Turn-based combat remains sublime ; Sparks are a fun new addition ; Controls are easy to pick up

Slow starting ; Voice acting is very hit-and-miss ; Loading is tedious

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope doesn't quite live up to the high expectations set by its predecessor but it still provides for a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Deeply ; Innately strategic ; Gentle initial difficulty curve ; Surprisingly meaty ; Full of fun activities ; Tonally consistent with Mario games ; More coherent as a game than its predecessor

Could vary its battle objectives more ; Some initial puzzles are a bit too basic

Ubisoft’s second Mario + Rabbids game for the Switch might just be the closest thing to a proper Mario game ever made by anyone other than Nintendo. It marries an authentically Mario-esque vibe (with added knockabout humour from those often maligned...

A combat system that’s easy to grasp but has plenty of depth ; Real-time elements improve the experience ; Sparks make for some brilliant moments ; Fantastic score

Occasional frame rate drops ; Loading times can annoy ; Battles can on a bit ; The Rabbids might talk now, but they still get too much screen time

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope improves upon its predecessor and is a great entry into the turn-based strategy genre

A combat system that’s easy to grasp but has plenty of depth ; Real-time elements improve the experience ; Sparks make for some brilliant moments ; Fantastic score

Occasional frame rate drops ; Loading times can annoy ; Battles can on a bit ; The Rabbids might talk now, but they still get too much screen time

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope improves upon its predecessor and is a great entry into the turn-based strategy genre

The game can be difficult and tedious at times, and if you don’t already have a little affinity for the genre, Sparks of Hope probably won’t change your mind. But if the premise sounds even vaguely interesting, you should come away from the experience...