Assuming this game picks up sometime after the events in "Robocop 3," "R Vs.
T" begins with the clever concept that Robocop's "mind-with-metal" brain was
somehow responsible for the creation of the Terminators and Skynet in the
future. When a human female soldier from the future is sent into the past to
eliminate Robocop to prevent this from happening, she is killed by a
Terminator also sent back to stop HER. Consequently, Robocop himself is then
pulled into the FUTURE to put an end to Skynet and the Terminators
altogether. 'Still with me? Good...keep reading.
Graphics [8.5/10]:
The first level of this game blew me away. Robocop has never looked better
in a video game (you can almost see the lights of the city reflected off his
shiny metal form) and the dark, creepy city he is stalking is beautifully
envisioned. The blasts of the guns, the exploding crates, ED-209...wow.
THIS is what the SNES is all about. I loved the character off in the
background, running along the city skyline stalking Robocop. Little details
like that are what make this game feel "alive."
Music and Sound [8.5/10]:
The sound effects here are excellent. The gunshots alone are
eardrum-shattering and the explosions are enough to make one deaf if you have
the TV turned up loud enough. Even the clanking of Robocop's feet along the
pavement sound great. The music is hard and charging...perfect for a game of
this nature.
Gameplay [7.5/10]:
Well, once you get past the game's PAINFULLY SLOW and sleep-inducing cut
scenes (the game's one big...no HUGE weakness), the levels are little more
than walking and shooting. Not exactly "Final Fantasy," but hey...what did
you expect when this is the video game equivalent of those old Universal
"Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman"-syle horror films? A first-person
perspective level is thrown into the game later on, just for some variety,
but it doesn't fare very well, not to mention it's one of the game's most
difficult levels.
Challenge and Replay [7.5/10]:
It's not an easy game, by any means. That's for sure. But the storyline
(painfully slow as it may be) keeps you interested. In parts, you almost
feel for Robocop, being all alone in a future where he is hunted as the last
of his kind. Some of the end bosses can be quite frustrating and enough to
make you want to start rummaging for your Game Genie, but...call me nuts, but
I'd just play that first level over and over again...it MAKES the game. It's
a shame the later levels don't live up to it's promise. A real shame...
They're not horrible, but...
Conclusion/Overall [8/10]:
A great action game with a nifty little story. If that's what you're looking
for, this is the perfect game for you. Fans of both Robocop and the
Terminator movies will likely have a blast. Others may bore of the
all-too-similar levels and difficulty. But Virgin games has done a nice job
here. They've created a game that represents both characters well and didn't
dumb down or TONE down any of the gritty storyline from the Dark Horse
comics. As I've said, though, it's too bad they seemed to put so much effort
into the early levels, only to let the game degenerate as it progresses...if
it had kept up like that, it would have easily gotten a 10. As it is,
though, it's one of the better games incorporating elements from EITHER the
Robocop or Terminator franchises...and, overall, it works. "A Match Made in
Hell"...you said it.
