Preview: Rocket League

I was recently invited into the beta for Psyonix Studios’ Rocket League, a vehicle-based sports game. Billed as the successor to Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars (a game I did not play previously), the only thing I knew about the game prior to launching it was the fact that it had a more concise name!

However, after some fun, heart-thumping games of vehicular football, Rocket League has been added to my ‘game to look forward to in 2015’ list.

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The current beta is finishing up soon, but already it has its hooks in me. The basic idea behind the game is simple – two opposing teams (of various numbers) are placed inside a walled arena in the shape of a football pitch. There are two wide goal areas at each end. Each player controls one vehicle and the aim is to knock/crash/hit/smash a large metal ball into the opposing team’s goal. Currently, the beta supports 3v3, 2v2 and 1v1 match-ups, but other options may become available upon release.

While the basic premise will allow almost anyone to pick up and play the game, Rocket League’s game-play is actually quite difficult to master. As the predecessor’s name suggests, your car has rockets which not only allow you to make your vehicle boost around the pitch quickly but also enables jumping. In fact, using these abilities together can basically turn you into a rocket so the game’s new name is appropriate. However, controlling your own car is difficult enough; working as a team is far more challenging.

The physics in Rocket League helps to keep the action exhilarating from kick-off. The opening gambit of each game aims each car at the ball in the center of the pitch. When the whistle blows to start each session, invariably a colossal pile-up occurs with cars, and the ball, flying in every direction. Tactics quickly come into play as you decide whether to follow the ball, make yourself open to a pass from a teammate or try to take down opposing players. Each option ends with utter carnage anyway so whatever you choose will be fun!

For the first few games, I tried to hold back and keep an eye on our team’s goal – ready to pounce on any incoming attack. During this time, I could take in the action from afar. In the beginning, games tended to turn into something resembling under-age football where all of the players just end up following the ball. I did notice last night that a few well-coordinated teams were doing some sort of ‘flying V’ impression, with one player battling for the ball and two others flanking them. That way if their main player lost the ball, the others were in a better position to sweep up possession.

Each goal is followed by a cacophonous explosion, fireworks and, if time allows, celebrations – mine was always doing donuts. Just like other sports games, when a goal is scored, a replay begins to show off the skill (or lack thereof) that resulted in the score. While not available in the beta, I understand that a replay editor will be included in the final release.

Speaking of things not included in the beta, the game will have a single-player career mode, car customisations and split-screen online and local multiplayer too. Obviously, as this beta is purely to test its online infrastructure and capabilities, the features did not need to be tested here. The game’s visuals were also clearly unfinished, with plenty of ‘jaggies’ about but that did not impact the entertainment value.

While I did encounter some issues with getting into games and lag, this is precisely what the beta was for. I am confident that Psyonix Studios will be working feverishly up to launch to make it as smooth as possible – because when it works, Rocket League is a joy to play and I can see fans of football and racing getting something out of this.