Rocket Arena

Rocket Arena is Electronic Arts and Final Strike's rocket-slinging 3v3 team shooter. Does this rocket pack a punch or fizzle out on launch? Our review

Starting at $5.59Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

Rocket Arena is a team-based 3v3 shooter where players blast each other off the map using high-powered rockets. Collect and master a diverse cast of heroes, each with unique abilities and playstyles, in this adrenaline-fueled competition. Master the art of rocket riding and chain explosions to outscore the enemy team in fast-paced 20-minute matches for an exciting and skill-based experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,067 reviews

gameplay69 positive mentions

monetization13 negative mentions

The gameplay is fun and fast-paced, with unique mechanics that combine elements from games like Super Smash Bros. and Overwatch.
The character designs are vibrant and diverse, offering a variety of playstyles that keep the game interesting.
Crossplay functionality allows for quick matchmaking and a larger player base across different platforms.

The game has a low player base, leading to long matchmaking times and frequent matches against bots.
Many players feel the game should be free-to-play instead of having a price tag and a battle pass, which could limit its success.
There are balance issues with certain characters, making some feel overpowered compared to others.

gameplay
148 mentions
47 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Rocket Arena is characterized by its fast-paced, skill-based mechanics that blend elements from various genres, including third-person shooters and platform fighters like Super Smash Bros. Players appreciate the unique knockout mechanics, diverse character abilities, and the accessibility of the game, making it easy to pick up yet challenging to master. However, some users express concerns about matchmaking issues, repetitive gameplay, and the game's initial pricing, suggesting it may be better suited as a free-to-play title.
- “Amazing plays could be made with the fast-paced, skill-based, highly mobile shooter gameplay in a small arena with quick respawn.”
- “Extremely fun gameplay and more depth than you'd expect from a game like this.”
- “It's a really fresh take with some neat mechanics; this, coupled with the fact the games are anywhere from 5-10 minutes a piece, just makes for the perfect blend of light and competitive gameplay!”
- “The narrator is boring, the gameplay is slow, there's a weird amount of handholding, and the combat is not good.”
- “I know it's new but there are so many flaws with the gameplay.”
- “A few original ideas are lost behind a forgettable art style, small maps, and questionable gameplay mechanics.”
graphics
59 mentions
54 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their vibrant, cartoonish art style, which is often compared to popular titles like Fortnite and Overwatch. While many players appreciate the unique character designs and smooth performance, some critiques highlight a lack of variety in character costumes and a simplistic aesthetic that may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the gameplay experience, though opinions vary on their originality and depth.
- “Runs well, graphics are beautiful, heroes are creative, what's not to love.”
- “Graphics are beautiful, cartoony, controls are responsive, arenas are well designed and made.”
- “The graphics are lovely to look at and run super solid smooth at max graphics!”
- “Aesthetically, the art style looks indie as architecture and objects look visually detailed; however, character designs might appear weaker or simplistic compared to that of an indie games studio like Whacked or Cel Damage.”
- “A few original ideas are lost behind a forgettable art style, small maps, and questionable gameplay mechanics.”
- “If you're also looking for a competitive game, this is it for sure; don't let the colorful cartoon graphics fool you.”
monetization
56 mentions
5 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's monetization model features numerous microtransactions, primarily for cosmetic items, which can often be acquired through in-game currency rather than real money. While some players appreciate the ability to earn currency through gameplay, others criticize the presence of microtransactions and a battle pass, suggesting it feels like a cash grab, especially given the game's price tag. Overall, the monetization is seen as fair by some, but the reliance on microtransactions has led to mixed feelings among the community.
- “Regarding microtransactions, nearly all skins and items can be purchased with the free currency, and it took maybe 30 minutes of actually playing the game to have enough to pick out the highest tier skin on my character of choice.”
- “Worth the $30 price tag. Microtransactions only unlock customizations, and most of them can be purchased with in-game currency, with no gameplay mechanics hidden behind a paywall.”
- “Overall a good buy; microtransactions are all cosmetic, so there's no pay-to-win aspect either.”
- “Overall: seems like a low-budget cash grab.”
- “Unfortunately, I wouldn't blame you if you wouldn't want to pay 30 bucks, while the game still has both microtransactions and a battle pass.”
- “Potentially fun for a few hours for a laugh, but the business model and direction this game has taken since beta makes this look like a cash grab.”
music
12 mentions
33 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its uniqueness and quality, while others find it sub-par. Overall, it is noted for its catchy elements and integration with the game's audio design, including voice acting and sound effects.
- “The music is very unique and stands out.”
- “Audio: the audio is pretty neat too with the voice acting, cute music.”
- “The matchmaking can be a bit off sometimes and the music is sub-par.”
- “Audio: the audio is pretty neat too with the voice acting, cute music?”
- “There are some sweet effects, maps and design, music, dialogue and modes to choose from.”
grinding
8 mentions
13 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Players note that while the game features microtransactions, all items and cosmetics can be earned through grinding, with a decent amount of in-game currency awarded for playing matches. However, many find the grind for desirable skins to be excessive, leading to feelings of being underpowered if not engaged in extensive gameplay. Overall, the grind is seen as manageable for some, but overly demanding for others.
- “All skins apart from the battle pass skins can be earned without the use of real money, and it is not that grindy to get the pieces you want.”
- “Very grindy, and most cool skins are free but take waaayyy too much grinding.”
- “If you get it late, you will feel underpowered unless you feel like grinding against AI.”
- “Warning: this game does include microtransactions, but acquiring items/cosmetics doesn't need actual money, just grinding.”
character development
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its unique designs that contribute to the competitive arena experience, though some players feel the character designs are simplistic compared to other indie titles. While the gameplay mechanics are praised, there are concerns about the overall depth of character development and the impact of monetization and community reliance on the experience.
- “Rocket Arena is a fresh take on the hero shooter genre with great gameplay mechanics and character design, but there are some minor elements holding it back from perfection.”
- “Aesthetically, the art style looks indie as architecture and objects are visually detailed; however, character designs might appear weaker or more simplistic compared to those of indie game studios like Whacked or Cel Damage.”
- “[Aggressive monetization, heavy reliance on community, character design]”
story
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is noted for its rewarding progression system, allowing players to unlock and customize various elements, including a battle pass that can be earned through gameplay. However, reviewers suggest that the narrative could be enhanced with additional character moves, a tower defense mode, and a more developed adventure or career mode for each character. Overall, the story framework is seen as a solid foundation that could benefit from further expansion and depth.
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, characterized as fast-paced and amusing, though it appears to resonate more with a younger audience, particularly those aged 9-14.
- “Fast and funny games.”
- “The game is quite funny, but I think it's more appealing to the younger generation (9-14 years).”
stability
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by a buggy login system that frustrates users, although performance is commendable, running smoothly at 1400p with max detail and 144fps on high-end hardware like the 2080ti.
- “Performance - runs great at 1440p max detail, 144fps on my 2080 Ti.”
- “Their login system is buggy; be prepared to be annoyed with it.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the intense competition and teamwork required to capture the mega-rocket, creating a thrilling and engaging experience for players. The stakes of holding the control point evoke a sense of urgency and excitement, enhancing the overall emotional investment in the gameplay.
optimization
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, delivering excellent performance at 1440p with max settings, achieving 144fps on a 2080 Ti graphics card.
- “Performance - runs great at 1440p max detail, achieving 144fps on my 2080 Ti.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features a diverse cast of characters that adds freshness to the action, while the overall friendly atmosphere contributes to a cheerful experience.
- “A nice variety of characters keeps the action fresh, and the friendly atmosphere keeps the proceedings fairly cheerful.”