Rochard

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 973 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Rochard Game Cover
If PS3 owners are looking for their Shadow Complex equivalent, then this is a game that they need to buy. The game is a complete value for money, filled with interesting puzzles and is a lot of fun to play.
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"Rochard" is a single-player Science Fiction Platformer game with a good plot, wonderful game mechanics, delightful visuals, and a perfect soundtrack. Use the G-Lifter to change gravity, manipulate the environment, and solve puzzles or defeat enemies in this gravity-bending journey across the Solar System. With its humor, action, and mind-blowing gameplay, Rochard offers an unforgettable experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 973 reviews
story131 positive mentions
grinding1 negative mentions
  • Fun and engaging gameplay with clever puzzles that utilize gravity mechanics.
  • Great graphics and a charming art style, complemented by a catchy soundtrack.
  • Interesting characters and humorous dialogue that add personality to the game.
  • The story is clichéd and predictable, with an unsatisfying ending that leaves many questions unanswered.
  • Combat can feel simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth compared to the puzzle-solving elements.
  • Some players may find the game too easy, with puzzles that don't provide enough of a challenge.
  • story288 mentions

    The game's story receives mixed reviews, with many players finding it engaging yet somewhat predictable or cliché. While some appreciate the charming characters and humorous dialogue, others criticize the plot for being flat or lacking depth. Overall, the narrative serves as a decent backdrop to the gameplay, but it often feels secondary to the mechanics and puzzles.

    • “The story is nice, the characters, dialogues, and music are really engaging.”
    • “Rochard is a charmingly styled and thoroughly enjoyable to play, even if the storyline can seem a little obvious at first.”
    • “The story is interesting enough; your character, Rochard, is easily the best personality in the game.”
    • “The story, level design, and art style didn't interest me in the slightest either.”
    • “The story is dull and you can see the 'twists' coming from several miles away.”
    • “The story is pretty thin, and while they seemed to get the space redneck Rochard just right, some later native American themes felt pretty out of place.”
  • gameplay271 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its engaging mechanics, particularly the innovative use of gravity manipulation and physics-based puzzles, which provide a fun and accessible experience for players of all skill levels. While many users appreciate the variety of gameplay elements and the introduction of new mechanics throughout the game, some note that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth in certain areas. Overall, the combination of solid mechanics, enjoyable puzzles, and a charming aesthetic makes it a worthwhile experience, despite some criticisms regarding its length and story.

    • “Puzzles are well made, mechanics are well thought and it's a welcoming experience for even beginners.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and emphasizes creativity, but everything else is a bit lacking.”
    • “New mechanics and variations are steadily introduced up to the end, keeping the gameplay and level design fresh throughout the entire game, with a perfectly balanced and completely accessible difficulty curve.”
    • “The gravity mechanics were nothing new, the combat was more frustrating rather than fun against brain-dead enemies, and the non-existent story was trite and predictable.”
    • “The game threatened to introduce meaningful new mechanics but each new mechanic was only required a couple of times and then it was the same enemy, small obstacle, repeat.”
    • “I wouldn't recommend playing it through all at once as the gameplay does get repetitive.”
  • music156 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its engaging and diverse soundtrack, which includes contributions from notable artists like Poets of the Fall and Markus "Captain" Kaarlonen. Players appreciate how the music enhances the overall atmosphere, complements the gameplay, and features a mix of genres, from blues to 80s-inspired tracks. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element that significantly enriches the gaming experience.

    • “The soundtrack is boppin' and the art book showed what they had in store for the future... if only...”
    • “The atmosphere of the game and the musical score blend perfectly, and although the game is a bit on the short side, I'm hopeful for an eventual sequel.”
    • “The blues music, gravity-manipulating gameplay, and metroidvania-esque exploration of the opening quickly give way to a tired plot, repetitive puzzles, and a soundtrack that sounds like it could be pulled from any sci-fi game or movie without having any personality of its own.”
    • “Starts off strongly with nice 3D graphics, voice acting, and a folksy soundtrack, but gets repetitive fast.”
    • “The music is very well-done, although unfortunately you rarely ever hear it.”
  • graphics151 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their vibrant, cartoonish art style and solid detail, contributing to an enjoyable visual experience. Many reviewers noted that the graphics are well-suited to the gameplay, with smooth animations and a pleasing aesthetic that enhances the overall atmosphere. While some found the visuals to be somewhat simplistic or dated compared to modern standards, the consensus is that they effectively complement the game's mechanics and charm.

    • “The graphics are very pretty, the gameplay is wonderful.”
    • “The graphics, sound, gameplay...it's all there.”
    • “The graphics are really detailed and good, although not 4K (but who says it needs to?).”
    • “The presentation in this 2011 game is where things fall a bit short - the visuals are okay by 2016 standards, but the real-time rendered cutscenes are just so poorly animated plus the voice acting sounds really forced.”
    • “The story and art style is too cartoony and childish for my taste.”
    • “The graphics are also well done, using the Unity engine, although some of the texture work is a little shoddy.”
  • humor67 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its quirky characters, witty dialogue, and amusing moments that enhance the gameplay experience. The main character, Rochard, is particularly noted for his comedic personality, and the game's lighthearted tone is complemented by engaging voice acting and clever writing. While some found the humor inconsistent at times, the overall consensus is that it adds significant charm and enjoyment to the game.

    • “Rochard's best facet is its humor and ability to lampoon the sci-fi genre.”
    • “The game has a quirky sense of humor that really grew on me, and is right at that sweet 8-hour length that isn't too much yet doesn't feel too short.”
    • “Rochard is a delightful puzzle-platformer with a wonderful sense of humor.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting limited value unless they are focused on collecting items or achieving specific goals like speed runs. While certain features, such as collectible badges and upgrades, can enhance replayability for some, many reviewers suggest that the game lacks substantial content to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, it seems best suited for casual play, with a few players expressing interest in potential DLC or sequels.

    • “Realistic amount of collectibles, which lend to higher replay value.”
    • “It also has great replay value, and I'll gladly buy DLC for it.”
    • “Haven't seen what replay value there is, but at $10, I've gotten more than my money's worth.”
    • “Not much in replay value, unless you missed a lot of the collections.”
    • “Don't expect a lot of replayability, and probably wait for a sale.”
    • “Game doesn't have much replayability but would play a sequel.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its perfect soundtrack, which enhances the sci-fi and nostalgic elements, creating an immersive experience. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and well-crafted environments that complement the music, making puzzle-solving enjoyable and engaging. Overall, the combination of sound and visuals effectively draws players into the game's world, despite some noting the game's brevity.

    • “The atmosphere of the game and the musical score blend perfectly, and although the game is a bit on the short side, I'm hopeful for an eventual sequel.”
    • “It's also filled with beautiful, atmospheric environments and scored with a gorgeous and diverse soundtrack.”
    • “Honestly, this game will suck you in with nice atmospheric music for you to enjoy solving puzzles; you could also enjoy the story, if you can.”
    • “Atmosphere: 2/5”
    • “It has so much going for it - great music, entertaining physics puzzles, fun combat, endearing characters, and that same space-trucker atmosphere which made me love Starcraft's Terrans.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The game features a lighthearted and cartoony style, with emotionally touching moments that resonate with players, despite some criticism of its story. While the gameplay and mechanics are praised, the emotional depth fluctuates, particularly as it shifts away from its heartfelt humor midway through. Overall, it offers a simple yet heartwarming experience.

    • “The game has cartoony graphics and style, and an overall lighthearted vibe, but there are emotionally touching moments.”
    • “It was heartwarming and simple in story and play.”
  • stability4 mentions

    User experiences with stability vary significantly; while some report glitches such as falling through floors and frustrating checkpoints, others praise the game as bug-free and fully functional, highlighting a smooth physics engine and polished presentation. Overall, the stability of the game appears to be inconsistent, with some players encountering issues while others have a seamless experience.

    • “I've seen no glitches.”
    • “It's fully voiced, has a polished artistic style, was completely bug-free for me, and the physics engine worked very smoothly.”
    • “Also experienced a few glitches like falling through floors and some unfair passages where you have to restart from checkpoints a lot.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is commendable, with solid performance attributed to its simple graphics and minimal bugs. Players have noted that various aspects, including gameplay and puzzles, run smoothly, contributing to a positive gaming experience.

    • “Simple graphics means performance is solid.”
    • “Almost everything in the game: gameplay, story, voice acting, gameplay mechanics, very good puzzles, challenges, very minimal bugs, soundtrack, great performance.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game, particularly related to jump puzzles involving the gravity gun and gravity inversion, to be tedious and slower-paced than anticipated based on promotional materials.

    • “I found the jump puzzles around the gravity gun and gravity inversion a bit tedious and a lot slower than the trailer video makes you think.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
4-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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