Rex Rocket
- August 5, 2014
- Castle Pixel, LLC.
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Rex Rocket" is a classic-style platformer game set in a 16-bit sci-fi world. As space ranger Rex, players navigate through levels filled with puzzles, enemies, and hazards, using a variety of weapons and gadgets. The game features hand-drawn pixel art and a humorous storyline, making for a fun and nostalgic experience.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Linux
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features tight controls and a variety of mechanics that keep the gameplay engaging and challenging.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, with each boss having its own unique theme that enhances the overall experience.
- Rex Rocket is a nostalgic homage to classic platformers like Mega Man and Metroid, providing a satisfying challenge for players who enjoy difficult games.
- The game suffers from frustrating level design, with many instant-death traps and unfair enemy placements that can lead to repeated deaths.
- Boss battles can be tedious due to unskippable cutscenes and overly long patterns that require memorization, making them feel more like a chore than a challenge.
- The lives system feels outdated and unnecessary, as players can easily continue from checkpoints, rendering the lives mechanic pointless.
- gameplay78 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its challenging mechanics and tight controls, while others criticize the platforming elements and certain mechanics as poorly implemented or frustrating. The game features a variety of movement mechanics and weapons, but issues like instant-kill pits and imprecise controls detract from the overall experience for some. Despite its retro-inspired design and engaging level progression, the difficulty spikes and control issues can make the game feel more like a chore than a fun challenge.
“Tight controls, very challenging (but never unfair) gameplay, right amount of content.”
“Challenging, fun, simple story, responsive controls, a fun mechanic for transport with a decent learning curve (shooting down = vertical lift), wall jumping, a load of different weapons, a tough final boss.”
“The game can be damn hard, but it's designed so well that each new mechanic -- charge-jumping, firing downward midair to float for extra distance, many others I won't spoil for you -- is patiently taught to you as you progress.”
“There has to be something 'not quite right' with that charge jump mechanic; and Rex Rocket's controls don't feel as tight as they need to be for the precision it asks of me (the player).”
“As many have stated, sloppy mechanics, sloppy controls, and outright poor design, relying on level and enemy design that use 'gotcha' moments to one-hit kill you.”
“When your main hook is a gun that's supposed to direct your jumps and that mechanic fails to work at all, you have a piece of junk on your hands.”
- music66 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its energetic and upbeat chiptune soundtrack composed by saskrotch, which enhances the overall experience and evolves as players progress. Each boss features unique battle themes, contributing to the game's retro charm and nostalgic feel. While some critiques mention the repetitiveness of the soundtrack, the majority find it memorable and integral to the game's appeal, solidifying it as a standout feature.
“Easily, the best aspect of Rex Rocket has to be the soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack starts off good, but as you progress through the game, it gets better and better, with each boss having their own unique battle themes.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, and almost all tracks in the game are memorable.”
“Many people praise this game for its repetitive, generic chiptune soundtrack that sounds like the musical equivalent of a child who's Ritalin has been withheld from him.”
“And yet here we are with a metroidvania with a life counter, difficulty that is incredibly high for a game with a life counter and very few points you can continue from, and music that I can't listen to for extended periods of time without turning off to listen to something more appealing, such as nails on a chalkboard.”
“The only real complaint so far: the infinite ammo powerup's theme song lasts for a hair longer than the effect, while invulnerability's lasts for a hair shorter and causes death.”
- story62 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as simplistic yet engaging, featuring a linear narrative that follows Rex Rocket, a space hero battling against a rogue AI and slimes on a transport spaceship. While it draws comparisons to beloved titles like Cave Story and Metroid, the plot is not meant to be taken seriously, with some players appreciating the humor and worldbuilding despite occasional misleading information in the backstory. Overall, the story complements the challenging gameplay and retro aesthetic, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
“Rex Rocket is a 2D platformer with minor exploration sprinkled into its otherwise linear story, which follows the titular hero, Rex[anna] Rocket, a 'badass' space hero who now helps keep security for a transport spaceship, upon where all hell breaks loose as the on-board AI goes crazy and unleashes slimes - yes, slimes, to take over the ship, and thus, the universe!”
“I think the writers did a great job at telling the story and they made me chuckle at times.”
“A quality story, driving expertly crafted game mechanics, through the challenging level design you’re looking for.”
“The story is simplistic.”
“The story isn't as compelling as that game, but the game still rocks!”
“The story is not something to be taken seriously, which I can understand, but the back story provided through the info codexes can actually mislead the player on enemies by claiming they're invincible to most weaponry when they in fact are not.”
- graphics30 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the appealing 2D pixel art and colorful visuals, while others criticize them as uninspired and difficult to navigate. Many reviewers appreciate the artwork and smooth animations, but some feel the retro style lacks originality and fails to deliver a memorable experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a blend of charming and frustrating, contributing to the game's atmosphere but not without flaws.
“I love the graphics, the music is spot on, and the controls are smooth.”
“The style of graphics, while 8-bit, is beautiful and colorful.”
“While a little short (I beat it in under 7 hours, not 100%), it will still have you entrapped by the wonderful artwork, the music, and the atmosphere.”
“It's playable, and the graphics are mediocre.”
“Graphics are retro but uninteresting, uninspired.”
“In summation, don't listen to the hype of yet another poorly made, ugly '8-bit' (which actually aren't 8-bit at all, just a relatively easy art style that's cheap and in vogue currently due to the nostalgia train), and save your money for something more enjoyable, like an actual metroidvania game.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often requiring repetitive actions and extensive collection efforts that can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some may appreciate the challenge, many reviewers suggest that the difficulty quickly becomes monotonous, making it less appealing for those not seeking a punishing experience.
“I've played and beaten my share of difficult games before, but this one was tedious very quickly into the game.”
“The best thing I can say about this game is you'll find if you like the tedious difficulty well within Steam's 2-hour refund time, so if you're a masochist, try this game out and see if it breaks you.”
“Less satisfying is the path for the grenade launcher, which has an overly long and tedious room in the middle that involves, of course, helper bots.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, featuring funny NPCs and witty dialogue that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the comedic elements alongside challenging bosses and varied gameplay mechanics, such as piloting a robot, which help maintain engagement and prevent monotony. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The NPCs are funny, bosses are challenging, and some changes in gameplay (like piloting a robot) happen from time to time to avoid monotony.”
“This is a game that has some very funny dialogue and great controls.”
“Finally, there's the humor.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its captivating artwork and music, which effectively immerse players in the experience. Despite its linearity, reminiscent of Metroid Fusion, the engaging bosses and story contribute to a compelling overall ambiance that keeps players entranced throughout the relatively short playtime.
“While a little short (I beat it in under 7 hours, not 100%), it will still have you entrapped by the wonderful artwork, the music, and the atmosphere.”
“Others praise the fact that it is a metroidvania, despite the fact it is as linear as Metroid Fusion, which I did enjoy due to the bosses, story, and atmosphere.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a sense of frustration and cruelty, as players face relentless challenges and punishing mechanics that evoke feelings of helplessness and irritation. The design choices, such as unreachable items and instant deaths from enemies, contribute to a rollercoaster of emotions, blending anger with a desire to overcome the game's harsh obstacles.
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is highlighted by users praising the optimized control system, which enhances gameplay experience and responsiveness.
“Optimized control enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
“The game's optimized control system allows for precise movements and actions.”
“I appreciate how the optimized control makes navigating the game world feel seamless.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to have good replayability, offering a decent length for its price and a challenging yet fair experience that enhances enjoyment.
“For the price, it's a decent length, it's pretty replayable, it's challenging but rarely unfair, and just an enjoyable experience.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the meticulous attention to detail in character development, noting that it reflects a high level of care and craftsmanship in the game's design and dialogue. This suggests that characters are well-crafted and contribute significantly to the overall experience.
“The attention to detail in level design, style, character development, and dialogue are evident signs of care and craftsmanship.”
