Rex Rocket

Rex Rocket is a challenging retro-style 2D action platformer that draws heavy inspiration from classics like Mega Man, Metroid, and Cave Story. The game features tight controls, pixel-art graphics with modern lighting effects, and an energetic chiptune soundtrack that many players praise. It offers a linear progression with metroidvania elements, including upgrades that enhance mobility and combat. Boss fights are particularly well-designed, demanding pattern recognition and skill, and providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment upon victory.

However, the game is notorious for its punishing difficulty, with numerous instant-death traps, enemies placed to cause knockback into hazards, and infrequent teleport checkpoints that force players to replay long sections after death. The lives system is largely obsolete due to infinite continues, but losing all lives sends players back to the last checkpoint, which can be frustrating. Some players find the jump mechanics cumbersome, especially the charged downward shots used for double jumps. Additionally, unskippable boss cutscenes and occasional bugs detract from the experience. Overall, Rex Rocket appeals mostly to hardcore platformer fans who enjoy tough but fair challenges with a nostalgic twist.

Highlights

Players consistently praise Rex Rocket's retro-inspired pixel art and lighting effects, which evoke a nostalgic yet polished aesthetic. The soundtrack, composed by Saskrotch, receives high acclaim for its energetic and memorable chiptune tracks that enhance the game's atmosphere. The tight and responsive controls allow for precise platforming and combat maneuvers, including wall jumps, charge shots, and dashes. The boss battles stand out as a highlight, offering varied, challenging encounters that reward learning and mastery. The game’s linear metroidvania-style progression and well-crafted level design keep gameplay engaging and fresh throughout the approximately 8-12 hours of content.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game's punishing difficulty marked by frequent instant-death traps and enemy placements designed to cause frustrating knockbacks. The checkpoint system is seen as too sparse, leading to tedious backtracking after deaths. The lives system is considered redundant, and losing all lives can feel punishing despite infinite continues. Some players find the jumping mechanics awkward, especially the charged downward shots required for double jumps, which complicate precision platforming. Unskippable boss cutscenes are widely disliked for interrupting gameplay flow. Additionally, a few late-game bugs and some enemy spawn randomness contribute to player frustration. The game's linearity and lack of expansive exploration may disappoint fans expecting a traditional metroidvania experience.