Game Info
GAME NAME: Land it Rocket
DEVELOPER(S): Petite Games
PUBLISHER(S): Petite Games
PLATFORM(S): Nintendo Wii U
GENRE(S): Arcade
RELEASE DATE(S): July 9th, 2015
In Land it Rocket from Petite Games, it is all about momentum and using it to navigate your rocket though each stage and successfully “land it” in the designated area. This of course is harder than it sounds because each of the 28 levels that are in the title will try their best to keep you from accomplishing that goal. The game will throw plenty of obstacles your way including spikes, missiles, rotating blades, and even the environment itself is designed to make reaching the goal a challenge. However, thanks to tight and polished controls any time you crash and burn the result lands squarely on your shoulders as the player and that’s a very good thing. This turns what would be frustration towards the game into the want and need to be more thoughtful in your approach next time.
Speaking of controls, they are simple enough. Press and hold the A button to launch with the longer you hold it down the momentum and speed of your rocket will increase. You control the direction of your rocket with either the control stick or controls pad, it’s your choice and both are equally responsive and easy to use. There are two game modes: the main “story” which has you navigating through the maze like levels while avoiding hazards and an endless mode where you try to survive and dodge heat seeking missiles for as long as you can.
Graphically speaking Land it Rocket while simple, is very nice to look at. Each level and environment is crisp, bright, clean, and has an almost paper-craft/origami look to it. There are also fun little details in the environments that range from swaying trees, to falling leaves that really help pull it all together. The only complaint I have is the game only has the one environment type. While it’s not a game killer in any way it would have been great to see what Petite Games could have done using this style with more environments and added some variety to the experience. It would have been really nice to see a Midnight influenced set of levels or some that took place in space or on other worlds.
On the sound side of things nothing in Land it Rocket stands out but it’s not really meant to. It’s there to help make it a complete experience and it does just that. You will be listening to the same music track in all 28 levels and thankfully its light relaxing and doesn’t get in the way though again a little more variety would have been welcomed. Your rocket makes a fun little hiss that lends itself well to the style of the game and everything else sounds just as you would expect. Again overall its pleasant but nothing that is going to knock your socks off.
The Recommendation
Land it Rocket is a very fun, well polished, albeit short experience that continues Petite Games trend of making simple pick up and play games. Fans of momentum based puzzle/maze type game similar to Enjoy Up’s Abyss should not pass up Land it Rocket. Similarly if you you have never tried a game like this, Land it Rocket is also worth a look and your time and a great point of entry for similar titles. It offers tight, easy to pick up and play controls, nice graphics and most importantly its fun to play. Also the $3.99 asking price fits most budgets and is well worth the couple hours of play time you will get.
While I really enjoyed my time with Land it Rocket and fully recommend it there are a few things that felt off. The game is short, although there are 28 levels most will probably get through them in a couple of hours. This is really noticeable do to the fact the game uses the same basic environment throughout. It does offer some replay in that you are awarded stars at the end of each level depending on the amount of time it took you to complete the level. The problem is the game gives you no real indication on what those par times are where your time is within each level making it difficult to want to go back and do better.
