(Mobile) Doctor Rocket

12/05/2012

Doctor Rocket

Developer: Rippleware

Platform: Android

The best thing about Angry Birds is that it inspires people to make games that normally wouldn't even think to make. The lack of logic that goes into birds being shot via sling shot doesn't even comprehend why Doctor Rocket exists. It is a game not dissimilar to its structure. Several little levels packed with a doctor who is just heading to the stars and grabbing gears.

I could come up with an entire backstory, not unlike the AB storyline, of a great man who's dreams to be in outer space were crushed by a government not willing to fund his rocket powered boots. But a government can't hold a crazy idea down and so Dr. Rocket went into space and never came back down. But all we have just a mad scientist and maybe that's all we need.

The game gives you the option to tilt or tap and depending on your play style, you can choose either. Personally I go for the tapping as it's a bit more precise. I did try the tilt and either I'm way too nervous when I play or poor calibration but when it's on tilt, he seems to fly all over the place. But it never entirely ruins the game, as you can change the option quite easily.

The game has a fantastic difficulty curve that plays out just right as you go higher and higher into the levels. However, an addition of a tutorial level or two with a backstory would be awesome to start off new players. Whilst some may be used to the formula of the game, it'd be good if you could use the stars to unlock levels as you go along. There is so much potential here and the art style is just that perfect mix of cute and a bit absurd.

One of my biggest criticisms of the game, however is the audio. The sound effects just sound a bit off. It's great that when you collect the gears it almost tries to keep going up the scale, and it's meant to create an added anticipation and a bit of mental musical nourishment, but it sounds just slightly off and a tad annoying. Also it'd be great to have a way to add your own soundtrack or music into it, but that might come in a later build.

It just feels like the game was either rushed or not finished in its entirety. It's not like there's not much of a game here, I just wish there was more. The parts that are missing is just a bit more humour or sometime equally wacky to go along with the premise. It starts off being amusing and enjoyable but you leave the experience going, is that all there is?

Doctor Rocket is a great time waster and whilst the sound effects are a bit annoying and the fact the background light fades while you're playing it, I know they're working on those problems and hopefully will update it soon. It's free, it's fun and you can waste a few hours with it.

Score: 8/10

Written by HE