RoboCop:Rogue City Review

Release Date: PC, PS, XBox (2/11/2023) Mac (Expected Q4 2024)
Platforms: PC, PS5, XBox X|S
Developer: Teyon
Publisher: Nacon

Overview

“RoboCop: Rogue City” is an action packed, investigative first person shooter set in the dystopian city of Detroit. The game takes place in the universe of the original RoboCop film series, specifically after the events of RoboCop 2. Playtime takes on average of 10-17 hours to complete for the base campaign, but with the New Game + Campaign, replayability is on the table for those who enjoyed the first play through and want to try it out with all your skills from the beginning.

Story

"RoboCop: Rogue City" is set in a dystopian Detroit where players control RoboCop as he battles crime and uncovers a vast conspiracy. The story explores his dual identity, balancing his human memories with his programmed directives. As RoboCop investigates high-profile crimes, he faces challenging adversaries and ethical dilemmas. With the return of old faces from the original film the story was an enjoyable walk down memory lane of the previous movies and the universe of RoboCop..

Gameplay

Mechanics: The game features intense first-person shooting with RoboCop's signature weapons and advanced abilities taken right from the movies, allowing for strategic combat and environmental interaction. Players investigate crime scenes, gather evidence, and question suspects, with their choices impacting the narrative and leading to multiple endings. The game includes a skill tree for upgrading RoboCop's abilities and customizable weapons to enhance combat effectiveness. Additionally, destructible environments and tactical gameplay options provide a dynamic and immersive experience.
Controls: The gamepad controls are intuitively designed for both combat and investigation. Movement and aiming are responsive, with combat actions like firing, aiming, and using special abilities easily accessible. Interaction with the game world is straightforward, with quick access to weapon switching, scanning modes, and tactical maneuvers. Overall, the control scheme offers a seamless and immersive experience, effectively supporting the game's blend of action and investigation.
Difficulty: The game offers a balanced difficulty that caters to a range of players. The combat sequences on the easiest levels aren’t overly challenging with the higher difficulty levels offering a higher challenge, like requiring strategic use of RoboCop’s abilities and weapons, but overall not overwhelmingly difficult for those familiar with first-person shooters. Investigative elements add depth, requiring attention to detail and thoughtful analysis, which can be more demanding but rewarding for players who enjoy solving puzzles. The game also includes adjustable difficulty settings, allowing players to tailor the experience to their preferred level of challenge, making it accessible for both newcomers and seasoned gamers. NewGame+ also provides a higher level of difficulty that isn't available in the regular campaign.
Replayability: The game offers significant replayability with multiple endings, driven by player choices in the game. The moral decisions you make not only shape the story but also impact the game world, encouraging multiple playthroughs to see different outcomes. Additionally, the inclusion of NewGame+ mode with increased difficulty levels provides a fresh challenge for those looking to test their skills further and see the other endings.

Graphics

Visual Style: The game showcases a gritty, futuristic visual style that perfectly captures the dystopian atmosphere of the original RoboCop films. It features detailed, dark environments reflecting Detroit's socio-economic decay, with neon lights and advanced technology set against the backdrop of the city's crumbling infrastructure. Character models, particularly RoboCop, are meticulously crafted with intricate details and realistic textures. However, lighting and shadows do leave something to be desired, especially noticeable during cutscenes. Overall, this visual style creates a believable and immersive world that honors the classic RoboCop universe.
Technical Performance: The game generally delivers solid technical performance, with smooth gameplay and responsive controls that enhance the overall experience. On high-end systems, the game runs at a stable frame rate with minimal lag, allowing for immersive combat and exploration. However, some players may encounter occasional frame rate drops, particularly in densely populated areas or during intense action sequences. Loading times were reasonable on my high end system. Despite these minor issues, the game maintains a commendable level of polish, with few bugs or glitches affecting the gameplay.
Art Design: The art design expertly merges a gritty, dystopian aesthetic with futuristic elements, remaining faithful to the original RoboCop films. The environments are intricately detailed, showcasing Detroit's socio-economic decline with decaying infrastructure, graffiti-covered walls, and abandoned buildings, all contrasted by neon lights and advanced technology. Characters are carefully crafted to resemble their film counterparts, capturing their essence with precision. The overall color palette is dark and moody, enhancing the game's atmospheric and immersive quality. This thoughtful art design successfully transports players into a believable and engaging dystopian world that pays homage to the classic RoboCop universe.

Sound

Soundtrack: The soundtrack is a powerful blend of atmospheric and thematic elements that perfectly complement the game's dystopian setting. It features a mix of dark, brooding synth tones and industrial sounds, evoking the gritty, futuristic atmosphere of Detroit. The music dynamically shifts to match the intensity of the gameplay, with pulse-pounding tracks during combat sequences and more subdued, tension-filled scores during investigative moments. Iconic themes from the original RoboCop films are reimagined and integrated seamlessly, providing a nostalgic yet fresh auditory experience.
Sound Effects: The sound effects are meticulously crafted to enhance the game's immersive experience. From RoboCop's mechanical whirring and hydraulic movements to the sharp, realistic gunfire and explosive impacts, every sound brings the futuristic dystopia to life. RoboCop's iconic firearm is rendered with nostalgic accuracy, echoing the familiar sounds from the movies. The ambient noises of Detroit's decaying urban environment, including distant sirens, crowd chatter, and the hum of neon lights, add depth to the setting. Directional audio helps players locate threats and important clues, making the gameplay more engaging and intuitive.
Voice Acting: The voice acting is one of the game's standout features, delivering a compelling and immersive narrative experience. The actors bring their characters to life with convincing and emotive performances, capturing the essence of a city riddled with crime and corruption. RoboCop's voice, in particular, is portrayed with a perfect blend of robotic monotone and underlying humanity, staying true to the character's iconic persona from the films. The supporting cast also shines, with nuanced performances that add depth to the storyline and interactions. Overall, the voice acting significantly enhances the game's atmosphere, drawing players deeper into the dystopian world of RoboCop.

Multiplayer (None)

Modes: The game does not feature a multiplayer mode. The game is designed as a single-player experience, focusing on the narrative-driven campaign.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

The game is an excellent single-player first-person shooter that delivers thrilling action and plenty of fun.
The nostalgic elements in this game, from the sounds of RoboCop's Auto-9 to his footsteps and the music, made me genuinely happy to play it.
The combat, investigations, and the upgrading of character skills and weapons are all well-designed and easy to learn and understand.

Cons:

Even at the highest difficulty, the game remains a little easy, with the exception of the challenging boss battles.
The lighting and shadows were somewhat disappointing, particularly during the cutscenes.
The weapons you find and pick up feel almost pointless, as I found myself using the upgraded Auto-9 for the entire playthrough. With its satisfying upgrades and iconic sound, I never felt the need to use anything else.

Final Verdict

I was thrilled to play this game, having been a fan of RoboCop since childhood. Stepping into the shoes of Alex Murphy and RoboCop was a dream come true. The action, sounds, and music made me feel fully immersed in the RoboCop universe. The maps were manageable in size, making it easy to explore and discover side quests. While the game felt a bit short for its price tag, it's definitely worth picking up on sale.

My final verdict for RoboCop Rogue City is 4 leaves out of 5.