Robocop: Rogue City Review – Finally, a Worthy Sequel to the Classic Film
After decades of diminishing returns, Old Detroit’s finest returns in Robocop: Rogue City. The game boasts a brilliant creative team that manages to overcome limited resources to create an experience that’s smart, compelling, and cool as hell. The game’s world portrays a bleak dystopia inspired by Reagan-era politics, making its themes as relevant today as they were in the 1987 film.
Robocop: Rogue City functions as an action game with role-playing elements where players don the role of the titular cyborg cop in a mission-driven structure with large, explorable levels. The game is reminiscent of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, blending linear, story-driven gameplay with opportunities for questing and exploration.
Rogue City excels in its ability to recapture the essence of the original movie while providing a satisfying gaming experience grounded in the characters, themes, and atmosphere of the classic Robocop.
Strengths or Highlights: The game succeeds in reviving the world, characters, and themes of the original Robocop without compromising on any part of its appeal. A healthy dose of fan service is balanced with a well-executed narrative that features familiar faces and situations, creating an immersive gaming experience.
Areas of Improvement or Weaknesses: Although the art direction in the game is skillfully done, and the action gameplay is enjoyable, there are rough edges present in the form of stiff animations and flaws attributable to the limited resources available to the development team. The game is not without its “jank” but its strengths and respect for the source material outweigh any shortcomings.
Despite being powered by Unreal Engine 5, Rogue City falls short of being a graphical showcase, with stiff animations and other issues that suggest a tighter budget. However, the game’s strong ties to the original Robocop, paired with its engaging gameplay and narrative, make it a must-play for fans of the franchise.
In conclusion, Robocop: Rogue City emerges as a worthy successor to the franchise’s classic film roots and serves as a testament to the potential for great art to arise from challenging circumstances. It’s time to step into the shoes of Old Detroit’s finest once again. Play it, creep.
