Why 'It Takes Two' FORCED You to Kill Cutie The Elephant (Players Reacted)

Why did ‘It Takes Two’ FORCE players to kill Cutie the Elephant? This shocking moment broke hearts worldwide—in this It Takes Two retrospective, we explain why it’s one of gaming’s most controversial scenes, the internet backlash, and why Josef Fares stands by the decision.

You killed Cutie! I mean, we all did… if you played the 2021 Game Of The Year, It Takes Two, you are absolutely guilty of killing cuteness. You horrible, horrible individually you.

Some moments in gaming are unforgettable—not because they inspire joy, but because they leave us unsettled. In It Takes Two, a game about cooperation, love, and redemption, one scene stands out for the cold-blooded murder of Cutie the Elephant.

What was meant to be a fun, lighthearted co-op game suddenly took a sharp turn into something much darker. Players weren’t just surprised—they were shook.

But was this moment an artistic triumph in storytelling? Or was it just a cheap attempt to get a rise from players? Today, we’re breaking down the controversy it sparked, and what director Josef Fares had to say about it.

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To Kill Cutie

With the release of their latest game Split Fiction, I wanted to look back at Hazelight Studios’ It Takes Two, which is widely celebrated as one of the most creative co-op experiences in gaming. It follows Cody and May, a divorcing couple who, through magical circumstances, are turned into dolls and forced to work together to return to their real bodies.

Throughout their journey, they encounter fantastical worlds, quirky characters, and bizarre challenges. But nothing prepares players for what happens when they meet Cutie the Elephant.

Cutie is their daughter Rose’s most treasured toy—her ‘best friend in the whole world.’ Cutie rules over her kingdom with kindness, unaware that Cody and May have nefarious plans of their own.

In their desperation to return to human form, Cody and May believe they must make their daughter cry… and their solution? Destroy her most beloved possession.

A Brutal Act

If you played this, you know this was one of the most uncomfortable sequences in modern gaming.

Players had to physically drag Cutie across the level as she pleaded for her life. She tries to hold onto anything in her path. She cries, she screams, and piece by piece, she is torn apart.

This isn’t just a quick, cutscene-driven moment. It’s prolonged, and most disturbing… it was interactive. To progress in the game, you were forced to do this.

And then… the final push. Cutie falls. Rose is heartbroken. And Cody and May, the so-called heroes of our story, achieve their goal.

The emotional whiplash is undeniable. How did we go from a whimsical adventure to something that feels so… cruel?

Players React

The gaming community was quick to react. Many were disturbed. Some called it needlessly brutal. Others found it funny in a dark, twisted way.

For some players, the scene completely changed how they viewed Cody and May. Others questioned whether it fits within the game’s overall tone.

But was this an unnecessary tonal shift, or was it a moment of brilliant storytelling?

Josef Fares, the outspoken director of It Takes Two, addressed the controversy in a 2025 interview with Push Square. Fares defended the scene, saying it was meant to reflect Cody and May’s selfishness. This wasn’t meant to be a heroic moment—it was supposed to feel wrong.

And I quote ‘The parents have become so egoistic and totally forgot about what’s important for them, that they are ready to go this far to actually do something like this.’

He goes on to say ‘Actually, it's a good thing people are reacting to this. I think it's something that creates an impact.’

In an interview with Fall Damage he said, "That scene is kind of insane. If you look at

A Way Out we have a guy that is tortured with 20 different tools. You could literally shoot him like in the foot, burn his dick off with some fire and everything, nobody cared. But with this cute elephant, the whole world cared. But I understand why. You have to understand one thing with the scene; so in the beginning it was even worse like it was even harder and like and then the music... then I was like "Okay we got to take this back." You know this is a bit too much. I mean it was more like a ripping stuff off and like I'm not going to go into details and make people more traumatic."

So did that humour land? Or did it cross a line? Tell us what you think below.

The Art Of Emotions

Some of the most impactful stories in gaming force players into difficult situations. The Last of Us. Bioshock. Spec Ops: The Line. These games are built around moral dilemmas. But in a game like It Takes Two, does a moment like this fit? Or does it pull players out of the experience?

Love it or hate it, Cutie the Elephant’s scene is unforgettable. It challenges players, it sparks debate, and it proves that even in a lighthearted game, emotions run deep. And shouldn’t good stories, and dare I say, works of art provoke a strong reaction out of the viewer, reader, and gamer. What better medium than an interactive one to elicit the strongest emotions? With fun gameplay, a strong positive message, and quality presentation, a moment like this didn’t feel exploitative. In fact, with all those facets complimenting each other, the game did after all earn itself the right to be A Game Of The Year.

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