System: PS3
Dev: Ratloop
Pub: Ratloop
Release: October 18, 2011
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p

Now, I said that this game is part music video, and that's partially because the music is just so good. The majority of the tunes in the game are done by New World Revolution, a "science fiction rock" band. Every single animated action sequence has one of their tracks playing behind it, and every battle inside the game has the same. Personally, I enjoy their music, and the cinematic scenes that the music is put to remind me of music videos from bands such as Daft Punk, Gorillaz, or even The Flobots. Unfortunately, the music that plays during actual gameplay tends to get a bit repetitive. It always kicks in at the same point of the same song over and over again and battles always only last for a short while, so you never get more than a verse or two. I actually died once in this game trying to hear more of the background music by prolonging a battle.

The graphics in this game are rather impressive. The backgrounds are all full 3D, and the game itself is available in stereoscopic 3D. Though it may seem pretty dumb to put a 2D game in 3D mode, it actually helps. Seeing the backgrounds scroll independently from your character, and jerking a little bit every time the camera zooms in on the bullet-filled carnage makes the game feel like a more complete experience.

Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of replay value for this title. There's a co-op mode in which you and your friend get to control two different budgie commandos, but it's not much more than the single-player mode with a new coat of paint. There are a few new puzzle sections that require teamwork to complete, an increased enemy count, and a few new abilities for you to use (like jumping off your teammates shoulders), but in the end it's really just the same game.

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Overall, Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken is actually pretty fun, and considering that the game is only twelve dollars on the PlayStation Network, it's a pretty good deal if you are looking for a 2D run and gun shooter. It's no Contra, that's for sure, but it's tongue-in-cheek, goofy, and generally enjoyable. Check out the demo at least. It's well worth it.

By Angelo M. D’Argenio
CCC Contributing Writer