After almost 15 years, Konami brought back one of their most underrated IPs, but killed it straight away. The latest and last Rocket Knight game in the series, this feels like more of a sequel to the really shitty Genesis version of Sparkster, rather than a successor to the masterpieces that were Rocket Knight Adventures, and Sparkster (SNES).
To be fair, Rocket Knight is not as bad as Sparkster (Genesis) as it has actual decent level design and the controls feel very tight. It's just that it's painfully mediocre when you compare it to RKA. There are basically zero setpieces that made the originals stand out- just levels that are somewhat enjoyable.
While the controls are tight, you don't get that cool Sonic like momentum that was present in RKA/Sparkster (SNES). Rather than having that cool charging rocket boost those games had, you have the unsatisfying boost on demand that the Genesis version of Sparkster had.
Bosses are just... meh. They used to be the most enjoyable aspect of these games but here, they just are too gimmicky and inconsistent with how they work.
It's just everything about this game feels stale and lacks any charm the previous games had. Something to do with this bland western artstyle it now has, going for a more Saturday morning cartoon look, which is not a bad artstyle to go for in general, but makes Rocket Knight look really ugly and generic compared to the gorgeous charming art of the previous.
It's sad that this is the last Rocket Knight we got. Hopefully the new collection that comes out re-sparks interest in the franchise and we get an actual good modern game this series deserves.
To be fair, Rocket Knight is not as bad as Sparkster (Genesis) as it has actual decent level design and the controls feel very tight. It's just that it's painfully mediocre when you compare it to RKA. There are basically zero setpieces that made the originals stand out- just levels that are somewhat enjoyable.
While the controls are tight, you don't get that cool Sonic like momentum that was present in RKA/Sparkster (SNES). Rather than having that cool charging rocket boost those games had, you have the unsatisfying boost on demand that the Genesis version of Sparkster had.
Bosses are just... meh. They used to be the most enjoyable aspect of these games but here, they just are too gimmicky and inconsistent with how they work.
It's just everything about this game feels stale and lacks any charm the previous games had. Something to do with this bland western artstyle it now has, going for a more Saturday morning cartoon look, which is not a bad artstyle to go for in general, but makes Rocket Knight look really ugly and generic compared to the gorgeous charming art of the previous.
It's sad that this is the last Rocket Knight we got. Hopefully the new collection that comes out re-sparks interest in the franchise and we get an actual good modern game this series deserves.