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Robotica plunges you into a bleak future where a
computer virus has infected every robot on earth,
causing them to attack and try to take over the planet.
Ok, so the premise sounds cool enough (by 1995
standards) and despite the slating many Saturn fans gave
this title I approached it with a very open mind.
The first thing that strikes you about Robotica is the
graphics, despite still being sprite based both the
levels, NPCs and visual weaponry are exceptionally well
drawn, this is let down a little by poor texture
resolution, although I cant think why as Robotica uses a
fraction of the Saturn's texture handling capabilities.
The second thing anyone will notice playing Robotica is
the ridiculous draw distance, around 6 feet in front of
your character the view fades totally to black!
This doesn't seem so bad when running through corridors,
in fact the crazed robots suddenly approaching out of
the black mist guns blazing, adds quite nicely to the
eerie feel of the game (yes ok it scared the living crap
out of me).
However, when you enter the first room with an enemy
inside you will discover how mind bogglingly stupid this
draw distance is.
The rooms on Robotica, for the most part are immense
with many exits, now imagine if you will entering this
room and being shot from three different directions, by
enemies that you cant see because of the shitty draw
distance!
So there you are wandering around trying to find them
all in this fog of black cack, whilst all the while
they're blowing the crap out of you.
Initially I didn't think this would be a problem as you
have a nice radar readout to tell you where the bad
robots are, but unbelievably enough 50% of the time your
radar is lying!
Your now thinking 'ah he's being a bit harsh, the draw
distance was probably a compromise to maintain framerate
during all the action' right? WRONG!
For a start, there is no action. Every level pretty much
involves you finding a key and getting to the next level
where you have to find a key to get to... well you get
the idea.
The few enemy robots you will encounter look like
hovering toasters, or something out of that Jawa junk
ship on Star Wars.
I mean come on! 'evil robots trying to take over the
earth' and you give us flying sandwich toasters!
Even in a game as simple as this with so many
compromises, you can still find jerkiness and massive
drops in framerate, usually when there is no 'action' on
screen!
Robotica has an excellent control system, reasonably
fluid movements, a great array of weapons and devices,
and the graphics are for the most part excellent.
Sadly it's totally let down by awful level designs, even
worse character designs, weak game objectives and poor
programming.
This game is an Easter egg hunt in a pretty garden, but
all you ever find is a ticket that lets you into another
Easter egg hunt.
Just don't go into this game expecting any chocolate. |
