Rocket League is a high-octane, multiplayer sports game that essentially emulates car soccer. In concept it’s a little silly to think about how a game like this would function or be fun to play, but RL manages to be one of the most mechanic-based games I’ve ever played. Two teams face off to see who can score as many goals in a car-friendly map where players can jump, boost and accelerate at supersonic speeds. Players have innovated and progressed the mechanics of the game using its core functionalities. From aerials, dribbling, specialty flicks, power shots, ceiling shots to flip resets these are all mechanics that have been discovered and made by players. It has challenged players to rethink the boundaries of the game, but there is one mechanic that has stood out to me since my first run of the game – the demolition or demos for short.
In particular, demos allow players to physically take out an opposing player for a few seconds by crashing into them at supersonic speeds. This creates an intense competitive dynamic that more often than not infuriates the other team, as demos are considered to be disrespectful. However, this is a core mechanic of the game and players are encouraged to bump and demo one another to create plays or disadvantage the other team to score.
As a whole, the mechanics beyond the simple jumping, boosting, dashing and driving that make up what I would consider technical mechanics (such as the ones stated above) create a highly competitive dynamic amongst players to show-off their skills and teamwork to create exciting plays. There’s a certain zen players get when focusing on the best way to score in any given moment, where fast reflexes and player awareness take over out of pure muscle memory. When I get really invested in a match, scoring the last goal gives me an adrenaline rush immersed in an aesthetically beautiful and futuristic stadium. Plus, it’s always fun demoing the other team or hitting a crazy shot to see how the other team reacts.
