Orbitals lands on Nintendo Switch 2 as a co‑operative sci‑fi adventure published by Kepler Interactive.
Tested on the Nintendo’s next‑gen handheld‑home hybrid, the game leans into asymmetric two‑player design and retro anime aesthetics while offering multiple co‑op delivery methods, including local split‑screen, GameShare, and a Global Friend’s Pass that allows two players to share a single copy.
From the outset Orbitals invites comparisons to Hazelight’s co‑op staples such as It Takes Two and Split Fiction: two protagonists, asymmetric tasks, and a heavy emphasis on teamwork.
The review, however, notes that while those comparisons are inevitable, Orbitals establishes its own identity through its story, tools and presentation.
Players assume the roles of best friends Maki and Omura, space explorers racing to save their colony from a cosmic anomaly called the Storm.
The game uses a sci‑fi wrinkle — a technology that uploads consciousness and resurrects characters after death — as a narrative and mechanical foundation.
Gameplay alternates between on‑foot puzzle‑solving and brief ship segments where one player pilots and the other mans weapons.
Each player equips one of three primary tools — the scrap hook, liquid launcher and beam cannon — and puzzles routinely demand coordinated use of those devices.
The review highlights recurring cooperative scenarios, such as linking explosions with the scrap hook and liquid launcher, or one player creating safe paths for a partner navigating a multi‑floor hazard.
In journalistic terms: the review characterizes Orbitals as a tightly woven cooperative experience that develops its mechanics progressively rather than radically shifting genres each chapter.
Presentation receives strong praise; the game’s retro‑styled visuals, grainy filter and an ’80s‑inspired soundtrack are described as a cohesive aesthetic that complements gameplay.
Notable practical details: the reviewer reached the end credits in roughly six to seven hours with a less experienced partner.
That shorter runtime is cited as the primary limitation, particularly at a price point of £34.99 ($39.99).
The game does include unlockable minigames aboard the players’ ship, but these are presented as secondary content rather than robust post‑game incentives.
Conclusion: Orbitals is recommended for players seeking a polished, cooperative Nintendo Switch 2 experience with strong presentation and reliably engaging teamwork, balanced against a comparatively brief main campaign.
Tested on the Nintendo’s next‑gen handheld‑home hybrid, the game leans into asymmetric two‑player design and retro anime aesthetics while offering multiple co‑op delivery methods, including local split‑screen, GameShare, and a Global Friend’s Pass that allows two players to share a single copy.
From the outset Orbitals invites comparisons to Hazelight’s co‑op staples such as It Takes Two and Split Fiction: two protagonists, asymmetric tasks, and a heavy emphasis on teamwork.
The review, however, notes that while those comparisons are inevitable, Orbitals establishes its own identity through its story, tools and presentation.
Players assume the roles of best friends Maki and Omura, space explorers racing to save their colony from a cosmic anomaly called the Storm.
The game uses a sci‑fi wrinkle — a technology that uploads consciousness and resurrects characters after death — as a narrative and mechanical foundation.
Gameplay alternates between on‑foot puzzle‑solving and brief ship segments where one player pilots and the other mans weapons.
Each player equips one of three primary tools — the scrap hook, liquid launcher and beam cannon — and puzzles routinely demand coordinated use of those devices.
The review highlights recurring cooperative scenarios, such as linking explosions with the scrap hook and liquid launcher, or one player creating safe paths for a partner navigating a multi‑floor hazard.
In journalistic terms: the review characterizes Orbitals as a tightly woven cooperative experience that develops its mechanics progressively rather than radically shifting genres each chapter.
Presentation receives strong praise; the game’s retro‑styled visuals, grainy filter and an ’80s‑inspired soundtrack are described as a cohesive aesthetic that complements gameplay.
Notable practical details: the reviewer reached the end credits in roughly six to seven hours with a less experienced partner.
That shorter runtime is cited as the primary limitation, particularly at a price point of £34.99 ($39.99).
The game does include unlockable minigames aboard the players’ ship, but these are presented as secondary content rather than robust post‑game incentives.
Conclusion: Orbitals is recommended for players seeking a polished, cooperative Nintendo Switch 2 experience with strong presentation and reliably engaging teamwork, balanced against a comparatively brief main campaign.
