Retro Anime Co-Op: Orbitals Delivers Nostalgia

Developer Shapefarm's debut title, Orbitals, is a vibrant co-op adventure steeped in the nostalgia of 1980s anime, drawing clear inspiration from series like Cowboy Bebop and Evangelion. The game's development team includes former Hazelight Studios talent, a studio known for its award-winning co-op games.

Orbitals builds upon the co-op formula by ensuring both players are continuously involved in challenges, unlike some previous titles where one player might wait. Players control young space colonists, Maki and Omura, striving to survive a desolate space station beset by radiation.

Visually, Orbitals is a loving homage to classic anime, with characters and settings reminiscent of beloved series. However, the narrative itself follows a more formulaic path, with its strength lying in its visual presentation and artistic details.

The game's environments, while charming and varied, can begin to blend together due to the game's relatively short playtime. Despite this, Orbitals offers gorgeous vistas and engaging unlockable minigames, including a fun versus mode.

Puzzle and platforming segments in Orbitals are designed to be challenging, potentially frustrating for novice players. Yet, the kinetic puzzling and constant player engagement, through gadgets and coordinated maneuvers, offer a fresh take on the co-op genre.

Beyond its core gameplay, Orbitals delights with charming details like character emotes and Studio Ghibli-inspired elements. The game's hand-drawn anime cutscenes are particularly noteworthy and visually striking.

Orbitals is available now exclusively on the Switch 2 for $40, offering a bite-sized adventure that can be completed in approximately three play sessions.