Rocket Racing Explained

Rocket Racing
Developer:Psyonix
Publisher:Epic Games
Series:Fortnite
Engine:Unreal Engine 5
Released:December 8, 2023
Genre:Racing
Modes:Multiplayer

Rocket Racing is a 2023 racing video game developed by Psyonix and published by Epic Games. It is a spin-off title to the 2015 game, Rocket League, and is a part of Fortnite as a whole. In the game, up to twelve players compete with each other on a track, with the goal being to be the first person to complete the race. Players are able to increase their "boost meter", which allows them to gain a speed advantage against opponents, as well as jump over obstacles and drive on walls or ceilings. The game was released in December 2023, and can be accessed via the Fortnite launcher. Rocket Racing received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed towards its track design and gameplay, though some critics felt the game had a lack of content.

Gameplay

Rocket Racing is a multiplayer racing video game accessible via the Fortnite launcher. In the game, up to twelve players compete with each other on a track, with the goal being to complete the race before anyone else while avoiding obstacles. Players are able to jump over some obstacles, or drive on the walls or ceilings of tunnels. If the player drifts at turns, their "boost meter" will increase, which will allow them to activate a temporary speed boost against other players. Unlike some other racing games, Rocket Racing features no unique items or weapons that the player can use against others to gain an advantage. Each track in the game is graded based on its difficulty, with the difficulties being Novice, Advanced, and Expert.

Players are able to unlock unique designs for their car via completing certain objectives, or via the main Fortnite battle pass. Additionally, certain designs can be purchased via the item shop with V-Bucks, the Fortnite currency. Cars unlocked or purchased in Rocket Racing are compatible with Rocket League, and are usable in that game. The same applies to some cars unlocked in that game.

Release and reception

Rocket Racing was developed by Psyonix, the developer of Rocket League. Rocket Racing released on December 8, 2023. The game received fairly positive reviews from critics upon release. GamesRadar+'s Dustin Bailey, Digital Trends' Giovanni Colantonio, and Polygon's Michael McWhertor all praised the game's track design and gameplay, with Bailey and Colantonio believing it to be one of the higher quality aspects of Fortnite, and the latter describing the game to be the "best proof of concept you could ask for."[1] [2] [3] Gabriel Moss of IGN and Jake Green of TechRadar were more critical of the game, assigning it a 6/10 and a 3/5 respectively. Both believed the game to lack content and fail to make itself distinct from other racing video games such as Mario Kart, while Green furthermore criticized the prices of in-game cosmetics.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-12-08 . The year's best racing game just dropped inside of Fortnite . 2024-03-31 . Digital Trends . en . 2024-03-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240331223710/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/rocket-racing-hands-on-impressions/ . live .
  2. Web site: Bailey . Dustin . 2023-12-08 . Rocket Racing isn't just a Fortnite mode - it's the arcade racer I've been looking for since Mario Kart 8 launched a decade ago . 2024-03-31 . gamesradar . en . 2024-02-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240222051528/https://www.gamesradar.com/rocket-racing-isnt-just-a-fortnite-mode-its-the-arcade-racer-ive-been-looking-for-since-mario-kart-8-launched-a-decade-ago/ . live .
  3. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . 2023-12-08 . Rocket Racing is a shockingly fun arcade racer built in Fortnite . 2024-03-31 . Polygon . en-US . 2024-03-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240331223710/https://www.polygon.com/fortnite/23992432/fortnite-rocket-racing-release-date . live .
  4. Web site: Green . Jake . 2023-12-12 . Rocket Racing review - A hyper-polished racer that fails to stand out . 2024-03-31 . TechRadar . en . 2024-02-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240219223019/https://www.techradar.com/gaming/rocket-racing-review-a-hyper-polished-racer-that-fails-to-stand-out . live .
  5. Web site: Moss . Gabriel . 2023-12-21 . Fortnite Rocket Racing Review . 2024-03-31 . IGN . en . 2024-03-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328070850/https://www.ign.com/articles/fortnite-rocket-racing-review . live .