2. Experienced + Inexperienced: Teaching Along the Way - **Game Example**: Hazelight games assume one player may be brand new. The design forces the skilled player to slow down and help, because the whole team can’t move forward without both. - **Scripture Tie**: _Titus 2:2–7; Hebrews 5:12–14_ — Mature believers are called to guide those newer in the faith. - **Reflection Question**: Who has been your “co-op partner” in Scripture—someone who slowed down and helped you grow? Who could you play that role for today?