
Based on the amount of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope content that we have seen over the past few months, we were concerned that a certain level of fatigue would be bound to set in before the game's October 20th release date. Now, the big day is finally here and the reviews are out for the world to see. So, was the incessant publicity worth it? Welcome to our latest round up!
We couldn't just leap into what other critics are saying without first giving our thoughts though, right? Despite some issues with the game's ease, we were overall really rather impressed with Sparks of Hope, giving it an 8/10 in our review in which we described the game as 'a must-play for Mario and strategy game enthusiasts alike'.
- Read more: Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review
But don't just take our word for it, here's what other outlets had to say on Mario's latest gun-wielding outing:
We will begin with the positive words from Eurogamer. While the site does not afford a specific numerical value to what the game is worth on the likability scale, the review praises the title's ingenuity and development from the original game:
The roster of characters is colourful and quirky, encouraging experimentation, and alongside equipping items and sparks, each character has a handful of skill trees to plug points into as they level. (Characters also auto-level off the battlefield.) Throw in bosses, inventive victory conditions, deep cuts from Mario universe and clever battlefield design and you've got something pretty special.
IGN does provide a numerical value in its review, and that value is praiseworthy indeed - 9/10 to be precise - with the game's loading screens being its only major drawback:
Between fights you get to catch your breath in the large and brilliantly colorful open worlds, solving its light puzzles and being puzzled yourself by its oddball story. It’s extremely gratifying to play an ambitious sequel that fixes all of the main issues I had with the original, and then some.
GamesRadar+ continued this gushing positivity in a 4.5/5 star review, praising the game's strategic depth and links to the mainline Mario games:
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope captures everything that made the original so special, all while delivering a more complex and complete experience. It offers a new level of strategic depth, with world-building that makes it more of a Super Mario game than you might expect.
Dexerto echoed our own views in its 8.5/10 review, in which it praised the game's entertainment value but would have liked more of a challenge:
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope builds upon its predecessor in surprising and delightful ways to create a tactical RPG that stands among the best in the genre. While it may lack the challenge of some of its contemporaries, it’s a fun adventure that, despite still feeling like a fever dream cooked up by a child’s imagination, is one of the finest titles of 2022.
NME was similarly positive in its 4/5 review, describing the game as 'one of the Switch’s best offerings':
Ubisoft has a sublime grasp on Nintendo’s platforming charm, and blended with Rabbids’ more absurdist humour, Sparks Of Hope can turn even the most die-hard speed-runner into a completionist tourist, scouring each level in search of the next gag or side-quest.
Finally, The Guardian was slightly less glowing in its 3/5 review, in which it appreciated the game's tactics, but felt that the Nintendo-ness was its ultimate downfall:
Running into those iconic gold coins, you’re instantly rewarded with the telltale Mario sound effects – but the joy’s missing. Movement is sluggish. Mario can’t jump. The thrill of leaping into a coin is instead replaced by a hollow-feeling, Nintendo branded collect-a-thon.
Will you be picking up Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope soon? Let is know in the comments below?
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Comments 28
It will be on sale, and on sale every time there is a sale soon enough.
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I am not great at strategy games, so being on the easier side is good news.
@Koffyman The first one was a quality game with more attention put into it than Nintendo manages often. Not all that's Nintendo is gold, and not all that's Ubisoft is poop.
Thursday, here we come!
I will pick the game later, not day one.
I still have hype to build my PS3, PS4 and PS5 games library.
I have the Gold Edition purchased and payed for ready for Thursday. I see the usual dose of negativity from the same individual yet again, no name given.
@Koffyman i felt that way about the first one until i played it and was pleasantly surprised.. they definitely love mario and I'd say its less of a cash grab than any of new super mario bros games which were garbage
It’s Ubisoft so it will be in every half price sale in 3 months and then 80% off in every sale for the rest of its life.
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Already pre-ordered and patiently waiting for Thursday when I can begin my Mario Christmas gaming with this gem! Yeh I know it's early, but what a way to kick off my season Will resist the DLC (season pass) for now until it is discounted in the not too distant future.
Yeah I read a few of the reviews, overall sounds great to me. I pre-ordered the gold edition, but only recently. (Still before the reviews). They said they'd deliver it for Friday 21st October, will play it whenever it comes.
Another awesome game!
PS thought I would get in there early with 'What are you playing this weekend?'......... duh, this game of course! oh... and if I can find time, Super Star Wars on the WII VC.
Koffyman wrote:
Then go play them? No one is telling you otherwise, are you not familiar with the concept of spinoffs?
@GuyProsciutto no need to call someone dumb for having a different opinion.
You could argue that Nintendo planned it this way release wise. But it’s better than most of their own in house offerings of late, when they decide to release some and it’s not a remaster either.
Well done Ubisoft, you not had much credit of late but deserve some this time.
And whilst I’m on the wagon, come on Nintendo nearly 6 years old is Switch and only one new Mario platform game from your in house studios, Mario Odyssey. It’s about time, you making god knows how much money etc.
I hope the Lego, theme park and movie industry not dragging your focus to much.
Another good game for Switch in what has become a very good year for the system.
Was there any doubt? Games involving Mario are always great! You never have to wait for reviews.
It seems like the guardian wanted another Mario Odyssey.
Loved the first one. Glad to see some good reviews for the second. Looking forward to playing it!
Let's goooo. I knew my pre-order wasn't pointless
@Anti-Matter I’m still building my ps2 and ps3 libraries. Too many good games out there
I still haven't finished the first one... 😅
@iLikeUrAttitude Lol he deleted his comment 😆
@ZapNCrap LOL you're right he did 😂
I'm glad I quoted him so people could see the context, thanks for point it out!
That Guardian review is hilarious... did they think it was a Mario game?! Not being able to jump into a coin as a criticism is a new one.
It does sum this game up for me though. It's actually a relatively niche genre disguised as a mainstream blockbuster. That Guardian reviewer won't be alone in expecting one thing and getting something entirely different.
Glad to see the game has scored well anyway. I've already decided to skip it as the first game did not leave me wanting more!
Mario is great, Rabbids are great, the first game was great, this will be great too. Anyone who thought this would flop should immediately leave gaming behind because they are out of the loop.
** Again, don't tag me. I don't read it. I have an additional notification from my last post which shows someone on here cannot read or can but is unable to decipher a simple request. Be ignorant on your own time **
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