Part of the catalog of the publisher Nacon, Robocop Rogue City quickly aroused interest in the small world of video games. Already because the character has found some hype since his return in Mortal Kombat 11 as DLC, but also because the half-man, half-robot cop has not had the right to his own video game since Methuselah. And then the first trailers consolidated this desire to discover the game quickly. Something that Nacon allowed us a few weeks ago, giving us a preview code, allowing access to the first 3 missions of the adventure, but also to a bank robbery. We spoil you from the intro: we loved playing Alex Murphy in this fun and uninhibited FPS.
Expected on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series on November 2, Robocop Rogue City is what we call a nice little surprise. Because we know licensed games that focus everything on their name and nothing in the gameplay. This fear was all the more multiplied when we learned that it was the Teyon studio which was in charge of development, Poles not really known for the quality of their games. But we all have the right to make youthful mistakes and make up for them later. This is exactly what is happening with this Robocop Rogue City. Visually to begin with, the game displays a very correct rendering, quite honest even. Of course, the title is not up to the standards of the usual big AAA, and that is normal, since the game is placed in the AA category. Despite everything, graphically, Robocop Rogue City is doing quite well, especially when walking around the city of Detroit, which is rather well represented. We see that it’s dirty, we feel the insecurity, there is a fairly cold atmosphere which corresponds rather well to the Detroit depicted in Paul Verhoeven’s film. We also see some nice effects, the lighting is nice, the textures are clean, the NPCs aren’t gross, no, it’s quite square in real life…
Beyond the setting, Robocop Rogue City also surprises in its gameplay. If you’re thinking of playing a fast-FPS like DOOM, move on, the point is elsewhere, since it’s about being as authentic as possible to the original work. Robocop being a robot that moves slowly, the game thus assumes this heavy side of the character, even if it means losing a category of players. When we see the number of people who abandoned Red Dead Redemption 2 because Arthur Morgan was too realistic in his movements and animations, we already know that Robocop will divide the audience. But not only do the developers know this, but it is also an artistic and above all authentic approach. Because yes, it would have made no sense to have a Robocop that could move quickly. We must accept the proposition and tell ourselves that we are not dealing with a standard FPS, but the exact opposite. And precisely, to balance things out, the developers have uninhibited their game, especially the gameplay, with this notion of ultra violence which allows Alex Murphy to massacre thugs without the slightest mercy. As his submachine gun is equipped with unlimited ammunition, well we go for it, we pull without releasing the trigger and there is then a feeling of rather pleasant overpower. But his pistol is not the only weapon that we will have in the game, quite quickly, we recover an Uzi, a Kalashnikov, but for the moment, these weapons are limited in ammunition.
Another guilty pleasure is that the game is completely uninhibited when it comes to violence: arms and legs are torn off, heads jump, blood explodes everywhere, bodies fall, all in an incredible crash, punctuated by screams, howls and very heavy footsteps of Robocop. Add to that a management of sets that can be more or less destroyed, generating debris everywhere, a camera that starts shaking when you get shot, as well as slow motion moments to make the sequence more impactful, and you get insight into the developers’ intentions. Robocop Rogue Cty offers good sensations, quite unexpected even, with a slightly virile side, a guilty pleasure thing where the gameplay is certainly quite limited, but quite enjoyable and that is perhaps the very essence of a game Robocop. No need to go further. In addition to gunfights, Robocop can also deliver blows in close combat, and above all a big fairground potato which allows you to free yourself from enemies who are sticking their scrap metal sneakers on you a little too much. Our cop can also grab computer or TV screens, chairs and tables to throw at enemies.
Otherwise, the game also takes the time to offer calmer moments, where you have to investigate crime scenes. We scan the places, the corpses if there are any and we talk with our partner if there is one. And in fact, the game is built around a hybrid system. Most of the time, these are corridor missions, marked out with fairly closed environments, but there is also a semi-open world in which it is possible to freely explore the city to complete side quests. It’s pretty cool. Another appreciable element: the presence of well-placed punchlines, which well transcribe the Hollywood of the 80s and 90s. In addition, the actor Peter Weller lent his voice to embody Alex Murphy, his face too. We also recognize Officer Anne Lewis, played by actress Nancy Allen, no really, it’s very faithful to the original material.
Conclusion for this handling before the test: what an unexpected and almost guilty pleasure! Not only does the acting of Nacon and Teyon respect Paul Verhoeven’s film, but it also offers great sensations. It’s naughty, fun, uninhibited, hassle-free, and there’s also a certain enjoyment in getting everything out of the way. Now, we’re crossing our fingers that the adventure will be long enough and will be able to be renewed to captivate us in its entirety. We also hope to meet the major characters of the film, and from what we know, we can expect surprises and even a few easter eggs. Moreover, in terms of the film, know that the story of the game is new, and that it takes place between the events of Robocop 2 and Robocop 3. You know everything!