Chris "Atom" DeAngelus: There are few games as weirdly unexpected as "What if there was an X-COM game starring Mario and the Ubisoft Rabbids?" The original game was an absolutely delightful combination of those elements, and the sequel looks to expand on that. The combat system has been revamped to be less grid-based and more freeform, and there are new playable characters and new enemies. There look to be more traditional RPG elements, so we'll see how far the changes go, but the first game inspired enough faith that it'll be weird and interesting. We're looking forward to seeing more of Sparks of Hope this year.

Cody Medellin: The first game quickly went from being something people saw as a very odd crossover that shouldn't work to one of the better strategy titles that oozes charm and is willing to do things you normally wouldn't see in a Nintendo offering. The team's experience with the original should mean that this entry is a tighter experience overall, as the move to a space setting opens up a ton of possibilities. From Rosalina and her Rabbid counterpart to the many new joke opportunities, Sparks of Hope has the potential to be a wonderful Switch exclusive.

Andreas Salmen: The original Mario + Rabbids game was a crossover we didn't really expect or wanted, but it turned out to be a refreshing take on two familiar franchises. Sparks of Hope looks to increase the ambition with space travel and, potentially, a greater emphasis on varied environments. We haven't seen much actual gameplay for this title, but if it manages to be half as good as its predecessor, this should be a worthwhile addition to the Switch's library.