Orbitals, the new two-player 3D platformer from Shapefarm, distinguishes itself from predecessors like Hazelight Studios' A Way Out and It Takes Two through its central characters' positive relationship. Unlike the often combative and angst-ridden protagonists found in Hazelight's titles, Orbitals' Maki and Omura exhibit a genuine enjoyment of each other's company, a quality that serves as a refreshing departure for the cooperative genre. The game's director, an alumnus of Hazelight, clearly drew inspiration from that studio's pioneering work in cooperative design, including forced split-screen and puzzles that demand teamwork. However, Orbitals infuses the genre with a distinct warmth and affability.
The narrative of Orbitals opts for a minimalist approach to character development. Maki and Omura are presented as childhood friends living on a space station threatened by a cosmic storm. Their primary motivation is survival and the safety of their home, and while this focus on gameplay over extensive lore might leave some desiring deeper backstory, it ultimately enhances the cooperative experience. Their interactions are characterized by playful banter, teasing, and a palpable sense of mutual trust, mirroring the dynamic of long-time friends. This positive energy, present throughout the game's estimated 6-7 hour runtime, is conveyed through dialogue and character reactions to in-game actions, such as playful threats in response to being sprayed with water or playfully competitive remarks.
This contrasts sharply with Hazelight's storytelling formula, which often relies on personality clashes and escalating conflict between protagonists to drive the narrative. While this approach can create compelling arcs of developing respect and solidified teamwork, it can become a distraction in a cooperative game. Players often choose cooperative titles to share an enjoyable and mentally stimulating experience with a partner, and a story steeped in persistent negativity can detract from that goal, becoming background noise that players may wish to skip. Orbitals' deliberate absence of manufactured conflict makes for a more palatable and engaging cooperative session.
While Hazelight's games are not entirely devoid of positivity, often featuring moments of whimsy, catharsis, or fun minigames that offer a break from dramatic tension, these elements are secondary to the core conflict. Orbitals, by contrast, prioritizes the positive dynamic between its protagonists. The game demonstrates that the core appeal of cooperative play—achieving fulfillment through successful teamwork—is amplified when the characters themselves embody a positive and supportive relationship. This approach offers a valuable lesson for future cooperative game developers: fostering a sense of positivity between player characters can significantly enhance the player's overall experience.