

It's less contemplative, and feels like a more natural fit for a console controller. Gone are the movement grids, which have been replaced with a fully analogue traversal system. Sparks of Hope radically reworks the first title's combat.

It's all about the gameplay enhancements with this one, which are substantial.

Gameplay is solid, but it comes at a cost: Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope lacks the same level of visual accomplishment as its predecessor. Tech-wise, we're looking at another outing for Ubisoft's Snowdrop game engine, the toolset best-known for powering The Division and its sequel. Now, finally, the sequel is here, promising a substantially expanded scope alongside a reworked, more flexible combat system. It was made by Ubisoft, but had all of the polish you'd expect from a Nintendo first-party title - and arrived just a few months after the Switch debuted. This Switch-exclusive title combined X-COM style tactical gameplay with beautiful graphics and animation. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was a genuine delight when it launched some five years ago.
