Orbitals Review – An Anime-Inspired Co-Op Adventure
Few games commit to their visual identity quite as confidently as Orbitals. Developed by Tokyo-based Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive, this Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive combines two-player co-operative gameplay with a striking retro anime aesthetic.
Released on the 3rd of September 2026, Orbitals follows young adventurers Maki and Omura as they journey through space together. Their mission takes them beyond the dangerous Storm Wall as they attempt to protect their home and the people who depend on them.
However, this is not an adventure designed to be tackled alone. Orbitals is built entirely around two-player co-op, placing communication and teamwork at the centre of almost everything you do.
Our Orbitals review explores whether its beautiful presentation is matched by equally memorable gameplay.
Orbitals Review: A Retro Anime Brought to Life
The first thing you notice about Orbitals is its extraordinary presentation.
Shapefarm has created a world heavily influenced by classic science-fiction anime, particularly the style associated with the 1980s and 1990s. Characters move with deliberately stylised animation, while machinery, environments and cinematic sequences reinforce the feeling that you are playing through an animated television series.
The transition between cinematics and gameplay can be impressively smooth. Consequently, there are moments when Orbitals feels less like an anime-inspired video game and more like an interactive anime itself.
Its soundtrack strengthens that identity further. Energetic music accompanies the colourful visuals, helping establish a sense of adventure from the opening moments.
There is personality everywhere.
From strange creatures to unusual machines, Orbitals continually finds small ways to make its universe interesting.
Co-Op Is at the Heart of Orbitals
Underneath the impressive presentation sits a familiar co-operative formula.
Players control Maki and Omura in split-screen, with both characters required to overcome obstacles and solve environmental puzzles. Fans of games such as It Takes Two and Split Fiction will immediately recognise the approach.
However, Orbitals introduces its own collection of tools.
Players gain access to equipment including the Scrap Hook, Liquid Launcher and Beam Cannon. These gadgets can interact with environments in different ways, encouraging both players to experiment.
One person might manipulate part of the environment while their partner prepares the next step. Elsewhere, players may need to combine abilities or carefully coordinate their movements.
Communication matters.
Thankfully, many puzzles are designed to encourage cooperation without becoming excessively complicated. The solutions are often more about recognising how two abilities work together than solving extremely demanding logic problems.
That accessibility makes Orbitals particularly suitable for couch co-op.
Exploring Space Together
The adventure is not limited to running around space stations.
Maki and Omura also travel aboard their own spaceship, where the cooperative mechanics continue. One player can pilot while the other operates its weapons, forcing both participants to coordinate during certain sequences.
The ship also becomes a hub between adventures.
As players progress, additional distractions and mini-games appear aboard it. These smaller activities provide welcome breaks from the main missions and give players reasons to spend time exploring rather than immediately racing towards the next objective.
There are also plenty of playful details hidden throughout the environments.
Although these additions rarely transform the core gameplay, they give Orbitals a sense of personality that many more linear co-op adventures lack.
Where Orbitals Loses Momentum
Unfortunately, the experience does not always maintain the same momentum.
The story is arguably one of its weaker elements. While the colourful universe creates plenty of intrigue, the narrative itself does not always explore its ideas deeply enough.
Maki and Omura are likeable protagonists, but some character motivations could have benefited from greater development.
Likewise, certain gameplay sequences are stronger than others.
Some puzzles can feel relatively straightforward, particularly when the solution simply requires players to use their respective tools in sequence. Meanwhile, some space combat encounters lack the depth found in the game’s better cooperative challenges.
The mandatory two-player structure could also limit its audience. There is no traditional solo alternative, so anyone interested in the game will need a partner willing to experience the adventure alongside them.
Fortunately, when both players are equally engaged, the cooperative structure becomes one of Orbitals’ greatest strengths.
A Beautiful Co-Op Adventure
Ultimately, Orbitals knows exactly what kind of game it wants to be.
Its puzzles may not completely reinvent cooperative gaming, and its narrative could have delivered more depth. Nevertheless, Shapefarm compensates with personality, creativity and exceptional art direction.
The retro anime presentation is particularly impressive.
More importantly, the visual style is not simply decoration. It gives the entire adventure an identity of its own, helping Orbitals stand apart within an increasingly competitive co-op genre.
Players searching for another adventure after It Takes Two or Split Fiction should find plenty to enjoy here.
Grab a co-op partner, settle in and prepare for a wonderfully strange journey through the stars.
HYPD Score: 7/10
Pros:
- Stunning retro anime-inspired presentation
- Creative cooperative mechanics
- Clever use of gadgets and environmental puzzles
- Plenty of personality and memorable visual details
- Accessible couch co-op gameplay
Cons:
- Story lacks depth in places
- Some puzzles feel overly simple
- Certain space combat sections are less engaging
- Mandatory co-op means there is no true solo experience
Verdict:
Orbitals delivers a charming and visually spectacular two-player adventure that captures the feeling of playing through a classic sci-fi anime. Its story and occasional simpler puzzles prevent it from reaching the very top of the co-op genre, but strong teamwork mechanics and exceptional presentation make it an easy recommendation for Switch 2 players searching for their next shared adventure.
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