Rogue Flight review

Rogue Flight review

As an old-school gamer who grew up with the likes of Panzer Dragoon and Starfox, Rogue Flight has stirred memories of my arcade days and transported me back to those thrilling moments of soaring through the skies on the wings of a digital dragon or fox. Truant Pixel’s latest creation is an exhilarating homage to the rail shooter genre, with its anime-inspired visuals and post-apocalyptic narrative that could have been lifted straight from my social media feed – I swear, those walking tables are giving me nightmares!


When did you last play an aerobatic rail shooter that made you feel like you were really in a cockpit or riding on top of a wild flying creature, pretending to be a pilot? Back then, SEGA was leading the pack with their super scaler era, the Panzer Dragoon series, and the intense After Burner Climax. Nintendo took gaming to new heights at home with the StarFox series, which featured anthropomorphic animals as pilots.

Truant Pixel is the newest group to attempt this popular style of game, offering Rogue Flight – an action-packed, albeit imperfect, anime-styled aerial adventure. Upon first glance, it’s evident that the game has been heavily inspired by classic anime, particularly 80s sci-fi works. The game features a high-quality, fully voiced, cinematic introduction that sets up the post-apocalyptic narrative.

Rogue Flight review

It is a tale as old as time, folks. An AI-managed missile control system has of course gone tits-up, leading to the destruction of society. Judging by the terrifying AI shenanigans that I see on my social media feed, this scenario is not only a ripe science fiction cliché straight out of the Terminator playbook, but also eerily prescient. The other day I saw a table for sale that could literally walk around the room on its own. Its only a matter of time before we ourselves are facing down robotic threats like Rogue Flight’s ARGUS.

Fortunately for humanity, a resilient resistance group, hidden away within a covert military compound called BOW, have chosen to regroup and fight back with their speedy jet-type vehicles, named ARROW. It’s an intentional reference they made there. As the daring pilot Nadia, you’ll soar through the skies over three progressively challenging routes, revisiting the thrill of classic on-rails aerial combat reminiscent of the good old days. A quick tutorial will familiarize you with the gameplay mechanics before you dive in. This experience feels quite similar to the games I’ve previously mentioned.

Rogue Flight review

The spaceship follows a set path but allows you to maneuver freely. It offers an exciting move called a barrel roll that serves as both a defensive parry and a trick, like tilting to drift or accelerating forward. You can also slow down to gather dropped items from defeated enemies. Initially, you have a lock-on system with missiles and a regular gun, but additional weaponry can be acquired on your journey and switched quickly during gameplay. As you progress, you’ll unlock enhancements for your spaceship, such as increased shield strength, speed, and overall agility in flight.

The game includes a combo counter that not only boosts your score but also restores your shield when you’re hit, which can happen frequently due to the fast-paced and bustling nature of the levels. However, this is where my main concern with Rogue Flight lies. Despite its core being enjoyable and thrilling, there are instances of color conflicts with projectiles, and insufficient on-screen guidance during certain boss battles that make it somewhat confusing. Overall, though, it’s an engaging and exciting game to play.

Rogue Flight review

Absolutely, I’d strongly recommend this game for arcade enthusiasts. It beautifully recaptures the essence of past times, and it’s packed with enough excitement to make you eager for more. Upon defeating it, you unlock some fascinating new modes, such as an endless sortie that challenges you to go as far as you can on a single life, using only one chance. There are also plenty of customizable skins and aesthetic upgrades to personalize your experience.

If reimagined as a high-tech, musical arcade game, complete with hydraulics for an immersive experience, Rogue Flight would perfectly fit in this setting. Its compact size also makes it suitable for coin-operated play. Though currently, Rogue Flight is an engaging addition to the genre, there seems to be a subtle element that’s not quite present, making the gaming experience slightly incomplete.

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2024-10-28 13:16