QCF: Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken

Most run-and-gun action games provoke forward thinking in regards to hand-eye coordination. More often than not, mechanics focus less on strategic implementation and more about memorization of the environmental conditions. After all, why worry about something you can just shoot your way out of?

Ratloop Asia's Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken, however, created a 2D side-scrolling experience with some realistic combat aspects to complement the usual “run right and shoot” formula seen in every other arcade platform title. In layman’s terms, the experience reflects more of a “thinking man’s Metal Slug.”

A graphically and mechanically improved version of the browser game Rocketbirds: Revolution!, this newest addition revision features the same brute, enlightened hero with a single objective: Eliminate the dreaded penguin army and its evil dictator, Putzki. As players progress they learn more about the hero’s backstory and how he once found himself among the ranks of the very legion he’s out to decimate. Though strictly complimentary and hardly a primary selling point, the competent narrative of Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken gives players plenty enough to work with.

The newest Rocketbirds title presents itself with improved visuals when compared to the original browser game. Vivid 3D backgrounds now shift depending on the player’s position, and not in a disruptive way. As you move forward, environments pan left or right depending on your position, adding to the overall environmental experience. Musical tracks and sound effects remain just as competent as they always were, and feature  tone and volume adjustments provide specific moods for each environmental situation.

Yes, it’s mostly the exact same game with the addition of co-op a few extra chapters. What makes Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken truly stand out is its enhanced functionality. The original browser game, though competent, hosted a rather tedious control scheme. If you’re an avid PC gamer, you’ll have no problem adjusting to the “WASD” keyboard-and-mouse combo provided in this latest installment (as opposed to the keyboard only in-browser setup). When it comes to maneuverability, the game primarily suffers during jetpack scenes. As a heads up for anyone who encounters similar problems, yes – there is a crosshair and it’s also your means of directional navigation. Crazy camera actions could initially… complicate things.

Now aside from being your everyday side-scrolling shooter, Rocketbirds presents players with rather satisfying elements of exploration and problem solving (for a lack of better words, enter “Metroidvania”). If you’re unable to kill those pesky penguin army drones, you’ll have to discover other strategic workarounds, like the use of special mind-controlling “brain bugs” received later on. Can’t access a certain elevator or exit a room? Search for vents or moveable crates. For a game initially presenting itself as another “run right and shoot shit” endeavor, Rocketbirds boldly positions itself above the rest as you progress throughout the stages. When you think you’ve seen everything, you may be pleasantly surprised and proved otherwise.

Solid visuals grouped with realistic sound effects, improved controls, exceptional music, and an adequate narrative makes Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken a battle worth experiencing. The fact that it’s an improvement over the original browser game, which went for the same exact price, is an even better reason to justify the already low $10 price tag for an entertaining package. Casual and hardcore players alike will discover there’s something worth taking away from the great fight. Rock on, Rocketbirds.