PixlBit

Initially I wasn’t sure what to expect from Rochard.  Conceptually it comes off as a one note affair -- the imaginative love child of programmers who had way too much fun with the gravity gun from Half-Life 2 and decided to base an entire game around the physics-bending concept.  Gravity manipulation certainly is an interesting enough game mechanic, but is it enough to carry an entire game?

The answer?  It kind of is.

John Rochard is an asteroid miner with everyman sensibilities.  The truckstop blues tune that kicks off the opening cinematic serves as a quick way to convey his character, but once the music stops it becomes abundantly clear that Rochard and the rest of the cast are nothing but empty shells through which the game mechanics can be funneled -- and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  This is a no-frills-attached, side-scrolling, gravity affecting puzzle game.  To expect anything more would be unreasonable.

Rochard’s physical abilities are limited to running and jumping, but by utilizing a nifty gravity bending tool called the G-Lifter, you’ll navigate your way through a series of puzzle filled rooms by imaginatively moving boxes, platforms, and fuses.  There are only a handful of actual puzzle types, but the game combines these into a variety of different configurations that help to keep it fresh and interesting through the duration.

The G-Lifter can be quite useful in dealing with the game’s pesky thugs and robots.  I shouldn’t have to tell you how satisfying it is to deflect one enemy’s blaster fire at his buddy and then drop the box on his head, but I will: It’s pretty damn cool. I did notice a few consistency issues in regards to the combat physics.  Sometimes a dropped box will slide right off an enemy’s back and other times the slightest graze will bowl them right over.  Luckily these issues are infrequent and don’t detract too much from the overall fun of the game.

Sometimes you’ll find yourself in a room chock full of enemies and completely devoid of liftable projectiles.  This would be an issue if it weren’t for the fact that Rochard is also equipped with the Rock Blaster, a standard blaster gun attachment that will take care of most enemies in a few well-placed shots.  The gun also features an explosive compound -- fittingly called Explosium -- that can be used to clear your path of certain obstacles and enemies. 

There are a couple of sections that become Rock Blaster-dependent and unfortunately the game suffers for it.  Shooting is not the game’s strong point and it takes the focus away from the gravity-based puzzles.  I would much rather have had the developers focus on building creative methods of taking out enemies with the G-Lifter and other gravity effects.  I understand that the Rock Blaster adds a bit of variety to Rochard’s arsenal, but I’m convinced that the developers missed out on creating other fantastic ways that the G-Lifter could have been used. 

Moving and propelling objects with the G-Lifter is great, but it does have some weight limitations as to what it can move under normal circumstances.  Luckily Rochard also possesses the ability to lower the force of gravity, enabling him to lift larger objects than is normally possible, jump higher, and swing from secured objects with the G-Lifter.  Controlling the G-Lifter, Rock Blaster, and gravity force at the same time can be a bit tricky at times, but it is rare that all three will need to be utilized in such quick succession. 

This is a short game at only 3-6 hours.  Perfectionists will find some replay value in the form of a speed play challenge, but most should be satisfied with a single play through.  At the budget price of $9.99 the short span of the game is forgivable and likely keeps it from getting stale.  Rochard is a solid title worth the investment.  I just hope that the boys at Recoil Games decide to make a sequel that further explores the possibilities of gravity manipulation and unlocks Rochard’s true potential.