The full name of this Datamost epic is Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory, but it could be subtitled Bounty Bob Meets Lee Iacocca or Auto Worker 2049er. The game play is a direct ripoff of Miner 2049er - cover all the ground on each screen, eat energizers and annihilate aliens. There are three important improvements, though, which make Mr. Robot a standout by itself. First of all, you get 22 screens. Second, you can start at any screen you choose. Third, and most important, is the Robot Factory section of the game. This enables you to build your own screens and save them to disk.
There are loads of nifty devices in Mr. Robot which guarantee it will hold interest for innumerable plays. In addition to your basic platform and such familiar components as ladders, fire poles and escalators, you also have moving conveyors, transporters (they work like the teleporters that have come to replace elevators in the fully-equipped prime commercial space of 2049er) and my own personal favorite, the trampoline. You've also got levels constructed of bombs which blow you sky high if you linger. And did I mention the magnets?
All of these elements can be used when you build your own screens. Simply select the icon of your choice, grab it with the fire button, and either "stamp" or "paint" it - that lets you run a platform or ladder the length or height of the screen in one easy fluid motion of the joystick. You can test your screen, edit what you've done, and then save it to disk.
As with Miner, the tougher screens can only be completed when you tackle them in the right way. Otherwise you'll zap yourself into a corner. Unlike Miner, however, Mr. Robot lets you start wherever you choose. This is a huge improvement and one that ought to be incorporated into every similar multi-screen game. It's always seemed unfair to me that after you shell out all the money for a computer game, you can't see the thing all the way through unless you're willing to sacrifice hour upon hour perfecting your skill. Depending on what line of work you're in, figuring your time on an hourly basis that $30 game could end up costing you thousands.
The graphics are colorful but a little sketchy, probably to save memory for all the amazing things you can do in the Factory. No stinting with the music, though. Credited to Music by Paradise (a couple of composer / programmers in Hawaii), the theme to Mr. Robot is the greatest piece of original video game music since Shark, Shark. Greater, even. And longer. Except for the first shipment of disks which was rushed to market before the title screen was done, the music backs up some terrific animation of Mr. R. strutting his stuff on a conveyor belt. Automation never looked so good.
On the trampoline screen, go for the long leap. |