Review: Rocketbirds 2: Evolution – PS Vita (7.5/10)

The smash hit or cult classic is back from Ratloop Asia and offers a lot in the sequel, one that was mentioned even after Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken came to PS Vita & PS3 a few years back. So what’s new in Rocketbirds 2: Evolution? Well a lot actually.

First the levels are bigger and use a sort of Metroid/Castlevania map style with walls that can be blown up and a few paths that lead to the goal instead of just one like in the previous title. Second is the new graphic engine which looks great and still uses a bit of the cartoon graphics from the first game but mostly on cut scenes or fliers around the levels. Last but not least is the Rescue Mode which I’ll talk about in a bit but first I want to mention my nitpicks.

The controls in Rocketbirds 2: Evolution are the same but now a much needed double jump is active. But the game has a few issues here and there with most of it that sometimes your character faces the other direction and won’t grab the part you want to get up to. Another issue is when you double jump, you are not supposed to get hurt but I died a bit with sub bosses and main villains.

The last issue of Rocketbirds 2: Evolution is with all the guns in the game, damage output still felt the same when using your starter gun to the flame thrower. Ammo is a bit dry in the levels but not the health pick ups. Melee weapons tend to do more damage than an AK which makes me wonder: should you bring a knife to a gunfight? Aiming is a bit picky as well and really shows it in the Rescue Mode.

The new Rescue Mode can be summed up as a prequel to Evolution a bit with the squad looking for information on Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken and the enemies. This Mode has a arcade style vibe from games that had a hub world with you setting up before heading out.

The areas are from the story mode but I noticed the main bosses are in it and just the sub boss which is good because difficulty has increased since the more that play the mode the better with 1-4 players online than one being offline. But you can buy an A.I partner in the hub world if you play alone offline.

Levels are also shorter for quicker gameplay and the story aspect is only there when you get a rescue quest and after you complete it. There are a lot of custom options you can access later in the game that may help health and other aspects to your chicken but this mode requires a helping hand to be enjoyed.

Music is once again handled by New World Revolution, the same as in the past title but it sounds a lot better and fits more into it because the last game some people thought it was a marketing idea to have them in but I liked it and now like it even more.

The loading does take quite a bit and some slowdown happens when a lot is happening but I haven’t come across any issues with the title and it runs really good. The humor is well placed, my favorite being the first boss’s intro and the adult humor just fits the game to a T and not to mention it takes the best from 80’s and 90’s action films and just adds chickens.

The neat yet also a pain mechanic they added was a phone. It’s a neat idea but trying to get the hack signal to come up can take a bit of effort because aiming is not easy this time around. Once it clicks though it just flows.

Conclusion

Rocketbirds 2: Evolution has a few issues and difficulty is more on the hardcore level but it is worth tackling through for the music alone and the graphics. I just wish aiming had an option to tone down the sensitivity because it feels a bit wild at times which really comes out during close combat portions. Compared to its prequel, Rocketbirds 2: Evolution takes a few steps forwards but also takes a little stumble in the end.

The review was written and provided by Chris. All screenshots are taken from the PS Vita version.