Robotrek

"Wasn't anything like it, in my day!"

Robotrek. It's a like-it or hate-it game.
You play the son of a famous inventor, living in your father's shadow until one fateful day that kicks off the plot. Your goal is to thwart the gallery-of-fools empire, the Hackers, from taking over the world.
Now this is a game that introduced ideas that have yet to be matched. Underlying the slapstick comedy and circus music there is a unique system.

Gameplay 10/10

The gameplay consists of inventing things. Whether you're combining scraps to create a powerful Thundersword, or building your own custom Robot, you're the one calling the shots. Your hero nor your robots do not come with predefined names, which is a first, and instead of the Square philosophy of ''this item is for that guy only'', you can use any piece of equipment on any robot, in one of three positions, Left and Right hand, and Backpack. It would be entirely possible to have two level5 shields and a bomber pack to lay the smack on the baddies. Or perhaps you want a sword and axe in each hand with a Shield pack, or maybe the standard setup that comes with each new robot?
You can also program what stat is increased when you level up. Perhaps you want more HP to survive, or would you rather pour it all into attack and defense?

The battle system is also innovative. When you encounter an enemy, which you can actually SEE on the playfield, you go into battle. You can move your robot around and perform different attacks, and if you defeat all enemies before the timer runs out, you get bonus experience, termed in ones and tenths of ''Megs''.

Graphics 5/10

Not much going on graphics, they're quite standard. There are some interesting moments though, and the wave-effect is used often. Robotrek also pioneered the Pokeball, which was turned upside-down and shrunk to the size of a baseball for Pokemon.

Plot 6/10

If you get around the bad translation, the plot is surely something. You never figure out who the last boss is until it's time to face him in the final Hacker fortress, which I find is interesting. I think naming the planet after the developers (Quintenix, after Quintet and Enix) is a stretch though.

Sound effects 4/10
Borderline 16-bit. The music suited the scenes well at times, but was just annoying after a while. Have they ever heard of something BESIDES a sawtooth?

My only complaints are, for one, that the translation was deplorable. Though not as bad as Zero Wing, the plot takes a confusing dive at some Boss speeches. ''You'll will understand my plan soon enough'' is just a minor sample.
Secondly, some causality loops are never settled at endgame. You'll know what I mean when you get there.
Also, there were a LOT of confusing moments. I got lost plenty of times until I leveled up far. The boss battles were also insane, because only a few weapons have much effect on each boss, and some bosses are immune to Special Programs. They are also a lot faster and more resourceful than you are.
Overall, I liked it. Others may not agree, but that's their problem.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/05/01, Updated 06/05/01