Orbitals Reviews Say It Takes Two Is Still the Co-op Game to Beat
The reviews are in for Orbitals, and critics are charmed by the anime co-op game, though they have some big complaints too.
In the co-op gaming world, Hazelight's It Takes Two reigns supreme. While a handful of developers have attempted to replicate its success, Shapefarm's latest release, Orbitals, seems to have done most of the job well. Orbitals, an anime-inspired co-op game, has garnered generally positive reviews from critics, boasting an 81 score on Metacritic and an 84 on OpenCritic.
However, it falls short of Hazelight's Split Fiction, which scored a 91 on Metacritic. Notable praise for Orbitals includes its stunning art style and sound, with critics highlighting the remarkable retro anime visuals and the immersive co-op gameplay. Kaitlyn Peterson of TheGamer called Orbitals "amazing" and praised its cooperative puzzles, stating that both players are essential in solving challenges.
However, not all reviews were as glowing. Game Informer's Charles Harte criticized the execution, citing shallow puzzle design and awkward spaceship segments. Eurogamer's Alex Spencer echoed similar concerns, stating that the game's narrative is unmemorable and that the co-op puzzles aren't enough to compensate. Despite the mixed opinions, critics unanimously agree that Orbitals' aesthetic makes it a game worth playing.
Polygon's Oli Welsh even went so far as to call it "the best co-op game since It Takes Two," acknowledging how few developers have followed Hazelight's groundbreaking approach.
Written by urgent.news from Polygon's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
