RoboCop: Rogue City (PlayStation 5) Review

Since the release of 1993's RoboCop Versus The Terminator, a flicker of hope for a truly worthy RoboCop game seemed to have vanished, leaving behind a trail of disappointment. The very nature of the character presented a formidable challenge for game developers. His lumbering, stiff movements seemed ill-suited for a fast-paced, action-packed video game.

The year is 2049, and the world is a different place. Thugs and Nuke addicts roam the mean streets of Detroit; a city plagued by crime and corruption, and technology has advanced beyond our wildest nightmares. Amidst all this progress, there's still one thing that remains constant: the need for justice. That's where RoboCop comes in. Part man, part machine, all cop, RoboCop is the ultimate law enforcer. He's got the strength of a tank plus the brains of a supercomputer, and he's not afraid to use either to bring down the bad guys.

Stepping into the metallic legs of RoboCop prepare to take on Metro City's most dangerous and insane criminals. Battle gangs, confront corrupt corporations, and uncover the secrets behind a sinister plot that threatens to retread old foes from the films. Patrolling a city teetering on the brink of chaos, a palpable weight of responsibility rests upon his titanium shoulders. The city's denizens look to RoboCop as their saviour, protector, and their symbol of hope.

The story recycles many elements from the first and second films. Concepts like the buggy ED-209 and the RoboCop 2 plan are revisited, but they are given new life in this game. It is slightly disappointing that Rogue City doesn't bring anything new to the table in terms of fresh ideas, but what is present is delightfully sardonic and self-aware enough that it feels very much on brand with the style of the first two films. Seeing the over reliance on aspects like the Nukem Board games strewn about and the repetitive ads for Sunblock 5000 and the MagnaVolt security system is pathetic. The developers were in a unique position to create new original satire, but chose to only rely on what's been previously done.

The combat is visceral, satisfying, and empowering. As a juggernaut, plowing through enemies with ease, combat feels empowering. His punches send shockwaves through the air, throws shatter glass, and the iconic Auto-9 pistol blasts punks into oblivion. RoboCop may seem unstoppable, but his foes escalate with more devastating artillery and the numbers are always stacked against the hero. Sometimes it feels like something out of Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade; being a slow-moving but efficient wall of death that can be outmatched by countless cunning foes.

Most actions seen in the films can be replicated. RoboCop is able to grab most punks and hurl them at the destructible environment, or turn them into red gooey pulp by sending a garbage dumpster at them at break-neck speeds. There is also a slow-mo mechanic that can be unlocked in the skill-tree which functions like the one in F.E.A.R.. While RoboCop may seem slow, his methodical movement serves to make gamers feel the weight behind his movement and the raw power behind every gesture. It is as if he is barely able to contain the raw power screaming to break free from his titanium chassis. RoboCop: Rogue City is more than just mindless violence. It's a game with depth, with heart, with a soul of polished steel. There are moments of levity, of camaraderie, of genuine human connection that shows that the developers did their homework and understand the essence of the movies.

The other aspect of Rogue City is the role-playing and adventure game modules where players will explore open districts, talk to NPCs, make some moral choices, and participate in a few side stories. These are laid back moments where Peter Weller is able to show a wider range of RoboCop's character. He is easily the best actor in the game and he sounds exactly like he did in the films, never missing a beat and flawlessly delivering his lines in the most RoboCop way imaginable. Regretfully, everyone else is terrible and damages the tone that was perfectly realized with the amazing graphics.