2017’s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle proved opponents wrong by delivering a well-constructed strategy game that successfully combines two very different franchises. Its sequel, Sparks of Hope, must now satisfy fans’ excitement rather than dispel their doubts. Ubisoft Milan accomplishes this feat by going back to the drawing board, re-modeling it, and creating a more streamlined, dynamic experience that maintains strategic depth. The core combat is still strong, but Ubisoft has added the rest of the offerings to create an altogether more engaging package.
Sparks of Hope plays exactly like the last game; You will participate in turn-based tactical battles as a team of Mario icons and their Rabbid doppelgängers. However, the grid-based movement is gone. Instead, you’re free to move your three-member party as you would in a standard third-person game. The game still limits you to your character’s range of motion, but positioning feels more natural and kinetic, expanding your attack flexibility.
An optimal turn using a single hero usually looks like this: I sprint towards enemies and slide on them to deal damage. I then retreat to a nearby ally to perform a team jump that hurls me into the air. I hover to a higher vantage point, activate a hero action such as Peach’s damage reduction shield, and move again. After finding a new cover, I use my main attack to kill other enemies before finally being forced to end my turn. I like how the looser frame allows me to do more action from one turn and combat feels more enjoyable as a result. Sequences of moves, such as hurling a target into range, such as Mario’s auto-attack, add to this satisfaction.
The variety of colorful stages that sometimes incorporate real-time elements puts this freedom to good use. A period of winter with timed gusts of wind blowing players away. I avoid this by simply running through at the right time instead of following a rigid turn order. An enemy explodes when killed, so I quickly run away from its blast radius, again in real time. Sparks of Hope also frequently incorporates its goals to keep the action from getting too stagnant. I enjoy fighting a giant rampaging Wiggler on a moving train or breaking dams with bombs to restore an area’s water flow.
A diverse lineup of enemies and complex arenas mean battles are still a matter of thought, where the position and order of your attacks matters. Sparks of Hope offers enough of a challenge that poor planning can lead to a punitive team wipeout. This time, however, you have the help of Sparks: a hybrid of the Rabbids and Lumas of Super Mario Galaxy. Equipping heroes with these creatures grants many powers and perks, such as adding elemental properties to their attacks (such as fire and ice). Other Sparks disrupt enemy formations by repelling or attracting enemies. One of my favorites temporarily hides a character. The strongest Sparks unleash wide-ranging attacks, such as a flaming meteor shower. Providing bits so that Sparks will upgrade them, allows you to improve the capabilities of your favorites.
Since each hero can carry two Sparks, they feel more flexible as individuals, leading to more comprehensive teams. I like that I can let Rabbid Luigi handle enemies weakened by shock and frost attacks on his own. I appreciate how enemy vulnerabilities force me to constantly switch Sparks and prevent me from sticking to the same payload or smug team.
It’s great for team building that allows any combination of heroes, bypassing Kingdom Battle’s restriction of using only Mario and at least one Rabbid. Since heroes all have inherent specialties – Luigi is a ranged sniper, Rabbid Peach acts as a healer and Rabbid Mario does close range physical damage for example – assembling sensing teams I find it more interesting because I can put things together better. Heroes also have skill trees, which largely improve or enhance existing moves, which you can respawn at any time, giving additional flexibility to the talents they bring to the game. every battle.
Three newcomers join the fight: Bowser, Rabbid Rosalina, and Edge, a mysterious hardened Rabbid. They feel like good additions for the most part. Edge is my favorite, thanks to the high damage she deals by throwing her spinning blade to avoid target lines. Bowser and his Bow-zooka rocket launcher make him a puny tank that can destroy groups and cover terrain. Rabbid Rosalina’s lack of fun is interesting, but I often struggle to find a place for her. She casts debilitating effects to hinder or completely stop enemies in their tracks, but her machine gun-like doll doesn’t feel like it meets a particular need.
Expanded underworld exploration increases engagement beyond the battlefield. Many themed planets, such as tropical beaches or mechanic’s scrap yards, are filled with side quests, puzzles, and secrets. I like that I’m not required to complete quests to progress. You’re free to chart the sizable critical path, and for the most part you’ll still be leveled appropriately. But if you do, you’ll miss out on planet earning (native currency to unlock special keys, weapon skins, etc.), useful combat items like POW blocks, and many other Sparks . Missions include helping a DJ find his missing profile, solving a series of entertaining puzzles for an exploration enthusiast, or catching fish in a timer minigame. These quests aren’t the most profound, and I wish some of the quests were more varied; expect to complete the same “kill X amount of enemy type X” quest on each world. But they are interesting enough and can be comfortably rested after constant battles.
I’m most happy about upgrading my robot companion, Beep-0, with new abilities used to unlock inaccessible areas. Along the way, I get a sonic pulse to break weak walls and move blocks, and a special light that illuminates invisible paths and treasures. These abilities give the world of Sparks of Hope a light Metroid as I frequently revisit destinations to unlock new areas. Solving environmental puzzles is also fun, providing the right challenges without feeling tedious.
A gripping though uninteresting story about stopping cosmic darkness from consuming the galaxy rounds out this exciting pack. Like the best sequels, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope builds on the foundations of Kingdom Battle with clever tweaks and fun additions to make it a better game in every way.
