GOTD 6/15/2016: Robo Army (Neo Geo)

[celerystalker]

The Neo Geo has often been criticized for its dearth of high-end beat 'em ups, as companies like Capcom and Konami snapped up licenses and put out snappy brawlers all over the 1990s' face. That hardly means, though, that SNK didn't put in any effort in the style, and Robo Army is a solid showing that if nothing else tried different ideas to be something of its own game. Starring Maxima (who would later participate in the King of Fighters tournaments) and Rocky, two cybernetically-enhanced bad-asses, the goal is to destroy the evil robot army of the crazed Dr. Jeed, saving the city abd hoping that somehow, someday, they might get to feel human again...

Now, that's not to say that being a robotic destroyer doesn't have its perks, right? Rocky and Maxima can, of course, punch, jump kick, and do a basic grappling attack like in just about every beat 'em up since Final Fight, but they have a few tricks up their... torsos... yeah... to help set them apart as the right guys for the game. First, they can both execute a powerful backward kick by pressing attack and jump simultaneously. This is not only much more powerful than the standard punch, but comes out far more quickly, making it an important and devastating piece of their arsenal. Secondly, they each carry a stock of six special attacks to use, which can be replaced by picking up orbs after use. These are separated into three tiers, two for each, and are more powerful the more you have. The first two are full-screen multi-hit blasts that annihilate most regular enemies instantly and do heavy damage to bosses. The second two do a ranged attack that has to be aimed properly, but is still quite powerful and capable of several hits. The final two are short range spark attacks that hit once for modest damage if they land. This presents a nice risk-reward for holding out to use them in special situations so that you can clear a tough screen or tear up a boss. Lastly, though, they can pick up a glowing metal fist to, um, go all Turbo Teen and turn into trucks and CRUSH EVERYTHING FOR, LIKE, A FEW SECONDS!

So, campy in ways, but nonetheless a unique set of attacks that allow for a different flavor to the combat. There aren't the crisp, satisfying combos of a Capcom brawler or Streets of Rage, but it is fun to simply rip a robot in half with a grapple or rip a torso off at the legs with one massive kick. There is a tad of variety in a couple of parts in which you descend via cables, jumping between them, punching, and back-fisting your way to the bottom for a mini-boss encounter, but the main thrust of the game is simpe fighting. Robo Army does throw quite a few bosses and sub-bosses your way to go along with the myriad robots, and the backgrounds stay pretty fresh throughout the game. There's a little boss rush at the end as well, making for an overall difficult challenge to complete on limited credits (I can only clear five stages on one credit. It kicks my ass). Still, it's not totally unfair like, say, Ninja Combat, though some may find Robo Army's slower, more methodical action less appealing.

The game looks great for the time, using occasional scaling and warping effects, but it is less colorful than a Sengoku 2 or Mutation Nation. What it does have, though, is personality, solid mechanics, and truck-men, so there's that. I like it quite a bit, and enjoy playing it as a regular part of my AES rotation.

Played it?