RoboCop: Rogue City
- November 1, 2023
- Teyon
- 17h median play time
Robocop: Rogue City attempts to capture nostalgia for the movies and be an appealing action game in 2023.
In "RoboCop: Rogue City," become the iconic RoboCop and bring justice to the crime-ridden streets of Old Detroit using your powerful weapons and cybernetic abilities, which can be upgraded throughout the game. Explore open areas, complete objectives, and make decisions that will impact the city's fate, all while dealing with a new enemy threatening public order. Play through an original story set in the world of RoboCop.
Reviews
- Authentic RoboCop feel with meaningful choices between human and machine approaches.
- Varied, non-repetitive gameplay mixing combat and police work.
- Strong narrative with genuine character connections and humor.
- Frequent crashes and technical issues, especially with graphics settings.
- Slow movement speed and lack of a proper cover system can be frustrating.
- Limited map size and somewhat confined universe, leading to repetitive environments.
- story3,428 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Robocop: Rogue City" is generally well-received, praised for its engaging narrative that effectively ties into the original films, particularly as a sequel to "Robocop 2." Players appreciate the blend of action and detective work, with side missions that add depth to the experience, although some side quests are criticized as tedious or lacking substance. Overall, the game captures the essence of the Robocop universe, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh storyline that resonates with fans while providing meaningful choices that impact character interactions and outcomes.
“The story is well written and it feels like a natural continuation of the first two robocop movies.”
“The story does justice to robocop with its well-written narrative and what surprised me was that even though it's technically a video game in which you play as robocop, a part-human part-machine police, your decisions have an impact on the story.”
“The story is engaging, fun, and fits the world from the movies quite well.”
“The story is forgettable, the dialogue is awkward and boring, and the game as a whole lacks focus.”
“The story is decent, but it feels like a rehash of the first movie, with references from robocop 2, littering the landscape.”
“The story is painfully boring, same with characters.”
- gameplay1,512 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Robocop: Rogue City" is characterized by a blend of first-person shooting mechanics and investigative elements, allowing players to experience both action and police work. While the game captures the essence of the Robocop franchise with its engaging combat and nostalgic references, it suffers from technical issues, clunky movement, and repetitive gameplay that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, many players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and the feeling of embodying the iconic character, making it a fun, albeit flawed, homage to the original films.
“The gameplay is engaging, though it falls short in terms of graphics, which could have been significantly improved.”
“The gameplay makes you feel like robocop, marching through hails of gunfire while blowing away creeps with the auto-9.”
“The gameplay is a mix of combat and investigative skills, reflecting robocop's dual nature as a law enforcer and detective.”
“Clunky gameplay and slow movement speed make this game so boring.”
“The gameplay is slow and unbelievably repetitive; there is basically one free-roam area for solving crimes in the city that you end up returning to about a half dozen times.”
“The gameplay is very one-dimensional, meaning you're not going to be zooming around like in Cyberpunk with insane vertical movement but slow tank-like movement.”
- graphics1,363 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Robocop: Rogue City" are a mixed bag, showcasing impressive environments and a strong 80s aesthetic thanks to Unreal Engine 5, but often marred by dated character models and inconsistent animations. While many players praise the stunning visuals and attention to detail in the game's settings, they also report frequent graphical glitches, performance issues, and a lack of optimization that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game captures the essence of the original films visually, but it struggles with technical execution, particularly on lower-end systems.
“The visuals are stunning, immersing you in a dystopian world where corporate greed festers and crime is rampant.”
“Robocop: Rogue City is a fantastic blast from the past, seamlessly blending the gritty charm of the classic '80s movie with modern gameplay and stunning visuals.”
“The graphics are excellent, with an impressive level of detail in Robocop's design and the gritty, dystopian cityscape.”
“The frame rates are atrocious for a game with only passable graphics and 2015 textures, and I have a fairly high-end system.”
“The graphics are somewhat of a letdown - I expected more.”
“The graphics look dated, but the atmosphere is spot-on Robocop.”
- optimization568 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Robocop: Rogue City" has received significant criticism from players, with many reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users noted that the game can run smoothly under certain conditions, the overall consensus is that it is poorly optimized, requiring frequent adjustments to settings and reliance on features like DLSS for acceptable performance. Many reviewers recommend waiting for patches to address these optimization problems before fully engaging with the game.
“The chapter-based progression system cleverly ties experience gains to overall performance, including side missions.”
“This gave me the best optimization between graphics and framerate.”
“A fun time with excellent optimization options like DLSS and FSR3 with frame generation.”
“Too metallic/glossy kind of grayish visuals... glad that I bought it on discount, as the game has really serious optimization issues...”
“The performance is inexcusably bad, like really bad.”
“The game itself is fantastic and a love letter to all Robocop fans, but the performance issues are absolutely horrendous and persist even after the day one patch.”
- music466 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in "Robocop: Rogue City" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic ties to the original film's score by Basil Poledouris, which enhances the game's atmosphere and action sequences. However, several players noted a lack of variety and instances of silence during gameplay, which detracted from the overall experience. While the iconic theme is celebrated, some felt it was underutilized, leading to a desire for more diverse musical tracks throughout the game.
“The music is pitch-perfect, the visuals capture that gritty, retro-futuristic look, and the over-the-top action and characters are as gloriously ridiculous as I remember.”
“The voice acting, atmosphere, and soundtrack all evoke that retro-futuristic 80s vibe, paying respect to the film’s tone and characters while still delivering something fresh for modern players.”
“The music is absolutely fantastic as well, just like in the movies.”
“The only flaw I would point out is the lack of background music or audio ambience at several points, which made the exploration to find XP, secrets, and side content feel pretty slow.”
“Soundtrack: Robocop has an iconic soundtrack and it's a shame how criminally underutilized this is.”
“My only complaint is the lack of music in some areas.”
- humor380 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Robocop: Rogue City" is widely praised for its faithful homage to the original films, featuring a mix of dark, satirical, and campy elements that resonate with fans. Players enjoy the witty one-liners, absurd situations, and humorous side quests, often finding themselves laughing at the game's over-the-top violence and quirky character interactions. While some humor may fall flat or feel less impactful than in the movies, the overall comedic tone captures the essence of the Robocop franchise, making it a fun experience for both newcomers and long-time fans.
“Looks great, plays great, and kept me laughing till the end.”
“The story and campiness or humorous moments mesh well with the Robocop universe and the developers clearly show they have great love for the IP.”
“The dialogue is funny and the satire is there in good form.”
“Not funny or fun.”
“I used to laugh at the dystopian future of Robocop, where the United States is run by corporations, and how exaggerated I thought it was when I was younger. However, as I get older, it's not funny anymore because it's becoming reality.”
- stability315 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including crashes, visual issues, and menu malfunctions. While some users have managed to enjoy the game despite these problems, others find the technical issues significantly detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" but still enjoyable, with many hoping for future patches to improve stability.
“The game runs great and gameplay is amazing.”
“Overall recommended, you will enjoy it and not get disappointed, also to note I have found no glitches or crashes or problems at highest specs.”
“And no technical issues from day one, no freezes, crashes, glitches, everything just works.”
“This game is a buggy mess unfortunately.”
“The menus stop working sometimes, the mouse pointer will only move halfway down the screen at times, or be active where you aren't pointing it, you can't even exit the game because of the menu glitches where you can't select anything and the mouse click won't work.”
“My only real problem with the game was the constant crashes and freezes which I experienced throughout my playthrough, more annoying was it would crash before it reached the checkpoint and thus saving the game; since you can't manually save the game.”
- atmosphere302 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Robocop: Rogue City" has been widely praised for its authentic recreation of the gritty, dystopian setting of the original films, effectively immersing players in a retro-futuristic Detroit filled with dark humor and over-the-top violence. Reviewers noted the game's attention to detail, from the visuals and sound design to the nostalgic elements that evoke the 80s vibe, making it a compelling experience for fans of the franchise. While some critiques mention gameplay limitations, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that captures the essence of the Robocop universe beautifully.
“The voice acting, atmosphere, and soundtrack all evoke that retro-futuristic 80s vibe, paying respect to the film’s tone and characters while still delivering something fresh for modern players.”
“The atmosphere, character designs, and overall tone of the game effectively capture the essence of the original films and comics.”
“The game captures the atmosphere of the original movies perfectly.”
“I hate this game... it's like an arcade game in the past where it's just too demanding to allow for 3-dimensional atmosphere.”
“The general lack of music, outside of times where you're serenaded by the original film's theme, affects the atmosphere negatively, and leads to the game world feeling rather dead at times.”
“Combined with the writer's flip flop between exaggerated pathos/emotion and cold but illogical tone, the atmosphere is cringeworthy way too often.”
- replayability111 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the ability to revisit missions and explore different choices, while others find it lacking due to its linear structure and absence of a New Game+ mode. Many reviews highlight the presence of multiple endings and a performance grading system as factors that enhance replay value, but several players express disappointment over the game's brevity and repetitive elements, leading to a consensus that overall replayability is limited.
“The multiple endings add a layer of replayability, making each playthrough feel unique and exciting.”
“The inclusion of side missions and collectibles adds replay value, though some quests suffer from unsatisfying conclusions, leaving players with more questions than answers.”
“Whether you're taking down a notorious gang leader or dismantling a corrupt corporation, every side mission feels like a story unto itself, adding depth and replayability to an already exhilarating game.”
“And replay value is nonexistent....”
“This game also has practically no replay value, as everything is exactly the same in each playthrough and there really aren't any branching mission options or dialogue that makes any difference to the story.”
“I enjoyed playing Robocop: Rogue City, but this one is going to be a no replay value to me due to lack of open world and free roam and no extra content.”
- emotional83 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Robocop: Rogue City" has garnered mixed but generally positive feedback, with many players appreciating its depth and nostalgic ties to the original film. Reviewers noted that the game effectively captures the struggles of Alex Murphy, blending humor with heartfelt moments, and creating a strong emotional connection to both the character and the supporting cast. However, technical issues and pacing problems occasionally detracted from the overall immersion and emotional engagement.
“A loving homage to the 1987 film, Robocop: Rogue City really surprised me with how well both the gameplay and the writing made me feel like I was donning the visor and seeing the world of old Detroit through the eyes of the cybernetically-enhanced, from head to toe, officer Alex Murphy.”
“The tone is on point; it's as much of a dark comedy as it is a somber dystopia, as it is a touching story about humanity and trauma.”
“The characters, both new and returning, are well fleshed out, adding to the emotional weight of the narrative.”
“There are very boring story points where you glitch out and the game turns into a walking simulator.”
“Boring story line with too much talking.”
“Super boring story.”
- grinding79 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding certain elements, such as boss fights and traversal, to be tedious and slow. While some appreciate the authenticity of the gameplay, the slow movement and repetitive side missions often detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of drudgery. Despite these criticisms, some players still find enjoyment in the core mechanics and shooting elements, suggesting that the game can be fun if one overlooks the tedious aspects.
“But, there's only really one 'open world' section of town that you'll go to over and over, and the game does feel like it has enough variation that it's not tedious.”
“The main missions are generally action packed enough to keep it interesting but many of the side missions are painfully tedious.”
“Doing routine policing around the city is diverting for a while but traipsing around gets tedious because, as mentioned, Robo is so slow, which is true to canon of course.”
“The extensive but unexciting skill tree contributes to the feeling of drudgery, turning what should be a thrilling experience into a tedious task.”
- monetization56 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 77 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "Robocop: Rogue City" has been positively received, with many reviewers appreciating the absence of microtransactions, unnecessary grinding, and cash grab tactics often seen in modern games. Instead, players can enjoy a cohesive single-player experience that respects the source material, featuring humorous in-game advertisements and a focus on genuine gameplay rather than exploitative monetization strategies. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing departure from the typical monetization pitfalls, offering a solid experience for fans without the burden of additional costs.
“Moreover, the game is free of microtransactions, unnecessary grinding, and other such distractions, with most achievements being attainable through natural gameplay.”
“No BS, no microtransactions, no 100 hours of padded content, just a great game made with a lot of soul.”
“It's very refreshing to play a game that has respect for the source material and doesn't treat the fans like paypigs with microtransactions or superfluous DLC.”
“This is basically a cash grab that is based on a license for the nostalgic IP for many people.”
“Perhaps I am jaded, but I cannot recommend this game to anyone who likes Robocop; to me, it's a tasteless cash grab, and for $50, you could buy many better games.”
“I'd put this down to a cash grab if anything; they tried, I guess, but this is just unreal asset blueprints stuck together and not worth the price at all.”
- character development34 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the deeper exploration of relationships and choices that influence character arcs, particularly for the protagonist, Murphy. The game features a mix of linear and non-linear development, supported by engaging side quests and dialogue options that allow players to shape their character's personality. While some critiques mention a lack of polish in writing and execution, the overall sentiment highlights a satisfying blend of action and emotional depth reminiscent of the original films.
“There is even non-linear character development for side characters.”
“Robocop: Rogue City feels like a Telltale game with all that intelligent character development and story depth we don't really get much of in gaming but meets a kickass FPS where ball shots are a priority.”
“If you saw the movie, this will feel 'just like home'; if not, you might linger for more development, more character development, more exposition and exploration of said ideas and feel like some dialogues, quests, and situations are just badly done.”
“The game provides numerous choices within dialogues, which allows character development towards a soulless machine or a compassionate human.”
“Robocop: Rogue City feels like a Telltale game with all that intelligent character development and story depth we don't really get much of in gaming, but meets a kickass FPS where ball shots are a priority.”
Critic Reviews
RoboCop: Rogue City Review
Robocop: Rogue City is the very definition of a solid 7 out of 10 which is somewhat reminiscent of the PS2 era in the sense that there were more outliers released during a given year - the type that would be establishing a lot of the formulas that in a risk-averse mainstream market we find difficult to break away from now. It's a strange point to make as we reach a maturation point in what is likely to be a historic year for risk-averse mainstream video game releases but if it were not for a set of fairly prominent technical issues at the time of release and the writing which, while capturing the broad strokes of the Robocop appeal, isn't quite as sharp as it could've been, Robocop: Rogue City puts all of its efforts into all of the right places and does feel like an outlier because of this. It simply is some of the most fun that can be had in interactive media this year and because of the frame it finds itself in will be a dead cert for a future hit cult classic.
70%RoboCop: Rogue City
Serving The Public Trust
75%Packing heat... and parking tickets
Robocop: Rogue City attempts to capture nostalgia for the movies and be an appealing action game in 2023.
90%