The sequel to SARPBC hits Xbox One in style…
Rocket League has finally hit Xbox One after it’s PC and PS4 release last year. This version comes with platform-exclusive content in the form of Gears of War and Halo styled vehicles. If you haven’t played Rocket League or SARPBC (Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket Powered Battle Cars) before then you are in for a real treat.
The game is simple. Two teams of either 1v1, 2v2 or 3v3 play Football (or Soccer to other countries) with their cars in a number of different arenas and vehicles. These can all be customised with unlockable add-ons gained over time or through DLC, you can get the Back to the Future DeLorean for a price and coming soon is the Batmobile from the upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” film.
Each car has a nitrous boost and can jump in the air to hit the ball away from your goal or towards your opponents’ own net, it can be chaos as you all race to make a touch for the ball before your rivals. Some goals can come at the most random of touches, while some can come with some skill that will make you feel like a combination of The Stig and Lionel Messi. I’ve always been dreadful at football games, but when it comes to Rocket League…I can dominate the pitch and have even turned around matches in the dying seconds.
There’s a small career mode that is customisable to how many matches you want to play, as well as standard exhibition matches. You can play these with mutators like changing the gravity, speed or shape of the ball…so you can essentially turn the game into a pinball table if you wish, which is hectic, but superb fun. I found 2v2 to be the most fun, 1v1 can be very one-sided and 3v3 is a little too crazy…although I would like to see larger pitches and 4v4 at some point.
Online is a blast and connecting to matches is usually quick, I haven’t really experienced any online issues like lag, it’s been seamless in the matches I’ve played and have had the most fun playing online in this than any other game for a long, long time. Rocket League looks brilliant too, running at a solid framerate and has plenty of customisable options your vehicle. For example, you can have stars flying out the back of your car and have the Portal cake on top. There are tons of unlockables and plenty to do, as well as some challenging achievements to earn. All in all, it’s impressive just in terms of content.
The Verdict
Rocket League is the most enjoyable multiplayer game that I have played in ages. It’s so simple and yet so addictive, making me come back for another match more and more. For driving and Football fans, there is nothing finer.