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Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, the highly anticipated sequel to Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, returns with its charming blend of turn-based strategy, featuring beloved Mario characters and the zany Rabbids from Ubisoft. This review delves into the game’s strengths and weaknesses, exploring whether it lives up to the high bar set by its predecessor.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

A Galactic Adventure Awaits

The story picks up after the events of Kingdom Battle. Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach are enjoying a peaceful day in the Mushroom Kingdom when strange star-like creatures fused with Rabbids descend from the sky. Shortly after, a colossal entity known as Darkmess attacks, setting the stage for our heroes’ galactic rescue mission.

While the narrative isn’t groundbreaking, it’s charmingly presented. The expressive Rabbids and iconic Mario characters, despite their limited vocabulary, convey a wealth of personality. The plot is easy to follow and suitable for all ages.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Sparks of Hope features five unique planets to explore, each with its own lore and side stories. These planets are visually distinct and offer diverse landscapes. Like Horizon Forbidden West or Prince of Persia 2008, the environments transform after defeating the encroaching Madness, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

The exploration elements are well-crafted, offering a mix of puzzle-solving and platforming challenges. These puzzles are cleverly designed without being overly difficult, encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny. Ubisoft Malin and Ubisoft Paris have struck a good balance, avoiding the overwhelming content overload often seen in other Ubisoft titles.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

The core gameplay remains engaging and strategically deep. Players select a team of three from a roster of nine characters, each with unique abilities and combat roles. Unlike grid-based tactics games like Digimon Survive, Wildermyth, or Triangle Strategy, Sparks of Hope offers free movement within a defined area. This allows for more dynamic positioning and strategic maneuvering.

The new Sparks add another layer of tactical depth. These creatures provide various buffs and abilities, ranging from defensive boosts to powerful attacks like meteor strikes and freezing enemies. Enemy variety also contributes to the challenge. Some can disable player abilities, summon reinforcements, or even drain health to heal themselves. Cover can be destroyed, adding a layer of vulnerability to every encounter.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Objectives vary beyond simple extermination. Some levels require reaching a specific point, eliminating a target, or surviving waves of enemies. The fast-paced combat, coupled with clever level design, ensures that even turn-based battles remain engaging. The combination of refined tactical gameplay, diverse environments, and charming Mario aesthetics makes Sparks of Hope a delightful experience.

Where Sparks Fall Short

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Despite its strengths, Sparks of Hope suffers from some shortcomings. The antagonists are underwhelming and lack memorable presence. They primarily appear in cutscenes, offering little in the way of direct interaction or challenging obstacles. This diminishes the sense of urgency and tension.

Character development is also limited. Aside from Beep-0, JEANIE, and Edge, most characters serve primarily as comedic relief. While their charm is undeniable, they lack meaningful narrative arcs.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Boss battles, a highlight of the previous game, are disappointingly simplistic. Most bosses, with the exception of the final encounter, are surprisingly small and less challenging than their minions. Over-leveled players might find these battles concluding in mere minutes.

Finally, while the exploration is varied, it becomes somewhat predictable in later planets. Despite the well-designed puzzles and open pathways, the lack of significant rewards diminishes the motivation to explore thoroughly.

Conclusion

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope offers a fun and engaging tactical experience with charming characters and vibrant worlds. However, its underdeveloped antagonists, limited character development, and underwhelming boss battles prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite these flaws, Sparks of Hope remains a worthwhile adventure for fans of the genre and the Mario universe.