Last updated: 08/07/2006 by Mike Gamin

Large tailed monsters known as the Plob have captured almost all of the citizens of Slimenia. Players take control of Rocket, the only slime left that was not captured, and attempt to rescue the others. The game alternates between an overworld adventure and tank battles.

Rocket controls the same way throughout the game: the D-Pad controls his movement and the A button is used to jump and perform an Elasto Blast. The Elasto Blast is the basis for Rocket’s strength. This move is performed by holding down the A button and using the D-Pad to stretch Rocket out like a sling shot. Once he’s stretched out and the A button is released, Rocket is flung in the direction he was pointing. This can have a different effect on the target depending on what it is. In the case of a box or chest, the force will break it open revealing what’s inside. If it’s an item, friend, or enemy, the force will pop the object up in the air. The D-Pad can then be used to maneuver Rocket underneath the now flying object so that the object will land on his back. Multiple objects can be stacked on Rocket’s back and carried around using this method.

When exploring the overworld and searching for friends, players will notice a series of railways interspersed throughout the map. These railways are direct connections to the home city. Carts will be constantly moving along them. As the player finds friends, captures enemies, and collects items, they can load the carts up to have the objects sent back. This is how friends are rescued, items are collected, and enemies are imprisoned. Collecting things is essential. It will make later levels of the single player mode easier as well as unlock new things in the multiplayer mode. Also, as characters are rescued, they’ll give hints as to the location of their other comrades. When all the characters from a single level have been rescued, the game will transition into a tank battle.

Tank battles are where players will first realize why they have been collecting so much stuff. Rescued comrades will help defend the tank and items found will serve as ammo. Enemy tanks are defeated in a two step process. Firstly players must reduce the enemy tank’s hit points to zero. This is done by using two cannons to fire objects at the opponent. Each cannon is set at a different trajectory. One arcs the projectile high in the air and the other fires it in more of a line drive. Anything can be loaded into the cannons as ammo, including Rocket himself. Chutes throughout the inside of the tank will disperse items that were found in previous levels. Each item has a different affect when it is fired out of the cannon. Some will damage the opponent while others are a means of defense. Some of the better items can act as both offense and defense. After a tank’s hit points have been reduced to zero, the second phase of the battle begins. The opponent’s tank must then be attacked directly. Rocket can do this by either leaving his tank and running across the ground or by loading himself into the cannon. Once inside the opponent’s tank, players must battle their way to the heart of the tank and destroy it. This ends the battle.

Rocket Slime will also feature a multiplayer mode for 2-4 people, where players will be able to engage in tank battles. Matches can be 1 on 1, 2 on 1, 2 on 2, and 3 on 1. Each tank will have different strengths and weaknesses. Games play out exactly like the tank battles in the single player mode where players must reduce their opponent’s tank’s hit points to zero and then destroy the heart.

Rocket Slime is set to debut in North America on September 19, 2006.