A game that feels like a movie. Depending on the situation and genre, this is often considered the highest form of praise for a game. From charming characters and stellar voice acting to a polished story and direction, there is no better way to describe how well-crafted a game is.

Such comparisons aren't limited to films; they can apply to comics or novels as well. For Shapefarm's 'Orbitals,' the point of comparison is animation—specifically the 80s and 90s style that we now call 'retro.' First revealed at The Game Awards, 'Orbitals' caught the eyes of many gamers with its distinct retro-animation visual style.

However, watching and playing are two very different experiences. To see how the actual gameplay of 'Orbitals'—which looks like an animation—feels, I visited Shapefarm's headquarters in Japan to play it ahead of everyone else.

A feeling of 'playing' a real animation, not just an exaggeration

The demo lasted about an hour, and I played alongside another reporter from a Korean media outlet. Since the game requires a lot of coordination, communication was key, and it was fortunate to be paired with a fellow Korean speaker.

The demo was divided into three parts: watching the prologue cutscene, playing the prologue gameplay section, and finally, playing a separate demo chapter prepared by the developers.

While I cannot discuss the specific details of the prologue cutscene as it is tied to the story, I could clearly feel the affection Shapefarm poured into 80s and 90s retro animation. From the unique cel-shaded art style to the slightly raw and gritty texture, the atmosphere of that era was embedded in every corner of the screen.

This was true for the actual gameplay as well. Because the visuals from the cutscenes were implemented directly into the game graphics, the unique sensation of 'playing' an animation was conveyed naturally. Unless you have a strong aversion to cel-shading or this type of animation style, the visuals are likely to feel appealing to almost anyone.

However, not all attempts to capture the animation feel were entirely positive. One concern was the frame rate. Most animations are produced at 24 frames per second (fps). Seemingly conscious of this, 'Orbitals' limits the screen frame rate to 30 fps despite the improved hardware performance of the Nintendo Switch 2, and character animations are set to 24 fps.

While this choice aligns with the goal of capturing an animation aesthetic, it seems likely to be divisive in terms of gameplay. While I didn't feel any stuttering during play, it is undeniably slow by modern standards, where current-gen consoles like the PS5 support 60 fps in performance modes and PC gaming often exceeds 120 fps.

To borrow a line from a certain character in a manga, '4K, 60 fps... don't you think that lacks charm?!' But since 'Orbitals' is a game before it is an animation, I couldn't help but wish they had provided an option to adjust the frame rate.

The gameplay itself wasn't drastically different from existing co-op games. One notable difference is that while many co-op games fix players into specific roles, 'Orbitals' offers flexible role distribution. For example, in a puzzle requiring both a laser and a water cannon, players can choose who uses which tool. If one player finds a specific task difficult, the more experienced player can take it on, allowing for a natural adjustment of difficulty.

However, aside from the flexibility in role-sharing, the overall difficulty felt higher than in typical co-op games. Unlike the 'start-stop' style common in other titles—where one person stands on a switch while the other moves—'Orbitals' often requires both players to move and coordinate simultaneously.

The section that had every reporter struggling during the demo is a prime example. This part involved riding a platform that moves forward automatically, requiring both players to balance their weight to steer. Because it required precise control—moving through narrow passages, turning left, and then immediately making a sharp right turn—we hit walls repeatedly and had to retry dozens of times.

To make matters worse, some parts of this section combined puzzle elements. In one instance, one player had to use a laser to power up a device to extend a handle, while the other had to grab it with a grappling hook to swing around a sharp turn using centrifugal force—a dual-puzzle structure.

Fortunately, the game features frequent auto-saves, allowing you to restart immediately from the point where you passed a specific section. It felt like a thoughtful touch to minimize stress from the high difficulty, and in practice, there were almost no instances of having to backtrack significantly.

Aside from the difficulty, the core design of requiring two players to move in tandem was a satisfying experience. As the developers mentioned before the demo, existing co-op games often have 'start-stop' structures that leave one player waiting idly while the other solves a puzzle.

In contrast, 'Orbitals' requires constant coordination, like a three-legged race, leaving no room for boredom. During the demo, shouts of "Left! Left!" or "Sharp right turn!" erupted naturally, proving that the developers' intended communication-based fun was successfully implemented.

After about an hour of hands-on time, the experience Shapefarm aims to deliver to gamers through 'Orbitals' began to take clear shape. Outside the game, it’s about true cooperation—going beyond simply being together to communicate, research, and swap roles as needed to solve the puzzles at hand. Inside the game, it’s the sensation of 'playing' an animation rather than just watching one. During this demo, those two goals felt perfectly aligned.

Usually, saying a game 'feels like watching an animation' can sound like an exaggeration. But for 'Orbitals,' it is no exaggeration at all. It is an animation you 'play' as a game. For those who enjoy co-op games and love animation—especially those with nostalgia for 80s and 90s retro anime—'Orbitals' will surely be a satisfying experience.