Anime-zing co-operative cosmic adventure.
A bunk bed, two bean bag chairs, and an unbreakable smile– this was Orbitals at Summer Game Fest. Michael and I were able to spend some time together playing the upcoming cooperative puzzle game Orbitals while we are at SGF last month in a booth designed to evoke the same nostalgia the 80s anime presentation hopes to purport. Bursting with style and charm each puzzle was just as good as the last in the session we shared which only heightened our excitement for Orbitals. Easily remaining one of our most anticipated games of this year and one I cannot wait to get my hands on this again and neither can my eyes.
With controllers in hand and butts on bean bags, it was time to choose between Maki and Omora. After watching the gorgeously animated retro anime intro cinematic we were off to explore the space station and smash our heads together to solve cleverly designed puzzles. In one area we had a chance to noodle around in, we each chose a different tool between a liquid launcher and a scrap hook. One of us would shoot the scrap hook to pull open hatches while the other would unleash buckets of liquid to douse mechanical fires on the station. Utilizing these two different items we were able to work together and communicate in order to successfully put out these fires and repair it before moving on to other parts of the ship. The puzzles we encountered were satisfying to solve and a pleasure to play. If the variety and craftiness of the gameplay and puzzle mechanics continues to evolve and introduce new ideas this element of Orbitals is going to shine.
A perhaps overlooked aspect that I am looking forward to with Orbitals that was made apparent not just in my short time playing but each time I walked back to take a peek at the game was how important communication is. While Mike and I were playing, there were moments of solving or thinking out loud together that not many games have as part of their experience. We often indulge in the more competitive version of this when we are playing a team based online game where communication is paramount but replacing fast call outs with inquisitive phrases is a balance folks should be curious to explore. I hope there’s a dance of personal trial and solve intermingling with dialogue between your partner about solutions that will serve the experience in meaningful ways.
The defining feature of Orbitals is just how pretty this game is. Disguising a fun co-op game as an anime you never watched growing up is a style choice I am surprised more developers have not chosen to dabble in. Seeing Orbitals in motion felt like staying up late at night on a Saturday and tossing on Toonami only this time I was in control of the movement on screen and a buddy was joining in on the action. The way this team was able to capture the essence of what makes anime from that specific era look and sound is a feat in and of itself and I cannot wait to burrow myself into the world of Orbitals.
Although it was a joy to run around as these two space exploring friends, and the early puzzles offered up plenty of brain buzzing bonding there is an unmistakable allure Orbitals possesses. The vibes. Sure, the art direction and execution of what we were able to watch and play was dazzling but it goes beyond to the sound design, the music, the interactions between characters, and the way the world reacts and feels. Each of these layers blend together to create magic on the screen that bubbles up under your controller and zaps your fingertips. Orbitals remains comfortably in the top tier of the crowded September release schedule this year and I am going to the store now to grab a box of cereal to enjoy that first Saturday morning when it releases.
For all things Summer Game Fest 2026 and Orbitals related, be sure to keep it locked to Pass The Controller. For a deeper dive on all things gaming and nerd culture, listen to the Pass The Controller Podcast with new episodes weekly on your favorite podcast platform. Want to continue the conversation with us and our community? Join our official Discord server.
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