11) Robocop: Rogue City (2023)

Early on, video games were seen as a novelty, but quickly gained the reputation for being used for marketing. It's well known now that even the most iconic video game character of all time, Mario, only exists because Nintendo wanted to make a game based on Popeye, but had to change things when they didn't have the rights to do so. While that is ultimately a success story, it's no secret that for a long time, video games based on existing properties were, more often than not, garbage. And that's not hyperbole, they were actual garbage that now serve as both a reminder of the time the video game industry almost completely collapsed, and as the one anecdote that the most annoying person you know always brings up until they eventually don't get invited to things any more.

That is to say, that a video game based on a movie or television show should always be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. On the rare occasion that a good licensed game is released, it's generally because the developers made a good game, then slapped a coat of paint on it, or they mostly ignored the source material and made something better. So, call me crazy when I saw a Robocop video game in the year 2023 from a developer known for shovelware, a lackluster Terminator game, and an abysmal Rambo game and assumed it was nothing more than cheap schlock made on a shoestring budget using the guise of nostalgia to trick people into paying for it. And it's a first-person shooter? How do you make a Robocop game about running and gunning and utilizing cover? The answer, you don't. I can honestly say, I've never been happier to be proven wrong about anything in my life. I went in expecting garbage, and what I found was an absolute gem of a game.

Rogue City sees us take on the role of Alex Murphy, the titular Robocop, in an original story set between the second and third movies. In my mind, this is the real Robocop 3. This is supported by the return of Peter Weller, the original Robocop, lending both his likeness and voice. We also see the return of characters such as Murphy's partner, Anne Lewis, The Old Man, and reporter Casey Wong, though all of these have been recast. The game is played in the first person, utilizing a lot of the on screen effects seen in the films which honestly translate very well to a video game. in addition, the game touches on a lot of the same themes as the films, such as corrupt corporate power blending with politics, what it means to be human, and even the flaws of authority.

We start the game with a group of thugs having taken over a news studio and taking people hostage. Early on, it's clear that this game will be eschewing modern FPS conventions for the sake of being faithful to the source material. There is no cover system, you move at a slow, plodding pace with loud, heavy footsteps, and our standard gun, the Auto 9, with its unlimited ammo, is the only weapon we need other than our robo-fist, which comes out slow, but really sells the power of the impact. As we work to reclaim the news station, we fight a myriad of thugs while also collecting optional evidence of crimes, which can range from drugs, to sensitive documents, or even counterfeit money. The evidence is optional, and really has no bearing on the story, but does provide bonus experience. Experience? In a Robocop game? Yes, the game utilizes a leveling mechanic in which you can further augment your abilities in a number of ways, such as having weaker bullets bounce off of you, healing at fuse boxes by literally plugging into the wiring, and even unlocking dialogue choices.

Making our way through the news station, we encounter a literal glitch, wherein we begin seeing visions of Alex Murphy's past, hearing his wife and child. Once we make it to the top of the station where the civilians are being held hostage, Robocop hesitates to act, due to having visions of his wife, and it's up to our partner, Lewis, to intervene. As this happens at a news station, Robocop's moment of inaction is caught on camera and then aired, causing people to question and lose faith in his ability to keep Detroit safe. This kick starts the plot by having OCP appoint Max Becker to oversee Robocop and the police department. In addition, they install a monitoring chip in Robocop's head, along with having him report to a psychologist, Olivia Blanche, for evaluation.

It's here we find what will become the gameplay loop for the next dozen or so hours: go out on patrol, do a mission, then report back for a psych evaluation and explore the police department while interacting with other members of the force. It's a surprisingly rewarding loop where each part feels and plays differently. During the psych evaluations, we actually get to choose how robotic and how human Robocop is, with dialogue choices being referenced later. Going out on patrol is incredibly fun, and I feel it's where the team got to really cut loose in terms of writing. We get to explore small, open world sections of the city and interact with regular citizens, going so far as to being able to issue warnings and reprimand minor criminal activity, such as illegally dumping trash or parking next to a fire hydrant.

It's also here that we get to meet some of the more colorful citizens and get optional side quests that range from getting an egotistical actor to finish filming a commercial, an alien conspiracy, and helping a new friend, Pickles, pick out a VHS tape at a local rental place. It helps flesh out the world and really shows just how crazy things are while also proving to be immensely hilarious. Hell, one of my absolute favorite lines in the entire game is when Robocop is asking around to find Pickles, though it mostly comes down to the deadpan yet over the top way that Peter Weller delivers the line.

On that note, every single character is voiced to perfection, and the character models really look as though these people walked out of the 80's flick and straight into the game. The plot, while certainly not without issues, shows great reverence for the source material. It's no surprise to learn that the developers watched the films multiple times over the course of the three year development to ensure they matched the tone of the first film in particular. I said up top that the best video games based on existing properties ignore the source material, but that's not the case here. Rogue City revels in its source material, truly allowing the player to feel as though they are the titular Robocop. It's the closest you can get to the real deal without being gunned down in a warehouse.

The game is, of course, not without flaws. The enemy AI is certainly questionable at times, and the sheer power of your default gun, the Auto 9, makes every other weapon pretty pointless. The biggest flaw, in my mind, is a common one among FPSs, being boss fights. In particular, there's a fight against ED-209 that, while it obviously has to be in the game, was deeply unsatisfying. These flaws are minor, as every other aspect of the game shines brightly. Despite my trepidation, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the game, and found myself actively roleplaying as I played.

Rogue City is the kind of rare, beautiful unicorn that, on paper, shouldn't exist. The pedigree of the studio alone is enough to give me pause. However, much like Robocop himself, hiding beneath this shiny veneer beats the heart of a truly amazing experience that, somehow, is better than the sum of its parts. It effortlessly captures the charm and wit of the original film, leaning into everything that makes it memorable. It also takes the underlying themes presented in the film and presents them to a modern audience, while also tackling modern issues, such as what it means to be human and the legal rights of things that aren't strictly organic. It's an amazing experience that hopefully serves as a blueprint for future video game adaptations that does more than just nostalgia bait. I cannot recommend this game more highly, whether you're a fan of the films, the genre, or neither. It's a truly amazing experience.