Some months ago, Mike preordered a game that requires two people to play - as in the game would sometimes split into two screens. I nodded a half hearted yes — a bit scared of games, but also it was after all a bid — wherein in a relationship, one initiates a bid and another allows for it. It’s a necessary way to build our relationship continuously and with gaming a big part of Mike’s life - all of these years as I know, I wanted to make him feel special by bringing myself to something he loves.

It Takes Two is a two player game developed by EA Sports - same developer of The SIMS and NBA. In real life, I’ve been playing The SIMS since it started (me in high school memorizing all the cheat codes, am I right?), but I haven’t been a big Role Playing Game gamer since I’ve finished Counter Strike in high school. Perhaps it was the semi ADD, the extrovert needing to be outdoors and surrounded by actual people that gaming has taken a backseat in my life. Now that many of us have less options to be outdoors, and an increasing interest in building and designing experiences, I’ve become finally mature for RPGs.

The story starts with a little family — a girl being sad her parents might be divorcing. The two parents — Cody and May, surprise! are indeed having marital troubles and are on the brink of divorce. Something happens and they’re somewhat transformed into toys and together, they have to work towards bringing themselves back to their human form.

The game arrived in March 26 so as soon as work ended, I prepared myself to experience something I don’t normally do anymore. I have thoughts!

It truly takes two. There are many things across the game that truly requires coordination between two players. Each player can even choose two Codys or two Mays and the roles can interchange. The important effort I’ve felt that Mike had been heavy lifting more on rather than me was teaching me basic gaming discipline — which is following key strokes to a T — rather than button smashing. For someone who grew up playing Tekken — the urge to smash X and O was tough.
Patience is Key. I’d say this is more for Mike — who was an ace in being patient honestly, but I learned to be more patient, too, for someone to teach me. I've always been one to do things head on so I was learning to truly take time in listening. One would think that patience and listening isn’t key in gaming but yes it is!
Strategy is Key. The game is made up of multiple chapters and each chapter gets harder than the one that came before it. Mike and I had to strategize together — again more him than me most times. You wouldn’t know what to do immediately — just like in life and in work and you would have to survey your surroundings and try and learn and fail before you can truly move on. If I think about it — that part I attribute more to Mike than a game — it could be any game really. Which leads me to:
Grit and Tenacity — WOW. I had no idea how a game could make me reflect at how this was a mirror to life and work and how we approach challenges. There were several chapters where I was close to throwing the controller against the wall because I could not jump or migrate my character. As it was in life — I would do that, not hurl my laptop but you know, resort to what was easy because my frustration was winning me. But the game and a great partner, such as it is in life, if you give up — you can’t get to your goal. I would take breaks and have a bit of sleep and I’d be happy to get to the game again. Rest — don’t quit. And look again.
Choose an amazing partner. The pandemic puts anyone - and every relationship under a microscope, including mine, including yours. And for me, as we approach this unfortunate second year of being locked down still — I realized that I could’ve made other choices in my life - being unmarried, walk away, choose other options when things are challenging but at the end of the day, it truly matters who you choose to come with you in a ride of life. In It Takes Two or going through rough patches (this week’s rough patch having a broken down fridge on a Good Friday on ECQ) — I am so glad I chose Mike and Mike chose me.

Things I Learned from Gaming and "It Takes Two"