Robotrek

RPG fans have long been pining for games that deviate from the standard set by the ever-popular SNES pillar, Final Fantasy II. Remember the saying: Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it! Enix has been a formidable force in the RPG world, and it's tossed its sword into the ring once again with Robo Trek, a game that unsuccessfully attempts to push the envelope of its genre.

Robo Heroes

In this game, you're a young hero (what a shock) who initially has no intention of being an adventurer. As fate would have it, you end up in the middle of a war between your father, the town, and a group of nasty soldiers called the Hackers.

The story line is definitively different, but the premise is undeniably the same -- you seek fame, fortune, and higher levels for the sole purpose of saving the known universe. This time, though, instead of being a magic working, sword-wielding stud, you're a nerdy inventor who lets your robotic creations do the fighting for you.

You have up to three robots fighting your battles, each armed to the teeth with swords, bombs, guns, and axes. As you earn higher levels, you learn to create better weapons that your metal minions use to blow enemies into tinier and tinier bits.

The combat system has one major flaw. No matter how many robots you have fighting by your side, only one can take the battlefield, which often makes it easy for enemies to outnumber and overwhelm you. If your first line of defense falls, the second robot will try its hand at killing the bad guys. If the second robot can't cut the mustard, send in the third stringer!

Charge!

As your robot exerts itself in battle, it depletes its "charge", which must be replenished to 100 percent before it can attack again. The game's controls are complicated and difficult to master, so one slip of the finger can mean a wasted attack and a wasted 'bot!

By the same token, Enix slipped a number of nice touches into RT's combat system. If you defeat all your opponents before a timer expires, you earn bonus experience points, called "megs." You can also program your robot soldiers to do a variety of special attacks that use a combination of weapons. Some special attacks are literally explosive!

One of the unique qualities about this game is the main character's ability to combine items found and purchased during his travels with other objects already in his inventory to create more powerful hybrid weapons and items. However, this process involves a lot of trial and error and can become annoyingly tedious.

Give'Em the Slip

The graphics and sound on this game won't give you anything to write home about. The characters are cute little people with big heads who occasionally react to one another, and, notwithstanding the usual crashes, clatters, and background adventure music found in most RPGs, the audio is pretty standard.

Moving about in the world of RT has its ups arid downs. The ability to see enemies and avoid them eliminates the aggravation of random encounters. Unfortunately, instead of allowing you to roam freely through the countryside, the game forces you to stay on paths that open up as the plot unfolds bit by bit.

So-So Trek

Robo Trek is trying to be different, though perhaps it tries a bit too hard. For a game undoubtedly meant to make a big splash in the fantasy gaming world, the water doesn't seem to travel all that far with this one.

An RPG with an interesting twist - you must construct androids and robots to do battle with the evil 'Hackers', who have taken over your planet! Save the world and learn sound construction principles in this nifty game!

An RPG with an interesting twist - you must construct androids and robots to do battle with the evil 'Hackers', who have taken over your planet! Save the world and learn sound construction principles in this nifty game!

Another Great RPG From Enix!

You've got the keys to your dad's invention machine! Go crazy!

Create and command your own small army of robots! Create weapons, armor and items!

Explore a totally new planet and visit places in outer space! Cool...

Superior graphics and sound!

Over 35 hours of game play...

From the creators of Actraiser and Soulblazer!