Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Admittedly, I was skeptical when Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was released. I didn’t think the crude humor of the Rabbids would pair well with the clean-cu

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a can't miss sequel for the Switch, adding refinement and shine to an already stellar property.

The marrying of Mario and Rabbids may still feel like a strange choice, even five years on from the first game, but Ubisoft and Nintendo have once again proved just how well this mash-up can work. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope does the impossible by making the oft-impenetrable tactical combat genre approachable – and a heck of a lot of fun. Combine that with gorgeous, colourful visuals and fun platforming and exploration, and you’ve got one of the Switch’s best games.

Overall, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope feels like a massive improvement over the first game, evolving in nearly every way. The characters and worlds stand out the most, but the combat is still a lot of fun for those who enjoyed the first game. There’s almost enough charm to keep players going through the hours and hours of side missions and extra content.

After a few moments with this game, it is easy to see that the world, story, and gameplay were improved in every way from its predecessor. The exploration is more fleshed out, the characters are more engaging, and the battle system is more strategic and challenging than ever before.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope improves on Kingdom Battle, but drags things out far too long near the end. Fans of the original - or tactical combat games in general - should still check it out.

“Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope makes excellent tweaks to Kingdom Battle's winning formula, especially when it comes to its more creative tactics.”

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is an exciting step forward for the series that continues to surprise with its increasingly deep combat, gratifying exploration and joyful presentation. Ubisoft has embraced freedom in all senses of the word for this sequel, whether its additional real-time elements during combat, the ability to switch out and upgrade heroes and Sparks at will for endless combinations, or the oodles of optional content that's crammed into every planet. The predictable and occasionally long-winded story along with late game encounters that severely punish players for mistakes or m...

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a challenging turn-based strategy game, with an affable cast of characters and a strong sense of humor. The game's bizarre premise pairs Mario and friends along with their Raving Rabbid counterparts, then sends them off on an intergalactic adventure. While exploration can be tedious and combat could be a little more precise, Sparks of Hope is generally an excellent execution of an agreeably strange idea.

Ubisoft and Nintendo join forces once again to surprise us all with the most unlikely – and lovely – Nintendo Switch team-up.

Sparks of Hope is a strong sequel that isn't afraid to reinvent the tactical foundation laid by the first Mario + Rabbids game.

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