Rolling Bird

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Rolling Bird is a very simple retro arcade shooter, but I actually like how little it tries to complicate things. I play as an agent from the secret group Rolling Bird and have to make my way through a heavily guarded factory while trying to find out what the mysterious Vacuum Filter actually is. The whole game is built around moving from left to right, shooting enemies and trying to stay alive for as long as possible. It has a very obvious old arcade influence, and I think that works because the game does not try to hide what it is. The shooting is the main reason I enjoy it. I have a small selection of weapons and I have to pay attention to enemies appearing from different positions while also watching what is happening around me. The controls are simple, but that does not mean the game is easy. Enemies can appear quickly and I have to react instead of casually walking through the level. I like that the challenge is mostly about timing and learning how the game behaves rather than dealing with a huge skill tree or loads of equipment. What makes Rolling Bird work best for me is the arcade structure. The game is designed around fast runs and a score rather than a long campaign with lots of story. I can play for a short time, try to survive a little longer and then have another attempt. There is also an online scoreboard, so improving my own performance gives me something to work towards. I like this sort of design when I want something I can understand immediately without having to remember a dozen different systems. The biggest problem is that there is not much variety. The game is basically built around the same core loop, and once I understand how the enemies and levels work, there is not a huge amount left to discover. The story is very light and mainly acts as an excuse for the action, while the presentation is deliberately old fashioned. That is fine for the retro style, but it does mean the game has to rely almost entirely on its shooting being fun. If I am not enjoying the basic arcade gameplay, there is not really another major system here to keep me interested. I also think the game can be a little too rough in places. The pixel graphics are simple, which I do not mind, but some of the movement and enemy encounters can feel less polished than newer arcade shooters. It is also deliberately difficult, so I can lose a run fairly quickly if I stop paying attention. I do not think that is completely unfair because the whole point is to learn from failed attempts, but there are times when I would have liked a little more control over what was happening. What I appreciate most is that Rolling Bird does not waste my time. It is free to play, supports controllers, has six achievements and can run on extremely modest hardware. I can launch it, play for a few minutes and immediately understand what I am supposed to be doing. There is something nice about that when I have already played enough huge games that need hours just to get through their introductions. Rolling Bird is much more basic, but it also has a clear identity and sticks to it. Overall, Rolling Bird is a decent little retro shooter that I think works mainly because it keeps its idea simple. I like the quick shooting, old arcade design, score chasing and straightforward controls, while the limited variety and dated presentation stop it from becoming something I would rate particularly highly. It does not have much depth and I would not want to play it for hours at a time, but that is not really what it is designed for anyway. For a short free arcade game that I can pick up and play without thinking too much, I think it does its job well. Rating: 6.9/10

This is a wonderful homage to Rolling Thunder! I REALLY like how the characters are one solid color while everything around them is more detailed. However, I do think more variety with the enemies could be great for this game, as well as more stage themes and even boss battles! I also think there should be a continue option after you die, for players that just want to see what there is. I'd love to see you do more of these Arcade inspired games! :D

[h1]Do Not... BLINK!![/h1] Do not underestimate! Do not go unprepared! Do not let your guard down! Basically, you have two lanes to play with and a super jump to go from bottom to top lane. Super jump can also be used as an evasive maneuver. Having a means to activate an autofire/turbo is advised. You have overlap action, chaotic RNG enemy spawns and different enemy types shooting at you REALLY fast! They also punch and throw grenades! Even if you're a veteran hardcore player, this game will catch you in the first moments of distraction. The game is great. But it would be greater with better artwork, a cooler protagonist and music variety. The developers could really make use of better graphics to increase the game visibility, because the gameplay core and action is there! Awesome!

clickbait, theres no bird rolling

It's like Rolling Thunder except with procedurally generated stages, which are a perfect fit for the game's tactical methodical pacing. It's extremely difficult and moreish, and it's the most fun I've had with a procedurally-generated action game since I first played Spelunky. There's even a free version! Commentated 2 loop clear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJTHZt_wypI