What might’ve simply been a very forgettable licensed recreation within the conventional model turned out to be a charmingly old-school expertise in all the correct methods. The type of recreation the place the enemies are all the identical three guys on a motorbike and the textures pop in on each body, however you couldn’t care much less as you burn via every little thing it has to supply.
That is the product of a centered workforce making a recreation with an achievable scope that prioritises shocking and considerate interactions over an inexpensive size of time, fairly than stretching a few pedestrian mechanics advert infinitum. And inside that framework, it manages to be the most effective and albeit solely worthy follow-up to the unique movie that is ever been produced (Sure, RoboCop 2 is bobbins, do not write in). Jim and I collaborated on the video beneath which units out why Rogue Metropolis is so profitable as a licensed venture:
It’s a crunchy, satisfying shooter, with a well-realised cyberpunk setting that carries on and extends the themes and satire of the supply materials in a approach that truly understands what it’s alleged to be about.
Virtually, it’s principally the cancelled third recreation within the trilogy after Deus Ex Mankind Divided – simply if it was made by a AA studio in Poland as an alternative of for $100 million.
As an alternative of exploring Prague, fixing mysteries, finishing facet quests, in RoboCop: Rogue Metropolis, you’re exploring Outdated Detroit, fixing crimes and serving to individuals discover the correct VHS within the rental retailer.
I’ve seen quibbles about it not having the identical immersive sim parts – it does in a restricted capability the place you burst via partitions or break down doorways if you wish to get pedantic – however philosophically it looks like an immersive sim inside the confines of the character, that you just’re attending to grips with the restrictions of your mechanical physique as a lot as your exploring its many powers.
It’s simply one of many predominant themes of RoboCop that’s barely at odds with the ‘nonetheless you wish to strategy it’ concept of immersive sims, however can also be one of many examples of how Teyon has clearly put plenty of thought and craft into creating an genuine role-play of the character, fairly than simply slapping a licence onto a run-of-the-mill shooter marketing campaign and calling it a day.
Evaluating this to many AAA RPGs which have blueprinted and bloated themselves into predictability, RoboCop has room inside its remit to nonetheless really feel bespoke and attention-grabbing, like its situations can take unanticipated turns with out crashing into the partitions of its sandbox.
With that every one stated, I’m keen to not elevate expectations about Rogue Metropolis too excessive, as a result of I really feel just like the air of shock is likely one of the recreation’s finest belongings. It’s graphically janky in locations, mechanically bizarre in others, and a number of the missions devolve into frustration, nevertheless it’s the primary recreation I’ve gotten the platinum trophy for in ages and is certainly one of many tough diamonds of 2023.
Once more like the unique movie, I really feel like RoboCop: Rogue Metropolis may very well be an Arrow Video launch in 10 years time. A cult relic that attempted to do one thing completely different with attention-grabbing recreation design and might be fondly remembered as greater than the sum of its components
Given the similarities between the characters, and the way the developer has now dealt with two beloved sci-fi properties with grace and ability, we’re attempting to manifest from the universe a Judge Dredd game from them.
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