Previously on GameView, we took 2D beat ‘em up Wulverblade for a spin, which had more than enough carnage to fill anyone’s slice and dice quota. This round, we’re going to take things down a notch or three with 2D platformer “Rad Rodgers”. This one has a throwback spin to it. Plus, its filled with plenty of charm mixed with crude humor.
Rad Rodgers centers on a young boy named Rad, who was at home, chilling, and playing video games. When suddenly he's warped into another dimension where he's now a part of a video game! Thankfully he’s not alone in his journey, as he’s equipped with a blaster and a sentient game console strapped to his back that spews vulgarities named Dusty. Together, you’ll run and gun through 8 levels, 3 pogo worlds, and a final boss battle to complete your quest.
But the journey won’t be easy - far from it! You’ll have to bypass a host of enemies and environmental hazards to find the four pieces of a pizza looking emblem within each level before you can progress. There are some areas that are either blocked off or missing platforms. And that’s where Dusty truly comes into play. As you progress through each level, you’ll come across pixilated portals that’ll take you to the “Pixelverse”. And it’s here where only Dusty can traverse. And using his mighty fist he’ll either uncover or replace items needed so you can continue onward. But you can’t rely on Dusty for everything. And that’s where your blaster comes into play. Occasionally, you’ll come across glowing orbs that’ll upgrade your gun into either a flamethrower, grenade launcher, rapid-fire, or sick laser gun that shoots a wide beam. Each upgrade is temporary and you can check its level right on the gun. It might be small, but clearly visible.
While I enjoyed the action, Rad Rodgers true charm stems from its crude humor. And you’ll not only experience it with Dusty but from other characters that you’ll come across along the way; one such character talks about a health heart being a buttplug that needs to be washed off because it's been used. A few houses away, another guy has a heart, which was given to him by the buttplug guy, so you know he’ll be quick to give it away. Dusty, will also spout a comment or two along the way; some might be helpful tips, some are insults, and others are for cheering you on. If the vulgarities are too much, there is an option to tone it down. I don’t know what the clean version sounds like, since I’m OK with the crude humor. But the option is there in case you want the younger set to give this game a spin.
Once you've completed a level, but you haven’t found all of its secrets, you can dive back in and hunt down all of the game's hidden treats. There’s also a leaderboard, artwork that you can unlock, and a wide assortment of headgear you can collect. The hats are for aesthetics only as they don’t provide Rad with any new abilities, which would be dope! But alas, they’re just for show.
The Good:
I’m from the 8/16/32 bit era of gaming, which was heavy on platformers. So, experiencing Rad Rodgers was something that was right up my alley. And in the end, it proved to be just as much fun and entertaining as the games I’ve played in the past. The game itself is pretty basic, but the levels are complex enough that I tossed my controller a few times in frustration. Thankfully, Rad Rodgers’ difficulty levels aren’t on par with titles such as Dark Souls or Demon Souls, but it has its moments, yet still, a joy to play. Graphically, Rad Rodgers is one gorgeous game to look at with amazing backdrops that teem with life! And I love how enemies emerge from out of the background to attack. My first time seeing this, I was so in awe that I hesitated and took a few hits. Lesson learned. Finally, the music in this game definitely draws its inspiration from the 80s and I especially enjoyed the sweet guitar riffs in level five. And I don't even mind replaying that stage over just because I enjoy the music so much. In the end, I’m a sucker for a any platformer that’s not only easy to get into but also entertaining. And Rad Rodgers hits the mark! And if 2D platformers are your thing then definitely pick this one up.
The Bad:
My main gripe with the game is Dusty – he’s pretty much useless. Sure he can punch stuff, but I’d think with fists that big, he’d be able to smash rocks, boulders, doors, anything that stands in his way! And yet he can’t do any of that stuff unless he’s in the Pixelverse. And as far as the main game is concerned, I’ve never used him to attack an enemy. Why should I, when my gun is all I needed to get the job done? He’d be more useful if he were a console that can become a jetpack, maybe a drill, or something useful. Otherwise, he’s just a sidekick that’s there to make noise. He's still funny tho. My final gripe concerns Rad, who needs a double jump; true, it might make things a bit easier, but it’s a skill he could really use.
The Ugly:
Buttplug guy. It was funny, but also kind of gross.
Rad Rodgers is available now on all major platforms such as Playstation 4, Xbox One and STEAM. And if you’re looking for a simple, yet fun and entertaining platform experience, then this is one title worth checking out. So, out of TOV 5 stars, I’m giving Rad Rodgers a 3.5.
