An obvious sequel to a game I missed the first time around, Rocketbirds is an action platformer that puts the most ridiculous of concepts together, any action 80s movie mixed with chickens, and makes it work like it owes someone money. While I can’t giveaway the farm in this preview, and I shouldn’t because you should experience this game yourself when it comes out on April 26th, I will say that it has been an unusual pleasure to sit down and play this game.
The gameplay in Rocketbird 2 is cross between Bionic Commando multi-tier style and a dose of Rush’n Command from the days of old on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES for you noobs). You’re armed to the beak (two weapons) and go around shooting/eliminating/killing evil pigeons, penguins and what not in a military complex in hopes of breaking out and defeating the penguin legion. What more motivation do you need to accomplish your mission?
The joy of Rocketbirds 2: Evolution isn’t the endless amount of killing you perform as you progress in the game. It isn’t the variety of weapons you obtain as you progress or the gimmick items you pick up to help you solve medium level puzzles in hopes of progressing further through the penguin legions band of baddies. It’s none of that, though those elements keep it away from being a typical action game that this generation of consoles seemed to have acquired from the last generation of systems. What makes Rocketbirds 2 an entertainment extravaganza is how it treats the gamers in co-op and in its control design.
Starting with the latter, when is the last time you have ever been able to climb up a ladder and shoot your enemy while doing so? Did it happen in Fallout 4? How about Tom Clancy’s The Division? Nope and nope. Developer Ratloop has taken traditional controls in nearly every genre of gaming and basically said (not actual quote), ‘Yeah, that doesn’t work. Try this’. What has come out of it is a control scheme that helps keep the continuous action going, much like the Energizer Bunny. Want to shoot people while climbing a ladder? Done. Want to shoot down to another level? Old school, but done. Want damage done in specific areas of your enemies even though the animation looks wildly ridiculous? Done and done. There is a lot to like about this game, but the controls are something to love. Like delicious fried chicken on a summer day (random quote).
Anyway, the actual control scheme is pretty easy to pick up and go. You control your fowl’s movement with the left thumbstick, while controlling the gun’s aiming mechanism with the right. The R2 button does all the shooting. Beyond that there is nothing of interest…I mean beyond switching out weapons and stuff. Ultimately, the game controls and how your chicken functions in battle is what makes this game fun for the gamer.
Outside of controls, the modes presented in initial release we were able to play seem straightforward and fun. The first mode is story mode, which I won’t get too much into the story other than what I have revealed above (re-read it — bet you were looking for a review score too, nope motherf****r you have to read the preview to get details about the game). The pace in the story is quick, precise and it keeps the action going without much of a hiccup. If there is stoppage in the game, it’s usually with puzzle solving, which surprisingly fits in perfectly with the action. For example, there is a scene where you have to take over another bird’s cellphone to get them to unlock a gate, which will allow you to progress your mayhem. It’s nifty, it’s neat and it adds some much needed value, and surprising depth to what would ordinarily be a simple action game.
Outside of Story mode, the other mode is called Rescue mode, which can be played offline or online with 1-4 players (the more the merrier). It is exciting and it is especially fun because of the co-op element. The levels are a bit tighter in this mode, but the initial element of fun is still very much intact. The encouragement of teamwork is heavily embedded, as well as optional strategy. You can strategize how to take care of a room full of fowls with multiple people residing on multiple levels, and you can also do things in the game like reviving players when they go down. Again, it’s a neat mode that is definitely best played with multiple people.
On that note, we’ll end the preview.
Rocketbirds 2: Evolution is a complicated game that currently sets the bar for dumb fun at a new level. It’s simple, yet complicated. Hilarious, yet just a tinge serious. It has a lot of good things currently going for it and doesn’t really falter on anything specific. I’m anxious to see how it ultimately turns out next week, but right now it’s certainly a game to look forward to if you’re looking for some fun action.
