MEGADRIVE REVIEW
ROBOCOP VS THE TERMINATOR, 1993
With the upcoming Robocop movie starting to get some major hype, I thought it was time to revisit my favourite Robocop-related game: Robocop Vs The Terminator.
Long before the Alien Vs Predator movies simultaneously tainted two separate film franchises, Aliens and Predators were paired up in a Dark Horse comic book series, and subsequently some very successful video games. Following the successful pairing of these sci-fi/horror icons, Dark Horse released a comic book series pitting Detroit's part-man, part-machine (and all cop, according to the movie's tagline) law enforcement officer – Robocop – against the time-travelling killing machines – Terminators – that occasionally resembled Arnold Schwarzenegger (when likeness rights allowed). The Terminator was originally released in 1984; Robocop in 1987. Both movies tapped into the technology-paranoia of the 1980s, and offered viewers impressive amounts of action and violence. In hindsight it is obvious that the combination of both sci-fi/action characters in one title was always going to be perfect videogame material...
Robocop Vs The Terminator is a platforming shooter released in 1993 on multiple formats, most notably the Super Nintendo (SNES) and Sega Megadrive/Genesis. I'll start by saying that I'm reviewing the Megadrive version because a) it's the only one I've played, and b) it has blood and gore in it so it automatically wins. Seasoned gamers may remember how the SNES version of Mortal Kombat had green blood, while the Megadrive kept it real with the red stuff – this is another example of how the Megadrive was for men, while the SNES was for the weak and female among us. Before anyone gets angry with me, let me assure you that I am joking, and I myself am a manly SNES owner. I won't bother apologising to the women as I know none are reading!
Long before the Alien Vs Predator movies simultaneously tainted two separate film franchises, Aliens and Predators were paired up in a Dark Horse comic book series, and subsequently some very successful video games. Following the successful pairing of these sci-fi/horror icons, Dark Horse released a comic book series pitting Detroit's part-man, part-machine (and all cop, according to the movie's tagline) law enforcement officer – Robocop – against the time-travelling killing machines – Terminators – that occasionally resembled Arnold Schwarzenegger (when likeness rights allowed). The Terminator was originally released in 1984; Robocop in 1987. Both movies tapped into the technology-paranoia of the 1980s, and offered viewers impressive amounts of action and violence. In hindsight it is obvious that the combination of both sci-fi/action characters in one title was always going to be perfect videogame material...
Robocop Vs The Terminator is a platforming shooter released in 1993 on multiple formats, most notably the Super Nintendo (SNES) and Sega Megadrive/Genesis. I'll start by saying that I'm reviewing the Megadrive version because a) it's the only one I've played, and b) it has blood and gore in it so it automatically wins. Seasoned gamers may remember how the SNES version of Mortal Kombat had green blood, while the Megadrive kept it real with the red stuff – this is another example of how the Megadrive was for men, while the SNES was for the weak and female among us. Before anyone gets angry with me, let me assure you that I am joking, and I myself am a manly SNES owner. I won't bother apologising to the women as I know none are reading!
Terminators: will not stop ever, until you're dead
Okay, back to the game at hand... The story is basically a
reimagining of the Robocop and Terminator backstories. In this version, the
company which created Robocop (OCP in the movie) went on to become Cyberdyne
Systems (from The Terminator), which created the Skynet Defence Network,
which eventually became self-aware and decided to destroy mankind with its
Terminator machines. So far, so good. The plot, as described in the game's
opening, then gets rather strange. For some reason, Skynet sent a few
Terminators back in time to lure Robocop into a fight with ED-209 (that other
robot from Robocop), and trick him into uploading himself into Skynet,
giving them the technology they needed... which they already had, I thought.
Anyway, Robocop is somehow “brought back online in the Terminator outpost and
realises he must battle his way through the Terminator-infested future to reach
the inner sanctum of Skynet”. Why is he in the future? Why did Skynet bother
sending loads of Terminators back for him in the first place? Why am I worrying
about the plot to a videogame entitled “Robocop Vs The Terminator”??
Those of you thinking you were going to start this game in the future battling hoardes of Terminators are in for a shock. The game starts in “present day” Detroit, and you mainly just have to destroy loads of human punks firing guns at you for no apparent reason. It is at this point you realise that the opening story has totally told you the whole (confusing) plot of the game before you've even started playing it.
Those of you thinking you were going to start this game in the future battling hoardes of Terminators are in for a shock. The game starts in “present day” Detroit, and you mainly just have to destroy loads of human punks firing guns at you for no apparent reason. It is at this point you realise that the opening story has totally told you the whole (confusing) plot of the game before you've even started playing it.
"Dead or alive, you're com... Never mind"
Washing lines: sturdier in 1993
As the player, you can only control Robocop on his quest to
destroy the Terminators. The title suggests that's what needs to be done, but
it takes a while before any actual Terminators show up. Unfortunately you don't
get the option to be a Terminator, which would have rocked as they are clearly
much more badass. Don't worry though, Robocop is pretty tough. Even if he does
eat baby food.
Similar to previous Robocop games, the player must walk along firing at multiple enemies while avoiding all the bullets and trying to collect health (baby food). That's pretty much as deep as this game gets, but the gameplay has been improved over previous efforts. Robocop doesn't lumber around really slowly anymore, in fact you could say he can duck and jump with the agility of a tree frog. I wouldn't personally say that, as he looks and acts nothing like a tree frog, but what I'm saying is, he can hang onto overhead poles and ladders and shoot simultaneously, which is a lot of fun. There are also a few different weapons to be collected, which makes shooting people even more fun. The way they collapse into a pile of blood and guts is particularly delightful, and something we don’t see enough of these days.
Similar to previous Robocop games, the player must walk along firing at multiple enemies while avoiding all the bullets and trying to collect health (baby food). That's pretty much as deep as this game gets, but the gameplay has been improved over previous efforts. Robocop doesn't lumber around really slowly anymore, in fact you could say he can duck and jump with the agility of a tree frog. I wouldn't personally say that, as he looks and acts nothing like a tree frog, but what I'm saying is, he can hang onto overhead poles and ladders and shoot simultaneously, which is a lot of fun. There are also a few different weapons to be collected, which makes shooting people even more fun. The way they collapse into a pile of blood and guts is particularly delightful, and something we don’t see enough of these days.
Guys in leather: BRAVE
The game's graphics give a dark feel, slightly reminiscent of the original Robocop and The Terminator movies. Apparently the SNES version is a lot more bright and cheerful than the Megadrive port, which shouldn't surprise anyone. The graphics are pretty good – Robocop has a fair amount of detail and the enemies are well animated. The enemies are generally repetitive, but that is an issue prevalent in most shooter games to this day. The music is quite impressive, with some crazy techno beats accompanying your murder spree. Every now and then a female voice says the word “Terminator” in the background music, which seemed fairly odd to me, but in hindsight I guess players needed reminding that Terminators are actually in the game, as they don't show up that often in the first few levels.
End of level bosses include Terminators and other robot things like ED-209. As usual they are much easier to defeat in the game than in the movie, but that's a good thing because overall this game can be quite diffficult. My only criticism is that the Terminators don't say things like “phased-plasma rifle in the forty watt range”, or “chill out, dickwad”. Or maybe that's just my unhealthy obsession with Arnie quotes.
This is a game for the player who enjoys walking around and shooting people or robots. While it is a blast, film fans should remain thankful that Hollywood has never attempted to bring it to the big screen. And for those of you thinking the SNES version might be worth a look too, I advise you to grow a set, track down the Megadrive version and play it whilst drinking beer and listening to Metallica. Because that's what the men do.
End of level bosses include Terminators and other robot things like ED-209. As usual they are much easier to defeat in the game than in the movie, but that's a good thing because overall this game can be quite diffficult. My only criticism is that the Terminators don't say things like “phased-plasma rifle in the forty watt range”, or “chill out, dickwad”. Or maybe that's just my unhealthy obsession with Arnie quotes.
This is a game for the player who enjoys walking around and shooting people or robots. While it is a blast, film fans should remain thankful that Hollywood has never attempted to bring it to the big screen. And for those of you thinking the SNES version might be worth a look too, I advise you to grow a set, track down the Megadrive version and play it whilst drinking beer and listening to Metallica. Because that's what the men do.