Orbitals Review: Out of This World Couch Co-Op

Orbitals Review: Out of This World Couch Co-Op

Orbitals review: there’s a special kind of magic in handing a second controller to someone you love and disappearing into another world together. It’s a ritual we’ve almost forgotten. For decades, that shared act was the heartbeat of gaming, a glue that built bonds over pixelated victories and hilarious failures, and then online play arrived and the couch went quiet. But Orbitals, the new Switch 2 exclusive from Shapefarm, is here to remind us what we’ve been missing. Clear your weekend. It’s absolutely worth it.

Anime Dreams, Brought to Life

The first thing that hits you is the art. This isn't just a style choice; it's a declaration of love. Shapefarm and Studio Massket have crafted a game that looks like a lost gem from the golden age of anime, and it's a look they pull off with total confidence. The characters animate at a deliberate 24 or 12 frames per second, not because of technical limitations, but to perfectly mimic the feel of those classic ‘80s and ‘90s shows we grew up on. It's a bold move. And it pays off beautifully, making every moment feel like you're inside a Saturday morning cartoon.

The soundtrack matches the visuals note for note. It's an absolute banger. The theme song, featuring vocals from Mami Ayukawa of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam fame, sets the tone perfectly, and this isn't just background noise; it's a vital part of the experience. The heroes, Omura and Maki, along with a vibrant supporting cast, have designs that feel instantly nostalgic. Even the emote wheel is a joy. You can dance, cheer, or wait impatiently with animations so charming they're hard to ignore. There's a catch, though. That hyper-specific style can sometimes make important objects blend into the background, and the quest marker has a habit of covering exactly what you're looking for, which can be genuinely frustrating. But it's worth it.

A Story That Starts Slow, Then Soars

The narrative opens with a thrilling rescue from a space storm by the mentor, Togen. Then time jumps. Omura and Maki are vital members of a society marooned on an asteroid, dealing with rifts tearing through their corner of space. For a while, it's a fairly standard retro sci-fi adventure. You'll explore in your spacecraft, search for a new home, or find a way to strengthen your station before the next storm hits. But the gorgeous cutscenes and wonderfully voiced dialogue keep you invested, even when the plot feels like it's taking its time, and that's what carries you through the slower stretches. It works.

The payoff is real. It's a slow burn, but the destination is worth the journey, and without spoiling anything, the story builds to a conclusion that is both beautiful and emotional, wrapping up in a way that sticks with you long after the credits roll. But the localization effort is also impressive, a thoughtful step for a global audience, with fully voiced options in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, French, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, German, and Brazilian Portuguese. So don't miss it.

Gameplay Hits and Misses

Familiar territory, isn't it? The core loop is split-screen action with platforming, gadget use, and puzzle-solving that demands real cooperation, so anyone who has played Hazelight's titles will instantly recognize the rhythm. Maki and Omura wield a laser cannon, grappling hook, and water gun, each with a main ability and alt-fire. But here's the twist: you can choose your gadgets before each level, a welcome change from being told what to use. That's a breath of fresh air. The puzzles are typically rewarding, even if they often feel like variations on ideas we've seen before, and that's okay because the satisfaction still lands. It works.

But the Hazelight comparison cuts both ways. Everything's enjoyable, sure. Yet it rarely hits those “wow, I can't believe we're doing this” peaks, and the game's too helpful as well, since characters constantly quip solutions like “I wonder if we can do X to make Y and Z happen,” which feels hand-holdy. Strange, though, because sometimes you're stuck with zero hints. And the structure loops into a dull rhythm: get on ship, fly to level, grab gadget, go through airlock, beat level, repeat, and after the sixth or seventh “Sit in the pilot seat” prompt, it wears on you. Some ship sections even leave one player idle while the other flies, which is a real drag.

Orbitals is a lovely game to spend with your playing partner over a weekend.

Yet the story's arc mirrors the gameplay's own ascent. The final 25% of the game is genuinely creative, challenging, and fun, easily delivering the best content the title has to offer, and it's a payoff that feels earned through every prior hour. But it's a strong finish. That leaves a positive impression.

Charm in Every Corner

Where Orbitals truly shines is in its extras. Hidden paths and optional areas reward you with a mini-game room on your ship, and once you're in there, you can compete in laser beam jump rope, laser tag, competitive Asteroids, and more, all while a leaderboard keeps track of bragging rights. There's even a shooting range and a punching-bag style target on the station. The ships themselves feel alive. They're filled with NPCs that have adorable little animations, and each level introduces a new alien creature, so after you meet them, they start showing up on your ship, making your home feel more alive as you progress. It's a small touch. But it adds immense charm.

My partner and I had a genuinely great time with Orbitals. It doesn't quite reach the couch co-op excellence of Hazelight, but it's a journey worth taking. The incredible artwork and music are the clear standouts, with love and passion poured into every inch of the experience, and that alone makes it feel special. Brisk, repetitive at times, and not always the most thrilling action, it's still a lovely overall package, and Switch 2 owners have another very nice exclusive on their hands. So we've got a solid 8/10 here. It's worth your time. But don't overthink it. Just play.

The Verdict

• Incredible ‘80s/‘90s-style anime artwork and music
• Jam-packed with obvious love and passion for the genre
• Lots of charming details and mini-games to discover
• Solid co-op gameplay that’s fun to figure out together

• Some repetitive sections that feel like a waste of time
• Too many instances of immediate hints and handholding
• The art style can make objectives hard to see