Quick Links
The first side story in theco-op multiplayerjourney ofthe wonderful Split Fictioncan be a tricky one. It features a quick racing section and puzzles with some pretty strict timing. Anyone who played the originalBattletoadswill be right at home here as they fight to survive in The Legend Of The Sandfish’s tight corridors and cave walls.
The Legend of the Sandfish is Arabian Nights-themed with the protagonists rapidly escaping from ever-rising tides of sand. The titular Sandfish are deadly desert-dwelling beasts, who will be both threats during the puzzles and mounts during the final section of this quest.
10 Best PS1 Co-Op Games, Ranked
Even back in the 90s, gaming was better with friends.
This side story is a rollercoaster ride through the dunes that has a couple of moments that may be difficult to navigate without some extra guidance. Read on below for all you need to come out of this side story victorious.
The Sandfish Lures
After the opening cutscene, slide down a sand dune, complete the basic platforming sequence, and open the golden doors up ahead. Slide down one more set of dunes, and you’ll reach the first puzzle area that’s full of sandfish-infested quicksand!
Stepping on the sand in front of you for even a second will attract the sandfishes' attention, causing them to charge over and eat the players. Proceed with extreme caution.
For the first section, simply run, double-jump, and dash to the platform in the center. Repeat this process once more and you’ll be safely on the other side.
10 Best PS2 Co-op Games, Ranked
Nothing beats retro classics with a friend.
The next part is where it gets tricky. The platforms are now too far apart to reach with simple jumps and air dashes. To the left-hand side, you’ll see a golden-tipped tower with a crank. One player needs to operate this while the other gets ready to move.
When a player operates the crank, a small timing dial will appear. The player needs to press the button (triangle onPlayStationcontrollers) when the timing bar is in the center.
If the button is pressed correctly, the tower will sink into the ground and thump on the surface of the sand each time you drive it down further.
This noise attracts the sandfish to it, which gives the other player the chance to get across in the meantime.
When you step into the quicksand, hammer the jump button to break free and start leaping through the air again.
As scary as this process can be, Player 2 shouldn’t wait for the sandfish to move to start their run. When Player 1 is prepping to drive the noise-making tower into the ground, Player 2 should already be running and jumping over the sand.
This will give you as much time as possible to get across, because each tower only has a limited number of pulses before it will no longer distract the shark.
10 Best Co-Op Puzzle Games
These are the best and most puzzling games for best buds to play around in.
Player 2 now has the chance to get to the next tower where the process is repeated. Each player must repeat this process twice while the other runs/jumps/air dashes across the sand to safety.
From here, the two playersmust work together, push down a pole, and shimmy across while avoiding the sandfish nearby. This is followed by a series of posts that the players must jump across.
Both must operate a lever at the same time to bring up a rope that they have to walk across, followed by two jumping up two poles.
At the top of the poles, there is a grapple point where the players will be thrown directly onto yet another sliding sand dune. Jump over some sharks during your slide and keep grappling up platforms. Follow the path around until you reach two doors.
Sandfish Racing
The players will be dropped into the sand and must grapple onto the backs of the sandfish in front of them. This will start a racing section where the sandfish are guided using the left stick and Mio/Zoe will need to jump (X button on PlayStation) over obstacles along the way.
The game will let one player continue if the other dies, giving them a chance to respawn. If one player can master the course, then they can drag the other one along with them.
The path is simple enough to navigate. Just take extra precaution at the sections where Mio and Zoe most jump over barriers and gates along the way. They’ll detach from their sandfish when they make these jumps and will need to grapple back onto their steeds to avoid death.
With one final grapple at the end of this sequence, thetwo hard-working characterswill be flung into the exit.
Congratulations, you have completed the first Side Story in Split Fiction!
8 Best Co-Op Sandbox Games
Building something pretty next to your friend’s dirt hut has never been easier than with these games.
