Product Info

Platform

Switch

Publisher

Ubisoft

Developer

Ubisoft

Series

Mario + Rabbids

Genre

Strategy/Tactics

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

5.7 GB

Release Date (NA)

Oct 20, 2022

Purchase From

Amazon

Best Buy

eShop

The Mario team and the Rabbids return in a new, out-of-this-world adventure, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. The new turn-based strategy game is addictive and considered one of the best games of 2022.

Rabbids + Heroes

Following the events of its predecessor, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Mario, Luigi, and Peach look to unwind along with their fellow Rabbid comrades who are dressed up as Nintendo’s mascots. Unfortunately, things won’t stay quiet long enough. Evil has begun to plague the galaxy and has reached Mario and company. Cursa, said evil force, is capturing Sparks—powerful creatures formed by the fusion of Lumas and Rabbids. In order to stop Cursa, the heroes must travel to different worlds and save them. Don’t worry about events getting too serious, though. The Rabbids add their own slapstick humor to keep the atmosphere light. As a result, it’s a kooky story that keeps players entertained from beginning to end.

Those who’ve played or at least know about Super Mario Galaxy will recognize the star-like Lumas as well as the Rosalina-inspired Rabbid who dresses up as her (aka Rabbid Rosalina). Like the first game, there’s a Rabbid on your team who wears attire like each of the Super Mario heroes: Mario, Luigi, and Peach. However, their personalities are quite different from their counterparts and quite comical. For example, whereas Peach is quiet and collected, Rabbid Peach acts like a teeanger who enjoys using her cell phone to take selfies. Not every Rabbid is a goofball, though. The game introduces a new Rabbid named Edge who has a mysterious vibe, a rebel attitude, and a sword. Oh, and by the way, Bowser, Mario’s antagonist, will make his appearance and join you in battle as well.

Play + Power

Each character on your team has a unique weapon that does a solid amount of damage. Mario’s double-gun can unleash two attacks at once. Rabbid Peach can launch missiles from afar. Edge can throw her sword like a boomerang. Rabbid Mario can punch enemies with its enormous gloves. Moreover, each one has their own special ability that can be used every few turns. For example, Rabbid Peach can heal your team within a set distance and Mario can set up a single trap to automatically shoot an enemy when they move in range. Knowing their skills and abilities, you can create a team that can wipe the floor with your foes.

You can also equip up to two Sparks per hero once you reach a certain point of the game. Each Spark, like the heroes, has abilities specific to them. Your first Spark, Starburst, can increase damage toward enemies for a turn and reduce physical damage by a certain percentage. Pyrostar can add fire-based attacks to your hero’s attack, a great asset to help take out enemies who are weak against fire. Similarly, Aquadash adds a water-based attack when dashing your opponent(s).

Finally, each hero has two Action Points to use per turn. These Action Points are for attacking, using a Spark ability, or using items such as healing. Movement and jumping on top of your companion do not count as Action Points, since they help maneuver your character around the board. Once each character uses all their Action Points or the player wishes to proceed without using all of them, the opposing team’s turn starts. The game mechanics are easy enough to learn and for everyone to master. You’ll have a blast.

Battle + Foes

The turn-based strategy gameplay pits players on a battlefield against a set of foes, and each course has a set goal to win: defeat “x” number of enemies, reach the end of the battlefield, survive “x” number of turns, or defeat a certain enemy. Whatever the terms of victory are, be sure to select the right team of three to play. Some battles will even let you have four heroes on the board. You’ll take alternating turns with the opposing side. Avoid enemy hits and move your way around the board as you pursue the goal. The game is over when all heroes’ health points (HP) are zero. 

The battlefield has various layouts. Each one features obstacles which can be hidden behind to prevent a character from being hit by enemy attacks. However, those safety pieces can be destroyed if they are hit enough times by the enemy or by you. Fight, hide, win, repeat. While it may seem that every battle looks and feels the same, Sparks of Hope adds enough variations to where you can’t use the exact same movements and attacks to win each board. While most can be completed in ten minutes, some will take more time. Such fights can be a real drag. Beware especially of the back-to-back battles where you’re in for a long ride. This happens more against bosses, though. Good luck!

Most of the time, you’ll enter combat against various types of Rabbid foes who wear different types of hoodies. For example, one will wear a red-colored hood and shoot fire-type attacks. Another will wear a seahorse-style hoodie and use water-based attacks. And just like your team, these enemies can attack from afar. Some have powerful attacks but their range is short, such as the heavy-set Rabbids that carry Super Mario Thwomps like backpacks. You’ll go up against other Super Mario series foes as well, such as Goombas and Bob-ombs. Finally, you’ll encounter a third type of enemy that are neither Rabbids nor from the Super Mario series. These baddies, like the hooded Rabbids, come in various colors but have different attacks like ice, lightning, etc. Overall, there isn’t a ton of variation among enemies, instead using colors and clothing to differentiate from each type in the majority of your battles. Still, don’t let them get the upper hand.

The game doesn’t do all it can to help you in that department, though. When the turn switches to the opposing team, the game’s camera doesn’t refocus on active enemies. At times, the camera feels like it’s stuck in place, leaving players to watch silhouettes of enemies moving behind obstacles. If the game could move the camera to show the enemy and then shift back to where it was before the turn was done, that would make it easier to follow the battle as it unfolds.

Grow + Learn

You’ll gain experience points by winning a battle or by completing a quest. Earn enough points and your entire team levels up and earns Skill Prisms. Skill Prisms are used to unlock skills in the game’s skill tree. The skill tree can unlock additional damage percentages, increase movement, increase HP, and more. Don’t worry too much about misusing your points. Even if you place your points to learn new skills, the game does let you remove them to try something else. Feel free to experiment and find what works for you.

Sparks can also increase their levels and grow their powers. To do so, you have to feed them Star Bits. Those who remember Super Mario Galaxy will recognize the colorful stars that can be found anywhere, from shaking trees to defeating enemies. However, Sparks can only go up to a certain level until your team reaches a specific level number. For example, for your Spark to reach level 5, your heroes have to reach level 21. It’ll take some time to unlock those caps. The higher the level, the more Star Bits you’ll need to feed your powerful Spark. Better start collecting: the game offers a large number of Sparks who can join your team.

Quests + More Quests

Outside the game’s story, Sparks of Hope offers a lot of quests for each world you visit. Once you beat the boss in the world you’re on, the game offers more tasks to complete. While they’re not necessary to do, they do help players gain experience points, coins, and new Sparks to add to the roster. Some battles become easier and can be beaten quickly once your team’s level is high enough. Players can easily sink many additional hours into a world before venturing to the next one. Even if you do move on, you can always return in order to get stronger, giving you the choice on how to play.

Thankfully, not all the additional quests are the same. While there are Cursa’s tentacles still lurking around to be removed, you’ll be asked to do simpler things such as defeat three Bob-ombs or find three penguins that are hiding. It adds some variety to the gameplay.

Colorful + Elegant

The world of Sparks of Hope is a colorful one. It’s no surprise that the Mushroom Kingdom looks lively and colorful, but each world has its own unique palette, too. Palette Prime uses autumn-like colors, while Pristine Peaks is mostly white due to its snow-covered lands. Still, the colors pop throughout. Even the game’s villain, Cursa, looks vibrant with its mix of black and magenta. Heroes also shine with their vibrant animations when initiating a skill. The design and animation teams have done a superb job with this game!

The game’s soundtrack doesn’t hold back either. Between Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts, Live A Live, Super Mario RPG), Grant Kirkhope (GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark) and Gareth Coker (Ori and the Blind Forest, ARK: Survival Evolved, Halo Infinite), you have a solid soundtrack right there. With 52 record tracks, each with a unique score ranging from whimsical and upbeat to techno, it’s a solid soundtrack for a solid strategy game.

Final + End

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a fantastic strategy game with a great roster of heroes, an impressive soundtrack, lovely animation, humor, and more. In other words, having Mario and the Rabbids come together (again!) is a delight for newcomers and veteran gamers alike. Let’s-a go to battle!

A Nintendo Switch review code provided for this review and gameplay footage.