The vast landscape of modern action and action-adjacent games often leaves me feeling overwhelmed. While I appreciate the intricate and expansive worlds some games offer, there are times when I simply crave the level-based experiences reminiscent of the action adventures from my childhood. This is why I was thrilled to discover RoboCop: Rogue City, an enjoyable first-person shooter that cuts away the excess and immerses you directly into the action. Currently featured as one of PlayStation Plus’ April games, it’s available for free download for PS Plus members until May 5. Snag it while you can, and it will remain in your library as long as your membership is active. (If you’re not a member, it’s also on sale on Steam!)
With Rogue City, you’ll find the quirky charm of Paul Verhoeven’s iconic sci-fi classic, featuring a dark sense of humor and plenty of over-the-top violence, with Peter Weller reprising his role as Alex Murphy/RoboCop. While I could elaborate on the game’s storyline or its setting (which occurs between RoboCop 2 and 3), what really matters for your enjoyment lies in its gameplay. The shooter mechanics are satisfying and allow you to fully embody RoboCop’s formidable power. Enemies are sent flying when you shoot or punch them, creating a delightful blend of power fantasy and physics-driven humor.
In contrast to the expansive open-world RPGs that often overwhelm the single-player gaming scene, it’s a breath of fresh air to engage with a well-crafted game that feels more like a series of discrete levels. Yes, there’s a minor open-world component, but it doesn’t intrude too heavily, and my disinterest in that aspect didn’t affect my overall enjoyment. Instead, RoboCop: Rogue City brought back memories of the lighthearted arcade shooters I played with my brother at laser tag venues, where we transitioned swiftly from level to level, taking down enemies with style.
With a 2D side-scrolling Terminator 2 game on the horizon, I hope this signals the beginning of a wave of nostalgic adaptations that embrace proven, classic game design elements. An upcoming stand-alone sequel, RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, is on the way, promising even more thrilling RoboCop experiences in the near future.
