PC Review: Mr. Robot

Players: 1

Price: $24.95

Platform(s):PC

Developer: Moonpod

Rating:Everyone +7 [Mild violence]

Mr. Robot has appeared here a couple times before and here at Cinema Blend we’ve only had good things to say about it. The game takes a classic adventure genre and adds elements of classic JRPG turn-based battles, platform puzzles and an engaging storyline. But is it Worth It or Not Worth It? That is the simple question.

Well the simple truth is that Mr. Robot has everything old-school gamers used to love about adventure gaming (except without all that lovable nudity that used to be in Sierra games) and it has the snazzy toy-like visuals that would keep young gamers entertained. The story follows a low-level maintenance robot named Asimov who wants to become more than what he is. With constant oppression from Hel, the main robot running the ship Eidolon, Asimov is slowly pulled into an intriguing plot where he must work with his friends to save the humans on the ship, who are all in cryo sleep.

The story evolves in a really cool way...giving players a good look at how Hel operates on the ship and the eventful downfall that leads to Asimov’s aspiration to hero status. Mr. Robot also gives gamers a well-paced isometric gameplay experience that incorporates puzzle-platforming and adventure exploration seamlessly. Gamers will move boxes around, climb or jump from layered structures and generally explore the ship Eidolon in classic story-progression fashion.

What makes the game more unique than most adventure titles is that there’s a game-in-itself mode called Ghost Hacking. Ghost Hacking is used to network through the ship Eidolon. Gamers can fix common problems on the ship, siphon information from a console or hack into fellow robots. GH mode also has the JRPG turn-based encounters where players will take on defective software, viruses and other malicious computer components that threaten Asimov and his fellow shipmates. Players can also upgrade Asimov and any other robots who join the team, with a vast assortment of weapons, shields, and other RPG accessories. And at least there’s no worries about any of the robots being worried about how they look or what Asimov thinks about them, unlike in Ar tonelico.

Graphically, as I mentioned, the game is in 3D but is made to look a little like toys. It’s definitely a breath of fresh polygonal air, because I’ve grown horribly tired of that cheap plasticity look that too many “next-gen” games have adopted to. I’m not going to drop any names *cough*Gears*cough* ...*cough*War*cough*.... But after a while the whole photo-realism art-style doesn’t look all that photo-realistic. Easily we all start comparing the models and textures to real life humans and everything just seems unimpressive via comparison. But I’m totally digging art-styles, though, that branch into different forms of visual presentations and Moonpod made the transition well with Mr. Robot. The lighting and stage designs are definitely well done and it’s all accompanied by a moody, ambient soundtrack that suits the game’s atmosphere perfectly.

Overall, Mr. Robot is a good game that hits all the right notes. The controls will take some adjusting to (especially if you’re planning on using the mouse), but everything else melds so well in its general design concept. From the music to the visuals – as well as the Ghost Hacking and the story – everything works and works mighty fine. And added to this, you can build your own stages with an included editor (not a bad deal for only $25, eh?) I definitely can’t recommend this game enough. So what’s my final verdict? Read it and weep.

Final Verdict:

Worth It