[REVIEW] Orbitals | Nintendo Switch 2 -

Welcome to EXPlay,(Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores, but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, all whilst including some lengthy gameplay, to give you, the reader, the chance to form your own impressions and views while reading and watching.

In this explanatory review, we’re covering Orbitals by developer Shapefarm:

ORBITALS (Nintendo Switch 2)

Now and again, we will see a rise in the popularity of specific game genres. There are the 8-bit indie darlings like Shovel Knight, Celeste, and Stardew Valley. Then there are block-builder/crafting games like Minecraft and Dragon Quest Builders. Now, there are two-player co-op games like It Takes Two and Split Fiction. In this review, we are looking at the latter, as there is a new two-player co-op game for gamers to team up and play together, and that is Orbitals!

Orbitals is a third-person adventure game developed by Shapefarm Studios and published by Kepler Interactive. It follows dual protagonists Maki and Omura as they embark on an intergalactic adventure to find scarce resources that are necessary to save their home in outer space. The game’s story and visuals take plenty of inspiration from retro Japanese anime, with all the cinematic cutscenes created by Studio Massket and an original soundtrack to boot that is fueled with that sweet 80’s nostalgia. The dialogue is also very “Saturday morning cartoon” with just enough cheesy humour to be amusing without being too excessively cringe.

Let’s discuss gameplay, which, let’s be honest, is what we really need to talk about. In Orbitals, two players must work together to solve environmental puzzles so they can progress to the next area. To do this, each player is armed with a specific tool, and they must use it to activate panels, open up hatches, put out flames, etc. You start the game with three different tools, but more become available as you progress.

You will be informed in the game as to which tools you will need for the task ahead, and you can always swap roles with one another if you prefer to use a different tool for a while. Bear in mind, though, that the tools can only be changed at the ship and at specific areas in the game. Both characters can run, jump, and interact with certain objects in the environment. For all intents and purposes, the only difference between them is their physical appearance and whatever tool they are holding at the time, as you can only hold one type of tool, and you can’t both possess the same tool at the same time.

I must reiterate that Orbitals is not a single-player experience, and anybody hoping it can be played in single-player will be disappointed. Orbitals requires two players to play co-operatively in asymmetrical multiplayer. It features split-screen Local Co-op on a single system, and online co-op with a friend who either has a copy of the game or the free Orbitals Global Friends’ Pass. The latter allows players to play the entirety of the game for free, provided they play with someone else who has the full game.

However, there is also another method of play in the form of GameShare via Game Chat. This is really good, as you can play the game with a friend who may not have the full game or the Friends’ Pass. I played this way with my friend Pete from Rapid Reviews UK and was very surprised with how stable Orbitals was. It was a very smooth experience even though we were both playing in different countries. The best part about GameShare via Game Chat is that you can have impromptu sessions with friends without having to download anything beforehand; you can just send an invite via GameChat and away you go!

Now, Orbitals is not a very long game. A typical playthrough can last about 6 and a half hours or so. If you want to get more out of the game, there are secrets to find and mini-games to play that can help boost the experience up to about 8 or 9 hours. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it doesn’t overstay its welcome, and you can always play it again. You could even change which character you want to play on the next run, or reverse the roles of what tools you use.

As I wrap up this Explain & Play review, I wanted to say that Orbitals has been quite a unique experience for me personally. I have not played It Takes Two or Split Fiction, so Orbitals has been my first real foray into two-player co-op games. I could count Wolfenstein: Youngblood as well, but even though that is two-player co-op, you can play it single-player as well with a CPU player as the other character, so I’m not counting that on a technicality.

Orbitals really is a lot of fun to play. Yes, it is quirky, silly, and a little cringe at times, but in an entertaining sort of way. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and is just a great way to enjoy some quality gaming time with a friend, whichever way you decide to play it. It’s already made me a convert, and I would certainly recommend you play it if you like these kind of games.

Game Specifications:

Developer: Shapefarm
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (eShop)
Category: Third-Person Adventure, Co-op
No. of Players: 2 players (Single System), 2 players (Online)
Release Date: September 3, 2026
Price: $39.99
File Size: 13.4 GB
Nintendo.com Listing