Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope Reviews
A winning team doesn't change, as I said at the beginning, but if the changes yield results like those in Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, then we can safely go beyond this old saying. While recognizable in its main structure, the Rabbids' new foray into the Nintendo world has modernized the appreciated mechanics from Kingdom Battle, enhancing tactical potential and freedom of movement and stage approach. Fun and well-crafted, Ubisoft Milano's new work will surely delight fans of their previous work and convince those not yet charmed by one of the most bizarre and unexpected crossovers in the gaming world.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is simply a triumph. The title does not merely take up and enhance every element that had made Kingdom Battle a success but goes far beyond it. With boldness and courage, the Ubisoft production embellishes the play structure with ambitious and daring choices. Sparks of Hope thus soars to new heights, thanks to the exploration of worlds, intriguing additions to the tactical system, and an abundance of content. Yet another great title in the Nintendo Switch game library.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Sparks of Hope is a definitive Switch experience that cannot be missed, and a master class on what a sequel should be.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope doesn't just prove that the first game was no fluke, it shows that it's possible to take a crazy idea and turn it into one of the best games of the year.
Overall, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope does a fantastic job building on the original’s success while retaining its laid-back and humorous approach to RPGs.
An Ubisoft Rabbids title? One of the best tactics games of 2022? You better believe it.
Back in 2017, the Mario and Rabbids announcement was a bit of a shock, not least a gamble on behalf of Ubisoft, who combined one of gaming’s greatest icons with one of its most irritating spinoffs. Well, boy do we have something for you! Its sequel has recently been released, bringing more Minion-like antics to the mushroom kingdom, and beyond.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle could perhaps be seen as a weird experiment that owed its success to good release timing. The sequel, Sparks of Hope, proves that view incorrect. The foundations of this strategy RPG remain strong as ever, while several gameplay changes, such as free movement during battle, provide countless new ways to strategise. You may unfortunately forget about some heroes, but it is a small price to pay for a such a solid strategy experience. (That also looks gorgeous!)
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a very good sequel that doesn't really require you to play the first game. Ubisoft Milan and Nintendo have the perfect recipe and I hope they will continue this partnership for many more games. The mix between the madness of Rabbids and the characters of the Mario universe is very well balanced here. I would have taken even more. It is absolutely necessary to highlight the work of Ubisoft at the level of the different character designs, abilities of Sparks, enemies and planets. If you're looking for a good tactical game with a great setting, check this one out.
Review in French | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a can't miss sequel for the Switch, adding refinement and shine to an already stellar property.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope remains a great game like its predecessor, but with tons of changes, some really good while others make the experience feel less consistent.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a fantastic strategy game with a great roster of heroes, an impressive soundtrack, lovely animation, humor, and more. In other words, having Mario and the Rabbids come together (again!) is a delight for newcomers and veteran gamers alike. Let’s-a go to battle!
Having come to the end of this lengthy analysis, all I can say is that I wish there were many more productions made with the same care as Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope. Ubisoft Milan's new work is qualitatively, and content-wise, to be commended in virtually every way.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope comes from the unexpected success of a spin-off that was highly discredited until it proved itself successful. Thus, while much was expected from the sequel, there was a feeling it wouldn't need to do much to repeat the feat. Without any doubt, I can say Ubisoft hit the mark once again.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Sparks of Hope seems like an ideal sequel. It tries to develop every aspect of Kingdom Battle that was limited, but it also tries to freshen up even the systems that admittedly worked perfectly.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is just a downright fun and adventurous game, one that continues to bring the turn-based tactics genre to a wider audience and also makes its own unique mark in the gaming space. There’s just so much to love about this game, and it’s incredibly easy to recommend it to anybody who’s a fan of tactics games or Mario games. It’s a great one to kick back with and play in short or long sessions, and really the only thing holding it back in any way is that the source material naturally limits the depth and nuance of the story that the game can tell beyond the fairly standard “big bad villain wants to ruin everything” structure. And that’s okay; this is a Mario game after all, a franchise built on big bads wanting to ruin everything over and over again. We don’t come to Mario games for the story (usually), we’re here for the cute, whimsical setting and characters and the highly polished gameplay. Sparks of Hope is a fantastic follow up to the original Mario + Rabbids that meets or exceeds it in every way, and once again it is a title that we are lucky to have the opportunity to play.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is kind of the ideal video game sequel. Ubisoft has refined all of the best elements of the first game in ways that feel fun and satisfying while delivering new elements that make it stand on its own. The story is better, the graphics are smoother, and there are way more elements of the Mario franchise present this time. Most importantly, the combat is engaging and actually made me want to keep picking battles with opponents on the map. It's hard to believe that Ubisoft has managed to create such an endearing spin-off series, but I truly hope that there are plans beyond this game and its forthcoming DLC.
I have no doubt that compared to Kingdom Battle, Sparks of Hope is in almost everything a superior game. The greater weight of real-time action produces more stimulating situations, with more fun, faster and combination-packed combat. Sometimes battles take place in large spaces, filled with enemies, so strategy and better combinations are indispensable. But in combat it is surely a forward, keeping the system in turn. Then there is a whole set of main, secondary missions and a lot of exploration in the intricate worlds, with outdoor and inland areas that invite you to visit. An iconic and humorous journey in this crossover of diametrically opposed characters though united in a single goal, defeat Cursa and save the galaxy.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is the perfect evolution of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
Review in Greek | Read full review
While the first title was also satisfactory, the evolution of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks Of Hope is even more enjoyable. Strategic depth, world expansion, and hidden elements are all brilliantly implemented in the game. Ubisoft's attempt to depict Nintendo's unique humor was also plausible. This game can be considered as one of the best in many turn-based tactics games out there for Nintendo Switch.
Review in Korean | Read full review