Rocket League |
9/10
James Davie |
DEV: Psyonix
PUB: Psyonix
RELEASE DATE: 07/07/15
FORMAT: PC & PS4
For those who don't give a stuff about football and for those who do give a stuff about football. Rocket League is without a doubt one of the most compelling football videogames that can only barely call itself one in a traditional sense. You take classic Micro Machines, you sellotape it to Fifa, you boil the beautiful game down to five minute session with extra time if needed, in order to determine a decisive winner, and you play with a seismic medicine ball, big enough to turn each session into Motorstorm meets beach volleyball madness. In short you don't have to like anything to get the most out of Rocket League because you'll be served plentiful helpings of fun regardless, especially if you play online against others.
Picking up and playing Rocket League is accessible, simple and immediately arresting. But on the contrary it's initially difficult to control, no, scratch that, it's difficult to control no matter how long you play it for. But this isn't a result of the controls being flawed, but the ball regularly tumbles at the slightest rub or touch. This is only exasperated by the number of players on the field. 1 on 1, it's fairly controllable and there's a lot of space to hit the back of the net, but having 6 machines blasting about the pitch trying to send the ball hither and fither, it becomes more a game of hot potato. At any point you can lose possession and the ball will swoop down the other end, making each game frantic as you're constantly chasing and thwacking the ball in any direction to gain an advantage.
Game modes run a predictable gamete of online multiplayer, exhibition, season and very little else, but to prod it's anaemic quantity of modes with stabbing criticisms is to miss the point of the game's status as an arcade downloadable. Fifa has more modes and depth but Rocket is far more creative and is likely to attract fans who don't like football. You won't play this for the season mode, except for some of the harder trophies on the list. So the multiplayer is the only grace Rocket League needs to make a name for itself.
PUB: Psyonix
RELEASE DATE: 07/07/15
FORMAT: PC & PS4
For those who don't give a stuff about football and for those who do give a stuff about football. Rocket League is without a doubt one of the most compelling football videogames that can only barely call itself one in a traditional sense. You take classic Micro Machines, you sellotape it to Fifa, you boil the beautiful game down to five minute session with extra time if needed, in order to determine a decisive winner, and you play with a seismic medicine ball, big enough to turn each session into Motorstorm meets beach volleyball madness. In short you don't have to like anything to get the most out of Rocket League because you'll be served plentiful helpings of fun regardless, especially if you play online against others.
Picking up and playing Rocket League is accessible, simple and immediately arresting. But on the contrary it's initially difficult to control, no, scratch that, it's difficult to control no matter how long you play it for. But this isn't a result of the controls being flawed, but the ball regularly tumbles at the slightest rub or touch. This is only exasperated by the number of players on the field. 1 on 1, it's fairly controllable and there's a lot of space to hit the back of the net, but having 6 machines blasting about the pitch trying to send the ball hither and fither, it becomes more a game of hot potato. At any point you can lose possession and the ball will swoop down the other end, making each game frantic as you're constantly chasing and thwacking the ball in any direction to gain an advantage.
Game modes run a predictable gamete of online multiplayer, exhibition, season and very little else, but to prod it's anaemic quantity of modes with stabbing criticisms is to miss the point of the game's status as an arcade downloadable. Fifa has more modes and depth but Rocket is far more creative and is likely to attract fans who don't like football. You won't play this for the season mode, except for some of the harder trophies on the list. So the multiplayer is the only grace Rocket League needs to make a name for itself.
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No matter what mode you play in, you'll accrue experience points with a super simple levelling up system which constantly rewards you with new vehicles, decals, designs and other aesthetic props and objects. The vehicles include hulking vans to classic hotrods, each of them are attached with rocket boosters installed, hence the game's name and enhances the speed and the action comparable with actual football. Speaking of real football, the sorts of manoeuvres you can pull off makes the sport look dull and boring. The lightweight feel of the cars allows you to pull off back flips and impossible looking goals which can look incredible. The explosive rippling shockwave of scoring a goal manages to feel more epic than Fifa's often buffoonish celebrations, which is a real plus point.
The stadiums are each impressive and diverse with rain effects featuring to give added immersion to games. A few of the coliseums don't house fan stands, whilst others roar with vocal participation, synchronising with the action excellently. The aesthetic design is simply outstanding for a downloadable, especially one whose prime directive is to appease the multiplayer playing masses.
Rocket League sits somewhat uncomfortably on the Playstation Store as a (at time of writing) Playstation Plus freebie. It isn't the big top tier blockbuster most were expecting to headline the month, which may give it the dishonourable distinction of being the headlining squib of the month. Sometimes though, first impressions and avarice assumptions that the big games deserve the main event act on PS+ can be misleading and false. After playing it though, you will realise it has a lot more going for it than initially perceived. Like the best arcade games, it's easy to pick up and go, a blast to play with others and has fun imprinted all over its livery. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the year, Rocket League proves that great games can bridge all audiences rather than catering to a select few. There's no excuse, it's on PS+, so download it and never look back.
The stadiums are each impressive and diverse with rain effects featuring to give added immersion to games. A few of the coliseums don't house fan stands, whilst others roar with vocal participation, synchronising with the action excellently. The aesthetic design is simply outstanding for a downloadable, especially one whose prime directive is to appease the multiplayer playing masses.
Rocket League sits somewhat uncomfortably on the Playstation Store as a (at time of writing) Playstation Plus freebie. It isn't the big top tier blockbuster most were expecting to headline the month, which may give it the dishonourable distinction of being the headlining squib of the month. Sometimes though, first impressions and avarice assumptions that the big games deserve the main event act on PS+ can be misleading and false. After playing it though, you will realise it has a lot more going for it than initially perceived. Like the best arcade games, it's easy to pick up and go, a blast to play with others and has fun imprinted all over its livery. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the year, Rocket League proves that great games can bridge all audiences rather than catering to a select few. There's no excuse, it's on PS+, so download it and never look back.
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+Instantly fun and gratifying in the most unexpected of ways.
+The fusion of football and driving is remarkable. +Multiplayer is set for the long haul. -Game modes are limited. -The repetitive nature of the plays can grate. -Feels like a prototype to something much bigger. |
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Second Opinions
Rocket league combines a lot of already popular franchises. The
blend of Football, Radio Control Cars, flying and Destruction Derby just
somehow works. It also works on many levels. New and experienced players can happily
enjoy the gameplay during a match while playing to their level. At its core, Rocket League is about getting
the ball into the opponent’s goal and this should never be over looked. But how
you do this is up to you. Chase the ball religiously, be patient and pick your moment
to strike, hang back defending as you crash into the opposition stopping their
advances. Or just fly and use the great array of acrobatics the cars have to
offer. While the later will have an advantage over the less experienced, never
count anything out until the final whistle goes. Rocket League has an act of randomness
about it, as the ball will ping about seemingly with a mind of its own. This
can make the straight forward looking task of hitting the ball where you want
it a challenge and frustrating. But this
annoyance will not last longer than a second or two as you bash into another car and all
hell breaks loose again.
This is what computer games are all about, enjoyment. While the title is not perfect, limited game modes on offer stand out. Plus there is no statistical difference between the types of cars to choose from either. The game does have a depth element, in an offline seasons mode, an in-depth training mode covering basic to advanced gameplay and plenty to unlock customisation wise. Rocket League was designed for online play however and this is where it excels, log on with friends. Curse as you tap in an own goal and cheer as you hit the ball the length of the pitch and score a screamer.
Chris Sowry
This is what computer games are all about, enjoyment. While the title is not perfect, limited game modes on offer stand out. Plus there is no statistical difference between the types of cars to choose from either. The game does have a depth element, in an offline seasons mode, an in-depth training mode covering basic to advanced gameplay and plenty to unlock customisation wise. Rocket League was designed for online play however and this is where it excels, log on with friends. Curse as you tap in an own goal and cheer as you hit the ball the length of the pitch and score a screamer.
Chris Sowry