Current Events > How could a problematic and toxic game like It Takes Two win VGA GOTY 2021?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I almost turned it off. Genuinely, after 10 minutes, I'd had enough. A story about a girl's divorcing parents who are magically shrunk so they can go on an adventure together, and in doing so work out their differences and get back together? Do me a favour. People divorce and families move on. It's a normal part of life and shouldn't be construed as anything but. Are children supposed to play this and believe their parents could have rescued their relationship? Are divorced parents supposed to play it and feel bad? It's a dangerous idea to play with and I wish It Takes Two hadn't.
-Eurogamer

Unfortunately, although the game is a joyful, chatty experience to play, the story is mawkish, unsubtle and deeply problematic. At the beginning, a series of cutscenes tell us the parents have amicably decided to divorce, but were not told why or how. We only know it makes their daughter sad, so the adventure to restore their relationship feels manipulative. Were seemingly being told that no matter how dysfunctional a marriage may be, it must be saved to prevent psychological harm to the child.
-The Guardian

It is an absolute delight to play through its chunky dozen or so hours. All of which are filled with ever-shifting invention. The tale it spins is rather less successful, however. Its concept is problematic in and of itself, with the inherent and simplistic suggestion that struggling relationships can be salvaged just by, you know, working together and that.
-The Telegraph

Their confusion is redoubled when they are confronted by a mustachioed book who pops onto the scene and, as a Latin guitar theme trills in the background, introduces himself as Dr. Hakim, worldwide best seller, and expert on love! Dr. Hakims over-the-top affect and taste for cliched wisdom calls to mind the heavy-handed, lamentable ways minorities have too long been portrayed in popular media.
-Washington Post