REVIEW | Orbitals

Orbitals is a stylish two-player puzzle adventure with a distinctive retro-futuristic look inspired by 1980s anime. The trailer immediately caught my attention with its glowing visuals, upbeat music, and unmistakable Japanese anime feel, and I was eager to dive in and see how that energy would translate into gameplay. For this review, I played with Aaron as my co-op partner. You play as Maki and Omura, two inexperienced explorers who find themselves on a desperate mission to save their home. Their station has become trapped within a mysterious cosmic storm, forcing the duo to venture out into deep space in search of vital technology and help to save their people.

Working together is at the heart of the experience. Orbitals is built exclusively for two players, with the two characters taking on different roles as you work your way through its puzzles and challenges. You can’t play solo, so communication and coordination become essential as you learn how to make the most of the tools at your disposal and rely on each other to progress.

You can play locally using split-screen or team up online. Best of all, Nintendo’s new GameShare feature and the standalone Friend Pass mean only one player needs to own the game for two of you to jump into the co-op adventure.

Now let’s get into the review.

Things I liked!

• Art Style | Orbitals has a striking visual identity that leans fully into its retro‑futuristic inspirations. The world is built from bold colours, clean shapes, and glowing neon accents that feel straight out of 1980s-1990s anime aesthetic. I was genuinely surprised by the sheer amount of detail packed into every environment, from the swirling cosmic storms outside the station to the intricate machinery and soft lighting inside its corridors.
  
  Character designs follow the same philosophy. Maki and Omura look like they’ve stepped out of a classic space adventure, with expressive animations and outfits that blend practicality with style. The environments around them are just as memorable, shifting between quiet, atmospheric interiors and wide-open stretches of space filled with vibrant colour and motion.
  
  Me and Aaron were constantly pointing things out to each other as we played, and we ended up laughing at some of the unexpected little animations the game throws at you when things go wrong. It gives the whole adventure a playful charm that fits perfectly with its retro-anime style.
  
  It all comes together to create a world that feels nostalgic and modern at the same time. The art direction supports the cooperative nature of the game too, with clear visual cues that help you and your partner understand puzzles, spot interactive elements, and stay oriented during more complex sequences.

• Audio |  The moment Orbitals began, the music hit me straight away. It’s exactly the kind of upbeat, synth‑driven sound you’d expect from an anime, setting the tone perfectly with calm anticipation and a sense of adventure. The soundtrack wraps around the visuals beautifully, giving every scene energy and emotion without ever overpowering the action.
  
  I played with the default language, which was English‑speaking, and was genuinely impressed by how natural the performances felt. Maki and Omura often talk between themselves as you explore, and those conversations really help with immersion. Their delivery feels warm and believable, adding personality to quiet moments and emotion to the bigger ones.
  
  Every hum, crackle, and pulse feels deliberate. The mix keeps things crisp and clear, so even in the chaos of co‑op puzzles, you never lose that sense of connection. The audio quietly guides you through teamwork moments, rewarding you with subtle cues when things click into place.
  
  It all comes together to create audio that feels nostalgic yet fresh. The music and voice acting linger long after the credits roll, leaving a satisfying calm that only a great space adventure can.
  
  
• Gameplay | I had fun playing Orbitals. I usually stick to single‑player games these days, but after teaming up with Aaron for BOKURA last month, jumping into another co‑op adventure together felt completely right. From the opening chapter, Orbitals makes teamwork feel natural and rewarding.
  
  The puzzles are enjoyable, with both players needing to communicate and coordinate to progress. A few moments demand precise timing, but the forgiving checkpoint system and unlimited lives keep things relaxed. Some puzzle ideas repeat, yet they stay engaging thanks to small twists and changing contexts.
  
  Orbitals is a fairly linear experience. When piloting your co-op ship, movement is limited to forward, back, left, and right, keeping exploration focused. Early missions include waypoints to guide you, but these disappear later on, which can leave you wondering where to go next. With a little exploration, though, we were always able to find the way forward.
  
  Between missions, you return to your home base ship to pick up or swap gadgets for the next outing. The Scrap Hook, Liquid Cleaner, Beam Cannon, and more each offer different ways to interact with the world, and the game even notifies you which gadget you’ll need. Taking turns with different tools keeps things fresh and gives every mission a slightly new rhythm.
  
  
• Co-op | Co‑op is one of Orbitals strongest features, with both players having distinct tools and roles that encourage teamwork. You’ll be solving environmental puzzles, reflecting lasers, manipulating objects with the Scrap Hook, and using the Liquid Launcher to clear paths. Some sections even put one player in control of the ship while the other handles the guns. The game does a great job of keeping both players involved rather than letting one simply follow along.
  
  I was especially glad to have Aaron with me, as he’s quick at figuring out some of the trickier puzzles. There’s plenty of communication involved, whether we were working out where to aim, what needed activating, or when to make a move. That moment when everything finally clicks into place together is what makes the co‑op so satisfying. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it works beautifully for the kind of cooperative adventure Orbitals aims to deliver.
  
  
• Story | Although Orbitals starts with a simple premise, I really enjoyed how the story quietly evolves as you play. Maki and Omura’s conversations add a lot of charm, giving missions a sense of personality without ever slowing the pace. The narrative doesn’t try to be big or dramatic, but it does a great job of making you feel connected to the world and the journey you’re on. I especially liked how each new area reveals a little more about the situation they’re facing, making the adventure feel more meaningful the further you go.
  
  
• Mini-Games | Me and Aaron also spent some time with the mini‑games you unlock as you progress through the campaign. Back at the Home Ship, these side activities offered a nice change of pace from the main missions and gave us a moment to switch gears between the more involved puzzles and general gameplay. One example is a simple arena challenge where lasers rotate around you and gradually speed up, and all you need to do is time your jumps. Each new mini‑game adds a bit of variety and personality, and it’s a small addition that helps break up the regular gameplay in a satisfying way.

Mixed & disliked!

• Camera | My only real complaint is the camera, and even then, it’s a minor one since it works well for most of the game. It was mainly in more enclosed areas where I found it a little awkward. For example, when guiding a moving platform through a narrow entrance, the camera sometimes made it harder to see what you were doing, making those sections feel trickier than they needed to be. Thankfully, these moments were rare and didn’t have a major impact on my overall enjoyment.

• Length and Value | Orbitals is a fairly short adventure, with most players finishing in around seven hours. It’s designed entirely for two‑player co‑op, and the fact that only one player needs to own a copy makes its asking price feel more reasonable. The experience is tightly paced and focused, with every mission feeling purposeful and the game rarely overstaying its welcome.

• How long did I play the review before publishing? 8 Hours
• How long to beat the story? 7 Hours
• How long to get 100%? | 10+ Hours
• You’ll love this game if you like these | It Takes Two and Split Fiction

Score: 85/100

A co‑op gem wrapped in stunning anime‑style visuals.

Orbitals is packed with personality, clever ideas, and a beautifully crafted Japanese anime‑inspired visual style that gives every moment a vibrant, expressive charm. Its co‑op focus, evolving story, and heartfelt presentation make it an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a meaningful shared adventure.