Rocketmen: Axis of Evil
Score: 75% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Capcom Developer: A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games Media: Download/1 Players: 1 - 4; 2 - 4 (Online) Genre: Shooter/ Online
Graphics & Sound: There's no shortage of dual-stick shooters available on Xbox Live Arcade, and although Rocketmen: Axis of Evil looks like just another shooter, it manages to squeeze in a few elements that set it apart. Rocketmen goes for a campy feel with its presentation and mostly succeeds. Character designs look like they jumped right out of an old sci-fi serial like Buck Rogers, creating a fun aesthetic. The game uses a cel-shaded look that carries over between story presentation and gameplay areas. Comic book panels are used to tell the story that is ruined only by the writing. The story is okay considering the concept, but it tries too hard to be funny. Jokes are forced and overdone, especially the "Martians are dumb" jokes. The first time Martian technology is explained, it's funny, but it gets old quickly. Voice acting doesn't do much to help the dialogue either. All of the characters either come off as lazy, incompetent, assholes or some combination of the three. Considering the way the story is presented, it probably would have been better to skip the voice acting.
Gameplay: Rocketmen: Axis of Evil begins with the breaking of a peace treaty between the Axis of Evil, which is made up of the Legion of Terra and Mars, and the Alliance of Free Planets, made up of Mercury, Venus and a group of rebels on Earth. As the groups converge to sign the treaty, the Martians attack and kidnap the Alliance leader. As a newly recruited Rocketman, it falls on you to rescue the leader and bring down the Axis of Evil. Gameplay takes a Smash TV approach to the dual-stick shooter genre, while throwing in a few minor, between-level RPG elements. Your primary goal is to survive legions of Martians as you try to make it to the end of the level. There are also a few secondary goals to accomplish, though these only seem to hold weight during multiplayer games, and even then they're really just an opportunity to brag to friends. There are plenty of enemies to shoot and lots of weapons to shoot them with, so at the most basic level, Rocketmen is a success. After each level, you can upgrade your character. You choose a race and class before you start the game, though your choices have zero effect on your character's progression beyond starting stats and your character's appearance. Points are also used to purchase three armor upgrades, adding a little more protection. You can accumulate points for your character either online or off, which offers some reason to play online beyond earning a few Achievements. Playing with four players is fun for a few levels, though it is really hard to find anyone willing to play more than three levels in co-op, and the camera issues present just as much of a problem in multiplayer as they do in single-player.
Difficulty: Unless you're playing for medals, Rocketmen: Axis of Evil isn't that difficult to complete in a few hours, which doesn't do much for replay value. Enemies present a bit of a problem in the beginning, but once you earn one or two levels worth of upgrades, they go down easily. The general gameplay flow feels awkward and a bit rushed. The camera has a nasty tendency to push you past objects, sometimes cutting you off from weapons, upgrade points or goals. If you're given a choice of paths, you'll have to choose one you can live with, otherwise you won't get a chance to go back. While I can sort of see the need for a bit of "push", it's unnecessary and cramps up the fun.
Game Mechanics: Rocketmen: Axis of Evil sticks to the familiar dual-stick combination for movement and shooting. You begin the game with a weak blaster that is upgraded via the character upgrade system. New weapons are picked up during each level and can be upgraded after the end of each level. Although weapons share similar stats, each also has its own unique stats to upgrade, such as range and spread of the shotgun or adding a little more bounce to the saw blade gun. You can also pick up sub-weapons like grenades and missiles, which add a little extra punch. All panels, crates and other objects use a pointless button-mashing mechanic. There's an attempt to explain the mechanic through the story, but all it really does is lead to a string of overused jokes. The mechanic is also used to collect items using a "vacuum" mechanic, which makes a little more sense. Rocketmen: Axis of Evil does a number of really cool things. The mix of RPG and shooter elements really works, but the two aren't merged that well. In the end, Rocketmen: Axis of Evil is more about potential and concept than execution.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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