Rollerdrome

The Roll7 team have achieved an original greatness with Rollerdrome across the board: original concept, 80s nostalgia music and art—augmented with super fluid mechanics and gameplay.

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"Rollerdrome" is a single player, BAFTA award-winning third-person shooter game with an amazing story and perfect mechanics. It combines high-octane combat with fluid motion for an action experience like no other, set in a retrofuture blood sport arena. With stunning visuals, a stellar soundtrack, and intense shooter-skater action, Rollerdrome offers high replayability as you grind your way to becoming the champion and uncovering the mysteries of the Matterhorn corporation.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,653 reviews

gameplay211 positive mentions

grinding44 negative mentions

Unique blend of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and Max Payne mechanics, providing a fresh and exhilarating gameplay experience.
Stylish art direction and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
High replayability with various challenges and a rewarding progression system that encourages skill improvement.

Difficulty spikes in later levels can be frustrating, making it challenging for casual players to progress.
Progression is locked behind completing specific challenges, which can feel tedious and detract from the overall enjoyment.
Limited variety in levels and enemy types, leading to a sense of repetition as the game progresses.

gameplay
495 mentions
43 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Rollerdrome is widely praised for its unique blend of fast-paced shooting and skating mechanics, reminiscent of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and Max Payne. Players appreciate the smooth controls, satisfying combat, and the rewarding challenge of mastering its mechanics, although some find the difficulty spikes and reliance on tricks for ammo management can disrupt the flow. Overall, the game is celebrated for its engaging gameplay loop, stylish presentation, and the adrenaline rush it provides, making it a standout experience for fans of action and arcade-style games.
- “Great learning curve with satisfying and challenging to master gameplay.”
- “The gameplay can get pretty stressful but it feels rewarding when you win.”
- “Rollerdrome is a fantastic example of a game that has a clear direction and excels in its primary gameplay without trying to fill space.”
- “You get nothing in return, no skins, cosmetics, power-ups, cool things, you just play the game like you would play Donkey Kong or Pac-Man in the arcade; there's nothing but the gameplay, and it just makes the whole idea flawed and shows how developers remained oblivious or ignorant in that regard.”
- “Unfortunately, the actual game that Roll7 built around all that is rather lacking; it fails to significantly iterate or expand on its core mechanics much beyond the first few stages, even with a few new weapons, and levels are too long, with their repetitive level and encounter design getting stale awfully fast.”
- “The gameplay is a mix of an arena shooter and a skater, with the main gimmick being that you refill ammo by doing stunts, which I've found to be a nuisance and hurts the flow of combat rather than being fun.”
graphics
246 mentions
59 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique cel-shaded art style, which evokes a retro-futuristic aesthetic reminiscent of 70s and 80s comic books and films. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals, fluid animations, and how the art complements the fast-paced gameplay, making it visually engaging without overwhelming the player. However, some critiques mention performance issues and a lack of graphical options, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The art style is amazing and a very bold choice, as it may seem 'primitive' to the untrained eye.”
- “Beautiful cel-shaded graphics and a great difficulty that prevents it from being too easy and the right amount of challenge.”
- “The graphics are crisp and make the game extremely approachable and fluid even on older hardware.”
- “Lovely game kind of ruined by there being no graphical options (not asking for much but this game desperately needs anti-aliasing, the jaggies even at 1440p are horrendous).”
- “There is a lack of variety in terms of visuals, not enemy types.”
- “Fun but more fine grain control of graphical options would be nice, currently only option is a single overall graphics setting which can be set to either high or low and that's it.”
music
191 mentions
57 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its energetic and fitting synthwave soundtrack, which complements the retro-futuristic aesthetic and enhances the gameplay experience. While many players find the soundtrack enjoyable and well-suited to the game's atmosphere, some suggest it lacks variety and could benefit from a more dynamic system that reacts to gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its engaging and immersive feel.
- “The moody synthwave soundtrack is a perfect match for the retro-dystopian future, which is weirdly well fleshed out considering how there is basically zero exposition in this game.”
- “Rollerdrome is a fabulous little game with a well-defined scope, tightly designed gameplay, a banging soundtrack, and an aura of coolness permeating every frame.”
- “Every time the beat drops when you jump into the arena is pure hype, and the intensity of the music matches the frantic gameplay.”
- “The music is underwhelming as well.”
- “The soundtrack is very middling and I think it's the biggest thing holding this game back from being absolutely stellar.”
- “The only real let down is the soundtrack; when a stellar soundtrack would have put this game over the top.”
story
181 mentions
23 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in "Rollerdrome" is generally described as minimal and subtle, serving primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus. While some players appreciate the intriguing dystopian elements and environmental storytelling, many feel that the narrative is underdeveloped and lacks depth, often requiring players to seek out details through exploration rather than being directly presented. Overall, the game offers a unique aesthetic and atmosphere, but those looking for a rich narrative experience may find it lacking.
- “The story and universe are solid – they don’t overshadow the flashy gameplay, but rather make shooting while roller-skating feel less strange and detached from reality.”
- “The game sprinkles just enough story here and there so that you'll understand the setting, the backstory and personality of the main character, the stakes, and why she's participating in a blood sport.”
- “The narrative is a cool dystopian plot with hints of cyberpunk thrown in, which adds to the game's character.”
- “Telling your whole story through small descriptions isn't compelling when they're so few and far between.”
- “The story is almost not there, sure.”
- “Unfortunately, this never happens, and the story has no actual payoff.”
replayability
47 mentions
43 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its intuitive gameplay, engaging challenges, and a variety of goals that encourage players to revisit levels for improved scores. While the campaign is relatively short, many players find themselves drawn back in by the addictive nature of the gameplay and the desire to complete challenges, making it a worthwhile experience for completionists and high-score chasers alike. However, some reviewers noted that additional modes, such as an endless survival option, could further enhance replay value.
- “Incredible game with gorgeous presentation and fantastic gameplay, absolutely dripping with style in every corner. The matches are just the right amount of challenging to remain interesting, and the list of challenges makes it easily replayable just to try and improve, exactly the kind of game we should all be celebrating.”
- “The challenges also add a lot to the replayability, too, because if you like to chase down the challenges, you'll be replaying these levels a few times to knock them all out.”
- “It's an extremely fun game that you can play and enjoy in short bursts, on maps that are extremely replayable since you're going to immediately want to retry them to see if you can pull off a better score.”
- “The only thing I think would be a big benefit to the game for replay value is some sort of an endless survival mode.”
- “It is also on the shorter side and doesn't feel that replayable to me.”
- “This is supposed to add some more 'replayability', but I doubt players will spend a lot of time on it after the main campaign.”
grinding
44 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to replaying levels to complete challenges. While some appreciate the blend of trick mechanics and combat, others feel that the focus on grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially in later stages where difficulty spikes can make the experience feel like a slog. However, a few players noted that the grind can be rewarding and offers opportunities for exploration and skill improvement, suggesting that enjoyment may vary based on individual preferences for grinding in gameplay.
- “To progress in the game and unlock new levels and eventually the second campaign, be ready for a healthy amount of good 'ol grinding, as you're going to have to replay some of the levels to get all the tasks done and thus progress.”
- “The grinding challenges can be a bit frustrating, and the fact that you have to replay previous levels to complete them can grind the game to a halt.”
- “Unfortunately, I did not enjoy grinding out challenges in order to progress the levels.”
optimization
19 mentions
42 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users noting smooth performance across various hardware, including high-end PCs and the Steam Deck. While some minor stuttering occurs in later levels, the minimalist art style contributes to excellent performance, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players. The focus on optimization and execution enhances the gameplay experience, with tight controls and appealing presentation further solidifying its positive reception.
- “Lots of room for optimization and very rewarding to get better at.”
- “Extremely optimized and performs flawlessly.”
- “Controls are super tight, presentation is appealing, and gameplay is easily readable. The game is competently optimized and so far is running without any performance or stability issues.”
- “Why minimalist art style but bad performance?”
- “Pretty good game overall, some stuttering in later levels on my high-end PC; otherwise, good performance.”
- “The game values memorization, optimization, and execution much more than it does creativity and improvisation.”
stability
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on the Steam Deck and offers a pleasant experience with minimal glitches, some users report significant bugs, particularly with game mechanics like grinding, which feel unfinished. Despite these issues, many players find moments of enjoyment amidst the glitches.
- “It runs great on Steam Deck, and is battery-friendly.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “Bad game mechanics wrapped in a buggy package that offers moments of fun, but those moments get old really quickly.”
- “Grinding feels extremely buggy; if you jump out of a grind and grind again, you magically snap to the rail. It feels very much like an alpha state.”
- “The game offers some nice graphics and a nice aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Rollerdrome is highly praised for its engaging blend of calm anticipation and chaotic action, enhanced by a striking art style and an excellent soundtrack. While the thin storyline adds a subtle layer to the experience, the overall ambiance can feel oppressive for those unfamiliar with its inspirations. Players appreciate the game's unique combination of aesthetics and gameplay, creating a vibrant and immersive environment.
- “Wonderful art style, amazing atmosphere, and a great soundtrack so far, not to mention it's pretty damn fun.”
- “Atmosphere, visuals, gameplay, and music are all on point.”
- “Rollerdrome is loaded with atmosphere; I'm particularly fond of the short 'run up' to an arena - a much-needed moment of calm and anticipation in contrast to the violence and chaos of the match itself.”
- “If you've not played the prerequisite inspirations that are being built upon here, then that oppressive atmosphere could feel suffocating, especially with a rather monotonous tutorial.”
- “Tony Hawk's on roller skates with guns... death combos, bullet time, cel-shaded beauty, all in a rollerball atmosphere.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game to be a blend of dark wit and situational comedy, particularly through the exploration of its dystopian backstory and the contrast between challenging gameplay and the absurdity of the setting. The lighthearted tone, reminiscent of classic games like Tony Hawk's Underground 2, adds to the enjoyment as players navigate through levels with a sense of humor about their progress and challenges.
- “I also appreciate the more relaxed, first-person exploration in between matches, which gives the player some often darkly humorous backstory about the dystopian world of 2030 and the international Rollerdrome Federation.”
- “It's funny because I completed these last levels pretty smoothly after being stuck and thinking I needed it to be easier.”
- “At the beginning I did not understand the game, but after 45 minutes I became a killing machine. The game is great and has that Tony Hawk Underground 2 vibe; completing the levels is funny.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game's premise compelling, as it subtly reveals themes of resistance and societal corruption, which effectively draws them into an emotional investment in the narrative.
- “This is always an intriguing premise, and the game leaves you clues about the resistance, the totalitarian nature of society, the corruption behind the sport, etc. It wasn't much, but it got me emotionally invested.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the visual distinctiveness of enemies through their silhouettes suggests a strong emphasis on modern character design, indicating potential depth and uniqueness in character development.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character's unique backstory and growth.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
- “The way characters change based on player choices adds a layer of depth that makes every decision feel significant.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game includes options to enhance accessibility, such as slowing down gameplay and providing unlimited bullets, which can be unlocked through ads. This approach aims to cater to players unfamiliar with the genre while integrating ad-based incentives.