Gaming

Rollerdrome Review: Trick, shoot, repeat

Challenging, fun, and never boring

Published

August 16, 2022

The best way I can describe Rollerdrome to anyone curious about trying it is that it’s a cross between Tony Hawk Pro Skater and the shooting of Max Payne. You get shades of those two games in a unique art style along with a gameplay that demands hours to be mastered.

The game has a pretty simple premise. You play as Kara Hassan making her way through the tough, violent sport called Rollerdrome.

The opening area tells you a little bit about the world Kara is in. But after that, it’s pretty much one challenge after the other.

Basic tutorial

Like any other game, you’ll be put through some relatively easy tutorials. You’ll first be taught the easy movements and then progress to more advanced ones as you beat each level.

It’s a good idea to spend some time trying out the various trick combinations during the tutorial stages. Things can get quite hectic during the actual levels so, the more you’re familiar with the controls, the better chance you’ll have at getting high scores.

That’s not what I did. I took some of the tutorial stages for granted and had to learn on the fly. Not being too familiar with the controls while advancing through stages is hard as the game will really challenge you.

Advancing gameplay

Each stage has a number of different challenges you have to meet. This includes doing specific tricks on a trick marker, killing enemies a certain way, and having to do specific maneuvers on an area in the stage.

There are also high score challenges which are the hardest to beat in each stage. These are the ones that require some level of mastery of the tricks and the shooting.

The tricks and shooting are tied to each other. You only have a limited number of ammo and you’ll need to perform tricks to reload. So, the primary gameplay loop is having to do tricks while dodging enemy attacks, and then unleashing your own attacks all while transitioning to the next trick to reload.

It’s easy enough to understand conceptually, but it’s in the execution where it can be extremely challenging. Enemies spawn in waves and they get tougher and more aggressive as you progress.

Precision required

My consistent thought throughout each stage is how I wished I had more time to be familiar with all the controls. I keep thinking back to how I just know NBA 2K controls by heart, having played it for years, despite a few changes here and there in the core gameplay.

It was frustrating not being able to apply that same level of mastery. Especially since I had to go on a work trip in the middle of this review process so I couldn’t spend as much time with the game as I wanted.

Regardless, it’s a game I’ll probably keep coming back to. More skilled players will likely have an easier time, but Rollerdrome does demand you put in the hours.

The controls are pretty tight and precise too. You won’t get through this by randomly pressing buttons. Your mastery of doing tricks while controlling the camera to properly aim will all be tested.

Overall presentation

Other than the gameplay, it’s the art style and its bombastic and frenetic animations that really caught my attention when the game was first announced. It simply looked fresh and unique.

There are instances where there is a lot going on during a stage. Other than the characters and items on screen, you also have markers alerting you if a sniper has you on lock or if you have projectiles tailing you.

Despite this, the screen never gets too busy to a point where you no longer know what’s going on. The design of each stage makes it so you can easily tell which areas you can perform tricks on without it standing out too much from the rest of the stage.

The soundtrack largely stays in the background but does a good job of not being distracting. Which is great because having something blasting too loudly could give you sensory overload with everything that’s going on.

Overall, this game is stylish AF without going overboard. I’m personally a big fan of the art style and it works well in this kind of game.

Is this your GameMatch?

Rollerdrome is a day one pick-up. If the preview videos intrigued you at all, I guarantee you’ll have a grand time playing. This is especially true if you’re fond of challenging yourself.

Figuring out how to smoothly go from attacking, to doing tricks to reload, and dodge in the process can be really challenging. Unless you’re super skilled, there’s no way you’ll get all of it in one go.

But despite needing to repeat stages, it never feels stale because the core gameplay loop is engaging. It can get frustrating, sure, but the feeling of beating each stage all while crossing off specific challenges is extremely rewarding.

Rollerdrome retails for US$ 29.99 both on Steam and the PlayStation store. But it will be discounted on both platforms until August 29, 2022.

Related Topics:PlayStation 5 Private Division PS5 Rollerdrome Steam

Gaming

Kirby and the World Beyond is Kirby’s first open-world game

Kirby and the World Beyond launches in the spring of 2027.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Apple isn’t the only company doing a “One More Thing” today. In today’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled its next major project, Kirby and the World Beyond. To celebrate Kirby’s 35^th anniversary next year, the lovable pink blob is getting an open-world game.

In the latest effort to make all of its franchises into open-world games, Nintendo is plopping Kirby into a much larger map. Now, if you’ve seen the trailer, you might have had a pesky thought: “Wow, for an open world game, this one seems… sparse.” After all, Kirby looks like he’s trapped in one small map with King Dedede as the sole boss.

Well, that’s because he is trapped. After an attack sends Kirby cannonballing into the clouds, his squishy exterior busts a literal hole in the sky itself.

Yes, Kirby is in The Truman Show. (Not really, but you get the idea.)

A mystical being appears and gives Kirby a magical sword, which he uses to completely dismantle the fake sky and discover the world beyond. The trailer conveniently cuts off as Kirby begins to explore this whole new world, but we’re beyond excited.

After the hero entered the 3D space in Forgotten Land, Kirby and the World Beyond takes the next step and gives the protagonist a much more massive playground to eat and fight. If Breath of the Wild, Mario Odyssey, and Donkey Kong Bananza are any indication, this should be a worthy addition to your Switch collection.

Kirby and the World Beyond drops on the Switch 2 sometime in the spring of 2027.

Gaming

Metroid finally returns to its 2D roots in new Metroid Ravenous

The new 2D side-scroller comes out next year.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Metroid, the iconic franchise that lent its name to the Metroidvania genre, is finally coming back to its 2D roots. In the latest Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled the series’ latest 2D outing, Metroid Ravenous.

Sapped from her energy, Samus finds herself trapped underground by a group of mysterious kasa-touting beings. She must struggle against treacherous enemies and puzzles in a quest to emerge once again on the surface and face her foes.

But she won’t be powerless. She will have energy-sapping abilities of her own. The trailer even has her pick several creatures and seemingly drain them of their energy. Since this is a classic Metroidvania, this might be how Samus gets abilities to get her across the map.

It’s a unique take on the formula that will surely provide its fair share of epic moments, if the trailer can be believed.

Beyond that, the trailer reveals little more. Thankfully, the wait won’t be long. Metroid Ravenous will be available on the Switch 2 starting January 28.

In the meantime, Metroid Dread is still available on the original Switch and the Switch 2. The Switch 2 version even maximizes the console’s mouse mode.

Gaming

Here’s a list of big games coming to the Switch 2

Prepare for Monster Hunter Wilds, Resident Evil, and Final Fantasy.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Though yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presented the most interesting announcement in the current duology of Directs, there are a lot more to be excited about from today’s event. Though you might not see much of the usual array of hotly anticipated games, you’ll see several unexpected titles coming to the Switch 2.

Here’s a quick list:

Monster Hunter Wilds

Teased earlier this year, Monster Hunter Wilds finally has a release date: December 4. The upcoming port will feature local play, all title updates, and compatibility for the upcoming paid expansion, Ascendance, coming next year.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation

Announced via PlayStation recently, Final Fantasy VII Revelation is also coming to the Switch 2 on April 8. The final entry in the remake trilogy will conclude the refreshed story started from Rebirth years past. In addition, the prequel, Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion is already available on the platform today.

Meccha Chameleon

This year’s most popular “friend slop” game is now available. The multiplayer game pits two teams against each other: one team hides by painting themselves into the background, while the other team hunts for them.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Royal Edition

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the story of Henry of Skalitz as he seeks vengeance for a vicious attack on his hometown and the death of his parents. Tagged as one of the most realistic RPG series, it’s coming to the Switch 2 via a Royal Edition which comes with all the game’s DLCs.

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

The popular puzzle-solving professor is coming back to Nintendo systems in a new game, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. Touting more puzzles than ever, the professor will solve what it’s calling the most compelling mystery to date. It’s coming to Switch 2 on December 10.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Combining two franchises in one, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is coming to the Switch 2 on September 18.

Resident Evil 2 Deluxe + Resident Evil 3 + Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition

The Switch 2 is getting a trio of the classic Resident Evil games. All three titles will get their definitive editions, combining the base games with their DLCs. The trio is coming out on October 16.