One of the most impressive games at PAX East was Ra Ra Boom, a multiplayer sidescroller beat 'em-up game. What made it even more exciting was playing Ra Ra Boom on an arcade machine. The game is not only visually stunning, but it also runs incredibly smoothly especially considering the intense action happening on screen.
Ra Ra Boom follows the adventures of four teenage cheerleading ninjas stationed on a space station. These girls were specifically chosen to combat a rogue AI, but with peace prevailing for quite some time, they spend their days in a dull classroom. However, their routine is disrupted when their mentor decides to break them out of the mundane classroom and into combat training. This fun vignette serves as a unique way to introduce the game's tutorial.
What I loved most about Ra Ra Boom was its artwork. The style and presentation evoked the nostalgic charm of a Saturday morning cartoon. And the narrative unveiled in the brief demo I experienced was compelling. Without revealing too much, it was an emotional moment that effectively laid the groundwork for the rest of the game.
I was particularly impressed by the gameplay of Ra Ra Boom. The game allows for up to four players to play simultaneously, and despite the fast-paced action, there was no lag whatsoever. Each character in the game has a set of abilities, including a quick attack, a strong attack, a ranged attack, and a special attack. However, the only issue I encountered while playing was losing track of my character amidst all the chaos on screen. It could be due to the fact that I was trying to absorb everything that was happening at once.
Although the demo was brief, it gave me a solid glimpse into the game's offerings—a fun, action-packed experience with a compelling narrative that has left me eager to play more!