Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken looks fantastic which is refreshing because I have been 
staring at scary-looking zombie-like character models in some sports titles lately. Everything about this game screams high production values. From the fantastic soundtrack by N.W.R. - New World Revolution to the visually appealing cut scenes and actual game levels, Ratloop Asia has done themselves proud. I sat down just to check out the game and ended up playing through half the game in a matter of a couple hours. Does that mean the game is short? Maybe, but it’s a PSN download for $12 and at that price point, this game is nothing but genius and value.
First, I want to talk about the graphics and sound because they are both, exceptional. In fact they are the best I’ve seen in a game this past month at the very least. The graphics themselves are a sort of mix of old communist propaganda with animation and imagery from Pink Floyd’s The Wall and a same sort of anthropomorphic cast of characters. While there are no lock-step marching hammers, you get the same sort of feel from it all. The story is pretty basic, you’re a jetpack wearing chicken and you want to stop the evil penquin regime. It’s totally normal right? There are of course some plot twists here and there, nothing shocking but it keeps the game moving forward and makes for some interesting back story. Plus the cut scenes are fantastic in both art, style and just in general. It has to be the first game in which I have not wanted to skip a single one much of the year. I do not want to spoil it for anyone.
The music by N.W.R. is great. It’s upbeat and alt rock like with some electronic edge thrown in and fits perfectly with the game world. At times I just let the songs play in the background while writing the review because it is that good. I just wish I could download the soundtrack itself and just have it handy whenever I want to listen to this sort of electro-rock. I have to believe that some of the songs were written specifically for the game or that the game was inspired by some of them because the way they fit together is far too good to have been otherwise.
The game soundtrack is available on iTunes.
