Developer: Shapefarm
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Platform: Switch 2
Tested on: Switch 2
Orbitals – Review
Even though co-op games have never truly lost their appeal, they did get a huge surge in popularity back in 2021 when EA published It Takes Two. This charming co-op-only title won the hearts of many and opened the doors for a lot of developers and publishers to release their own co-op-only games. Split/Fiction was another recent banger, and it’s clear that many developers also want to create their own captivating experience that can be enjoyed with a buddy locally or online. In comes Orbitals, a Switch 2 exclusive game, that immediately won us over by its visuals alone. This old-school ’80s anime-inspired game entertained us during its short runtime.
Story
Honestly, we initially found the story of Orbitals a bit vague. You start in the midst of a crisis on a space station, and both Maki and Omura get put into a machine at a very young age. We later learn this machine preserved the minds of the kids and allows their bodies to be cloned when they would meet their early demise. Soon after, the space station once again finds itself in a crisis, as it is slowly running on fumes, and Maki and Omura need to venture out into space to find a solution. There is an anomaly not that far off that might offer the solution. All in all, the presentation is amazing, as the story is presented via many dialogues but also impressive-looking anime cutscenes. It does take a while before the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, however.
Graphics
Graphically, Orbitals is such a gorgeous game. The 80s anime aesthetic works amazingly well for the space adventure Maki and Omura embark on. The cutscenes are so well made that we felt like we were watching a highly polished anime series, and the in-game 3D graphics mesh well with the cinematics. In-game, the movements are slightly less fluid, but everything moves in such a way that you still feel like you’re watching a cartoon. We loved all the little details, and even when exploring the vastness of space, the universe felt lived in. The color palette was also in sync with 80s anime production, and everything proved to be pleasant for the eyes. Even during more hectic segments of the game, we didn’t notice any frame drops or stuttering, which really helped with the immersion. Some loading times were a bit longer, however.
Sound
The sound design is, like the visuals, superbly handled. The music was great; we enjoyed the background tunes while solving puzzles and exploring, and the accompanying sound effects provided good audio feedback. The voice acting, however, is what truly stole the show for us. The game has many voiced sequences, both in its cutscenes as well as during the actual gameplay. The story, even though it’s sometimes a bit vague, is a key element of the experience, and so the characters talk a lot among themselves or via radio communication with the space station.
Gameplay
Orbitals is an action-adventure title with a heavy focus on environmental puzzles that can only be played with two players. You can either opt for local co-op play or online co-op. Luckily, there’s the buddy pass, so only one player has to own a copy of the game. You’ll be playing through this short adventure by working together, solving puzzles, platforming, and just completing objectives. It’s all very straightforward, even though some of the game’s puzzles require some thought. That being said, the game never becomes overly complex or hard, making it a very accessible experience.
Most of the game’s puzzles proved to be fun, which is really important for a title such as this. We didn’t struggle to figure out the solution to most of these puzzles, but some of them felt more tedious than complex, which was a bit of a shame. Luckily, these were few and far between, making sure that this short experience remained entertaining from start to finish. We were able to beat the game in slightly under five hours, making this a bite-sized space adventure, rather than a meaty game that will keep you entertained for a long time. We honestly think this was a good choice, as the game would have otherwise overstayed its welcome in terms of puzzle design. If you’re a fan of secrets, you can also unlock mini-games that can be accessed on the spaceship.
Unlike other games in the genre, such as the aforementioned It Takes Two, each character can do every task in the game and is not reliant on character-specific abilities. This means that available tools and even the seats on your spaceship can be swapped at any time, allowing each player to experience every mechanic. This means you don’t have to replay the entire game with the other character if you wish to experience everything the game has to offer. It was fun to be able to fly around the spaceship and swap our captain’s seat to man the guns for the next part.
Conclusion
Orbital is a fun bite-sized space adventure game for two players, and while it can not match the same high-quality experience as that of EA’s It Takes Two, it does come pretty close at times. The visuals, the sound design, and the overall atmosphere are amazing, only held back by some uninspired puzzle designs and a story that remains rather vague throughout the experience. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for an entertaining co-op title to play with a friend or family member, Orbitals is certainly worth checking out.
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