Fortnite is in the midst of yet another transformation. It’s been a while since I played Battle Royale, mostly due to the onslaught of new game modes popping up the moment I log in. Fortnite Rocket Racing is one of these new modes, and, while it’s still in its early stages, it has the potential to become a fantastic standalone racing game. This barebones first draft is quite fun, with 26 well-designed maps, seamless integration into Fortnite’s broader progression systems, and easy-to-setup cross-platform multiplayer for up to 12 players. However, Rocket Racing struggles to maintain its freshness due to its simplistic car handling and questionable multiplayer balance. Despite its promising concept, it falls short of achieving a Victory Royale.
Rocket Racing takes inspiration from games like Distance, Rollcage, Wipeout, and GRIP: Combat Racing rather than tying closely to its association with Rocket League. The game features 12 cars on the map, each aiming to reach the finish line first. The twist in the formula is that boosting is achieved through drifting, allowing you to speed past the competition. The maps present various obstacles and alternate pathways, adding depth to the gameplay and forcing you to make strategic choices.
Rocket Racing takes it up a notch by introducing jumping and flying mechanics. You can send your car into the air or make it fly, albeit at the cost of speed. Each map presents different obstacles and alternate pathways that force you to make careful choices and adds to the excitement of each race.
While the boosting and thrusting actions feel and sound great, there are some esoteric systems under the hood which don’t always feel transparent or fair. For instance, timing the green light at the beginning of the match gives you a speed boost, but it may not always work as expected. Rocket Racing also has balancing issues, as it tends to slow you down when you’re ahead and provides assistance if you fall behind, affecting the overall competitiveness of the game.
Rocket Racing provides a casual gaming experience, with each match lasting only about three minutes. The game is part of the Fortnite ecosystem, ensuring that there is always a player base to compete against. However, local multiplayer seems to be unavailable on the Xbox Series X, which can be disappointing to fans of casual racing games. Performance scales well across different platforms, allowing for seamless cross-platform gaming experiences.
Despite some network issues, Rocket Racing provides a smooth and enjoyable experience across various platforms. The game’s integration into Fortnite’s progression and Battle Pass system allows for continuous progression and rewards, with the possibility of using earned cars as vehicle skins in the Battle Royale mode. However, the current content available for Rocket Racing is limited, and the game may fade into obscurity once players shift their focus to other Fortnite offerings.
The main issue with Rocket Racing is its limited content. While the available maps are enjoyable, the lack of variety in the rotation and the absence of local multiplayer options hinder the game’s potential. The basic car customization and unclear unlock mechanisms add to the game’s shortcomings. It still feels like a work in progress and requires further development to truly stand out as a compelling addition to the Fortnite universe.