Characters & Roles

Character Overview

It Takes Two features exactly two playable characters: Cody and May. There are no additional heroes, classes, or roles to unlock. The entire game is built around the mandatory cooperative interaction between these two protagonists. Each chapter grants them unique, complementary abilities that define their playstyle for that segment. However, at the character level, certain intrinsic traits and tendencies shape how they approach puzzles, combat, and exploration.

Cody

• Background: Cody is a professional engineer and inventor. He is practical, analytical, and often tries to solve problems with logic and tools. His transformation into a tiny doll reflects his feeling of being undervalued and overlooked by his family.


• Strengths:

- Precision and Control: Cody’s abilities often involve careful timing, aiming, or precise placement (e.g., throwing nails, setting sap bombs).
- Gadget-Focused: His tools (e.g., Nail Gun, Vacuum Cleaner, Vacuum Squirrel) emphasize construction, manipulation, and indirect damage.
- Supportive Role: Many of Cody’s skills are designed to set up opportunities for May (e.g., creating platforms with sap, freezing enemies with ice, or clearing obstacles).

• Weaknesses:

- Slower Mobility: Cody generally lacks fast traversal options; his movement is more deliberate.
- Less Direct Damage: In combat, Cody often relies on setting traps or using ranged tools that require line-of-sight and charging.
- Vulnerable Under Pressure: His abilities typically require a moment to deploy, making him less effective in chaotic close-quarters fights.

• Playstyle: As Cody, you adopt a methodical, tactical approach. Focus on positioning, resource management (e.g., sap bombs, nails), and coordinating with May. Use your abilities to create safe paths, control enemy groups, or solve environmental puzzles. You are the engineer – your job is to make the impossible possible for your partner.


• Unlock Conditions: Immediately available from the start. The game automatically assigns one player to Cody (the inviter chooses first; the player who invites a friend can pick which character to control, then the second player gets the other).


• Recommended Equipment / Builds: It Takes Two has no traditional equipment or skill trees. Instead, “build” refers to how you use your chapter-specific tool. For example, in Chapter 3 (Tree), Cody’s Nail Gun can be fired rapidly or charged for a stronger shot. Practice aiming and learning the arc of sap bombs. For Chapters 5 (Shed) and 7 (Garden), time your special attacks (e.g., Vacuum Cleaner’s suck/pull, or Ice Wand’s freeze) to maximize crowd control. There is no best “loadout”; adapt to the puzzle.


• Team Synergy:

- Cody’s abilities are almost always dependent on May’s actions. For instance, he may need May to activate a switch so he can shoot across a gap, or May may need to stand on a platform he creates.
- In combat, Cody excels at area denial and crowd control. May then follows up with heavy damage or quick kills.
- Puzzles often require Cody to set up (e.g., glue platforms) while May executes (e.g., jump across). Communication is vital.



May




• Background: May is a freelance musician and a free spirit. She is impulsive, creative, and relies on intuition rather than planning. Her transformation reflects her feeling of being unheard and unappreciated.


• Strengths:

- Agility and Speed: May’s abilities usually grant faster movement, double jumps, dodges, or quick escapes (e.g., her smashing attacks, hammer swing, or hover jump).
- Direct Damage: She often wields weapons that hit hard and fast (e.g., Hammer, Smashing Punch, Shovel).
- Exploration: May can reach high ledges or cross gaps that Cody cannot, using her traversal tools.

• Weaknesses:

- Less Strategic Depth: May’s tools are more straightforward – smash, dash, or attack – with fewer options for manipulation.
- Resource-Intensive: Some of her abilities (e.g., Smashing attacks) consume stamina or require a cooldown, limiting repeated use.
- Vulnerable When Overextending: May’s aggressive playstyle can leave her exposed if she rushes ahead without Cody’s support.

• Playstyle: As May, you are the brawler and the scout. Lead the way, break obstacles, and engage enemies directly. Use your mobility to flank or rush down threats. While Cody prepares the battlefield, you execute the plan. Your role is to be the dynamic, responsive partner who adapts to changing situations.


• Unlock Conditions: Same as Cody – available from the start, assigned second by default if the inviter picks Cody, or chosen first if the inviter prefers May.


• Recommended Equipment / Builds: Again, no traditional builds. Focus on mastering the timing of her attacks and platforming. For example, in Chapter 2 (Shed), May’s Hammer has a charged ground pound that can break weak floors. In Chapter 4 (Cabin), her Smashing ability (from the Magic Rose) can destroy certain walls. Learn the range and recovery of each attack to avoid mistakes.


• Team Synergy:

- May often needs Cody’s gadgets to reach safe positions (e.g., platforms created by sap).
- In co-op combos, May can stun enemies with her hammer, allowing Cody to land precise nail shots or freeze them.
- May’s mobility complements Cody’s stationary tools. She can dodge enemy fire while Cody provides covering support.

Role Dynamics Throughout the Game

Though Cody and May maintain their core personalities, each chapter introduces new abilities that temporarily shift their roles. The table below summarizes the primary role each character fulfills per chapter.

Note: These roles are not fixed classes but rather descriptions of typical responsibilities. Communication and adaptability are more important than any predefined role.

Strengths & Weaknesses Comparison

Team Composition & Synergy

It Takes Two is designed so that neither character can succeed alone. Their abilities are always intertwined. The best “team synergy” comes from:

1. Communication: Always announce your actions (e.g., “I’m placing a sap platform now – jump on it”).
2. Role Flexibility: Be prepared to switch between leading and following. Some puzzles require Cody to be the initiator; others require May to act first.
3. Complementary Timing: Many boss fights require one player to distract the enemy while the other sets up a weakness. For example, in the Vacuum Cleaner boss, Cody must freeze the enemy while May attacks.
4. Resource Sharing: There are no items to share, but you can coordinate who collects health pickups (they are individual) and who triggers checkpoints.

Recommended Character Choice

Since both characters are mandatory and equally important, choosing who plays Cody vs. May is purely a matter of personal preference. However, consider:

• Player 1 (Inviter): If you prefer strategic, support-oriented gameplay, pick Cody. If you prefer action-heavy, fast-paced roles, pick May.


• Player 2 (Invitee): The second player automatically gets the remaining character. If you have a strong preference, ask the inviter to choose the other character.

There is no competitive advantage to one character over the other. The game is balanced so that both players have a satisfying experience regardless of assignment.

Conclusion

Cody and May are the only characters in It Takes Two, but their dynamic roles evolve with every chapter. Understanding their intrinsic strengths – Cody’s precision and control, May’s speed and power – will help you approach each new ability with the right mindset. There are no unlockable characters, builds, or equipment to tweak, making the game pure co-op interaction. Success depends entirely on how well you and your partner synchronize. Embrace your assigned role, communicate constantly, and you will master this unique character-driven adventure.