Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope takes you on a galactic journey to stop Cursa from draining all the Sparks of their power and infecting the worlds with Darkmess. On the quest to stop this villain, you come across five planets, each needing your help to undo Cursa’s harm.
The first four worlds are modeled after the four seasons, a fun detail that gives the planets’ designs more purpose. While each new world in the game is fun to play through, some are better than others when you consider the visuals, the main quest, the side quests, and the NPCs that bring each world to life.
5 Beacon Beach
Mario is no stranger to beaches! A representation of the Summer season, Beacon Beach is a strong first world but lacks some of the originality of later planets. It is fairly straightforward to navigate, with a town and lighthouse situated in the heart of a collection of beaches and small islands, some of which you can visit. Sunrise Temple is also a nice feature of the planet, as it’s reminiscent of the Lost City of Atlantis with its visibly damaged ancient architecture and sea-themed colors and design.
Beacon Beach has plenty to discover, from DJ Cheep Tuna’s seaside concert to the secrets hidden within the temple section. The giant chicken in the middle of the world is also an intriguing feature. That being said, the world is rather simple and has the least amount of side quests out of any planet, meaning there’s just less to accomplish in this world.
4 Barrendale Mesa
Barrendale Mesa is essentially a desert planet, but with a twist. It’s a wasteland rather than the typical hot, sandy deserts often found in the Mario universe or other games. That sets it apart and makes it unique. However, Barrendale Mesa does feel a little random in sequence and, therefore, out of place. Though it is the fifth and final world (besides the boss gauntlet of Cursa’s Stronghold), it breaks the pattern of the four seasons, which the worlds were based on up to that point.
It is also relatively straightforward to navigate. Though there are hidden paths to explore and side quests to find, the main story is quicker to get through than most other worlds. You essentially fix the windmill, which does involve a challenging battle where you must defend the windmill from enemy attacks, then jump into a boss battle with Daphne. There’s less exploration and wandering than in the other main quests, making the world less interesting.
The highlight of Barrendale Mesa, though, is the difficulty of battles. There are some genuinely tough side quests and enemies to take on in this world, which is the highlight of the planet.
3 Pristine Peaks
The world themed on the Winter season, Pristine Peaks is a true wonderland, especially if you’re a fan of snow. This planet can be challenging to navigate, as there are many winding paths, bridges spanning from peak to peak, and tunnels through mountain caves. It is easy to get lost or turned around in Pristine Peaks, but a few hidden secrets in the world make extra exploration worth the effort.
Winter Palace, the goal you’re seeking in the main quest, also makes for an interesting lead-up into the first Spark Hunter boss of the game, Midnite. The house contains puzzles, hidden passageways, and even a maze, all of which you’ll need to work through to reach the boss. It’s an element of the main quest unique to Pristine Peaks.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that a few of the adorable penguins from the Mario universe live on Pristine Peaks, adding to the planet’s charm.
2 Palette Prime
The Fall-themed planet of Palette Prime will make you hungry for pumpkin pie or a pumpkin spice latte. This world includes a quaint village decorated with tons of pumpkins and a forest filled with autumn colors. While the main quest’s path is fairly straightforward, requiring you to make your way into the town, then dive into the Spellbound Woods section, the world is ripe for exploration.
Several paths are blocked off by Darkmess or other barriers and lead into other parts of the planet you don’t get to see during the main quest. This emphasis on discover and hidden pathways makes this planet so interesting and worth lingering on once you’ve accomplished the main storyline. Additionally, the Fall aesthetic adds to the charm and originality of the world.
1 Terra Flora
The game’s fourth world, Terra Flora, is by far the best planet to visit and explore. It has one of the biggest maps, a large amount of side quests, and a beautiful landscape. The planet is themed around Spring, evident in its green grass and blooming trees. Within the world, you also get to explore two areas: the Everbloom Tree and Mt. Spout, the planet’s water volcano, which in itself is a cool concept. The creativity of this world makes it shine.
The main quest on this planet is engaging and fresh, as you must get the world’s train up and running again, free the water volcano of Darkmess, and seek out the world’s warden. With so many tasks, it’s easy to feel immersed in the world and invested in the NPCs you interact with, such as the train conductor Sullivan. While there aren’t any big boss battles, the fight with the giant, Darkmess-infested Wiggler is one of the game’s most fun and unique fights. Overall, Terra Flora is the most enjoyable planet in the game.