Roboquest is a blazing fast roguelite FPS that has been in early access for years. Finally hitting version 1.0 you are various robots trying to navigate your way through a bright and colorful dystopian future. You’ll shoot, loot, scoot, and boot enemies across various biomes and it’s available on both Console and PC with Game Pass. I’ve had a ton of fun in early access on but mostly on PC. Let’s find out how it holds up on console as we dive deep into this solid title.
ROGUE
Playable Solo or Co-op, Roboquest is a run-based title focused on frenetic gunplay as you kill your fellow robots in various biomes using a plethora of lightly randomized weaponry. The backstory is a weird looking kid is driving a van with you through this vivid and colorful hellscape, looking into various things that are planned to be fleshed out plot-wise in version 1.0. Before each run you’ll gather in your home base where you can use wrenches earned in previous runs to upgrade, choose between the various robot types that you’ve unlocked, set difficulty, and more.
It’s a classic run-based setup and the meta-game leveling system is that extra carrot-on-a-stick that the best in the genre have aplenty. You’ll upgrade your base abilities, loot quality, and more with wrenches coming in steady supply even during the weakest of runs. There is a lot to level, and it is the main power ramp that helps you blast through early sections to push further and further on each successive run.
Combat
Roboquest is incredibly fast paced, especially on PC. It has been available in Game Preview on Xbox Game Pass for PC for years now, only hitting console in early 2023. It feels incredible on a mouse & keyboard, with lightning-fast movement and tight aim controls. The default for both console and PC is a bit too high on the sensitivity so you’ll want to dial it back a bit. On console you’ll need to find the lowest you can set the dead zone to as well, as the default there feels terrible. It requires way too much movement to initiate turning or running, but set it too low and stick drift becomes and issue.
You will rarely stop moving in Roboquest if you want to stay alive. Enemies are a mix of small shots, energy waves, fire, and traps and they never stop coming. Each level has various paths to take, with more planned in version 1.0. I tried to get full release code early, but was unable to get in touch with the developer or their publisher so my review is based on the last Game Preview version of the title. They’ve promised a lot with the full release, so keep an eye out and I’ll try to update this text once I know if they have or not.
There are a lot of guns in Roboquest, and you can hold three at once. Swapping between them is a bit easier on PC, as I found the control setup a little clunky to get to your third weapon on controller. There are pistols, shotguns, rifles, crossbows, bows, rocket launchers, laser weapons, and so much more. Finding the best setup for your run is my favorite part of the genre, and the later additions to the loot pool during the preview phase were key in making each run feel more customizable.
My only complaint about the combat in Roboquest is on console, where there is an overreliance on auto aim. It’s heavily magnetic, so you can still dominate but it’s nowhere near as tight feeling as it is on PC. I spent hours fine tuning my controls and it still has too much aim acceleration so that I feel just a hair out of control if I’m not relying on the aim magnetism. Getting around the stages still feels good anywhere, though. You’ll get double jumps and movement abilities that differ depending on the class you choose. Melee and unique abilities add to the dizzying array of weapons you’ll use keeping combat feeling fresh.
You will find guns as drops occasionally, but most loot comes from vendors. Enemies drop an item used a currency, and you’ll get the choice between weaponry or upgrade chips. Getting a killer cryo cannon and then an upgrade chip that makes you do more damage to frozen enemies is an example of how it goes. It’s not super deep, but it feels good to put a build together. Every enemy you kill drop a small globe that can replenish your hp along with experience. Earn enough experience and you’ll level up, allowing you to choose from a couple of options on how you want the run to go. They’re similar to the upgrade chips and will empower your current robots’ passive abilities, active ones, and a hell of a lot more.
Sights and Sounds
Roboquest looks great, with a bright and colorful art style. There is a serious lack of enemy variety at times, with it all being robot based. The bosses are unique models with their own move sets and you’ll fight a handful each successful run. Level-wise it’s a bit basic early on, with more complex cityscapes later in runs. There are more areas being added in version 1.0 and I am greatly looking forward to it. It’s a light game, running well on low-end PCs and it runs fantastically on console.
The music is good, which is great because there’s not a ton of it. You’ll hear the same songs often as it doesn’t change up a lot in each area. They are pleasant bops that match the frenetic pace of the combat without getting in the way or being annoying. There’s no voice acting to be heard during preview and the writing while simplistic is fine. I haven’t run into any bugs. Roboquest is a rock-solid and polished experience. I’ve never had a crash or slowdown on console or PC. I hope this remains the case after the launch of version 1.0.
Wrapping Things Up
Roboquest is a ton of fun, though it never feels great on a controller. It does feel good enough to recommend on Xbox, though. The devs get what it takes to make a solid run-based title, utilizing their years in early-access to craft another title worth checking out on Game Pass.
Roboquest
Played on
Xbox Series X & PC
PROS
- Looks Good
- Plays Great on PC
- OST Has Some Bangers
- Solid Build Variety
CONS
- Controller Aim Never Feels Quite Right
- Not Enough Songs
Forgot to move the slider on this one, fixed now.
Good review…
but that score? Yikes
I hadn’t moved the slider! Should be fixed now
Yeah, that score makes more sense lol.