RoboCop: Rogue City Hands-On Impressions

Enter the city of Old Detroit and take control of the titular cybernetic police officer in RoboCop: Rogue City. Armed with his trusty Auto-9 pistol and scanner, there is little that can stop the walking tank, as proven by the fact that you can smash through doors and walls.

RoboCop comes armed with an Auto-9 pistol and a scanner, RoboCop Vision, that highlights enemies and points of interest. On levelling up, you gain a skill point for self-upgradation, enhancing defence, scanner, and other attributes. Accumulating points in a skill unlocks features like a short dash, encouraging players to complete side tasks and locate all evidence for gaining experience points. The Auto-9 can be upgraded using motherboards and chips found throughout levels, introducing a layer of strategy as only one motherboard can be used at a time. For instance, do you go for a fast reload build, or an armour piercing one?

Each map features hidden elements such as letters and memos that enrich the world-building. While optional, these items often contain clever satire. The game also includes radios that play a single commercial or news report upon activation, contributing to the dystopian setting. Don’t forget to take your sleeping bag to the office today!

The graphics are attention-grabbing, particularly the impressive environments with some really great details hidden away. Some of the character models, especially RoboCop himself, are so authentic that it's almost like having Peter Weller in the room. When it comes to the audio, the game heavily utilises the RoboCop theme which is best saved for momentous scenes.

The writing of RoboCop: Rogue City stands out, with the developer Treyon nailing the satirical angle perfectly. The balance between humour, serious, and poignant moments was well-maintained. The gameplay was also enjoyable, and despite my initial concerns about RoboCop's slow pace, the design of levels and the character's jogging ability assuaged these fears.

In conclusion, RoboCop: Rogue City delivers a robust gaming experience with its engaging script, balanced pace, challenging action pieces, and diverse sidequests. RoboCop: Rogue City is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, brimming with action, challenges, and engaging side quests. So, if you fancy a thrilling face-off against some of Old Detroit's toughest, I highly recommend that you buy this game. You have 20 seconds to comply.