ROCKET LEAGUE Review: More Fun Than Driving A Rocket Car
Rocket League is fun. That’s it, end of review. Everything else I say about the game is completely secondary to how plain enjoyable the game is. You are a car with a rocket strapped to its back and you need to get the ball into your opponent's goal. It seems really simple, but controlling your car is all about the subtleties. You can front/back flip or barrel roll to help hit the ball in a certain direction and you can use your rocket boost not only to go fast on the ground, but also to gain altitude to perform aerial hits, which I’m still trying to learn how to do. The easy-to-play, hard-to-master gameplay is completely enthralling. All I want to do is play Rocket League. I’m just so close to mastering the next technique or trick.
The game features matches from 1v1 all the way up to 4v4, and you can play up to four people on a single machine with split screen (which you can spread over multiple monitors as well, which is awesome). You can even take those same four people on the same machine online as a party to fill out a game, which provides a really fun cooperative experience.
The matches are the perfect length at five minutes of game time (not counting replays and kickoffs) so you always want to play just one more. Even if you get stomped, the game is quickly over and you get another chance at glory. Goals are usually so hard fought (especially in 3v3) that the replays for each one don’t feel unnecessary or annoying. In close games, almost the entire team sits and watches each goal, reveling in the majesty of a great hit or studying how they let a goal through their defense.
Of course, all of this only matters when the game is actually working. Yes, you can play the game against bots, but it is significantly more gratifying to play against humans, either online or locally. If you are like me and don’t have 5 friends waiting around for some local rocket car soccer, then you have to rely on the online functionality, which has been spotty at best. Since launch it seems like the Rocket League servers have had, at most, a fifty percent up time. Trying to get into a multiplayer game is a crap shoot, but once the planets align and you manage to get into one, it’s an adrenaline-filled romp that will keep you occupied for hours. There is also ranked play for those who enjoy having measurable progress. There is built-in voice chat as well, to help coordination for the most dedicated players.
As you play games, you gain experience and unlock customization options for your vehicles. There is discussion if some cars have specific advantages over others, but most of the customization seem to be visual only, which is a good thing. Everything comes down to skill.
Rocket League is a very good time, hampered only by the chronic server problems. It’s simple yet engaging, and will provide entertainment for a very long time — and that's what matters most. Sure, there are unlocks, skins, hats, and training maps, but none of that is actually important. The game is fun to play. A lot of fun. Playing online with other players is a competitive yet delightful experience that everyone should try. Pick it up on the PC or PS4 (free if you have PS+). You won't regret it.