Sci-Fi Cheerleaders of Ra Ra BOOM Struggle to Stick the Landing

The indie game scene is a constant cycle of exciting new ideas, and few concepts are as unique and eye-catching as a beat ’em up featuring sci-fi cheerleaders fighting a rogue AI. Ra Ra BOOM, developed by Gylee Games and published by Midwest Games, launched on August 12, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, promising a vibrant, comic book-inspired adventure. However, despite its brilliant premise and undeniable visual flair, the game appears to be struggling to find its footing. A number of early reviews and community discussions point to a frustrating combination of technical issues, balancing problems, and a surprising lack of depth, all of which are holding back what could have been a truly standout title. It seems that while the developers had a fantastic concept, the execution may have fallen short of its full potential.

On paper, Ra Ra BOOM is an indie darling waiting to happen. The game’s story, told through beautiful comic book-style splash panels, follows a quartet of “space ninja cheerleaders” tasked with saving a post-apocalyptic Earth from a malevolent AI. The gameplay itself is a mix of a classic brawler and a shoot ’em up, with players able to seamlessly switch between melee attacks and ranged weapons. The developers even included a unique lane-based combat system to solve the classic beat ’em up problem of “whiffing” on an attack because you’re slightly off-axis from an enemy. This innovative approach to a classic genre, combined with a vibrant, energetic art style, made it a highly anticipated title for fans of indie and co-op games. Unfortunately, the game’s ambition seems to have outstripped its polish, and a number of issues are now coming to light.

The Roadblocks to a Great Game: Performance, Balance, and Longevity

The biggest problems with Ra Ra BOOM seem to stem from its technical and gameplay flaws. While some reviews praise its accessibility and the overall fun of its local co-op, others are pointing to a number of frustrating roadblocks. Performance, in particular, is a major issue on platforms like the Steam Deck, where the game suffers from an unstable frame rate due to its CPU usage. This can lead to a choppy, unpleasant experience in combat-heavy areas, a significant problem for a game that relies on fast-paced action. Beyond the technical, there are also a number of design choices that have received criticism. Some reviewers have noted that the balance between melee and ranged combat is off, with the ranged option being a safer, more effective strategy that makes the melee system feel redundant. The game’s overall difficulty is also a point of contention, with some critics finding it too easy and lacking in the depth needed to satisfy beat ’em up veterans.

Furthermore, the game’s short length and limited replayability are proving to be a major hurdle. With only nine levels and a playtime of around two to five hours, the game is a brief experience that doesn’t offer a great deal of content for its price. While the developers included replayable levels with optional “challenge” objectives, these have been called repetitive and not enough to justify repeat playthroughs for many players. The story, while visually appealing, has been criticized for being underdeveloped, leaving many of the characters and plot points unresolved. For a game that was supposed to be a “coming-of-age story,” it leaves a lot to be desired in the narrative department, which is a major disappointment for a title that had so much character potential. It’s a sad reality that a game with such a memorable cast and a fantastic setting is not giving its characters the room to grow.

Hope for a Rebound

As of now, there has not been a specific public statement from Gylee Games directly addressing the critical feedback, but it’s not uncommon for indie developers to take some time to gather all the feedback before commenting. Given the game’s recent launch, there is still hope that the developers will release patches and updates to address the performance issues and a number of the gameplay balance problems. The game’s strong sense of style and its fun, co-op-focused gameplay are solid foundations to build upon, and with some key adjustments, Ra Ra BOOM could still become the breakout hit it was meant to be. For now, however, its struggles serve as a cautionary tale: a great concept is only the first step, and the journey from a bold idea to a polished, satisfying game is a long and arduous one. We hope that the sci-fi cheerleaders of Ra Ra BOOM can eventually land on their feet and give players the full-throttle, fun-filled experience they were promised.