Why is Everyone Playing Rocket League?

An article by Hank: Twitter / Twitch

Some games deliver heart-pounding stories with twists and turns at every corner.  Some games bring expert mechanics allowing you to dish out perfect head shots and exhilarating winning moments.  And then there are some games that are just damn fun and super hard to stop playing.  So which one of those categories does Rocket League fall under?  Easy: The ridiculously fun and addicting, yet unbelievably competitive category.

Now you may be thinking, "That's cool, but what the hell is Rocket League?"  Well, this article could go all scientific and explain that it's a physics based game with spheres and rectangles and rocket propulsion, but who gives a crap about all that?  While the physics are expertly executed by the game's developers, Psyonix Studios, this is still a game, so let's describe Rocket League in a simpler way.  Its soccer (football to the lovable Europeans) without all the rules and instead of a human, you have silly cars with rockets strapped to their asses.  What's the goal of the game?  To get a giant bouncing ball in the other team's net.  It's so simple to grasp.  And that's really the first reason why everyone is playing Rocket League.

SIMPLE, YET COMPLICATED:

Now you're thinking, "Hold on there, Pal, how is something simple and complicated at the same time?"  As ridiculous as that sounds, it's a true statement.  See, one of the reasons everyone is playing Rocket League is because any gamer from any walk of life at any age can understand the concept of putting a ball in a net.  Simple.  But if you want to win and become good at the game, that's when things get complicated…or much or interesting.  Learning to drive and strike the ball is as easy as pushing a button and aiming at the big bouncing sphere.  But being able to fly into the air and pull off a perfect kick into the net is a totally different story.  And this is where the game can become very in-depth.  If you have the commitment and drive (no pun intended) to become an expert player of Rocket League, than the depth of an actual Esport is all here.  This is why people keep returning, time and time again.  Because you show up first for the simple fun of driving around with your friends and being silly, but then end up staying because you want to master the competitive gameplay.

"I don't know, Fred, for some reason I have the feeling this isn't going to end well." 

FLUID AND FRAME RATES:

There are a lot of people who can't sit down and watch golf or baseball because of the down-time between the action.  This is where Rocket League excels.  There's never any down-time once a match starts, which makes playing the game or even watching the game, very addicting.  And with short matches of only five minutes, you never get tired of your opponents or the arena or the vehicles zooming around.  Everything within the game is in a constant state of flux.  What else can you ask for when creating a sports game?  On top of this non-stop action are perfect frame rates.  The game runs smoothly even when the action is turned up and there's chaos all over the field with eight players all smashing into one another.  Never does the game stutter or choke or cough or even sneeze while you’re racing to victory.  And that can even be said about the online play too.

SILLY, YET SOPHISTICATED:

On the surface, Rocket League is just a bunch of ridiculous looking cars, ranging from pimped out vans to flame-painted hot rods, rocketing around a field after a ball, while crashing into everything.  And not only do you get to paint your car, but the game gives you the option to wear a fancy hat while doing so.  And what's better than flying around and pounding balls into nets, while sporting a top hat or colorful propeller?  Absolutely nothing.  But while the cosmetics may look fun and goofy, there's a physics-based engine underneath the gameplay—that if not executed properly—would wreck the entire game.  And that's just good developing right there.  So why can't a game be serious and silly at the same time?  Why can't everything have a little humor injected into it?  So while you're zooming around a grass field, smacking a sphere around and laughing your ass off with friends, remember…that wouldn't happen if the game wasn't coded correctly.  So Rocket League is perfect balance in gaming: silly, yet sophisticated.  Well done.

"Umm...Phil, you wanna get down from that wall.  There's a game going on."

"Sorry, a bee was chasing me."

"Phil...you're in a car."

"I'm not following...?" 

THE PROPER DESIGN:

Now, all the above sounds great in theory, but without the perfect art behind it, you wouldn't have half as much fun.  Yes, the physics and fluid gameplay make Rocket League addicting to watch and play, but the art design also has a ton to do with it too.  From the well-designed arenas to the colorful grass to the toy-like look of the vehicles…everything works and comes together like a well baked pixelated cake.  There isn't a corner or section or pixel of the game that doesn't say fun.  And the artists and concept designers of Rocket League should be commended for their fantastic ideas. 

UNLOCKABLES AND AESTHETICALLY LEVELING UP:

Another reason why gamers keep coming back is the customization of their personal flame-fired vehicle and all the locked items that you can obtain by simply playing the game.  As you progress you can unlock new paint jobs, rims, vehicle designs, hilarious hats, and even silly antenna ornaments.  But here's the most important thing: none of that helps you play the game any better, and that's a humongous game-design plus.  Why?  Because there's never a feeling of getting creamed by the other team, because they have better vehicles, or faster engines, or more tricks up there sleeve.  In other online games you'll jump in and instantly feel inadequate because the other side has better weapons and better armor and you're standing there with a pea-shooter and a face draped in confusion.  But in Rocket League, if you're winning, it all has to do with being a better player.  Plain and simple.  So this aesthetic-only leveling system allows new-comers to file in with ease and enjoy the game too, which is why the number of players in Rocket League continues to grow every single day.

"Jesus, Tim, I said business casual for dinner tonight."

"This hat is business casual, Karen.  I could've went with my Wizard hat again and acted out 

scenes from Harry Potter.  But I didn't...for you."

CONCLUSION:

So why is everyone playing Rocket League?  Easy.  Perfect physics, smooth frame rates, colorful aesthetics, fluid gameplay, a fair leveling system, steady multiplayer…and it's all covered by a blanket of humor.  What else could you possibly ask for?  In the end, when playing a video game, it all comes down to whether or not you're having fun.  And with a small game that can deliver on every one of the above fronts, Rocket League lands right smack in the middle of ridiculously fun.  So if you haven't played Rocket League yet and think that it looks stupid, never judge a game by its simple cover.  Give it a few minutes of your time…because that's all you'll need to become hooked on the exhaust fumes.

Video Game Review: Hand of Fate

Since she had such a marvelous guest review of Darkest Dungeon, Glitchiee returns this time to put Hand of Fate through the ringer.  So take it away Glitchiee:

Hand of Fate deals you cards that hold delicious food, armor, and vampires…but where does that leave all the combat?

STORY:

The player is sat across from a mysterious dealer that continually provokes you throughout the game.  Have you lost your memory?  Is this card game going to get you killed?  Can you understand the dealer's words as he talks underneath a handkerchief?  These and other questions arise as you play through the game trying to acquire the mysterious dealer's items.  Food carts, platforming death mazes, luck, and a clunky combat system ensues.

"Abradna cabrshea sha."

"Yeah, you're going to have to repeat that. I can't understand a word coming out 

of your mouth with that scarf wrapped around your head."

"Bi sauegd abrashhh cabrabra."

"You know what?  Forget it.  Let's just play 'Go Fish' or something."

GAMEPLAY/THOUGHTS:

Hand of Fate is comprised of two different play styles.  There is the card game section and then there is the combat section.  And having the two mixed in a pixelated cocktail is a concept most gamers have yet to come across.  It brings a fresh take on most card games that are currently floating around in the gaming world.

Let's start with the card section of gameplay.  This is by far the best part of the game, due to smooth animations, fantastic voice over, and overall concept.  The player builds a deck of cards consisting of various combat equipment and encounters.  These can range from swords, rat cleavers, fancy rings, goblins stealing your stuff, a funky carnival, and lava golems.  The cards you select are shuffled in with other encounter, heath, and gold cards, and then are laid out in various patterns.  And you use the token representing your character to move around the dealer's table, selecting which cards it will jump to.  Some layouts are much more difficult than others, causing you to move unnecessarily, which in turn will cost you precious food.  And when you run out of food, well…you start losing health per each move, which can result in you starving to death.  If you happen to survive at the end of each board, you will either hit stairs, a forest, or a ship to take you across the sea to more encounters.  And after each encounter you become closer to facing that level's boss.

Now, not only do encounters give you items or have hilarious text or force you into combat, but there is also a chance mechanic.  Typically there are four cards you can choose from with various chances of success.  These get shuffled and you have to pick what you think is the right card in order to succeed.  This is where luck plays a huge role in the game, just like any other card game.  So if you're the type of person that buys their lottery tickets already ripped up, you might have a tough time in this area, because if you choose unwisely and fail, you can starve, lose health, face more enemies than you can handle, or even get cursed.

 

"You want me to what?  Nope.  I'm fine staying right here.  If I get hungry, I'll just eat my mace." 

This then brings us to the not-so-successful combat portion of the game.  When you land on certain battle encounters, you are then whisked away from the card table and dropped into a randomized location filled with goblins, ugly rats, death-dealing mazes, humongous Minotaurs and bosses.  It's in these combat areas that your equipment cards turn into actual weapons and armor, while the suit cards materialize into living breathing bloodthirsty enemies, allowing the clunky excitement to really begin.

While the combat makes it seem like the battling would be the highlight of the game…this is where you would be oh so very wrong.  The mechanics are awkward, the game slightly lags during fights, and there is no way to change your point of view.  Most of your time will be spent attempting to find out where enemies are and then repositioning your character so that you can actually be able to land a hit.  And if there are more than five baddies floating around, forget it.  Instant game over.  Now there may be rare instances where you have an awesome weapon, artifact, or something that'll actually let you survive, in which case, you'll probably get extremely giddy.  But don't get your hopes up.

With all that said, there are some fun parts in the combat sections.  The enemies will make hilarious noises, especially when you kill them.  And when you whack the last enemy to death, it makes a gong like sound.  You seriously have a gong sound announcing you are the winner.  How amazing is that?  You can also kill enemies by reflecting their projectiles back at them, adding depth to your defense and if performed correctly, is even more amazing than a gong sound.  Which in turn will make you scream at the PC like a maniacal villain, "mwhahahahaha idiot, you thought you had me but I got you with your own throwing knife."  Truly epic indeed.

"Hmm...sitting across from a shady dealer wanting to play some random card game HE invented

 sounds like fun.  Deal me in.  And why can't I see your face all of a sudden?"

CONCLUSION:

The massive difference between the amazing gameplay in the card section and the absolute horrendous gameplay mechanics in the combat section is the only reason why gamers won't be singing Hand of Fate's praises.  Imagine attempting to defeat a boss with the awkward combat mechanics and during the battle, trying to compensate for lag.  It's terrible.  So it's extremely possible to be stuck on the very first board with absolutely no way to advance.  On top of that, where is the story?  Oh wait, that's right…there really is none.  The dealer seems just as confused about the plot as the main character.  Maybe if there was a reason to keep playing, you'd be a little more invested in the game.

So if the battle mechanics were cleaned up or they added a story to keep you playing, Hand of Fate's score would drastically improve.  But with a great idea and fantastic card game, it's a shame Hand of Fate has to fall short in the combat area.  If that part of the game was just pushed a little further, or cleaned up a smidgen, then Hand of Fate would rock your world.

EDIT (4-25-15): The latest update for Hand of Fate introduced playable Fates. These Fates allow the player to pick their difficulty, from apprentice to warlord. Each Fate comes with its own encounter card series, so not only can you replay the game on another difficulty, but a new encounter comes with the deal. Even though game controllers still seem to be glitched, being able to play on easy mode makes the game—especially the fighting—much better. 

3 out of 5 Stars (minus a star for both combat mechanics and missing story)

Reviewer: Glitchiee – Twitter / Twitch

Editor: Hank – Twitter / Twitch