Rocketbirds 2 Evolution
- January 26, 2017
- Ratloop Asia
The game is a good experience for those looking to get a new platformer since they seem to be so few and far between. Just don't expect anything substantial besides the great humor surrounding this interesting world.
In Rocketbirds 2: Evolution, Hardboiled Chicken becomes entangled in a penguin plot in "Part 1: The Cockup," while pint-sized budgies form a strike force in "Part 2: The Rescue." Players can engage in side-scrolling shooter action with jetpacks and various weapons, and upgrade over 100 costumes and characters in procedurally generated missions. The two parts can be played in any order and offer cinematic platforming, light puzzle elements, and jetpack action.
Reviews
- The game features enjoyable gameplay with a variety of weapons and upgrades, making combat fun and engaging.
- The soundtrack is excellent, enhancing the overall experience with memorable music.
- The co-op mode is well-designed, allowing for fun multiplayer experiences and replayability.
- The game suffers from technical issues such as FPS drops and lag, particularly in multiplayer.
- Some players find the storyline and character development lacking compared to the first game, feeling forced or disjointed.
- The controls can be awkward, and the game may feel overly simplistic or grindy at times.
- story26 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story in the sequel has been described as increasingly absurd and lacking the environmental puzzle-solving elements of its predecessor, leading to a narrative that feels disjointed and forced. While the game introduces engaging rescue missions and improved character development, many players find the overall storyline disappointing and anticlimactic, with a tone that sometimes resembles a children's TV show. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay dynamics and co-op features offer enjoyable experiences, though they may not fully compensate for the perceived shortcomings in the story.
“Lots of violence and a good storyline that follows up with the first game.”
“Once again, a superb soundtrack and great story plus improved game mechanics (now combat is more challenging but more fun at the same time) and, the best part, deeper character development thanks to a lot more awesome voice acting!”
“Knowing the quality of the first story, there would be no doubt that the second would be as good as the first.”
“The storyline now sounds more like it's one of those stupid TV shows for kids.”
“Besides that, this is a very disappointing game story-wise. It seems to me as if the developers attempted to add depth and complexity to each and every single aspect of the original game, but they went in the complete opposite direction. The last game was all about simplicity in puzzles, gunfights, movement, and level progression, which isn't to say that was better.”
“My only complaint about this two-part system is that I felt the ending of part two's 'story' was incredibly anti-climactic and felt like a regular level. I would have loved to have seen one final epic encounter.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of improvements and challenges in the sequel, with some players appreciating the new dynamics and mechanics, such as rescue missions and deeper character development, while others criticize slow pacing, aiming issues, and technical problems like FPS drops. The dual stick shooter format remains engaging, bolstered by a strong soundtrack and humorous dialogue, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of the gameplay changes. Overall, the gameplay is seen as enjoyable but polarizing, with some players excited about the new features and others longing for the simplicity of the first game.
“But gameplay is what makes me happy.”
“In part 2, we have a sequence of rescue missions with a different dynamic than part 1, and this gameplay is very interesting and fits perfectly for those who want to play more of this beautiful game even after finishing the story.”
“The gameplay and presentation create a unique dual-stick shooter that you won't soon forget.”
“But this time, no co-op campaign and the gameplay is really slow.”
“FPS drops, laggy backgrounds, bad aiming and mechanics; even the graphics look bad compared to the first one.”
“Gameplay-wise, while the game showcases improvements, the gunplay is simply too dependent on a system that doesn't make much sense, and it isn't explained or implemented in the main campaign mode in a good way.”
- music12 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its "amazing" and "godlike" soundtracks, particularly highlighting the contributions from "new world revolution" that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack complements the gameplay well, maintaining a similar quality to the first installment while also featuring improved voice acting and character development. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.
“Awesome fun, great soundtrack, low brow humor here and there, not enough to annoy, but it's still there.”
“Amazing artwork accompanied by a memorable soundtrack that gives the game an overall vibe.”
“The gameplay and soundtrack are very similar to the first game (which is a good thing) the big difference from one to the other is part 2.”
“A godlike soundtrack by 'New World Revolution', bringing science fiction rock to every moment of the game with fully-fledged boss fights and many different types of enemies will keep you on your toes till the end.”
“+ godlike soundtrack by 'New World Revolution', bringing science fiction rock to every moment of the game.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players noting issues like FPS drops and laggy backgrounds, while others appreciate the detailed environments and the transition to a 2.5D art style. Although the new aesthetic diverges from the original, many find it visually satisfying and fitting, complemented by a memorable soundtrack. Overall, the graphics are seen as a blend of enjoyable artwork and functional design, despite some criticisms regarding performance and mechanics.
“The art style is the same from the first game, but switched to a 2.5D perspective; a mix of lighthearted humor and serious atmosphere in very detailed environments.”
“Amazing artwork accompanied by a memorable soundtrack that gives the game an overall vibe.”
“Good controls, lighthearted humor, nice artwork - winning combo in my book.”
“FPS drops, laggy backgrounds, bad aiming and mechanics; even the graphics look bad according to the first one.”
“It was hard to get used to the new art style because I did like the one from the first game, but you get used to it.”
“The art style is the same as the first game, but switched to a 2.5D perspective; a mix of lighthearted humor and serious atmosphere in very detailed environments.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of lighthearted and lowbrow elements, which some players find enjoyable without being overwhelming. The humorous dialogue complements the fast-paced gameplay and is well-received alongside the game's appealing artwork and soundtrack. Overall, it contributes positively to the gaming experience.
“Awesome fun, great soundtrack, lowbrow humor here and there, not enough to annoy, but it's still there.”
“Fast-paced action gameplay throughout the lengthy campaign with humorous dialogue.”
“Good controls, lighthearted humor, nice artwork - a winning combo in my book.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "rocktbirds" effectively blends lighthearted humor with a serious tone, enhanced by detailed environments and a 2.5D art style that builds on the original game's aesthetic. The creators successfully maintain an action movie vibe, elevating the story's stakes while keeping the overall experience engaging and visually appealing.
“The art style is the same from the first game, but switched to a 2.5D perspective; a mix of lighthearted humor and serious atmosphere in very detailed environments.”
“Getting the story into an even greater threat by keeping the atmosphere of an action movie was a challenge that the creators of Rocktbirds were not going to fail.”
“+ Art style is the same from the first game, but switched to 2.5D; a mix of lighthearted humor and serious atmosphere in very detailed environments.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and restrictive, with many actions feeling unnecessarily cumbersome compared to the original. While the puzzles remain simple, the overall process of completing them has become more frustrating, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
“The original game's puzzles were simple, and I liked them as such; however, the process of completing them was tedious and felt overly restrictive this time around.”
“The process of progressing through the levels seems a lot more restrictive and tedious to complete compared to the original game.”
“One of the main complaints I had with the original game was how every single tiny action you made was annoying or tedious to perform, from controlling elevators to shooting, which was limited to straight shots without any freedom for verticality or aiming.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability through a separate co-op story mode with procedural levels, diverse weapons, and an upgrade system that allows players to earn and spend credits. Additionally, the presence of numerous unlockable characters further enhances the overall replay value.
“Tons of characters to unlock, and the upgrading system enhances the replay value of this already awesome game.”
“A separate, replayable co-op story mode featuring procedural levels, more weapons, and the ability to earn and spend credits for general upgrades.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game features deeper character development, enhanced by improved voice acting, which enriches the storytelling experience. The combination of a superb soundtrack and refined game mechanics further elevates the overall engagement with the characters.
“Once again, a superb soundtrack and great story, plus improved game mechanics (now combat is more challenging but more fun at the same time), and the best part: deeper character development thanks to a lot more awesome voice acting!”
Critic Reviews
Rocketbirds 2: Evolution Review
In the end, Rocketbirds 2: Evolution is just not much fun. It's a relatively lengthy but disappointing experience with little replay value. The controls are blunt and clumsy, the humour is often witless, and the puzzles are at times so basic that there's not a lot of satisfaction in solving them. While there is a lot of potential on the surface, Ratloop may have wanted to sit on this egg a bit longer before it hatched.
50%Rocketbirds 2: Evolution Review – A Funny Ride
The game is a good experience for those looking to get a new platformer since they seem to be so few and far between. Just don't expect anything substantial besides the great humor surrounding this interesting world.
70%Review: Rocketbirds 2: Evolution
An Exercise in apathy, neither solid nor liquid. Not exactly bad, but not very good either. Just a bit 'meh,' really.
50%