Image – RoboCop: Rogue City/Teyon
RoboCop: Rogue City – A Return to Old Detroit
RoboCop: Rogue City has been on my radar since its launch in 2023. As a fan of the RoboCop films, specifically 1, 2, and 3, the ones that followed were not great, playing a game that channels the nostalgic energy of the originals was always going to be a challenge. Pleasing long-time fans while staying true to the source material is no small feat, yet Teyon has pulled it off to an incredible standard.
This isn’t their first film-inspired project. In 2019, they released Terminator: Resistance, another action shooter with RPG elements. I’ve yet to play it, but it’s firmly on the list.
Gameplay Feel and Mechanics
Controlling RoboCop feels powerful and faithful. His movement is weighty, punctuated by the stomping feet we know so well. You can unlock a dash ability that adds slight mobility, but you still feel like a walking tank. Cover is mostly pointless, you stride into gunfire, soak up damage, and cause chaos. Robo’s head display lets you highlight enemies, adding a nostalgic touch that echoes the films.
Combat feels varied without overcomplicating things. You’ll face gangs, paramilitary units, rogue robots, and the occasional heavier threat that calls for more tactical thinking. It’s not overly punishing, but staying mobile and upgrading wisely makes a difference.
The game embraces its violent roots, letting you blow enemies apart with satisfying precision, limbs flying, chaos unfolding, all in true RoboCop fashion.
Auto-9 and Upgrade System
Your main weapon is the Auto-9. While you can loot weapons from enemies or discover them during missions, ammo is limited, so sticking with the Auto-9 is the most reliable strategy, and it’s no bad thing.
Customisation Highlights:
- Install modules to boost stats, like damage and fire rate
- Link modules for greater bonuses
- Modify layout direction, though outcomes are random
- Avoid stat-reducing nodes, while connecting to orange nodes offering bonuses such as full-auto fire and increased gore
Alongside weapon mods, RoboCop’s skill tree lets you refine your approach, combat perks, technical upgrades like hacking or system scanning, and conversation skills all play a role. You can go all-in on brute force, or lean into utility and persuasion.
Skills offer real advantages, from faster enemy detection and ricochet targeting, to cracking safes and hijacking turrets, giving you more ways to dominate the battlefield.
World Design and Exploration
The Old Detroit map strikes a great balance, it’s large enough to explore but never feels bloated. You’re also taken to other locations through the main story, and none felt out of proportion for what you were doing. Hidden pickups and stolen items fuel progression, granting skill points to invest in perks.
The level design encourages curiosity. There’s a satisfying loop of scanning crime scenes, investigating leads, and cleaning up streets between major missions.
Side Missions and Extras
You can rush through the main campaign if you choose, but there’s plenty of bonus content scattered around Old Detroit.
Smaller Activities Include:
- Handing out parking tickets
- Penalising littering and public drinking
- Tracking stolen goods or hidden stashes
Longer Side Missions Include:
- Solving murders
- Recovering stolen vehicles
- Investigating criminal networks
There’s enough side content to justify staying a while, but it never feels bloated or distracting. Just solid world-building with a purpose.
Story, Sound, and Atmosphere
The storyline serves as a clever bridge between RoboCop 2 and 3. I never felt bored. Iconic characters return, including Officer Anne Lewis, Sergeant Warren Reed, and ED-209. Robo’s classic one-liners are scattered throughout, grounding you firmly in the RoboCop universe.
What really sells the atmosphere is the audio. The soundtrack is gritty and futuristic, matching the tone of the old films, and the weapon sounds pack a punch. Voice acting is solid across the board, especially Robo himself, Peter Weller lends authenticity that fans will appreciate.
Performance and Accessibility
On the technical side, the game runs smoothly. I didn’t encounter major bugs, and load times were snappy. The settings include multiple difficulty options, so casual and hardcore players alike can find their sweet spot. It’s accessible without being overly simplified.
Missed Opportunities
One thing I wish they’d leaned into more was RoboCop’s weird charm. Repair kits are your standard healing method, functional and fitting, but where’s the baby food? A cheeky nod to the film’s iconic moment, even just as a cosmetic item, would’ve been brilliant. Sure, it wouldn’t make much sense mid-firefight, but cracking open a tin in the heat of battle? Absurd. Exactly the kind of detail that could’ve made fans grin.
Final Thoughts
RoboCop: Rogue City is absolutely worth your time. If RoboCop: Unfinished Business hadn’t launched, I’d already be on New Game+, digging deeper into the streets of Detroit. From its slick combat to satisfying upgrades and nods to the franchise, it delivers far more than a standard movie tie-in.
Looking forward to firing up Unfinished Business and cleaning up the city once again.
Until next time, stay sharp and keep gaming, Panda out.
