Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Unexpectedly Amazing
This is the Mario game you didn’t know you needed. One of the top five Nintendo Switch exclusives. And dare I say a better XCOM game than XCOM?
It’s built on some unlikely pairings. It’s even in the name, Mario + Rabbids. It combines turn-based combat with Mario mechanics like jumping on enemy heads and navigating pipes. Classic Mario imagery is littered around a bizarre world filled with Rabbids, which is by itself an absurd thing to imagine. But it all works, and does it with such style and polish.
The overworld was my least favorite part, if only because it kept me from the combat, which is where the game really shines. It’s a turn-based strategy game where you move your characters around a grid, taking cover and shooting at enemies. It’s simple to learn but has a lot of depth. Each character has unique abilities and weapons, and you can mix and match them to create a team that suits your playstyle.
It’s got memorable boss fights, variety in the enemies, and a good difficulty curve. I never felt like I was stuck on a level, but I also never felt like I was breezing through them.
Shortly after I played this, I finally got around to playing XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which is a very strong influence on this game. And while I enjoyed XCOM, I think I enjoyed Mario + Rabbids more. It’s more accessible and a lot more forgiving, which I appreciated. There’s no permadeath, you can retry battles, and I never felt like I was in a no-win situation, eliminating a lot of anxiety that comes with XCOM.
I can see the appeal of a high-stakes campaign, but for somebody with more time and patience. For me, I’d rather Dash Tackle and Steely Stare my way through a battle.
Highly recommended.