Rollerdrome Review – Putting the Skate in Bloodsport (PS5)

Rollerdrome Update 1.03

Rolling off the success of their recent OlliOlli World, Roll7 is back, this time with a fresh new IP that calls back to the future painted by the era of ’80s film. You know, the future — the one that depicts a world in suffering, yet everyone chooses to ignore the ugliness for their own sinful satisfactions. In this world comes a new form of a entertainment, a bloodsport that goes by the name of “Rollerdrome.” Everyone enters, but only one leaves. Who’s it gonna be?

It’s Rollerball Starring Tony Hawk

Set in a dystopian future, mankind, rather than use its technological advances for the better good, has devolved into a society where mega corporations have become the law and rule with the sole purpose of profits and exploitations. Free will is all but a dream, as these corporations control everything, from what you eat, see, to even what you wear –everything! Despite the total lack of individuality, the world is at peace as wars are no longer waged, and crime has been abolished under this communist-like corporate regime.

And while that may be enough to breed a rebellion, it seems that the corporations have been able to keep things under control. That’s because a new king of sports and reality TV has taken to the forefront of entertainment, giving people a way to vent any of their frustration with hours of endless bloodshed. The first of its kind, a bloodsport known as “Rollerball” pits teams against one another in a skating arena where spectators will witness some of the most gruesome, horrific acts ever displayed on national TV. A crazy idea that no doubt would never become acceptable today, but in this retro future alternate reality, the people absolutely love it. 

That’s the general plot to the 1975 film Rollerball, which see’s star James Caan (RIP) suit up as the head star of the sport to go toe-to-toe with these mega corporations to prove that they can’t control it all. It’s a fun film, at least I thought so at the time, and while this review is about Roll7’s Rollerdrome, one can’t help but draw up similarities between the two IPs.

In fact, this probably isn’t the first review you’ll read making this comparison, nor likely will it be the last. Rollerdrome’s plot is basically that of Rollerball, except instead of starring the talented James Caan, it stars a character who is more akin to the athletics of the legendary Tony Hawk. 

Rollerdrome review mp1st (7)

Kara Hassan is the newest competitor to join the Rollerdrome league, and like many other rookies, they hope that one day they’ll become the reigning champ. It’s a simple plot that isn’t at all that deep when compared to the films it inspires from — at least it doesn’t seem so at first. 

The Rollerdrome championship is divided up into four quarters, those being; The opening stage, quarters, semis, and the finals. Each quarter has a set amount of matches, but it’s the parts in-between these quarters that offer players a bit of insight into the world that accepts a bloodsport such as Rollerdrome. You learn that the event is headed by a corporation called “Matterhorn.” While welcoming at first, you soon begin to realize that this entertainment business isn’t all what it seems to be as a darker secret begins to unravel as you progress through the ranks. 

Your fellow stars have their own stories going on in the background that you learn from emails, news broadcasts, newspaper clippings and other material. You learn that while the championship is going on, outside there is a rebellion taking a stand against the laws enforced by the corporate giants. This rebellion is made up of not only the common people, but former teammates and champions who once played under the Matterhorn banner. If you listen closely to some of the radio chatter, and off-screen conversations that occur throughout the campaign, you slowly begin painting the bigger picture of what Matterhorn is truly capable of, and how far they’ll go to suppress the truth. 

It’s a story about corporate corruption, and the oppressed people living under it.

Now I may be overexaggerating the story, because again it’s mostly in the background and only serves as small breaks between the action. But I do really enjoy that Roll7 is trying to establish some kind of world building here, even if it does end up being very short. It certainly piqued my interest enough to hope that this isn’t the last time we see Matterhorn or the greed-invested world that Rollerdrome takes place in.

Enter the Thunderdome 

If you’ve played Roll7’s previous titles, specifically the most recent OlliOlliWorld, then you probably already know what you’re getting yourself into. However, if you’re new to the studio and Rollerdrome just happened to catch your eye, well don’t blink or look away because this is definitely going to be one of the most unique experiences you’ve played all year.

At its heart, Rollerdrome is an arena shooter with the goal being the last one standing. A classic mode that many of you probably have been familiar with. However, to spice things up, instead of running around a map, you are equipped with a snazzy pair of roller skates. Kind of a silly idea, but one that is spectacularly executed.

Imagine if the Tony Hawk Pro Skater games had guns, with heavily armored enemies scattered across the rink trying to kill you. That actually sounds kind of cool, and it is, as it’s fully realized in Rollerdrome.

You’ll be dropped into levels that are designed as skate parks. There are rails to grind, ramps to soar off, and even half-pipes to shred on. While the goal is to eliminate every NPC on the field, there are other objectives that players can take. The most prominent being the score system itself. While the game doesn’t feature any PvP elements, it does have an online leaderboard where players can compete with one another for the highest score. 

Players earn score points every time they perform a trick, and increase their combo for every NPC killed. Like Roll7’s OlliOlli series, there is a variety of different tricks players can perform that help rank up the score. It gives it that Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Skate vibe, and for anyone who’s played those games you know how ridiculously fun it is to go around and pull off these fun and addictive feats.

These tricks serve more than just adding some flash to the game too, as the mechanic works in tandem with the gunplay itself. Ammo isn’t unlimited, and the only means to getting more is performing these tricks. Sounds like a bit of a hassle, but trust me, once you start rolling it all begins to click. There’s a challenge, especially in the late quarters of the game, but there is room to breathe when you are speeding around an arena.

Enemies spawn all over the map, leaving plenty of space between to perform tricks, regain ammo, and then eliminate a NPC. It has that perfect flow.

The gunplay itself isn’t all that bad either. While you can free aim, which is actually really hard to do, it does auto lock on when you get close enough to a target. That may seem like an odd decision at first, but it allows you to continue on skating freely without having to wrestle the camera. On top of that, you can perform tricks and fire at the same time, making you look and feel like a total badass. There’s even a reflex mode that slows down time and lets you aim or dodge in real-time. Yeah, that’s straight out of Max Payne and it’s awesome.

If for whatever reason you are worried that Rollerdrome might be a bit too difficult, then don’t, as the studio has you covered there. Tucked away in the game’s menu are a number of assist options. If you want to play risk free without the worry of ever dying, you could turn on god mode. Maybe the game is too fast for you? Well there’s a slider to slow the game speed down. Is reflex mode too short? Here’s an option to let you use it for however long you want. Or maybe you just want to ignore challenges and make progress? There’s an option for that too.

This being a single-player only game, having those options certainly is nice for those who need it. For you score chasers out there, you won’t have to worry about these assists skewing the leaderboards as they do disable recording once any of the assists are enabled.

44 Developers Entered, One Exceptionally Crafted Experience Leaves

For a studio that has spent the better part of the decade making games that can mostly be categorized as 2D experiences, their first venture into the full 3D realm of gaming was certainly a risky one. However, risks are why we love the video game industry. It allows people to make something new, something unexpected. Yes, sometimes they do fail, but every so often you get a title that feels so refreshing, so beautifully crafted that it inspires others. I think that’s Rollerdrome. In the end, we’re the audience, and Roll7 is James Caan defying the odds, and beating the big corporations at their own game. We are chanting their name, wanting more as they skate around the rink for one last victory lap. This is one exceptional game that hopefully has a bright future. 

Score: 10/10

Pros

  • Gameplay really knows how to get the adrenaline pumping. Perfect blend of high octane skating mixed with gunplay. Pure fun.
  • Stylish cel-shaded visuals that really help set the dystopian future the game takes place in.
  • Levels are well designed and take full advantage of the gameplay.
  • Fantastic soundtrack
  • Nice nod of world building.

Cons

  • Length is on the short end, but the price does reflect that.

A review code for Rollerdrome was provided by the publisher and played on the PS5. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.

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