Rattus Velocitas Is A Game About Rats On Rocket Bikes I Didn't Know I Needed

Rattus Velocitas is a game I found around a year ago now that, for some unknown reason, captivated me.

Think F-Zero but with rats (and a little less sophisticated machines) flying hundreds of miles an hour around winding deserts and erupting volcanoes, while also stopping for a snack of cheese every now and again.

At its core, it is a high-speed racer with many elements seen before, like the aforementioned cheese and a plethora of other quite unique items, but it is also different enough to feel very fresh and set apart from the other titles in the very saturated genre.

The gameplay takes elements from many of the heavy hitters in the racing scene, such as the speed and mechanics of F-Zero coupled with the absurd items and characters of Mario Kart which combine into an unexpected mixture of chaos and skill, as many of your split-second choices and turns can really affect the outcome of the race but can also be counteracted by the many items that can help you or hinder you (depending on who is throwing) – something I find many racers of this type struggle to balance, so is a very refreshing experience.

Another factor that goes into making this game feel so unique is the style choices that are very reminiscent of Star Wars Episode 1 Racer in graphic fidelity and map design. While this “retro” graphic style has been seen countless times throughout modern media and has become very much oversaturated, Rattus Velocitas utilises it in a way that feels authentic and done with purpose, as it adds to its charm while also making sense gameplay-wise, as the textures make for easy optimisation and a pleasant view when moving at the speeds you do in-game. The inspiration is clearly visible in older games, and it's been applied almost perfectly.

Rattus Velocitas has also seen consistent updates since its inception in June last year, adding multiplayer, more rat customisation, improved races, and general quality-of-life updates that make it even more of a joy to play.

Overall, Rattus Velocitas is the kind of game I would love to see more of: small, passionate, and well thought out. If it sounds even remotely like something you would enjoy, I recommend checking out the free demo on Steam; you might be surprised.