 Robots comes to the UK as a launch title for
the NintendoDS. Following the plot of the CGI movie, Rodney Copperbottom and his
mechanical sidekick Wonderbot move to the big city to fulfil Rodney's childhood dream of
working for Bigweld. When Rodney and Wonderbot arrive at Bigweld Industries, they find
that Bigweld himself is absent and the cringe-worthy Ratchet is now in control - who
promptly orders the removal of the two protagonists. Down on their luck, Rodney and
Wonderbot cross paths with a street gang known as the Rusties, and together they uncover a
despicable plot to turn all of Robot-kind into scrap-metal. So now it's up to Rodney and
the Rusties to save everyone they know, and all of Robot-kind. The game plays out through
a series of objectives. Walk through the Levels collecting Items and Spares, which you
then deliver to certain Robots in exchange for Rewards. Each Reward is a piece of an
Invention you must create, and there are four Inventions in total; Wrench Gadget – Rodney’s basic
close-range weapon, Scrap Launcher – a
basic projectile weapon, Magno Grenade Launcher
– not only a projectile weapon, but also a key for Magno Doors, Electro Zapper – a homing weapon, fires
bolts of electricity that lock-on to enemy targets and opens Electro Doors.
A bit of variety is added by
the ability to control Wonderbot, via the Wonderbot
Remote. Essentially a by-product of today gaming necessity for multiple characters,
Wonderbot grants you access to previously unavailable areas and also features impressive
actions such as Wonderbot Glide for an extended
jump and Wonderbot Trampoline for extra height.
The Touch Screen comes into play when entering the Transit
Points located throughout the city. Reminiscent of one of the bonus games from Sonic The Hedgehog 2, the transit allows you to
travel quicker about the city. Rubbing the Touch Screen with the Stylus in the direction
you wish to travel moves Rodney, and quicker rubbing will result in quicker movement. The
feature would have become a nice exercise if it wasn’t so poorly executed. Rolling
the ball that appears to the Touch Screen anything off-center and Rodney will hurtle off
the ledge.
The title’s graphics
are far from special. Probably paralleling with Zoo
Keeper and The ‘Urbz for the
prestigious “worst graphics in a NintendoDS launch title” award, there’s
nothing visual or aural that the Game Boy Advance couldn’t achieve.
While Robots may not be the worst title Sierra have ever
published, it reeks of disappointment. An example of a lack of interest in truly mastering
the NintendoDS’s potential as an almost direct conversion of an average Game Boy
Advance game. A few cool mini-games and a severe difficulty curve don’t make up for a
lack of innovation on the system that was born to bear new ideas. |
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Each of these articles has been written either
independently of Electronic Theatre or by an external viewer. The opinions
discussed in these articles in no way reflects the opinions of Electronic Theatre.
If you wish to enquire about pricing of any titles
for these formats not listed on this site, drop me a line at kjoyce@electronictheatre.co.uk |
.bmp)
