Robocalypse Review

Every so often a game comes to the Nintendo DS that reminds you video games are not just for kids. Robocalypse is that game for 2008. Tecmo and Developer Vogster have teamed up to deliver a fun RTS, jam packed with subtle jokes, excellent music, and compelling challenges.

Robocalypse starts off at a factory that makes both toasters and war robots. Sound strange and dangerous? Well that’s intentional. The poorly designed factory leads to the accidental creation of your soon to be arch-nemesis, the Demolisher - half toaster, half robot. How are you expected to fight the Demolisher, with no training? By making a handful of robots called Heroes, and infusing them with the brains of World War II veterans.

Though there are only a handful of RTS games for the Nintendo DS, Robocalypse’s easily sets it at the top tier for stories in that category. Tecmo and Vogster proved that traditional media has indeed merged with the gaming world, by recruiting TV/Film writers Jay Lender (SpongeBob Squarepants) and Micah Wright (The Angry Beavers).

Lender and Wright made a point not to take themselves too seriously. From game design to dialogue, you’ll laugh at the subtle humor of video game characters who break the fourth wall.

The lead character is stereotypical nerd named Myron, who just happens to control his Heroes with a controller that looks very much like a disheveled Nintendo DS. His elusive love interest is a textbook style blond vixen, named Flaxen, with a knack for invention. The artwork and the dialogue will quickly make you realize that this story has a very mature theme.

Lender and Wright don’t stop there. The Demolisher uses corny catch words like “minions,” repeatedly. Also you’ll hear Myron repeatedly say, “Video game developers are cheap!”

For the most part, the game is well designed. You control Heroes and ordinary soldiers, either by giving them individual directives, or by placing an action or defense flag respectively. Of course, there will be times when your soldiers will wander off and you’ll scream “bloody murder.” Also, clearing out defensive flags so your soldiers can quickly adjust to save their fellow troops takes some finagling at times.

The music for Robocalypse is nothing short of amazing. It’s rare on the Nintendo DS to have a good sound score, especially on a RTS, but Robocalypse delivers here.

The cut-scenes are very cartoony, and fun to watch. There are a few explosive/fire scenes that really push the limit for RTS games on the DS. Also, the in-game animation is very good. You’ll see your Builder robots painstakingly create different robot production plants. Also, when your Hero dies, you’ll see them fall to ashes.

There is also a cool multi-player component, where you can play up to four players or throw in an AI player or two.

Overall Robocalypse is a well designed, fun RTS, that’s a keeper for any gamer looking for a strategic game with a decent challenge factor. The game is addicting, and you’ll find it’s worth playing to the end just to see how the story plays out. We’re already on the lookout for a Robocalypse 2.