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The Switch has been a real boon to fans of co-op gaming with the convenience of the joycon baked into even the base console, and that has yielded some interesting and very different experiences. Zorya is a bit unique in many regards, really feeling like a story-forward experience and placing a real emphasis on helping to define the game’s two main characters, their world, and their history. Honestly, the lengthiness of the stories in between stages really put my wife off, though I would imagine this could be considered a plus to others. In terms of the play, first unlike many other co-op games there’s currently no option to go it alone, controlling both characters. Given the need to do things in parallel as you progress this does make sense, just keep it in mind when considering the title. You do have the option to play with someone locally or online, which is a plus, though given the intricacy of the necessary coordinated movement at times I would imagine not having someone right there with you could really turn the game into a struggle. One character controls the sister associated with the night, Aysu, while the other named Solveig will take somewhat limited control of the sun, casting different shadows on the environment as you shift in the sky. Getting the hang of this, and then working together to avoid tragedy, may be a bit harder than you’d think. Specifically you don’t have full control over the placement of the sun in the sky, usually requiring a bit of trial and error as your friend tries to wait patiently for you to work it out. It’s absolutely a different and more involved co-op game compared to the norm, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a home run of a choice either.
Justin Nation, Score:Fair [6.5]