Orbitals Hands-On: A Cosmic Anime Co-op Adventure

If you've been waiting for a game that captures the aesthetic of classic anime like Cowboy Bebop or Dragon Ball, Orbitals might be your next obsession. After going hands-on with the opening 50 minutes of the game, I can confidently say that developer Shapefarm has nailed the visual and tonal vibe perfectly. It feels like a love letter to the Saturday morning cartoons of my childhood, and if this opening demo is any indication, it is easily one of the most exciting co-op titles coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 this year.

Gameplay and Co-op Dynamics

Orbitals places you and a partner in the roles of space explorers Maki and Omura. Your mission is simple: save your home station from a cosmic storm. In practice, this means navigating a series of space stations filled with collaborative puzzles. Unlike some co-op games that force specific roles on players, Orbitals allows you to choose your abilities. During my session, my partner and I were constantly swapping tools—like an electric bolt for powering machinery or a gust-based fan—to keep the gameplay from feeling stale. The puzzles are well-designed, offering enough of a challenge to require communication without leading to frustration.

The space flight segments also stand out. While one player takes the helm to navigate, the other handles the ship's weaponry. It’s a classic, effective dynamic that feels reminiscent of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker on the Millennium Falcon. A welcome quality-of-life feature is the ability for the gunner to leave their station and move about the ship, ensuring that the "transit" periods between combat and puzzles don't become boring for the person not currently steering.

Style Meets Substance

The commitment to the anime aesthetic is total. The game runs at 24fps—with background details at 12fps—to mimic the frame rate of traditional hand-drawn animation. Character designs are vibrant and memorable, and the animations, such as the iconic 'Naruto' run, feel authentic to the genre. Even the audio, though slightly drowned out by the excitement in our demo room, promises a great '80s-inspired synth and drum-line soundtrack.

With a September 3 release date looming, Orbitals is positioning itself as a must-play for anyone looking for a high-quality co-op experience. It manages to balance satisfying, evolving puzzles with a visual style that feels genuinely special.