ShockRods

ShockRods is a disappointing game that was made with a lot of oversight. While most of the issues can be resolved with software updates and DLC maps, the base game costs £20 and you are getting what is essentially a half baked game.

51%Game Brain Score

music, atmosphere

gameplay, graphics

71% User Score Based on 31 reviews

Critic Score 30%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

ShockRods is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by Stainless Games and was released on October 16, 2019. It received negative reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

ShockRods is a fast-paced arena shooter featuring intense 6v6 or 12-player PvP and PvE vehicular combat. Players control customizable, highly mobile vehicles equipped with powerful weapons and boosters for quick maneuvers across six dynamic environments. Combining classic arena shooter thrills with over-the-top action, it offers both single-player and multiplayer modes.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 31 reviews

music3 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, combining elements of classic arena shooters with vehicular combat.
The vehicle controls are unique, resembling first-person shooter mechanics, which adds a refreshing twist to the genre.
The weapons are varied and satisfying to use, catering to different playstyles and enhancing the overall combat experience.

The game suffers from a lack of player base, with many matches populated by bots, leading to a less engaging experience.
There is limited content, with few maps and modes, which can make the gameplay feel repetitive over time.
The game's marketing has been minimal, contributing to its low visibility and player engagement since launch.

gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay is described as solid, featuring engaging mechanics like handling and shooting, complemented by a unique aesthetic and humor. However, some players find it lacking depth, with only about 8 hours of online play available primarily against bots, leading to a sense of shallow content compared to other, more affordable titles in the genre.
- “The gameplay elements are implemented on a solid foundation; however, the foundation only allows the game to stay upright and does not extend beyond that.”
- “It had the blood splatters, the dystopian vehicles, the bleak locations, the offbeat humor, the industrial music, the addicting gameplay, and more.”
- “Gameplay is solid (handling, shooting, game types, etc.).”
- “The gameplay elements are implemented on a solid foundation; however, the foundation only allows the game to stay upright, and does not extend beyond that.”
- “This sounds cool on paper, but to me it just leaves the gameplay a little too shallow for my liking.”
- “Expect about 8 hours of 'online' (mostly with bad bots) gameplay to unlock all customization options, and that's it, there's literally nothing else to do at the moment.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The graphics are generally praised for their quality and performance, delivering a fast-paced experience with tight controls. However, the user interface is criticized for its mobile-like design and lack of aesthetic cohesion, while some maps appear inconsistent in their visual direction.
- “It's fast-paced, delivers tight and precise controls, great graphics with rock-solid performance, and the weapons feel satisfying to use.”
- “The UI is kind of silly and seems to be designed for mobile rather than PC. There's no aesthetic cohesion to be found anywhere. Some of the maps are cool, but it seems like they weren't exactly sure where to go with this, and it shows.”
- “The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from a modern game. Textures are bland and environments lack detail, making the overall experience visually unappealing.”
- “Character models are poorly designed and animations are stiff, which detracts from immersion. The overall visual presentation feels rushed and unfinished.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is characterized by an industrial sound that complements its dystopian setting and offbeat humor, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience.
- “The industrial music perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The combination of offbeat humor and the soundtrack creates a unique and engaging vibe.”
- “The music adds an addictive layer to the gameplay, making every moment feel intense and immersive.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is heavily influenced by the Unreal Engine, providing a familiar presentation that can evoke both positive and negative feelings among players.
- “The game creates an immersive atmosphere that draws you in from the very start, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
- “The use of lighting and sound design enhances the overall atmosphere, making the environment feel both haunting and beautiful.”
- “The atmospheric vibes and presentation, thanks to the Unreal Engine, provide a familiar yet captivating experience for players.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The developers plan to release free extra content post-launch and have committed to avoiding additional monetization. However, there is concern that if the game fails to attract an audience, the lack of further monetization could limit its long-term viability and content offerings.
- “I appreciate that the developers are planning free extra content post-launch. Their commitment to no extra monetization is commendable, although I do worry that if the game doesn't find an audience, this may be all it has to offer.”
- “I know the devs are planning free extra content post-launch; that being said, considering their stance on no extra monetization, the only downside to that approach is that if this game never finds an audience (which so far it hasn't), then this may very well be all this game has to offer.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, as it seems like the game is designed to push players towards spending more money rather than enjoying the experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to fully enjoy the game without spending extra cash.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its offbeat and darkly comedic elements, which contrast with the bleak and dystopian setting. However, some players find the gameplay experience lacking, as the repetitive nature of matches can lead to a dull atmosphere, making the humor feel somewhat overshadowed.
- “It had the blood splatters, the dystopian vehicles, the bleak locations, the offbeat humor, the industrial music, the addicting gameplay, and more.”
- “I can’t even really judge how this mode plays properly because with all bots, it’s a pretty dull back and forth experience where barely anybody scores, which is funny because the score limit is 30, although in my experience the matches never score that high.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its fast-paced gameplay, tight and precise controls, impressive graphics, and solid performance, all contributing to a satisfying experience, particularly with weapon usage.
- “It's fast-paced, delivers tight and precise controls, great graphics with rock-solid performance, and the weapons feel satisfying to use.”