Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

 Switch
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Oct 20, 2022
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 242 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 165 out of 242
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 242
  3. Negative: 40 out of 242
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  1. ResetButton
    May 8, 2023
    7
    Update: May 2023:
    Bumped score from 4 to 7/10. There's a charming, well polished game in there. The music/sound, over-world environment design and attention to detail is very good. If you're able to reset your expectations and approach this as if you didn't play KB, you'll enjoy it more. I still stand by my original review, but my gripes aren't getting in the way of my enjoying of the    Update: May 2023:
    Bumped score from 4 to 7/10. There's a charming, well polished game in there. The music/sound, over-world environment design and attention to detail is very good. If you're able to reset your expectations and approach this as if you didn't play KB, you'll enjoy it more. I still stand by my original review, but my gripes aren't getting in the way of my enjoying of the game as much. It's still too easy, so no reply value.

    Downgrades:
    1. There are "real-time" actions like hovering and picking up bombs that are on timers. It loses that aspect of "take as much time as you need" to make the perfect move that make turn-based strategies.
    2. Removing the movement grid makes this feel more vague and sloppy.
    3. Rabbids talk. They're fine as primitive creatures that can speak in broken sentences like previous games. When they speak in coherent sentences and can carry normal conversations, they lose a big part of their charm.
    4. The graphics look Gamecube-era at times. By choosing for full camera-control, the game lost the ability to perfectly frame environments. The world doesn't feel as alive and lush anymore. It looks generic and lacking in detail.
    5. Exploration is gone. Things are marked on the map in typical Ubisoft-fashion. Any sense of discovery is removed.
    6. The battle grounds are shockingly bland. In Kingdom Battle, the battle grounds were built into the world. Here, you run into an enemy and you're taken to a generic battle ground with randomly placed cover.
    7. The actual battles are lifeless and it's not only because of the boring maps and real-time actions. There's no satisfaction in setting up the perfect move and watching in play out.
    8. What happened to the great music from KB?

    Across the board, this is a very disappointing game for anyone who liked KB. They over-thought the game mechanics and crippled themselves by going with free camera movement. On a fundamental level, the game just isn't fun anymore.
    8. WTF happened to the great music from KB?    … Expand
  2. ophone
    Aug 18, 2023
    8
    Still a very good game, but how can the critics' score be higher than the one for the predecessor game.
    OK, you can move more freely in battle now, but the game has been watered down in difficulty. Battles don't even get rated anymore, so it doesn't matter how many turns you need to win a battle or if your whole team survives.
    And who the hell taught the Rabbids intelligible speech?    Still a very good game, but how can the critics' score be higher than the one for the predecessor game.
    OK, you can move more freely in battle now, but the game has been watered down in difficulty. Battles don't even get rated anymore, so it doesn't matter how many turns you need to win a battle or if your whole team survives.
    And who the hell taught the Rabbids intelligible speech? Their charisma takes a hard hit with this.    … Expand
  3. sergioodoardi
    Apr 14, 2023
    8
    Very entertaining game. It's super chilled. It's one of those games that can be used to relax a little bit. I really enjoy it
  4. Linkarinka
    Apr 26, 2023
    8
    Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope es un muy buen RPG táctico. El estilo más libre que te dá en comparación con la anterior entrega es una gran inclusión ya que dá lugar a más estrategias que, en conjunto con las nuevas mecánicas de los Sparks y el apartado gráfico tan bueno que tiene en comparación a otros juegos de la plataforama, hacen de este título un indispensable para los fans delMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope es un muy buen RPG táctico. El estilo más libre que te dá en comparación con la anterior entrega es una gran inclusión ya que dá lugar a más estrategias que, en conjunto con las nuevas mecánicas de los Sparks y el apartado gráfico tan bueno que tiene en comparación a otros juegos de la plataforama, hacen de este título un indispensable para los fans del género que tengan una Nintendo Switch… Expand
  5. Edu_Sousa
    Nov 3, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 47 hours, 93% completed. Best game I've played this year and one of my favorite Mario games of all time. Better in every way than the first game, fluid combat, exploration, beautiful maps, Rabbids with different voices.
    Only one disappointment: we didn't explore the Comet Observatory, we just saw it from afar    … Expand
  6. Mister04
    Jul 16, 2023
    8
    Good game
  7. mister_emu
    Jun 21, 2023
    4
    The original is one of my favorite games of all time, and this sequel is an immense disappointment. The gameplay is repetitive and it lacks the interesting strategy planning the original game had. The level designs are boring. The open world looks ugly. It’s often difficult to find visual cues to tell you where to go. I’d much rather go back to the linear format of the original game.The original is one of my favorite games of all time, and this sequel is an immense disappointment. The gameplay is repetitive and it lacks the interesting strategy planning the original game had. The level designs are boring. The open world looks ugly. It’s often difficult to find visual cues to tell you where to go. I’d much rather go back to the linear format of the original game.

    Also, a weird thing, the one element that could have redeemed this game is the music, but something about how it’s balanced makes it impossible to hear, and the sound effects are far too loud. This is even after going into the menu to rebalance it myself. Why downplay one of the better elements of the game?

    Overall seems like a rushed cash grab. Nothing like its unique, fun predecessor. Glad I got it on sale but I shouldn’t have got it at all.    … Expand
  8. Dan_081
    Nov 7, 2022
    8
    Un juego muy entretenido que mejora en muchos aspectos a su entrega original lo único que si me desagrado fueron sus jefes a diferencia de los de la primera entrega éstos se me hicieron vacíos y sin personalidad
  9. Yoking765
    Sep 6, 2023
    10
    Genial juego, buena música, buena historia, personajes memorables, buenas mecánicas. Ahora voy a por el dlc de rayman, que ganas que le tengo, se ve espectacular.
  10. juanjobmbm
    Apr 2, 2023
    10
    It is just the game of the year. Improved from the original version. New characters, plenty of hours of gameplay and difficult scenarios to enjoy. For $30.00 totally worth it
  11. AAAIPLAIVIDOGAM
    Apr 20, 2023
    9
    This game isnt as good as the first one. Not as challenging and confusing at points. BUT OTHER THAN THAT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE GAME! THE VHARM AND CREATICITY IS ALL IN TACT! This game brings back memories of having so much fun with the original.
  12. Wiktorthecritic
    May 8, 2023
    10
    This game looks perfect!
    Its like a masterpiece that it has many great features,characters and more!
    I will forever remember it in the bottom of my heart!
  13. Lugubra
    May 15, 2023
    8
    Es una secuela muy buena que mejora las mecanicas de kingdom battle, sin embargo tiene cosas que bajaron de calidad, por ejemplo los jefes, no son memorables, incluso no se sienten como "jefes", otra cosa es la casi nula explicación de la historia, solo nos mandan de planeta en planeta, hasta el final nos explican solo un poco la historia, en conclusión, mejora tremendamente algunosEs una secuela muy buena que mejora las mecanicas de kingdom battle, sin embargo tiene cosas que bajaron de calidad, por ejemplo los jefes, no son memorables, incluso no se sienten como "jefes", otra cosa es la casi nula explicación de la historia, solo nos mandan de planeta en planeta, hasta el final nos explican solo un poco la historia, en conclusión, mejora tremendamente algunos aspectos de kingdom battle, pero empeora en otros, eso lo deja casi a la par que el primero… Expand
  14. gietergeit
    May 15, 2023
    8
    it is a good game with no multy player ~
  15. Deppie-Dave807
    May 21, 2023
    8
    + nice graphics
    + Absolutely stunning soundtrack
    + Surprising story
    + Very well realized characters

    - Repetitive sidequests (little boring from time to time)
  16. Vilmola
    May 23, 2023
    9
    Um dos melhores jogos do console, e ótimo jogo tático para iniciantes do gênero, combates, puzzles... Divertido, e viciante.
  17. OrangeRood
    Jun 9, 2023
    7
    The game generally doesn't add a lot. The bossfight i feel is neither challenging nor particularly interesting, some quests are not clear enough for me (possibly bc i'm a moron). But the general Gameplay is good and it's fun figuring out which combination of characters is best.
  18. rowandaking
    Jun 14, 2023
    0
    when i first saw mario and the rabbids i fellt something wet in my panty hoes so i pulled my pants down and i saw a giganto cock fly out from under that wet underwear
  19. TTTE
    Aug 29, 2023
    8
    This was a pretty fun strategy game however it was not very challenging. (it did help that Mario characters were in it I'll be honest.)
  20. arianiLeep
    Jul 1, 2023
    8
    Although it's not as good as the first one which I felt like a casual version of XCOM, it's still enjoyable. Story is fun, more action-like gameplay but still needs pretty deep strategy.
    I think they made a good improvement in graphics too. If you liked the 1st one, I think you won't disappoint much.
  21. drcrappen627
    Aug 7, 2023
    5
    Amazing game it’s too short needs to be longer I wish there were more planets. The tactics make this game all the more fun I will play it a secound time
  22. Borderlinez
    Aug 8, 2023
    10
    Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a fantastic sequel to the original game. It features improved gameplay, a more engaging story, and stunning visuals. It's a must-play for fans of the original game and anyone who enjoys tactical RPGs.
  23. The_Last_Bawa
    Aug 13, 2023
    5
    Well, after a game that i enjoyed for many years, this is the sequel. It is similar to Steep and Riders Republic, but not as bad. This game misses the fine details that made me love Kingdom Battle. I personally prefer the old, more tactical battle system over the new one. Generally, the game feels like it was now more focused on kids and really amplifies these kind of jokes. But, the gameWell, after a game that i enjoyed for many years, this is the sequel. It is similar to Steep and Riders Republic, but not as bad. This game misses the fine details that made me love Kingdom Battle. I personally prefer the old, more tactical battle system over the new one. Generally, the game feels like it was now more focused on kids and really amplifies these kind of jokes. But, the game itself isn’t bad, it has an interesting story and gives some characters some much needed, great new abilities. So, decide for yourself if you want to get this game, i would rather get Kingdom Battle which really feels like the devs put lots of work into it.… Expand
  24. Nintendo_RR
    Aug 22, 2023
    10
    Amazing game.It has a great story,Amazing gameplay and Great graphics.This game is an amazing game even though to find the directions is kind of hard this game is amazing all around and a true upgrade to the previous game.The only thing holding the last game back is the limited character selection and main man always having to be Mario.So that is why this game is amazing.
  25. A_Mario
    Aug 29, 2023
    10
    10/10 the first game was good on its own but this game takes it to the next level new mechanics new weapons and CHARACTERS also the DLC in this game is AWSOME and you should play it well done to the writers as well most funny writing in a Mario Rpg Game
  26. domiq
    Sep 3, 2023
    8
    Probably the best game Unisoft has published in a decade. It contains a great amount of content with innovative and challenging gameplay. All of this is nicely rounded up with great character, world design and animations.
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best Switch Game of 2022
13
#13 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 122 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 122
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 122
  3. Negative: 0 out of 122
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 25, 2024
    80
    Sparks of Hope is an interesting sequel to the first game, and even though it has its flaws, you'll still have a great time and enjoy the vast majority of the tactical battles. [Issue#323]
  2. Het Nieuwsblad
    Jul 31, 2023
    60
    He lands in theaters next year, with a movie of his own. But until then, Super Mario continues to reign supreme on the Nintendo. 'Sparks of hope' is yet another game centered around the world's most famous plumber. Just a shame that the piping shows more wear and tear than in the previous game.
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  3. Movies Games and Tech
    Mar 10, 2023
    95
    From start to finish, this game really has taken me through some amazing missions, entertaining video content, and action-packed gameplay with levels of massive and destructive villains. For the beautiful art which makes up the graphics, well let’s just say there is plenty to gawk at! Everything that Mario represents is shown in this game, with the addition of those humorous Rabbids. Plus, the ability to build a team of unlikely characters really makes for some entertaining storylines and some marvelous defeats! Lastly, even if there have been many Rabbid games in the past, I felt this game might have just topped them. It has exceeded my expectations and has me curious to see what the future beholds with the Rabbids. So I fully stand beside this game and recommend it for a worthwhile, new experience worth playing.
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