Review: The Rocky Horror Show Video Game

Genres: Platform game, Adventure

Developer: FreakZone Games

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Publishers: FreakZone Games, Bit Bot Media

Initial release date: October 2024

I’m not sure whether anyone was waiting for The Rocky Horror Show Video Game with anticipation, but here it is. The Rocky Horror Video Game is an 8-bit side-scroller that features bosses such as Dr. Frank, Rocky, and Eddie. While this may be one of the strangest releases of the year, especially given that it arrived in stores with no anticipation or previews, I’m not averse to the concept. You go through the stage play (or film, for the uncultured) in its entirety. That stems from the fact that Janet never fought flying brains on her journey to see Rocky. At least not from my memory.

How does The Rocky Horror Show Video Game play? Simply told, it isn’t flawless. There have been several reports of phasing through objects, or things supposed to be thrown, rather of killing foes. I will admit that the platforming is fairly smooth, which is great, even if it is the bare least to expect; the entire character movement is actually extremely well polished.

One of my main complaints, however, is that the majority of the game consists of reliving the same areas over and over, with an extra little added to the end of each loop to make things a little longer. There are also extra flying skulls and odd spike balls to worry about, as Dr. Frank’s castle appears to be created similarly to Bowser’s.

The “boss” confrontations are rather formulaic, similar to those found in older games. The boss moves left and right across the screen, maybe jumping here and there, and takes three hits per phase. The most unique boss fight is arguably against Eddie, because you are not the one who completes the fight. If you know the source material, you’ll know what to expect. The soundtrack is also quite predictable. I hope you’re prepared to hear a chiptune rendition of “Time Warp” repeatedly, since that’s a piece you’ll hear a lot. While nice, I expected more from the soundtrack, especially since it was marketed as one of the game’s key selling features.

Given the source material’s history, I love The Rocky Horror Show Video Game’s retro-styled aesthetic. It’s not horrible, but it isn’t the most fascinating 8-bit art style I’ve ever seen. There are moments, particularly throughout the film, that fans will undoubtedly remember. As expected, I understand that this was created in 2024, and it will undoubtedly look better than a game created in the 1980s, but there are still many games that attempt to look ancient and come out as too dated and ugly. This simply gets the job done.

I had some pleasure playing The Rocky Horror Show Video Game, but I believe that was primarily due to my enjoyment of the original material. It will only be enjoyed by true Rocky Horror aficionados. It has its charm, but as previously stated, it is far from perfect. The images are acceptable given the intended art style, and while the chiptune tracks sound entertaining at first, they are played ad nauseum to the point of boredom. It’s a decent way to spend an hour, but that’s about all you can expect from this game. Especially since it only lasts about that long, with no motivation for replayability.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 76%

Controls: 78%

Aesthetics: 88%

Content: 80%

Accessibility: 79%

Value: 77%

Overall: 80%

A CULT CLASSIC REVIVED!

Summary:

“The Rocky Horror Show Video Game” transforms the legendary film’s campy, eccentric charm into an interactive experience, allowing fans to immerse themselves in its wacky world. The gameplay includes a mix of riddles and rhythm-based tasks that replicate the musical’s weird, wacky vibe. Controls are responsive, yet some mechanics may seem repetitious. Aesthetically, the game captures the gothic, theatrical flair with colorful visuals and a famous music, transporting players to the chaotic world of Rocky Horror. It’s a delightful tribute for fans and an amusing, if niche, experience for beginners to the cult hit.