A fast-paced sci-fi themed top-down shooter should be the bread and butter of a service like XBLA, yet Rocketmen fudges its enormous potential in almost every area. It's a crude and unappealing game, marred by at least three design decisions (the scrolling, the time-limited weapons, the long-winded upgrade system) that immediately make the gameplay a grind rather than a blast. Here's hoping Worms has been a big enough hit on Xbox Live Arcade for Team 17 to give serious consideration to bringing us a revamped Alien Breed. There's an itch that needs to be scratched, and this clumsy effort certainly isn't going to hit the spot.
WhatIfGaming writes: "Top down shooters seem all the rage nowadays. With the Xbox Live and the Playstation Network bringing the action to you, it's much easier to get them in your hands. Developed by A.C.R.O.N.Y.M, Rocketman: Axis of Evil will land right in the palm of your hands and is supposed to have all the workings of a great game: space, half naked aliens with big knockers, and huge explosions. Axis of Evil has a lot going on for itself but takes a dive into the axis of the unbearable through a variety of flaws that makes it less than likeable."
Console Monster writes: "Rocketmen: Axis of Evil looks to be a promising title from the offset, thanks to an appealing and fitting presentation throughout and clean cell shaded graphics, giving the hope of a high quality arcade experience. Jumping through the interfaces at light speed in a rush to progress through space, you will find a fairly deep character customisation with several different player classes and ten levels in which you can progress. The low number of levels is nothing to worry about as each span a good length and prove a good challenge to complete.
Initially when you have crash landed onto your first stage you will instantly recognise the game style and control scheme used, as literally 80% of the XBL catalogue is now plagued with top down shooters, most of which take advantage of the dual analogue controls set in place by Geometry Wars. Rocketmen is no exception. The difference with Rocketmen (and women for that matter) is the added RPG elements, the constantly progressing camera and the added lifeless storyline cutscenes. Unfortunately two of the three main issues that spoil the experience happen to be second two of the said features, with the added nuisance that is poor artificial intelligence..."
Rocketmen: It Came from Your Uranus comes on the PSN on may, 15th, and XBL on may, 14th.
Discover new screens for this add-on to Rocketmen: Axis of Evil.
