Orbitals Is An Antidote For Hazelight’s Miserable Characters
Orbitals, a co-op platformer launching as a Switch 2 exclusive by developer Shapefarm, stands out with a notable strength: the two main characters, Maki and Omura, actually seem to enjoy each other’s company. This distinction comes as a refreshing contrast to Hazelight Studios’ popular co-op titles, including A Way Out, It Takes Two, and Split Fiction. While those games centered on relationships between characters, they apparently suffered from unconvincing character dynamics—the protagonists in Hazelight’s games didn’t seem to genuinely care for one another.
The 3D platformer from Shapefarm addresses this storytelling weakness head-on. Rather than forcing characters into conflict or tension-driven narratives, Orbitals prioritizes authentic chemistry between its co-op partners. This approach fundamentally changes how the gameplay experience feels, making the cooperative elements feel more natural and engaging.
The comparison highlights an important aspect of co-op game design: the quality of character relationships directly impacts player enjoyment. Hazelight Studios, despite critical success with franchises like It Takes Two, may have overlooked this crucial element in favor of dramatic narratives focused on conflict. Orbitals represents an alternative design philosophy in the co-op platformer space, offering players genuine character connection alongside cooperative gameplay.