RoboCop: Rogue City Is Way Better Than You’d Think

RoboCop: Rogue City was released back in 2023 and it's a first-person shooter that really puts you into the metal boots of Detroit's most bada** police officer. The original RoboCop film from 1987 is one of my favorite films of that era, with its cheesy action, sharp satire, and iconic one-liners. The game was clearly made with the films in mind, and it captures that gritty, neon-soaked world really well. Players step into the role of RoboCop himself and over the course of multiple main and optional side missions, it’s up to you to uphold the law and serve the public trust, no matter how big or small the crime.

At first glance, you might expect Rogue City to be a straightforward shooter where you spend most of your time mowing down waves of criminals. And while there’s plenty of satisfying gunplay, the game actually goes further than that. It mixes shooting with exploration and, surprisingly, old-fashioned police work. One moment you’re storming into a gang hideout in a blaze of gunfire, and the next you’re piecing together clues to solve a murder case or helping your fellow officers with smaller, everyday tasks. You’ll even find yourself walking through the precinct collecting signatures for a get-well card. These slower, quieter moments might sound mundane, but they do a great job of making you feel like RoboCop is more than just a walking tank—he’s a part of this community. That variety makes the game stand out from a lot of modern shooters.

When the action kicks in, though, it really shines. RoboCop isn’t fast or agile, and the developers leaned into that. You feel the weight of his every step—slow, deliberate, but unstoppable. What he lacks in speed, he more than makes up for in durability. Taking heavy fire barely makes you flinch, and with your targeting computer helping to highlight enemies, you always feel in control of the battlefield. The Auto 9, RoboCop’s trusty sidearm, feels fantastic to fire. It delivers a meaty punch, and pulling off headshots is as satisfying as you’d hope. The over-the-top gore from the movies makes its return here, with enemies exploding into bloody chunks or getting launched across the room when you toss them like ragdolls. It’s chaotic, cheesy, and absolutely perfect for RoboCop.

What I didn’t expect going in was how much RPG-style progression the game includes. Completing missions and side activities earns you experience points, which you can use to upgrade RoboCop’s systems. Whether you want to boost his combat efficiency, improve his detective skills, or make him more durable, there are plenty of options to tailor him to your preferred playstyle. It doesn’t get as deep as a full-blown RPG, but it adds just enough depth to make you think about your approach rather than simply charging in guns blazing every time.

Another highlight is the game’s world design. The developers really went out of their way to capture the bleak but satirical tone of the RoboCop films. Detroit feels grimy, corrupt, and just on the edge of collapse, but there’s always that underlying sense of dark humor running through it all. You’ll hear background chatter that pokes fun at consumer culture, watch news broadcasts that feel ripped straight from the movies, and run into civilians who are just as over-the-top as the villains you fight. It makes the world feel authentic to the RoboCop universe, and fans of the movies will catch plenty of nods and references.

Speaking of fans, one of the biggest treats here is Peter Weller reprising his role as RoboCop. His likeness and voice acting add a huge amount of authenticity to the game. Hearing him deliver those classic monotone lines again instantly pulls you back into the world of the original films. Kosha Engler also returns as Anne Lewis, RoboCop’s partner, helping tie the game even more firmly to the source material. These touches make the game feel less like a generic licensed shooter and more like a true extension of the RoboCop franchise.

Of course, it’s not without its flaws. While the game looks solid overall, the character models outside of RoboCop himself are pretty stiff and awkward at times. It’s a clear reminder that this is not a big-budget AAA production. Some of the voice acting veers into cheesy territory, and the dialogue sequences occasionally drag on longer than they should. The pacing can feel uneven, too—some missions are a blast while others come across as filler. And while moving around as RoboCop has its charm, his slow, plodding speed might frustrate players used to the faster pace of modern shooters. You won’t be bunny-hopping or sprint-sliding your way to victory here, and that takes some getting used to.

Still, despite these issues, the game succeeds where it really counts: it makes you feel like RoboCop. Every mission reinforces that fantasy, whether you’re crushing a gang in a hail of bullets, scanning a crime scene for clues, or simply protecting the public in smaller, quieter ways. The gameplay loop is engaging, the upgrades are rewarding, and the atmosphere nails the mix of grit and satire that made the original movie so memorable.

At the end of the day, RoboCop: Rogue City isn’t the best first-person shooter out there, but it doesn’t need to be. What it delivers is a faithful and entertaining RoboCop experience that fans of the films will absolutely appreciate. It knows what it is—a slightly clunky but heartfelt love letter to an ’80s action classic—and it plays that role well. For me, it was a great reminder of why I loved the original film in the first place, and it gave me plenty of fun moments that felt like they could’ve come straight from a long-lost RoboCop sequel. If you’ve ever wanted to step into the steel frame of Alex Murphy and dish out justice on the mean streets of Detroit, this is your chance.