Retronika presents quite the conundrum. At first glance, it’s not plagued by poor design, but in its current early access stage, it requires significant tweaking to become truly recommendable.
When I watched the trailer, it sparked excitement that lingered even when launching the game months later. The concept is intriguing: a VR racing action game where you’re piloting a hoverbike, weaving through the air with laser guns to fend off foes. As an alien thrust into a futuristic Earth swarming with flying cars, you must find your way back home.
This ambitious game from the Netherlands-based 4Players-Studio strives to gently introduce players to Retronika’s universe. The controls are meant to mimic the feeling of riding a real motorbike, albeit in mid-air. You reach out to virtual handlebars, pushing the analog stick forward to accelerate and pulling it back to brake.
With one hand on the throttle, you’re confined to moving horizontally. Bringing both hands into play allows for vertical maneuvers, letting you bob and weave past traffic by lifting or lowering the handlebars to adjust your altitude. Initially, the game restricts you to horizontal steering to get you accustomed before fully unlocking free movement. As if easing you into chaos, the game holds off on weaponry until you’ve got the hang of flying.
Weapons come into play as your free hand automatically equips a gun, letting you shoot at incoming drones. The goal is straightforward: navigate a series of linear challenges by racing through a 3×3 grid teeming with cars, often requiring drone destruction or reaching the finish line in time.
Visually, Retronika impresses right off the bat. It’s a VR experience that prioritizes artistic flair over realism, showcasing a cel-shaded city teeming with life. As you glide through, the bustling atmosphere captivates: speeding cars, zipping trains, and towering skyscrapers fill the scene. Early levels offer a joyride as I familiarized myself with the controls, reflecting on unseen stories of everyday commuters zipping by in their flying cars.
But the initial thrill quickly turns to vexation. Each stage puts your limited health bar to the test, taking hits not only from drones but also from collisions with cars and even when firing your gun. Straying off the narrow grid rapidly depletes your health, and although you can recover, it’s often after sacrificing a hefty portion of it.
Currently, Retronika falls short in the balance department. Although the game world thrives with activity, the racing lane is crammed with cars, making it feel more like rush hour traffic. Navigating this chaotic space feels like a guessing game at times, where a misjudgment leads to unwanted collisions.
The enemy drones pose an even bigger headache. These attackers close in fast, landing hits before they’re within your firing range. Their attacks rarely miss, while your own defensive tactics feel nearly futile. To stand any chance, you’re forced to interrupt the action, halting your bike to duel with both guns, which leaves you vulnerable to incoming fire or reckless NPC motorists.
When drones swarm, keeping health intact is a pipe dream. The appearance of more formidable models feels like flipping a coin on success. Victory hinges more on luck than skill, and lengthy levels compound the frustration of restarting after each loss. Constant retries drain both patience and enjoyment.
In theory, upgrades could mitigate some of these challenges. Completing levels earns in-game currency for weapon and bike enhancements, from braking efficiency to maximum speed. Yet, the upgrade system is convoluted, with clarity badly needed. More importantly, these tweaks don’t address crucial aspects like health and defense upgrades.
More troubling, these upgrades cost a pretty penny, demanding repetitive level grinding to afford even one. This grind fast strips away the joy, turning what was once an exhilarating ride into an endurance test.
As it stands, Retronika isn’t beyond saving. Its foundation is solid with engaging controls and impressive visuals. There’s an array of 50 missions and diverse weaponry that could shine if the balance issues are addressed. Introducing difficulty options and reassessing NPC behaviors, drone precision, and health dynamics are crucial steps.
The game’s developers hint that it’s nearing the end of its early access window, potentially signaling minimal additional tweaks pre-full release. Yet, there’s a glimmer of a truly fun game beneath these issues, not needing drastic revamps but rather careful rebalancing.
Retronika promises the thrill of hoverbike racing through a lively cityscape. As it currently stands, it’s a promise waiting to be fulfilled. Which is, ultimately, quite disappointing.
