TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The spirited platforming of Mario and the wonky humor of the Rabbids isn't a natural pairing, but somehow it just works. "Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope" melds the two franchises together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
Icons Mario, Luigi and Peach team with their Rabbid counterparts for a roster of nine heroes who take on new levels, bosses and standbys.
The follow-up to 2017 Switch launch title "Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle" seems intent on providing a more traditional Mario-game feel.
While the original game delivered some spirited turn-based tactical battles, the sequel includes more free-roaming, "Super Mario Odyssey"-style exploration.
The tactical battles are still present, with some free-moving adjustments that make gameplay feel less stiff and stifled.
Strategy amounts to selecting and positioning your party members in spots that take advantage of enemy weaknesses, then deploying your special attacks, buffs and health boosts at key times to turn the tide of battle.
Developers Ubisoft Paris and Ubisoft Milan manage to capture more of the traditional Mario spirit than the first game. Rather than feeling like a Ubisoft-crafted spinoff, "Sparks of Hope" feels more like a Nintendo-manufactured title that draws from the Ubisoft universe.
Impressively, "Sparks of Hope" is a more satisfying foray into the most recent Mario-themed entry into tactics and exploration-based effort, "Paper Mario: The Origami King" (2020).
While "Sparks of Hope" could frustrate younger players because it lacks the pick-up-and-play ease of use of the mainline Mario games, the amount of depth and management helps it appeal to mature gamers who are looking for more than the standards racing, jumping and projectile-hurling.
The sequel proves that the fusion of Mario and Rabbids is worth more than just a fling, and is now officially a thing. Here's hoping for future team-ups with this level of polish and execution.
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Phil Villarreal is the senior real-time editor for KGUN 9. He is also a digital producer and host of "Phil on Film" seen weekly on Good Morning Tucson, Phil moved to KGUN after 17 years with the Arizona Daily Star. He is married and has four children. Share your story ideas and important issues with Phil by emailing phil.villarreal@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
