Playing through the 10 available stages the first time should take only about 3 hours. Then you can enjoy a co-operative mode that lets as many as four warriors band together against the Martian menace. This option - which offers multiple difficulty settings - is the most rewarding way to play and gives the title some additional longevity. The developers clearly realized that they had something special going and require online play if you want to unlock all 12 achievements.
As a retail release, Rocketmen would fall short, but it makes a terrific download. Try it the next time you want something old school.
March 7, 2008