Rochard
Encyclopedia
'Rochard' is a science fiction
platformer available for the PlayStation 3
through the PlayStation Network, and for Microsoft Windows
through the Steam digital distribution platform. Developed by Recoil Games, the game revolves around the manipulation of gravity and the use of a G-Lifter, a gravity device used to easily move heavy objects around. The title combines increasing challenging environmental puzzles with action, humor and a story rich of twists.
The game launch dates for PlayStation Network were respectively September 27, 2011 for the US and September 28, 2011 for Europe. The worldwide Steam launch of the Windows version took place on November 15 of the same year.
Some levels have sections where the gravity is inverted. In some levels the player can invert the gravity by himself.
When the gravity beam mode is selected it allows John to grab and shoot or drop certain objects like crates, explosives containers etc. With the gravity beam John can also manipulate and move certain objects, like big mining lasers, cargo containers etc. After an upgrade the G-Beam is powerful enough to lift John in low G allowing him to dangle and swing from certain objects.
All objects which can be manipulated with the gravity beam are highlighted with a white swipe effect on the surface. The player gets to upgrade the gravity beam several times to gain new abilities to it. In addition to the G-Swing the player can use the G-Beam as a weapon against flying droids, automated turrets and even human enemies (respectively).
As the supposed reinforcements of his boss Maximillian arrive, it is revealed that they are in league with the space bandits. Fighting his way down through the tunnels to get to his trapped team mates Skyler and Zander. As John reaches them, Zander succumbs to his wounds, sending both Skyler and John on a path to uncover the mystery surrounding their recent find and to avenge their fallen colleague. The ancient structure turns out to be an alien temple, containing Native American
glyphs. Unable to read the engravings, John and Skyler decide to head for Floyd, Skyler's uncle, who's Native American roots might help them make sense of it all.
Upon arriving on the seemingly deserted asteroid-based casino, John heads to Floyd’s office. It turns out the space bandits have taken over the casino and John has to fight his way to the office which is found vacant. Skyler suggests John to head to the money vault, where Floyd might have barricaded himself. Upon finding Floyd, John is told about an ancient legend of Native American Indians and the Katsina
statues that grant its user divine powers. It is revealed that he has to get a decoder disc from his boss’s office, located in the Skyrig head quarters, to be able to find the real Katsina temple. John fights his way to meet Skyler in an abandoned hangar, from where they take off to the Skyrig head quarters.
John infiltrates the head quarters using ventilation shafts and other back doors, avoiding security cameras while sneaking his way towards his boss’ office. Once presence is noticed, he has to fight his way to the office, where he finds the decoder ring that can be used to decipher the strange writings at the alien temple. John escapes the office and battles his way past sky police and their combat droids to reach a secluded cargo hangar. Skyler picks up John and they head back to the mining asteroid.
The pirates have trashed the place so John decides to take an alternate route to the alien temple. After fighting an army of droids and turrets, John has to use a huge mining laser to get into the alien temple. At the temple he finds out that the decoder ring is actually a power source, which makes the strange markings on the walls glow. A large star map is revealed pointing to the Casino Asteroid they visited earlier. Sky police have found John and Skyler and they get separated. John has to find an alternative way to the hangar. When John gets there he finds Skyler captured by the space police and his ship being blown up. He decides to use an old race bird “Switchblade” to pursue the sky police and Skyler to the casino.
John enters the abandoned part of the casino asteroid, which is an old Skyrig mine. On his way to the second alien temple he finds an old "Helga" G-Lifter, which has old hazardous features still active: it's able to grab human characters and shoots anti-gravity charges which lift objects they attach to. He fights his way to the Katsina temple and finds his boss holding the Katsina statue there. In the ensuing fight, John comes very close to Maximillian. When he is about to defeat his boss, a giant vortex appears devouring first Maximillian, followed by Skyler and John. They are all sucked into another dimension, leaving only an ominously glowing "Helga" G-Lifter behind.
game to use this engine. Unity's multi-platform capabilities also resulted in a speedy follow-up release on Steam on November 15, 2011.
, mixing southern rock/blues and 80′s inspired electronic music. A special version of the game that includes the full soundtrack in MP3
format was released on Steam alongside the game's regular edition.
average score of 79% and a GameRankings average score of 79.93%. The following Steam release was well received for its solid conversion of the control mechanics to a keyboard and mouse format, standing at a Metacritic average of 82% and a GameRankings average of 82.5%.
and Best downloadable game at Gamescom 2011 by Gaming Universe. Following its release, the game has received Editors' Choice awards from IGN
, GamePro
, Gaming Nexus, GameShark
and Pelit
and won the Unity Awards for Best Gameplay and Best Graphics at the Unite 2011 event.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
platformer available for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
through the PlayStation Network, and for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
through the Steam digital distribution platform. Developed by Recoil Games, the game revolves around the manipulation of gravity and the use of a G-Lifter, a gravity device used to easily move heavy objects around. The title combines increasing challenging environmental puzzles with action, humor and a story rich of twists.
The game launch dates for PlayStation Network were respectively September 27, 2011 for the US and September 28, 2011 for Europe. The worldwide Steam launch of the Windows version took place on November 15 of the same year.
Gameplay
Rochard is a 2-dimensional side-scrolling platformer taking place in 3-dimensional scenes. The player character works his way through a series of environments, each containing a mix of puzzle and combat encounters. To overcome these challenges, the player has access to several tools and mechanics that relate to gravity, weight and matter properties.Gravity Control
Players can change the gravity between “normal” earth like gravity and low gravity by holding the L1/LB/Shift button. Controlling the gravity is the key feature of the game and allows the player for example to:- Jump higher in low gravity
- Alter trajectories of thrown objects
- Soar in the air flow of a huge ventilation fan in low gravity
- Do the Recoil Jump (jump in low G and shoot a crate to get pushed to the opposite direction by recoil)
- Lift heavy objects in low G
- Swing on certain objects using the Gravity Beam (requires an upgrade)
Some levels have sections where the gravity is inverted. In some levels the player can invert the gravity by himself.
The G-Lifter
The player is equipped with the G-Lifter – A modular mining tool hosting various subsystems like remote gravity controller, flashlight, a communication device and the following main features:When the gravity beam mode is selected it allows John to grab and shoot or drop certain objects like crates, explosives containers etc. With the gravity beam John can also manipulate and move certain objects, like big mining lasers, cargo containers etc. After an upgrade the G-Beam is powerful enough to lift John in low G allowing him to dangle and swing from certain objects.
All objects which can be manipulated with the gravity beam are highlighted with a white swipe effect on the surface. The player gets to upgrade the gravity beam several times to gain new abilities to it. In addition to the G-Swing the player can use the G-Beam as a weapon against flying droids, automated turrets and even human enemies (respectively).
Force Fields
Force fields block certain objects. There are four types of force fields:- Bio force field (red, blocks human characters)
- Matter force field (blue, blocks inanimate objects)
- Energy force field (orange, blocks weapon fire & explosions)
- Omni force field (white, blocks everything)
Fuses
Fuses are used to control power on certain electrically powered items. The controlled item is attached to a fuse socket with a thick visible cable. The player can control the power on the item by attaching or detaching the fuse to/from the socket. The fuses cannot be physically damaged but they can be disabled temporarily by shooting or using explosives at them.Plot
John Rochard, leader of the lowest producing team of astro-miners the Skyrig Corporation ever employed, accidentally discovers an ancient structure hidden deep in an asteroid. Soon afterwards, John’s team goes missing without a trace and he finds himself stranded on the asteroid and under attack by space bandits. John quickly realizes that dangerous forces are at work, determined to use the discovery for their own sinister means.As the supposed reinforcements of his boss Maximillian arrive, it is revealed that they are in league with the space bandits. Fighting his way down through the tunnels to get to his trapped team mates Skyler and Zander. As John reaches them, Zander succumbs to his wounds, sending both Skyler and John on a path to uncover the mystery surrounding their recent find and to avenge their fallen colleague. The ancient structure turns out to be an alien temple, containing Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
glyphs. Unable to read the engravings, John and Skyler decide to head for Floyd, Skyler's uncle, who's Native American roots might help them make sense of it all.
Upon arriving on the seemingly deserted asteroid-based casino, John heads to Floyd’s office. It turns out the space bandits have taken over the casino and John has to fight his way to the office which is found vacant. Skyler suggests John to head to the money vault, where Floyd might have barricaded himself. Upon finding Floyd, John is told about an ancient legend of Native American Indians and the Katsina
Kachina
A kachina is a spirit being in western Pueblo cosmology and religious practices. The western Pueblo, Native American cultures located in the southwestern United States, include Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village , Acoma Pueblo, and Laguna Pueblo. The kachina cult has spread to more eastern Pueblos, e.g....
statues that grant its user divine powers. It is revealed that he has to get a decoder disc from his boss’s office, located in the Skyrig head quarters, to be able to find the real Katsina temple. John fights his way to meet Skyler in an abandoned hangar, from where they take off to the Skyrig head quarters.
John infiltrates the head quarters using ventilation shafts and other back doors, avoiding security cameras while sneaking his way towards his boss’ office. Once presence is noticed, he has to fight his way to the office, where he finds the decoder ring that can be used to decipher the strange writings at the alien temple. John escapes the office and battles his way past sky police and their combat droids to reach a secluded cargo hangar. Skyler picks up John and they head back to the mining asteroid.
The pirates have trashed the place so John decides to take an alternate route to the alien temple. After fighting an army of droids and turrets, John has to use a huge mining laser to get into the alien temple. At the temple he finds out that the decoder ring is actually a power source, which makes the strange markings on the walls glow. A large star map is revealed pointing to the Casino Asteroid they visited earlier. Sky police have found John and Skyler and they get separated. John has to find an alternative way to the hangar. When John gets there he finds Skyler captured by the space police and his ship being blown up. He decides to use an old race bird “Switchblade” to pursue the sky police and Skyler to the casino.
John enters the abandoned part of the casino asteroid, which is an old Skyrig mine. On his way to the second alien temple he finds an old "Helga" G-Lifter, which has old hazardous features still active: it's able to grab human characters and shoots anti-gravity charges which lift objects they attach to. He fights his way to the Katsina temple and finds his boss holding the Katsina statue there. In the ensuing fight, John comes very close to Maximillian. When he is about to defeat his boss, a giant vortex appears devouring first Maximillian, followed by Skyler and John. They are all sucked into another dimension, leaving only an ominously glowing "Helga" G-Lifter behind.
G-Lifter
John's primary aid in solving puzzles and taking out opponents is the G-Lifter. It is capable of grabbing and suspending heavy objects in a state of weightlessness, allowing the player to easily move them around, as well as launch them in any given direction. In combination with control over the intensity of local gravity, the player is able to lift even larger objects and use such items to gain added momentum on jumps in low-G. This effectively allows the player to fly through rooms by grabbing and launching objects with a proper sense of timing.Rock Blaster
Originally intended to be used as a mining laser, the Rock Blaster has been modified to fit inside the G-Lifter, upgrading the tool to a basic laser gun. Though deadly, the laser mode is quick to overheat and its use doesn't provide any cover from enemy fire like a crate suspended by the G-Lifter would. The heat buildup can be reduced by picking up upgrades (a total of 4 heat sink pickups in the game).Detonator
This upgrade allows the G-Lifter to fire off a variety of special-purpose charges, ranging from basic explosives, to sticky explosives and anti-gravity grenades. The charges can be used to destroy or otherwise modify the environment, or to take out opponents. A finite amount of explosium acts as ammunition for the charges and can only be refilled at specific points in a level.Game Engine
Rochard has been developed using the Unity engine and was launched late September 2011 as the first PlayStation 3PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
game to use this engine. Unity's multi-platform capabilities also resulted in a speedy follow-up release on Steam on November 15, 2011.
Soundtrack
The game features soundtrack composed by Markus “Captain” Kaarlonen from Poets of the FallPoets of the Fall
Poets of the Fall is a rock band from Finland. It consists of Marko Saaresto , Olli Tukiainen and Markus "Captain" Kaarlonen...
, mixing southern rock/blues and 80′s inspired electronic music. A special version of the game that includes the full soundtrack in MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
format was released on Steam alongside the game's regular edition.
Critical Reception
Rochard has received generally favorable reviews for its initial release on PSN, with a MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
average score of 79% and a GameRankings average score of 79.93%. The following Steam release was well received for its solid conversion of the control mechanics to a keyboard and mouse format, standing at a Metacritic average of 82% and a GameRankings average of 82.5%.
Awards
Prior to its release, Rochard was awarded Best of GamesCom 2011 by GamingXPGamingXP
GamingXP is an Austria multi-format games magazine, which is published by GamingXP-Verlag in Vienna. The name refers to both the GamingXP Internet portal and the print magazine GamingXP, which was first released in April 2008 ....
and Best downloadable game at Gamescom 2011 by Gaming Universe. Following its release, the game has received Editors' Choice awards from IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
, Gaming Nexus, GameShark
GameShark
GameShark is the brand name of a line of video game cheat cartridges and other products for a variety of console video game systems and Windows based computers. Currently, the brand name is owned by Mad Catz, who actively markets GameShark products for the PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and Sega game...
and Pelit
Pelit
Pelit is a Finnish video games magazine published 11 times a year by Sanoma Magazines, a division of the Sanoma Group. Being by far the largest of its kind in Finland and covering both PCs and consoles, it has for a long time lacked serious competition and is thought by many to be the magazine of...
and won the Unity Awards for Best Gameplay and Best Graphics at the Unite 2011 event.