Killer app. for the XBLA.
IMPRESSIVE: Unprecidented visuals, especially for XBLA // Story is lengthy ========== and enthralling // Havok AND Unreal in ONE game!
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NEEDS WORK: Some issues with the physics
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When the time comes to look back at the development of console and PC games, one of the big moments will likely be the introduction of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3. The technology that was spearheaded by Epic’s master programmer Tim Sweeney has already locked down a boatload of upcoming games for next-gen consoles as well as the PC. While the console side got Gears of War as their first Unreal Engine game this past November, the first Unreal Engine 3 PC game was something a little different. RoboBlitz is a fun budget priced robot action game from indie game developer Naked Sky Entertainment that just happens to use a lot of the same graphical features as Epic’s best selling Xbox 360 shooter. After its release for the PC last month from various sources (including Valve’s Steam service) this week saw the release of the Xbox 360 version via Xbox Live Arcade.
The game has you controlling the lead character named Blitz. He (or it, or whatever) is a simple looking robot with a cute cartoon-like appearance and a ball bearing where his legs should be. As the game describes it, Blitz “must activate an aging Space Cannon to save his world from a band of maladjusted space pirates.” That’s pretty much all you really need to know as far as the game’s plot. It’s basically an excuse to hang a storyline around RoboBlitz’ design of a robot fighting other robots. One nice thing is that the game follows a non-linear path for the most part. You have six “hubs” that each hold three levels. You can enter any of the six hubs you want at any time; you aren’t forced to go to each hub in order. After completing the missions, a final level appears for Blitz to work through.
Roboblitz is indeed an impressive XBLA title, and should not be overlooked just because of the 1,200MP priceline.