Orbitals Reviews
A fantastic cooperative action-adventure game that follows in the footsteps of Hazelight's genre-defining titles, yet carves out its own distinct identity thanks to its artistic direction inspired by Japanese animation and the wonderful sense of freedom it offers in controlling the two characters.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite its gorgeous anime-inspired presentation, Orbitals never quite manages to reach the heights it desperately aims for. There is an undeniable passion stitched throughout each piece of the game, but a lack of difficulty, lackluster narrative, and mediocre area design left me mixed on what I hoped would be a defining game of 2026. Younger players could have a great time with Orbitals, but I struggle to recommend it to anyone looking for anything more than a surface-level experience.
Orbitals is one of those perfect games you finish in an afternoon with the right person. It's not particularily ambitious, but it doesn't need to be; rather, it delivers a great co-op experience that'll take you across the stars in a bid to save a space colony in your trust. Sitting down to play Orbitals will likely serve as a catalyst for your childhood of watching anime on weekends, and its stunning animation is hard to ignore.
I can confidently say that Orbitals is a must-play multiplayer experience on the Nintendo Switch 2, offering charm, polish, and plenty of fun. Creativity and attention to detail shine through in every aspect of the gameplay, and it is hard to ask for anything more from a great game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shapefarm has created something magnificent, if challenging, and it’s a clear invitation to fans the world over. It’s a change, but a wonderful one. As Sadie Williams said, “I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” So let’s venture into this new dark together. It’s unknown, but we have each other, and that means the whole damn universe.
Orbitals isn't interested in being purely an 80s anime tribute; instead, it aims to recreate the feeling of seeing a work of art for the first time and immersing in it, alongside a good friend. It's a multiplayer triumph in visuals and gameplay, but lacks a little in the story.
Orbitals is a split-screen multiplayer game that follows the structure of titles like It Takes Two and Split Fiction. With absurdly striking visuals reminiscent of 1980s anime, fun and accessible gameplay, and a campaign that leaves you wanting more, this is an excellent Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Orbitals is one of the most interesting cooperative experiences available on the Nintendo Switch 2. It doesn’t always match the narrative depth of the games that openly inspired it, but it makes up for it with imaginative puzzles, carefully crafted co-op gameplay, and exceptional art direction. Short but intensely enjoyable, Maki and Omura’s journey proves once again that the best cooperative adventures aren’t necessarily the ones with the hardest puzzles, but those that turn solving them into a shared memory.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Orbitals recaptures the magic of pure cooperative gaming on Nintendo Switch 2. With stunning visuals inspired by 80s anime and addictive gameplay, it is a charming, must-play space journey to share with a partner or friends.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite its late-game stumbles, Orbitals is an utter joy that captures the nostalgia and innocence of classic anime, turning it into an inventive, thoroughly enjoyable co-op adventure. With brilliant puzzles, a gorgeous setting, and lovable protagonists, Shapefarm has delivered a trip down memory lane worth taking. It’s a stacked month of releases, but if you’re a Switch 2 owner, this needs to be in your orbit. (Not proud of that one).
"Orbitals" is another successful co-op adventure in the vein of Hazelight games like "Split Fiction." In terms of gameplay, and especially its appealing retro anime style, it's not a cheap imitation, but rather a game that retains its own unique character while meeting the quality standards of its predecessors.
Review in German | Read full review
Orbitals is a co-op adventure that knows exactly what it wants to be. Shapefarm has created a game that revolves entirely around playing together and has built nearly every mechanic around that concept.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Orbitals' is a game defined by its retro-animation nostalgia and colorful co-op mechanics. The puzzles and platforming are fairly ordinary, but the fun of dividing roles and syncing timing makes up for it. It truly shines when played together with friends in the same room, revealing that the joy comes not from playing well, but from playing together.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Orbitals’ only suffering comes from its own success. It’s such a delight to play through and just exist in this world with Maki and Omura that I wish me and a friend could do it for much longer. However, what is here is a constant delight, extremely fun, and one of the Switch 2’s very best titles.
It's just over six hours of extremely enjoyable co-op, presented like an anime we can control, and accompanied by one of the best soundtracks I've heard recently in a game of this type. It doesn't need to be the new Split Fiction. Being Orbitals already works quite well.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Whether it's the visuals, a puzzle's solution, or bumping into a screaming alien creature, Orbitals is awe-inspiring.
Orbitals took me completely by surprise. It is charming, creative, visually gorgeous, and constantly fun to play with another person. While its story is a little too familiar at times, nearly everything else, from the music and animation to its clever puzzle tools and varied levels, comes together beautifully. If you want a co-op game that captures the feeling of watching a beloved retro anime with a friend while still delivering fresh, satisfying gameplay, Orbitals should absolutely be on your radar.
In short, Orbitals is another must-play for co-op lovers and those looking for a good time with a friend or significant other. While a bit too short in many areas, there’s no denying the charm and fun puzzles deliver on all fronts. It keeps you engaged and emphasizes teamwork, leading to great memories. I hope there’s more in store for Maki and Omura, as I (and Matty) are ready to explore space again at a moment’s notice.
Orbitals is a stunning tribute to 80s anime, wrapped around an asymmetric co-op concept that constantly surprises with creative, character-driven puzzle sequences. The presentation is pitch-perfect down to the film grain, the soundtrack is a genuine earworm, and the humor lands more often than not. A missable-collectibles system and single-save-slot limitation hold it back slightly, but this is nonetheless a co-op essential that easily stands alongside genre heavyweights like It Takes Two and Split Fiction.
Review in German | Read full review
I do wish that plot details in Orbitals were a little more obvious from a storytelling perspective, but the amount of fun you’ll have in this short six-hour sci-fi adventure hardly makes you think about any of that. Orbitals is just a good time to spend with a friend, and that’s all you should really want from it.