'Orbitals' is a co-op sci-fi adventure that recaptures the magic of Saturday morning cartoons
We buddied up to check out Orbitals, a sci-fi anime spin on "It Takes Two"'s classic co-op action.
Growing up, Saturday morning cartoons were the ones we re-enacted with friends on the playground. Orbitals, the debut from developer Shapefarm for the Nintendo Switch 2, aims to recapture that magic with co-op gameplay. Players take on the roles of Maki and Omura, space explorers tasked with finding power cores to save their ship from a cosmic storm.
Orbitals is a two-player game that emphasizes cooperation and puzzle-solving, complemented by fun minigames and collectibles. The game's retro aesthetic, reminiscent of 80s and 90s anime, permeates every aspect of the experience. The 80s-inspired opening song, "Accelerating Destiny," sung by legendary vocalist Mami Ayukawa, sets the tone for the journey ahead.
Though the story is light and breezy, it touches on themes of agency and forgiveness. Despite its short runtime of 5 hours, Orbitals manages to pack in a brisk 12 chapters, each feeling like a separate TV episode. The gameplay forces players to communicate and work together to overcome environmental puzzles and boss battles, with each player focusing on a specific task.
The game's design is a love letter to the Saturday morning cartoon era, with a whimsical feel and surprisingly good performances. Despite its rushed pacing, Orbitals manages to create a distinct and enjoyable experience that sets it apart from similar co-op games.
Written by urgent.news from Space.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
