Orbitals on Switch 2: Derivative Co-op That Still Shines Handheld

Orbitals is the kind of game that makes you want to call a friend and clear your schedule. Shapefarm’s two-player co-op adventure borrows heavily from Hazelight’s playbook — It Takes Two and Split Fiction — and wraps it in a ’90s anime aesthetic that’s genuinely stunning. But as Kotaku’s review points out, this Switch 2 exclusive runs out of ideas long before the credits roll. For handheld players, that raises a bigger question: does it earn a spot in your case when the TV is free?

We’ve been watching Orbitals since its reveal, largely because co-op games like Big Walk are the easiest sell on a portable. The ability to hand a Joy-Con to a friend on a train or set the console on a café table is a different energy than couch co-op. Kotaku’s eight hours with the game gives us a clear picture of that experience — and it’s not all bad news.

A Visual Feast, Even on a Handheld Screen

Orbitals’ greatest strength is its presentation, and that’s doubly true on a smaller display. The ’90s anime look — think Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop screencaps on a CRT — relies on bold color grading and high contrast, which translate beautifully to a portable screen. The fact that Studio Massket’s animated cinematics blend almost seamlessly with the in-game world means you’re getting a consistent art direction that doesn’t get muddy during late-night tabletop sessions. For players who care about how a game looks in their hands, Orbitals delivers a visual punch that few co-op titles on Switch 2 can match.

Repetition Makes Portable Sessions Feel Like Chores

Kotaku’s biggest criticism — that Orbitals runs out of ideas — hits harder when you’re playing on the go. In short bursts, you don’t have the momentum of a three-hour couch marathon to carry you through the repetitive hook-and-hose puzzles. When every new station feels like a remix of the last one, the urge to put the Switch 2 down and pick up something else grows. The standout setpieces, like the boss fight where the ship’s systems fail, are memorable precisely because they break the routine. Those are the moments that make portable co-op magic — and there aren’t enough of them to sustain the journey.

Co-op on the Go: The Real Test

The ship-based segments are a natural fit for Switch 2’s social play. Splitting controls between pilot and gunner works seamlessly with two Joy-Cons, and the lack of complex mechanics means you can jump in without a lengthy tutorial. That’s exactly what you want in a portable co-op title — the same bet Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 makes for Switch 2. But the review’s note that the game ‘slow jogs’ to the finish suggests the pacing might frustrate duos who only have an hour to play. If you’re planning to run through this with a partner, set aside dedicated sessions rather than expecting to knock out a chapter during a commute. Orbitals is best enjoyed when you can give it your full attention — and that’s a portable tradeoff many Switch 2 owners will need to weigh.