RoboCop: Rogue City Offers Fresh Hope for the Beloved Cyborg in Gaming
RoboCop has had a rough time in the world of video games. Despite a successful arcade game release in 1988, most of the games featuring the iconic cyborg crime fighter have been disappointing. However, there may be a glimmer of hope with the upcoming release of RoboCop: Rogue City. A demo of the game was recently made available on Steam, giving fans a taste of what’s to come. The game seems to be tapping into the gritty and satirical style of the original 1987 film, promising a more immersive and enjoyable experience for players.
A Satirical Edge
RoboCop: Rogue City opens with a news broadcast that sets the stage for the crime-infested world of Old Detroit and the widespread use of a dangerous drug called Nuke. Developer Teyon has managed to maintain a satirical edge, mirroring the tone of Paul Verhoeven’s original film. Despite some clumsy dialogue, the game attempts to transcend the typical shooting gallery experience associated with RoboCop games.
A Classic Power Fantasy
The first mission of RoboCop: Rogue City does, however, seem to deliver on the classic power fantasy of controlling the unstoppable cyborg. Players guide RoboCop and his partner, Anne Lewis, as they infiltrate a TV station overrun by a gang known as the Torch Heads. Armed with high-powered guns and infinite ammo, players can unleash their inner justice warrior and take down the enemies with satisfying ease. Exploding barrels, thrown computer monitors, health kits, and idiotic adversaries make for an action-packed experience.
Going Beyond the Shooting
Where RoboCop: Rogue City truly shines is in its ability to move beyond simple shooting mechanics. After liberating the TV station, RoboCop experiences a malfunction that triggers flashbacks to his human life. These hallucinations create public doubt about his capabilities, leaving him in a precarious position. As players progress, they will find themselves not only upholding the law in intense shootouts but also interacting with citizens at the police station. They’ll undertake tasks such as arresting offenders, taking crime reports, and delivering tragic news to next of kin with all the tact of a fax machine. The game transforms into an open-world investigation, allowing players to interrogate NPCs and make choices that can influence their relationships with other characters.
Deep Customization and Special Abilities
While the shooting mechanics remain a bloody and violent delight, RoboCop: Rogue City introduces a surprising amount of depth. Players can unlock new abilities through a skill tree, such as slow-motion vision, a stunning shockwave attack, a powerful dash-punch, and even psychological manipulation to gain the trust of NPCs. This adds a light role-playing aspect to the game, reminiscent of the SPECIAL system in the Fallout series.
A Captivating Aesthetic
One of the standout aspects of RoboCop: Rogue City is its attention to detail and aesthetics. The game faithfully recreates the visual style of the original movies, with accurate set designs and characters that closely resemble their live-action counterparts. RoboCop himself moves with the weight and gracefulness fans have come to expect, emulating the movements of the beloved character portrayed by Peter Weller.
The Future of RoboCop in Gaming
The first few hours of RoboCop: Rogue City demonstrate a surprising level of sophistication and promise. If the full 20-to-30-hour campaign delivers the same quality, it could be a game-changer for the popularcyborg franchise. Fans won’t have to wait long to find out, as the game is set to release on November 2 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.