Robotz

Chicken, fight like a robot!

Robotz is a game I got on a cover disk; it was developed by P Fox of ProjectX and feels somewhat like a tactical version of Berzerk. Once again, we find ourselves in deep space on board a ship that has been invaded by robots. As the last surviving crew member, we must eliminate them before they take over the ship!

That won't be easy because each room has electrified walls - instant death! Each room is different and populated by randomly placed robots who follow your movements in their own specific order (use that to your advantage). We are armed with a one-shot gun, but the robots are protected by a shield. However, you can stun them for a few seconds. If only there were a shield generator we could blast into smithereens...

For a homebrew game, I adore the visuals that remind me of a cross between Xenon and Leavin' Teramis. The palette is gorgeously metallic, and I adore the shadows that add depth to the scenario. All sprites are simple but nicely detailed and animated, and I always giggle at our protagonist's legs as he walks. It's funny, but nowhere near as entertaining as his "ouch" scream when losing a life! Why didn't he wear rubber gloves?

Robotz is a cracking example of what lurks inside the Atari ST's public domain library. A stunningly stressful game with bundles of tension and anxiety. Yeah, Robotz is tough but tremendously addictive.

I rate Robotz 88%, so stop what you're doing and play it. Now!!

Each level has a design that demands lots of time to master the tighter areas.

Those robots are indestructible! Surely there's a way to kill them?

Some levels have more freedom to move, but that doesn't mean they're easy!

This level is extremely tricky. When I say tricky, I mean agonisingly difficult!!

Hmm, this appears easy? One generator... but... three droids!

Oh no, this level features TWO generators to destroy BEFORE the robots are killable.