With the breakout collaboration between Ubisoft and Nintendo set to return withMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, the sequel will introduce some significant changes with its titular Sparks. Taking heavy inspiration fromSuper Mario Galaxy,Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopewill see Rabbids and Luma fused to form “Sparks” that appear to be integral to the game’s plot and mechanics.Sparks of Hopewill see Mario and other fan-favorite characters return alongsidenewcomers like Bowserand Rabbid Rosalina, all venturing across the galaxy to save the Sparks.
Many previous mechanics from the originalMario + Rabbids Kingdom Battleseem to have been overhauled to make way for the Sparks. From the removal of status effects to techniques being translated into Sparks' effects,Sparks of Hopeis shaping up to be a drastically different experience. Since Sparks will not be exclusive to the player, these changes add significant variety to combat that should be fun yet challenging to master, with each Spark having different strengths and weaknesses.
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Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope’s Gameplay Changes
Marketing for the upcoming sequel has been centered around the biggest changes made to overall gameplay inSparks of Hope. For example, gone is the linear level design ofKingdom Battlein favor ofSparks of Hopehaving an open overworld. Other changes to the game have been overshadowed, such as the removal of status effects, but with the introduction of Sparks and their elements and abilities,Sparks of Hopewill be a vastly different game compared toKingdom Battle.
Prior to each battle, players will be able to swap out their Sparks and determine the best strategies for combat. Sparks will take over previous mechanics, such as Aquanox assuming the Bounce status effect or Vampdash making Rabbid Luigi’s technique available for other characters. Beyond this, they will introduce new abilities such as Ethering, which turns the player briefly invisible; or Reflector, which can bounce enemy attacks back. Though manySparks have been confirmedahead of the official release, it seems more are yet to be revealed.
Sparks Contribute to Diverse Combat
Sparks of Hope,seems to not just be reworkingKingdom Battle’smechanics for the sake of a sequel, but building on them to offer more diverse combat encounters.Kingdom Battleonly offered nine possible status effects, whileSparks of Hopepractically doubles this when it comes to equipable Sparks. The intention seems to be to adding greater choice for players, andearly previews ofSparks of Hopeare already celebrating the variety Sparks add to combat, how they can synergize with different characters, and how they can be tailored to individual players' gameplay styles.
By focusing much of the combat modification mechanics on Sparks, it should allow players to best understand how to best apply each one, with whom, and where. The streamlined approach will also give players unique situations in combat, such as combining Vampdash and Regenesis to constantly recoup a character’s health, or Reflector and Glitter to draw enemies in and turn their own attacks against them. With avariety of enemies inSparks of Hopeto experiment with and find the right combinations and strategies, options should be endless.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopeis set to release on October 20, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
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