Rocket League Sideswipe
- November 15, 2021
- Psyonix
- 9h median play time
Rocket League Sideswipe is a sport game that combines car racing and soccer, with multiplayer and single-player modes. The game features fast-paced 2-minute matches, customizable cars, and a variety of game modes. With its intuitive touch controls, impressive visuals, and action-packed gameplay, Rocket League Sideswipe offers a unique and exciting experience for mobile gamers. However, it's worth noting that some players have reported bugs and grinding issues.
Reviews
- Great adaptation of Rocket League for mobile, maintaining the core gameplay while simplifying controls.
- No ads or microtransactions, making it a truly free-to-play experience.
- Fast-paced matches with a variety of game modes, providing a fun and competitive environment.
- Frequent lag and connectivity issues, causing frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Matchmaking can be unbalanced, often pairing players with significantly higher or lower ranks.
- Inconsistent controls, with issues such as unresponsive buttons and unexpected car movements.
- gameplay692 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Rocket League Sideswipe is generally praised for its fun and engaging mechanics, which are easy to learn yet challenging to master, making it accessible for both newcomers and experienced players. However, many users report significant issues with lag, connection stability, and matchmaking, which can detract from the overall experience. While the graphics and controls receive positive feedback, the gameplay suffers from inconsistencies and bugs that need addressing to enhance player enjoyment.
“The gameplay is fun, the controls aren't very complicated, and the amount of customization you have with your car is crazy.”
“Very fun gameplay, a brilliant port to mobile that keeps the depth of gameplay from the original, while also simplifying the mechanics in a way to make it very accessible to anyone.”
“The mechanics are great, the game is smooth, and the people you get matched with are actually at your skill level.”
“Please try and fix it as soon as possible because it makes the game completely unplayable by ruining your whole gameplay and strategy.”
“The sad gameplay combined with the terrible lag is just horrible.”
“The gameplay has changed with the addition of errors in hitting the ball and more unpredictable bounces too.”
- graphics550 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their quality, especially considering it is a mobile adaptation. Many users appreciate the vibrant visuals and smooth animations, noting that the graphics can be adjusted to accommodate various device capabilities. However, some players have reported issues with lag and crashes, particularly when using higher settings, suggesting a need for further optimization and more customizable graphics options.
“The graphics are spot on for a mobile game, customization is superb, and the gameplay... my gosh it's so addicting it's easy to get used to the controls and I love how challenging the new bots in exhibition mode are!”
“Amazing game, can't stop playing it, such good graphics and the gameplay is too good to be true.”
“The graphics, gameplay, and score streaks are on point with the PC version.”
“I changed my graphics to low, and it's still the same.”
“The game is lagging too much after today's update; previously I used to get 60fps but now I am getting 25 fps with the lowest graphics settings.”
“Wow, the graphics became a lot worse after this new update. Please give us better graphics; before the update, medium was looking very good, it was like high, but now it's a lot worse.”
- stability308 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent glitches, lag, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience issues such as freezing during matches, teleporting characters, and unresponsive controls, leading to frustrating losses and a diminished overall experience. While some users have noted improvements in stability over time, the persistent bugs and connectivity problems remain a major concern for the majority of players.
“Runs great and feels smooth to play with a controller.”
“I love it, not buggy for me or anything; everything moves smoothly and cleanly like I'm playing the real Rocket League.”
“The game runs great, and has minimal errors, none of which are game-breaking.”
“The game is really good but sometimes the ball glitches when we start the kick off.”
“This game is so annoying it glitches all the time and I always end up losing and it puts me with unfair opponents.”
“The game has potential to be good but right now the game has way too many bugs and glitches.”
- monetization268 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 28 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptional monetization model, featuring no ads and no in-app purchases, which is a rarity in mobile gaming. Players appreciate the integrity of the developers, highlighting that all cosmetics are unlockable through gameplay rather than requiring real money. While some users express curiosity about future monetization strategies, the current lack of microtransactions is seen as a significant positive aspect of the game.
“The fact that this game is completely free, with no in-game purchases (currently), really shows the integrity of Psyonix.”
“No ads, no pay to win, no stamina system, an actual complete game.”
“Overall great game, no in-game purchases and completely free to play.”
“I do worry how they plan to monetize this, because there are loot boxes currently in the game though free (paid loot boxes are scummy, but paid battle passes can be done right), but as of now there is no apparent monetization so that isn't relevant right now.”
“Considering it's by Epic, they're probably gonna milk this game with tons of microtransactions.”
“I don't understand why they don't just monetize the game and spend that money on ads to revive the player base and update the game more frequently.”
- music141 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the inclusion of tracks from Monstercat and find the overall soundtrack enjoyable, there are frequent requests for a larger music library and the ability to customize playlists. Some players also express frustration with repetitive tracks and intrusive goal music, suggesting the need for options to disable certain sound effects.
“Outstanding graphics, amazing controls, incredible music; this game has it all.”
“The addition of Monstercat music immediately welcomes you in and gives a great feeling, as well as really ties the game together and makes it feel like a true Rocket League game.”
“The music is my favorite part of the game besides the fact that Rocket League is on mobile!!!”
“My only complaint is the music that plays after you score a goal, when the match starts, or when the match ends.”
“The game is so much fun, but every time I boot it up and hear this unpleasantly scuffed rendition of 'Water Resistant', I can't help but get frustrated immediately.”
“The soundtrack is ripped straight out of the game, so you can still enjoy Monstercat while scoring some goals, but I wish there were more songs to choose from.”
- optimization94 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, especially after updates. While some users report smooth gameplay and good performance on high-end devices, others face lag, frame drops, and overheating, particularly on lower-end phones. There is a consensus that further optimizations are needed to enhance battery usage and overall stability, especially for a wider range of devices.
“Overall decent game, good gameplay and amazing graphics which you can easily change to play for performance instead.”
“Beautiful graphics and stable performance!”
“Great optimization and graphics and fast styled gameplay.”
“The game is great, but Rocket League Sideswipe is not the best optimized; my FPS keeps dropping.”
“Loved the game, but after every update, the optimization is being thrown down the drain. As a potato phone user, it barely manages 27 FPS.”
“The game is really laggy, and it seems to be something wrong with optimization... it was really smooth before this season. Now it lags and heats up my phone, which is a powerful phone, by the way. This game is supposed to be very light.”
- grinding38 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while many enjoy the challenge and addictive nature of leveling up, others criticize it for being tedious and time-consuming, particularly in relation to the Rocket Pass progression. Issues such as poor matchmaking, account management problems, and a lack of rewarding gameplay elements contribute to frustrations, with some players feeling that the grind detracts from overall enjoyment. Despite these concerns, the game's fun mechanics and competitive elements keep many players engaged for extended periods.
“No grinding or purchases necessary.”
“It's a little bit tedious to go to the garage and do all that stuff from that menu.”
“What needs more work is the tedious grind on rocket pass, I think its progression is way too slow for a mobile game and the store definitely needs more work.”
“Comes on guys, I don't want to be grinding an app for hours at a time just to go up one level on the pass!”
- humor34 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -6 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it hilarious and enjoyable, even amidst technical issues like lag and glitches. Many reviews highlight the chaotic and funny moments that arise during gameplay, especially when playing with friends, although some frustrations with performance detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as a fun and lighthearted option, despite its need for optimization.
“The game is hilarious and a lot of fun.”
“Overall a funny and enjoyable game.”
“Even when we lose, it's always funny!”
“The jokes fell flat and felt forced throughout the game.”
“I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly just cringeworthy.”
“The attempts at comedy were so awkward that it made me uncomfortable.”
- emotional19 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional frustration with the game's performance issues, particularly related to lag and unresponsive controls, which detract from the overall experience and lead to feelings of helplessness and disappointment. Many users report moments of nostalgia and enjoyment, but these are overshadowed by technical problems that can result in significant setbacks, such as losing ranks and feeling disconnected from the game. The emotional rollercoaster of nostalgia mixed with frustration highlights the game's potential, yet underscores the need for improvements in stability and control responsiveness.
“I know Psyonix always has issues with lag, but what I faced today made me cry.”
“I cried from nostalgia, lmao.”
“Now you're left on your bed and crying because you feel like a failure in life (not really, it's just emotional).”
- story19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its repetitive missions and limited variety in seasonal quests, making it challenging for players to progress, especially those with less time to play. Users express a desire for more diverse rewards and challenges to enhance engagement, as the current system leads to boredom once the initial quests are completed. Overall, while players enjoy the game, they feel that the lack of new content and mission variety detracts from the overall experience.
“I also love the ranking mechanics and side quests given to you to explore more modes.”
“Very fun, but they need to add the feature where you unlock a random customization item at the end of each match, because once you finish the season unlocks and all quests there isn't really anything else to unlock or reward playing.”
“Maybe put more missions in the game, that's what really gets me playing.”
“Not fun at all after the mutator madness update; it's so boring, and plus all the missions are of that same game mode, so you have to play the same boring thing again and again.”
“I love playing this, but the season quests are absolutely bad.”
“They only give you quests to play the 'new' mode, so if you don't enjoy it, good luck finishing the pass without playing 3000 matches.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Users express mixed feelings about the game's replayability, with some highlighting its smooth training mechanics and overall enjoyment, while others point to significant online stability issues that hinder the experience. The potential for replayability is acknowledged, but concerns about server performance may affect long-term engagement.
“The reason why I rated it 5 stars is because of its replayability; the training feels smooth and overall it's a good game.”
“I think the game needs an update to make it more playable for those who can't perform air plays.”
“To be honest, I don't know how replayable the game is.”
“The reason I rated it 5 stars is because of its replayability; the training feels smooth and overall it's a good game.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game successfully captures the vibrant atmosphere of Rocket League, providing an enjoyable experience; however, frequent lag issues can detract from gameplay, making it frustrating at times.
“Really fun, well-made game that captures the atmosphere of Rocket League flawlessly.”