Rocket League Review
Like
Posted: 17 months ago, last updated 4 weeks ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer, Jo Robertson and Rich Adams.
Overview
Drive futuristic cars to score goals with an oversized football. It’s another game that sounds ridiculous but is actually a huge amount of fun to play and requires a lot of expertise. What’s not obvious from the start is the level of control that can be achieved with the cars. Experts can use the cars’ jet-powered mechanics to fly and flip, and to dribble the ball with great skill – so much so that there are professional leagues where players compete for big prizes in front of huge crowds.
For children, the e-sports-style competition of online play is a big draw, but they will also enjoy playing with other family members in the same room. Young players will spend time practicing mechanics (ability to control the car on the ground and in the air), rotation (intelligent positioning in relation to tram mate and competitor cars), kick offs (racing to the ball at the start). They practice the mechanic side of the game using training packs to repeat hard manoeuvres.
To get started use the tutorial, free play modes and play with other family members. It will seem near impossible at first but with practice you can start to develop better control of the car and the ball.
For children, the e-sports-style competition of online play is a big draw, but they will also enjoy playing with other family members in the same room. Young players will spend time practicing mechanics (ability to control the car on the ground and in the air), rotation (intelligent positioning in relation to tram mate and competitor cars), kick offs (racing to the ball at the start). They practice the mechanic side of the game using training packs to repeat hard manoeuvres.
To get started use the tutorial, free play modes and play with other family members. It will seem near impossible at first but with practice you can start to develop better control of the car and the ball.
Game Details
Content Rating: PEGI 3
Skill Rating: 12+ year-olds
Release Date: 28/08/2018
Price: Free
Platforms: Mac, PC, PS4, Switch and Xbox One
Genres: Action and Sports
Accessibility: 33 features
Developer: @PsyonixStudios
Lists
View our choice of games like Rocket League. This game is good if you want to:
- Take on a mountainous challenge
- Play BAFTA nominated games
- Harm no living thing
- Play games good for autistic diversity
- Raise aspirations through esports
- Play PEGI 16 and 18 games but aren't old enough
- Learn about aeronautics
- Combine dexterity and instincts
- Nourish youthful ambition
- Play together with one Joy-Con
- Connect and challenge friends
- Play with people on different systems
Commitment
Duration: It takes between 5 minutes and 10 minutes to play a round of this game. Matches last 5 minutes although there is overtime if the match is tied at full time, that extends the time. To get good at the game and achieve the coveted Grand Champ status, you need to put in many hundreds of hours.
Players: You can play with 4 players in the same room and up to 6 players online. 4 on the same console, although more advanced players compete as the sole player on their own console against online opponents. You can play in online games with up to 3 platyers on each side.
Cross-Play: You can play against people on different systems: Xbox One, Switch, PC and PS4.
Players: You can play with 4 players in the same room and up to 6 players online. 4 on the same console, although more advanced players compete as the sole player on their own console against online opponents. You can play in online games with up to 3 platyers on each side.
Cross-Play: You can play against people on different systems: Xbox One, Switch, PC and PS4.
Costs
Rocket League usually costs £0 to £15.99.
This game is free to play. Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience. This includes a regular subscription fee (known as a 'battle/season pass') to unlock access to reward items and other aspects of the game.
You will need Nintendo Online (must be 18 to purchase, but can be any age to use) to play online with Nintendo Switch.
You will need PlayStation Plus (must be 18 to create, then create sub-accounts for younger players who need be set as 13 or older) to play online with PlayStation 4.
You will need Xbox Live Gold (must be 18 to create, then configure family accounts for younger players) to play online with Xbox One. Rocket League used to include "loot box" style items you paid to unlock, but this switched to Blueprint items that you can see before you purchase. You can purchase a premium Rocket Pass that unlocks content including new premium customizations, battle-cars and player banners. It also gives an XP Boosts to speed progression.
The following in-game purchases are available:
Rocket League
 SALE | Xbox One | £15.99 | Free at the moment | Free Xbox Live Gold |
 SALE | PS4 | £15.99 | Free at the moment | – |
 | PC | Free | – | – |
 SALE | Switch | £15 | Free at the moment | – |
| Mac | Free | – | – |
This game is free to play. Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience. This includes a regular subscription fee (known as a 'battle/season pass') to unlock access to reward items and other aspects of the game.
You will need Nintendo Online (must be 18 to purchase, but can be any age to use) to play online with Nintendo Switch.
You will need PlayStation Plus (must be 18 to create, then create sub-accounts for younger players who need be set as 13 or older) to play online with PlayStation 4.
You will need Xbox Live Gold (must be 18 to create, then configure family accounts for younger players) to play online with Xbox One. Rocket League used to include "loot box" style items you paid to unlock, but this switched to Blueprint items that you can see before you purchase. You can purchase a premium Rocket Pass that unlocks content including new premium customizations, battle-cars and player banners. It also gives an XP Boosts to speed progression.
The following in-game purchases are available:
Rocket League: Chaos Run DLC Pack
Rocket League: Fast & Furious DLC Bundle
Rocket League: Revenge Of The Battle-Cars DLC Pack
Rocket League: Supersonic Fury DLC Pack
Age Ratings
This game was rated PEGI 3. The content of this game is suitable for all persons.
This game has been rated ESRB EVERYONE.
Skill Rating: This game is enjoyed by 12+ year-olds as it's a good match for their ability and maturity. Although younger players can enjoy mucking around with the cars and the ball, Rocket League only really comes to life as you get the level of skill to play competitively. It can then become an avid hobby and introduction to esports for teenagers.
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.
Accessibility
In the Options you can choose to have the game camera always point towards the ball. You can also choose to have an arrow pointing in the direction of the ball. You can use Mutator Settings for a match to adjust:
Our Rocket League Accessibility Report details 33 accessibility features:
- Timewarp: When close to the ball the game slows down.
- Slomo: Reduces the overall speed of the game.
- Ball Max Speed | Slow: The ball moves slower.
- Ball Size: Make the ball larger and easier to hit.
- Boost Amount: Unlimited boost can make it easier if you struggle to collect in the game.
- Demolish: Turning this off reduces visual flashes from cars exploding and reduces stress level in the game.
Our Rocket League Accessibility Report details 33 accessibility features:
Games Like Rocket League
Our experts have hand-picked the following similar games for you. These offer a similar way to play to Rocket League or are games with a similar theme or topic. These are good alternative games to Rocket League.
Thank you for using our resource, supported by AskAboutGames, ParentZone and PlayAbility Initiative. We are editorially independent, written by parents for parents, but welcome sponsorship, partnership and suggestions. Email our editor for details on these opportunities.The information on this database is designed to support and complement the in-depth discussion and advice about video game "addiction", violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. If you have any concerns or questions in these areas, email our editor who is quick to respond or can arrange for a one-to-one conversation.