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Rolling Bird

94%Game Brain Score
gameplay, humor
graphics, music
94% User Score Based on 93 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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About

"Rolling Bird" is a retro-style arcade shooter inspired by "Rolling Thunder," where you play as a secret agent infiltrating a terrorist hideout. Your mission is to investigate the "Vaccum Filter" and survive the endless waves of enemies. With tight controls and an online scoreboard, the game offers fast-paced and challenging action for fans of retro shooters.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Rolling Bird screenshot

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 93 reviews
gameplay6 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The game captures the nostalgic feel of classic arcade games, providing fast-paced and addictive gameplay that keeps players coming back.
  • It's free to play, making it accessible for anyone looking for a challenging and fun experience reminiscent of the original Rolling Thunder.
  • The controls are tight and responsive, allowing for a satisfying gameplay experience despite the game's high difficulty level.
  • The game lacks a campaign mode and variety in enemy types, which could enhance the overall experience and replayability.
  • Some players have reported issues with controls and mechanics, such as keyboard glitches that hinder gameplay.
  • The graphics and overall presentation are quite basic, which may not appeal to those expecting modern visuals or a more polished experience.
  • gameplay
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Rolling Bird is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, reminiscent of classic arcade games, where players navigate through increasingly difficult levels while battling enemies. Despite criticisms regarding its graphics and lack of a narrative, many players appreciate the solid controls, variety of actions (like jumping and shooting), and the challenge it offers, which can lead to significant replayability. However, some users note issues with game mechanics that can detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a game of chance at times.

    • “Gameplay-wise, I really liked how complexity and challenge came from a very simple set of mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is really solid; you take control of this character and have to advance from the left to the right side of the screen while fighting against hordes of enemies, which get increasingly difficult the more you advance.”
    • “As for the gameplay, it's simple but great: you can duck, jump, high jump, and shoot; you can hide in doors and ambush your enemy, and you have two brilliant and satisfying weapons at your disposal: the handgun and the SMG.”
    • “Rolling Bird has graphics and gameplay that are even worse than the original Namco game, so it's really hard to find any value in this effort.”
    • “Too bad there's no ending and the gameplay revolves just around high scores; these kinds of games were never my thing.”
    • “Problems with the game mechanics make this a game of chance.”
  • graphics
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a simple, retro 2D pixel art style that some players find charming, reminiscent of 8-bit arcade games. While the visuals are often described as lazy and lacking in detail compared to contemporary standards, they are clean and functional, contributing positively to the gameplay experience. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some appreciating the nostalgic aesthetic while others feel it falls short of modern graphical expectations.

    • “The graphics are quite simple, but I still think they're quite cool anyway.”
    • “Tight controls and the graphics, though simple, are clean and work well.”
    • “This game's art style is that of an 8-bit arcade one; it's charming to say the least and although not as detailed as Rolling Thunder, it still has appeal, especially for those who are in love with the 80's.”
    • “Like most GameMaker Studio construction kit games, this features lazy 2D retro pixel art instead of professionally done, contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “Rolling Bird has graphics and gameplay that are even worse than the original Namco game, so it's really hard to find any value in this effort.”
    • “This game's art style is that of an 8-bit arcade one; it's charming to say the least, and although not as detailed as Rolling Thunder, it still has appeal, especially for those who are in love with the '80s.”
  • music
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is limited, with only a few tracks available, but players find the existing midi songs enjoyable and nostalgic. While some feel the soundtrack could benefit from more variety and options, others appreciate the charm of the minimalistic approach, often opting to play their own music during gameplay. Overall, the music adds a fun element without overshadowing the gameplay experience.

    • “The MIDI songs are so cool!”
    • “It's also a great example of how you don't need 8K textures and music played by an orchestra to have addictive and fun gameplay.”
    • “There's not much of a soundtrack available, but the ones that are available are okay.”
    • “How about some more music and an option to choose which one to play?”
    • “Only thing I'd suggest is adding music; I played my own tunes while I played this, and it significantly pumped me up.”
  • story
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks a traditional story or narrative, focusing instead on endless, procedurally generated gameplay and level achievements. Players note that this absence of a storyline makes it less engaging compared to other games with richer narratives, art styles, and soundtracks. Overall, those seeking a compelling story may find this game unsatisfactory.

    • “While there's not really a story or ending to follow, there are at least levels and achievements to keep track of your progress.”
    • “Rolling Bird is an arcade game based off of another arcade game by Bandai Namco called 'Rolling Thunder'. It has the same game design and mechanics, except it has a different art style and no story.”
    • “This game, as I mentioned before, has no story, but is one of those games that are endless and procedurally generated. So if you're into campaigns to the point where any game devoid of one is unenjoyable to you, then I don't recommend.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find that the game's difficulty and gameplay mechanics offer significant replayability, encouraging challenges like avoiding hits or perfecting shots. However, issues such as input lag and inconsistent hit detection can detract from the experience, suggesting that improvements in these areas are necessary for enhancing long-term engagement. Recent updates have reportedly improved playability, further boosting replay value.

    • “This update made the game more playable for me, and thus more enjoyable.”
    • “The game's mechanics encourage players to challenge themselves, enhancing its replay value.”
    • “Don't be turned away by the basic graphics; the difficulty and gameplay provide a good amount of playtime and, with some imagination, a lot of replayability (challenge yourself, don't get hit, don't miss a bullet, etc...).”
    • “Things like shots being too close to hit, for example, and not close enough for knockback to take effect, or sometimes hitting enemies during the rail animation and sometimes not... these all would need to be fixed if you want to make a successful indie game that has replay value.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as simple and amusing, though some players find it to be somewhat inconsistent or ambiguous in its comedic delivery.

    • “A simple and funny game that keeps you laughing.”
    • “The humor is quirky and adds a unique charm to the gameplay.”
    • “It's a lighthearted experience that brings a smile to your face.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy for this game involves offering a free construction kit on Steam, which is generally well-received, but it also includes a premium edition that users perceive as a potential cash grab, reflecting a common concern about the use of game development tools for low-effort projects.

    • “Very often, GameMaker Studio is used to make shovelware and lazy cash grabs. Although in this case, the developer has done the right thing by making their construction kit effort free to gamers on Steam, with one caveat: they're trying to charge for a premium edition.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems like the developers are more focused on making money than providing a fair experience for players.”
    • “I appreciate free content, but the constant push for in-game purchases makes it hard to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend more.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players have reported issues with stuttering at the game's start, indicating that optimization may need improvement for a smoother experience.

    • “I know the game might start stuttering.”
    • “The optimization is so poor that it feels like I'm playing on a potato.”
    • “Frequent frame drops make the experience frustrating and unenjoyable.”

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