RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business review: feature creep

by

RoboCop: Rogue City and Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay share similarities as they are video games derived from films, yet each offers unique narratives. Both primarily function as first-person shooters, occasionally transitioning to third-person view during dialogues or other interactions. These games skillfully capture their respective characters and the distinctive power fantasies associated with them. In the case of Riddick, it’s the thrill of being a crafty assassin. For RoboCop, it’s the sensation of being an indomitable bipedal tank capable of lifting miscreants by their necks and hurling them through glass windows.

In a refreshingly original take, developer Teyon masterfully captures the essence of RoboCop – satirizing corporate greed and the loss of human touch in technology, themes that resonate even stronger today amidst the rise of artificial intelligence. The attention to detail is commendable, from RoboCop’s balletic gun-aiming pose to his unique exit from a vehicle, torso-first. Even the sound of the cruiser scraping on the ground as it exits the station, sparking into the air, adds to the authenticity. So, where does one go from there? How can you surpass the RoboCop experience?

In the latest independent release, titled “Unfinished Business“, the creators pose an intriguing query: Could you experience the game from the perspective of an ordinary individual too?

In the primary game, Teyon introduced rhythm-breaking side quests, from administering justice at the police station to issuing tickets for illegally parked cars within the Detroit hub area. However, Unfinished Business primarily unfolds in a massive skyscraper, lacking the same freedom as the main game; although you occasionally pause to aid residents, it maintains a steady pace that the original didn’t possess. Given its likeness to the latest Judge Dredd film but with you playing as RoboCop, Teyon utilizes flashbacks to replicate this effect.

In my perspective as an ardent fan, the game doesn’t just let me be RoboCop, it also provides moments where I play as Murphy before he became RoboCop, a scientist fleeing from muggers, and a discontented mercenary trying to escape his superior. Though these segments do add variety, they can’t replicate the thrill of being the iconic RoboCop himself, who is known for his ability to grab enemies by the throat and hurl them through windows.

The developers have tried to innovate by tweaking healing mechanics to resemble Call of Duty, incorporating jump and crouch buttons, and equipping me with a torch. However, the fundamental issue remains: I’m not playing as RoboCop in a game that bears his name.

That being said, there’s one exception – the brief segment where I remotely control an ED-209 and reduce mercenaries to goo. That’s fantastic! There’s even an Achievement for taking a tumble down a flight of stairs.

As RoboCop, it’s quite satisfying, though a bit predictable. The game Unfinished Business is essentially a barrage of bad guys waiting to be taken down. Each location is jam-packed with closets that look like they’ve been filled by clown car monsters, and they seem to keep popping out in waves, giving you plenty of targets to eliminate. The main issue with the original game was how effortlessly you could sweep a room with your weapon, decapitating enemies as if you were harvesting a field of wheat. There was rarely any need to adjust your aim or change levels – just move left to right, then right to left at head level and watch the air fill with red mist. Unfinished Business adds flying drones and jetpack-equipped enemies, forcing you to interact with the vertical spaces in each level and taking your focus away from head level, resulting in more challenging encounters.

In various locations, environments shatter, crackle, and disintegrate as you and your adversaries charge through, unleashing a storm of bullets. A close-range shotgun blast sends opponents flying comically, like ragdolls. Few shooter games capture the thrill of pulling the trigger as effectively as this one does, and the fresh arsenal of weapons only enhances the experience.

Approximately two-thirds into the game, you’ll gain access to an exceptional cryogenic weapon. This massive device takes time to charge, but when it does, it unleashes a blast of energy towards your target. Upon impact, this energy ball shatters, causing immense damage by freezing a wide area and leaving behind icicles and a frosty landscape that echoes the sound of winter’s crackle. Notably, this ice persists, filling the screen and audio with its chilling presence. Additionally, there’s a gatling gun and a rail cannon, which cut through both scenery and enemies with an intensity unmatched by other weapons in the game’s main arsenal.

Despite Unfinished Business not resolving the problem with your main weapon, a versatile hip-holstered super pistol, it can be upgraded to become the most powerful weapon in the game. There’s a wide array of customization options available, but many advanced configurations seem overpowered, whether they offer an infinite magazine, fully automatic firing, or both features.

In Unfinished Business, there are occasional stuttering issues when transitioning between areas on Xbox Series X. These hiccups don’t usually interfere with combat, but they’re frequent and hard to miss. Despite the game allowing you to embody RoboCop, it’s less than ideal when these glitches make the experience akin to the malfunctioning RoboCop depicted in that viral gif.

Title Game Review: Unfinished Business – A Mixed Bag

Unfinished Business offers significant enhancements to its original game’s foundational elements, yet it ventures into innovative territories that don’t quite hit the mark. The combat sequences are significantly improved, but the side missions could use more refinement. Regrettably, the absence of central hubs feels disappointing following Detroit and PD’s transformation throughout the primary game. However, Teyon stands alone as the studio delivering these homages to classic films at such a high quality level. If you approach it with tempered expectations and a mind fully relaxed, there are many enjoyable aspects to discover.

Read More

2025-07-28 14:16