The sequel to 2017’s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, is nearly here—and early reviews are very positive.
The most common criticism from Australian outlets so far is that some of the Rabbids’ voice acting can grate (hardly shocking if you’ve played a Rabbids game before). Otherwise, this reads like a bigger, better, and more approachable take on the 2017 formula. If you bounced off Kingdom Battle’s difficulty curve, Sparks of Hope sounds far more accessible.
Here’s what Australian outlets are saying about Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope:
Checkpoint Gaming — 8/10 (Charlie Kelly)
“Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is probably the most approachable tactics game ever. Featuring new map navigation, dozens of abilities to tool around with and a diverse fantastical cast, it makes for an even more readable experience… Yes, even when the Rabbids can be just that little bit annoying, they’re as equally charming when meshed with the Nintendo cast.”
GamesHub — 5/5 (Leah J. Williams)
“Sparks of Hope has a real sense of twinkling charm — one that could pull a smile from even the most hardened heart… You can walk away from Sparks of Hope wonderfully satisfied, but you’ll never really leave it behind.”
Maxi-Geek — 9/10 (Luke Henderson)
“Taking the game off the fixed track, and letting players explore multiple locations as much as they desire, really changes the flow of the experience… If you were a fan of the first, you will surely enjoy this one, and while those who didn’t gel with attempt one will find a more welcoming entry into the tactical genre.”
Player2 — B+ (Jess Zammit)
“It’ll go down well with those looking to dip their toe into the strategy genre, or who are introducing their kids to those games for the first time… I had a lot of fun with it, and plan to spend more time wandering around the overworlds finishing side quests even though the main story is done.”
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Press Start — 9/10 (Harry Kalogirou)
“Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is another resounding success… a clear and confident showcase that there’s so much untapped potential within this genre… You owe it to yourself to play if you own a Switch, or are a fan of strategy games.”
Stevivor — 8.5/10 (Will Kostakis)
“When Sparks of Hope footage first premiered, the internet was adamant it couldn’t be for the Switch… there’s still no Switch Pro, but it feels like a next-gen take on the original game, expanding on what worked to great effect.”
Vooks — 4.5/5 (Daniel Vuckovic)
“Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is Kingdom Battle but all grown up… You don’t have to be a big strategy nerd to enjoy it, thanks to difficulty and accessibility options. It has a lot of heart, is funny and fun to play.”
WellPlayed — 9/10 (Jordan Garcia)
“It captures the charm and love of Nintendo’s Mario games with the mature design elements of a tactics strategy game… One of the better experiences I’ve had on the Switch in a while.”
Are you planning to pick it up on Friday? Let me know in the comments below.
