One of the few original titles being published by Capcom and slated for release on Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network, Rocketman: Axis of Evil can be quickly summed up as Smash TV with a dash of Geometry Wars and some classics thrown in for good measure.
Does that make it good or bad already? Well, no, not really. In fact, the game actually shows the kind of "fun potential" this new era of downloadable console games can offer.
More after the jump.
When first confronted with the idea of Rocketman, you could easily pass it off as just another wannabe. Well that's good and fine, but what if it works? What if it takes all those elements you love, and then throws in other classic game styles that you've missed?
To me, that's what Rocketman does so well. Of course, it's hard to say now if the game will fully flesh out in the way Capcom says it will -- they suggested a somewhat robust RPG-like experience -- but all in all, it was a fun title to pick up and play, especially with a buddy or two or three.
There's nothing quite like just plowing through different levels and enemies with someone else. I love that brag factor about my score being better or having the ability to steal someone else's much-needed health pack.
With a top down, shoot-em-up approach, Rocketman is fast paced, hectic and varied enough, even with the demo, to warrant some solid play time. In fact, if it were not for the feeling we were being rushed out by the end of the Capcom event where we played the game, then I may have stayed a little longer with Rocketman. Even with the glorious Puzzle Fighter right next to me, for whatever reason I stayed glued to this little title.
In motion, the game felt and looked like an updated Smash TV -- sans the half-naked blonde chicks and cocky announcer. And, as a fan of the ol' Smash, there was nothing wrong with that.
With the addition of multiple weapon choices and special weapons (of which you swapped through with the left trigger), the game felt like it could hold some life in it.
The only real issue I had with Rocketman was its camera control. It felt disconnected at times. Meaning, when in fact you can go back to an area you passed, the game sometimes didn't let you at odd and random times. This became a particular issue when playing with someone else.
For instance, if you missed a power-up you needed to pick up, sometimes it wasn't so simple to just go back and get it. Unless you have a complete mind meld with your partner or partners, trying to go back and collect items could prove mighty futile.
I suppose the real question, when you come down to it though, is if this game is really worth 800 Microsoft points or the comparable amount it will also be for the PSN? While there may have been others that played that day that said no, for me and what I like (and what was promised to be included), then I can safely say yes -- especially with how skimpy Boom Boom Rocket feels at the same price.
If the game is ultimately put together in one nice package, it's certainly worth an honest look when it's finally released.
Features:
• Fast-paced arcade action
• 1 – 4 players on or offline
• Online multiplayer gameplay through a variety of mini games that let
players instantly jump into existing games
• Design and build your own character for both single and multi-player
games, each with their own unique skills and look
o Male or female
o Three races – Human, Mercurian or Venusian
o Three classes – Fighter, Engineer, Outcast
• Further character customization options through new items and
abilities earned by progressing through a variety of quests
• Multiple hours of gameplay with plenty of levels, hordes of enemies,
huge bosses and engaging story for maximum replay value
• Beautiful cartoon-like art style brings life to the characters and
environments
• Competitive online ranking system
• High definition 1080i graphics
i don't understand why people are upset about the potential of games with at least some originality being released on XBLA when the most consistent genre released is "lame ass remakes." i would take a game like this over 90% of the other crap on XBLA (i'm looking at you Contra). granted it may be reminiscent of Smash TV, at least it blends some genres with (at least supposed) RPG elements and character customization.
it amazes me how quickly people jump on a game's bandwagon and how quickly they fork over cash for games they have not only played to death years ago but probably still own (honestly, how many iterations of Worms do you really need?). i do think that solid arcade experiences are what the system should focus on, however (TMNT Arcade and Geometry Wars are good examples). that feeling of "just one more time" is what got me interested in XBLA to begin with. the dearth of titles that have satiated my hunger for such experiences is lacking, however (on that note, is Assault Heroes a worthwhile purchase?). gimme more games that are flat out fun to play, story be damned (a Raiden-like title or X-Men Arcade would be awesome) and i'll be willing to spend my MS points instead of hoarding them and simply waiting for Castle Crashers.
then again almost any game is probably more worthy of my MS points than Boom Boom Rocket. the time to download the demo wasn't even worth it, not to mention the 10 dollars it would have cost me for a full purchase.
Hello? Do you understand the difference between plural and singular? The WizKids IP is RocketmEn: Axis Of Evil, not RocketmAn. Every intro clearly shows "Rocketmen" in it.
Having played the CSG (Constructible Strategy Game) version of RocketMen, I'm somewhat disheartened to find that this is what the IP is being used for. Kind of like how the MageKnight PC game sucked, even with a solid IP behind it.
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Contest:
7:34 PM on 04.14.2007
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Features:
• Fast-paced arcade action
• 1 – 4 players on or offline
• Online multiplayer gameplay through a variety of mini games that let
players instantly jump into existing games
• Design and build your own character for both single and multi-player
games, each with their own unique skills and look
o Male or female
o Three races – Human, Mercurian or Venusian
o Three classes – Fighter, Engineer, Outcast
• Further character customization options through new items and
abilities earned by progressing through a variety of quests
• Multiple hours of gameplay with plenty of levels, hordes of enemies,
huge bosses and engaging story for maximum replay value
• Beautiful cartoon-like art style brings life to the characters and
environments
• Competitive online ranking system
• High definition 1080i graphics
it amazes me how quickly people jump on a game's bandwagon and how quickly they fork over cash for games they have not only played to death years ago but probably still own (honestly, how many iterations of Worms do you really need?). i do think that solid arcade experiences are what the system should focus on, however (TMNT Arcade and Geometry Wars are good examples). that feeling of "just one more time" is what got me interested in XBLA to begin with. the dearth of titles that have satiated my hunger for such experiences is lacking, however (on that note, is Assault Heroes a worthwhile purchase?). gimme more games that are flat out fun to play, story be damned (a Raiden-like title or X-Men Arcade would be awesome) and i'll be willing to spend my MS points instead of hoarding them and simply waiting for Castle Crashers.
then again almost any game is probably more worthy of my MS points than Boom Boom Rocket. the time to download the demo wasn't even worth it, not to mention the 10 dollars it would have cost me for a full purchase.
Having played the CSG (Constructible Strategy Game) version of RocketMen, I'm somewhat disheartened to find that this is what the IP is being used for. Kind of like how the MageKnight PC game sucked, even with a solid IP behind it.
Assualtotal carnage TV Smash X turbo Heroes