You’re probably thinking “not another battle royale” and you’d be justified. However, Rocket League’s new knockout game mode is for those who hate battle royale games.
The knockout is part of Rocket League’s spring in-game event, called the Knockout Bash, which runs from April 27 to May 10. This new game mode involves using the driving/soccer skills you would use in a normal game in an eight player destruction derby-type battle royale.
In addition to the existing moves, there are three new skills to master: Attack, Block, and Grab. Attacking is basically dodging an opponent in order to send them flying in the right way. The block is essentially a parry that reflects back attacks on the opposing player with a reasonable amount of time. Grabs allow you to capture and throw other players.
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Knockout also adds secondary mechanics that are basically improved versions of existing moves such as boosting, jumping, and lock on. For example, you can do a triple jump instead of the usual double jump.
Knockout has three new arenas specifically for the modes called Calavera, Carbon and Quadron. The walls of each Arena are sculpted and perfect for getting players off the field.
Unlike other battle royale games, Knockout is only a single row and gives each player three lives. A shrinking, translucent dome called a safezone surrounds each area, similar to the shrinking circle in other battle royale games. If a player leaves the safezone for 10 seconds, they are automatically KO’d.
If there is no winner after six minutes, an abrupt KO occurs where every attack is completely eliminated and those thrown in the safe zone are automatically dismissed. It will appeal to those who like fast games. In fact, the short time limit and three lives are geared towards those not keen on battle royale games in general.
Of course, this new Knockout Bash event also comes with new in-game collectibles like Fluorescent Wheels, Monarch Boost, or a Flutterby decal. There are also golden gift baskets which are basically loot boxes that contain random items.
If cars hitting each other isn’t your jam, Infinity Ward just revealed the official logo for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the sequel to its 2019 Modern Warfare reboot. This will be Call of Duty’s final annual release as the series moves away from the annual schedule.
David Matthews is a freelance writer specializing in consumer technology and gaming. He also firmly believes that sugar doesn’t go into grits. Follow him on Twitter @shortblktechie
