Going back to 1993, Rocket Knight Adventures on Sega Genesis is one of the games that I really enjoyed playing besides Super Mario Bros. on the NES. The platforming was perfect and the levels were wonderfully designed. Fast forward to 2010, and Konami has released a follow-up title to the Rocket Knight series but this time, on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Using the same elements of gameplay, what could we expect in this new Rocket Knight for the HD-era generation of consoles?
For the price of $14.99 or 1200 Microsoft Points, is the game worth its price? Without further ado, let’s take a look on the HOTs and NOTs of Rocket Knight:
HOT
HD Graphics
Rocket Knight has improved immaculately in terms of its visuals. Now that the game is only available on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the graphics are done in full HD. The world of Ehtron has become lively as the environments within the game becomes more colorful than ever before. Sparkster looks totally cute due to his total makeover. In addition to Sparkster’s makeover, the enemies such as the Wolf looks so much better. One thing that highlights the game’s “awesomeness” are the bosses. If you love big bosses with such unique physique and designs, you will easily fall in love in with this game.
Classic Gameplay Mechanics
Nothing has changed in terms of Rocket Knight’s gameplay. The classic gameplay mechanics of the game is still intact. This includes Sparkster’s abilities which with his jetpack, and the 2D side scrolling set-up. The story of Rocket Knight takes place in the peaceful Kingdom of Zephyrus. The peace that they’re trying to maintain has been broken as the Pig Army has kidnapped the Princess. It’s now Sparkster’s job to rescue the princess and restore the peace in the Kingdom. Gamers will play as Sparksters in as he fights his way through fourteen enriching and colorful levels.
Extras
Rocket Knight offers a little extra that gamers should take note of. After meeting certain conditions within the game, an unlockable equipment for Sparksters will become available. For gamers wanting to rank up, there are leaderboards that you can look at. Collecting Gems in each level will earn you points and the total points that you’ve collected through the game will be listed in the Leaderboards. Two modes are available in the game; an Arcade and a Free Play. Playing through the arcade mode unlocks levels that you can play over and over again in Free Play Mode.
NOT
Steep Price
Rocket Knight can be completed in less than an hour. The $14.99 price tag is too steep for a game of this length. If the game was priced at $9.99, it would have been more reasonable. Aside from the unlockable equipment that Sparkster’s has, there is no reason to go back to the game again after finishing the Arcade mode.
Short Game
Rocket Knight is composed of fourteen colorful levels. The game is easy and can be finished in less than an hour. If you want a challenge and you are interested in achieving one of the achievements that requires you to finish the game within 1 hour under Hard difficulty, then you’re giving yourself more time playing the game. There is no replay value whatsoever, so be forewarned if you expected to play the game more than once.
VERDICT
Rocket Knight is fantastic title that fans of the original series will surely love. However, the steep price and the short length of the game are the two things that might keep gamers in buying the game. If you can get past these two flaws, you will enjoy the game as much as you did when you’re playing the classic Rocket Knight games in Sega Genesis. Newcomers may think twice due to the two aforementioned flaws.
[Editor’s Note: Rocket Knight was reviewed on a Xbox 360 platform. The copy was supplied to us by the publisher.]
