I often find myself frustrated by the vast expanse of modern action and related games. While I appreciate the intricate and immersive worlds they offer, sometimes I yearn for a level-based experience reminiscent of the streamlined action adventures of my childhood. This is why I was thrilled to discover RoboCop: Rogue City, an enjoyable first-person shooter that keeps the excess to a minimum and plunges you straight into the action. Currently available as one of April’s PlayStation Plus games, it’s free for PS Plus subscribers until May 5. Claim it now, and it’ll remain in your library as long as your subscription is active. (And for those without a subscription, it’s also on sale on Steam!)
Rogue City captures the quirky charm of Paul Verhoeven’s iconic sci-fi classic, infused with a dark sense of humor and a generous dose of violence, featuring Peter Weller reprising his role as Alex Murphy/RoboCop. While I could fill you in on the game’s story or its setting (which takes place between RoboCop 2 and 3), that information pales in comparison to what really makes the game enjoyable. The real highlight is its engaging gameplay, featuring satisfying shooting mechanics that emphasize RoboCop’s formidable power. When you shoot or punch enemies, they soar through the air, creating a delightful blend of power fantasy and physics-based fun.
In stark contrast to the sprawling open-world RPGs that often dominate the single-player market, it’s refreshing to dive into a well-crafted game that feels like a series of distinct levels. Although there is a minor open-world aspect, it’s not overly intrusive, and my lack of interest in that part didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Instead, RoboCop: Rogue City brought back memories of the zany arcade shooters I used to play with my brother during laser tag outings, seamlessly transitioning from level to level while dispatching foes with style.
With a 2D side-scrolling Terminator 2 game on the horizon, I can only hope this marks the beginning of a wave of nostalgic adaptations that smartly harness that nostalgia to revive classic (and effective!) approaches to game design. A stand-alone sequel, RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, is already in the works, promising even more satisfying RoboCop action for us in the near future.
