Summary
RoboCop: Rogue Citywas recently released, and developer Teyon’s latest foray into adapting one of the most iconic characters and franchises in the entirety of pop culture into a modern game exemplifies a type of title that’s becoming increasingly rare in the industry. As AAA budgets balloon into the billions, while auteur indie creators toil in semi-obscurity,RoboCop: Rogue Citysteps confidently into the area between them.Rogue Cityexists at a level that is neither of the previous labels, instead falling into the classification of titles dubbed “AA.”
Though somewhat looser in precise details, it is generally accepted that the concept of AA marks a rough midpoint between the two other more clearly defined categories. Medium-sized production budgets, teams, and marketing are the main factors.Examples of AA gameswould beHi-Fi RushandGreedfall. By nature, they often fly just under the radar, sometimes gaining wider exposure, though just as often become lost in the shuffle.
RoboCop: Rogue Citypresents itself as the defining case of what a great AA game should be.
RoboCop: Rogue City Perfectly Straddles the Line Between Indie and AAA Titles
Teyon’s AA Action Experience & Expertise
Teyon’s history and catalog is interesting and diverse. It has made tons of niche games since 2006, like the101 Petsseries, among many equally obscure ones. But in more recent years, it’s become known forgame adaptations of classic 80s and 90s action movies. Starting withRambo: The Video Gamein 2014, followed byTerminator: Resistancein 2019, and nowRogue Cityin 2023, Teyon has produced three AA titles in a row featuring some of the most iconic IPs from the golden age of action flicks.
It’s easy to imagine such titles being cheap cash grabs, churned out with little care put into them beyond preying on fans' nostalgia. WhileRambowas not particularly well-received,Terminator: Resistancegarnered attention for being a well-realized (underrated even) FPS/RPG-lite wrapped aroundTerminatorlore. In fact, a portion offans considerTerminator: Resistance canon, giving its story equal weight to the movies. It was clearly crafted with a deep knowledge of and respect for the source material. Combined with its higher-than-average grasp of game design,Resistanceshowed Teyon’s talent as a rising AA studio.
RoboCop: Rogue City’s AA Romp
LikeResistance, Rogue Cityisn’t an official entry in the series, but it may as well be. Both titles are set between the first two films of their respective franchises and incorporate established characters and plot points. One ofRogue City’s most impressive elements is its world-building. It’s on par with the films' iconic depiction of dystopian Detroit. It visually captures everything that was memorable in the movies, and many areas from them are recreated exactly. The characters and story are also in line with previous portrayals, and Teyon respectfully pays homage toRoboCop’s tone and themesthroughout.
On the gameplay side, a mix of fundamental mechanics combine into a perfectly palatable experience. Players divide their time completingRogue City’s main and side quests(with dialogue decisions) between engaging in FPS action and some light upgrades/crafting. Nothing is either oversimplified or unnecessarily complicated, and it all feels just right. Length is also a factor, as so many titles trip over themselves to outdo each other in providing “value” with what amounts to padding.Rogue Citytrims the fat and delivers its content without overstaying its welcome.
Rogue Cityis a AA game made by fans ofRoboCop, for fans of it. With it, Teyon has constructed an excellent package and solidified its place within the sphere in the process. It is the model for such titles and makes the case for Teyon as a proven AA master.
As AA productions lie in the middle ground of the industry,RoboCop:Rogue Cityfinds itself in the Goldilocks spot of AA games. It offers the perfect balance within that range, and provides a blueprint for how AA titles can excel and succeed.
