Robo Pit

Let's just admit it, shall we? Robots are best when they're beating each other into Senseless puddles of scrap metal and oil. Right? Ami right? Of course I am, and like a blessing from above THQ is publishing Robo Pit, a whimsical robot war simulator. Oh yes!

The Cold War may be over, but the arms race has just begun in THQ's new game of battling robots, Robo Pit.

RP pits you in one-on-one fights against 101 mechanized opponents whose arms are laden with various weapons. Defeat an enemy robot and you get to pick one of its appendages for use in future battles. Lose a fight, however, and say farewell to one of your own arms.

Dismemberment in RP is definitely bad! You'll need a large and varied collection of limbs to move up through the ranks of robot opponents to reach the number-one spot.

When you begin RP, you're stuck with a simple selection of weapon-tipped arms: a fist, a shield and a crossbow. But as you defeat enemies and nab their limbs, your collection of arms will become more deadly and exotic. You can snap on arms that launch missiles, arms that yank your opponent toward you Scorpion style, arms tipped with razor-sharp scythes and a variety of other wild and dangerous appendages.

RP lets you design the body of your robot, too. Equip your 'bot with spring feet for extra high jumps or give it a turbocharged, wheeled torso for extra speed. A searing special attack, which comes online after you inflict a certain amount of damage to your opponent, is also included in your robot's list of standard equipment. Choose your body wisely, however, since you're stuck with the design once the battles begin.

RP's look is straight out of Jumping Flash!, with combat taking place in a small, texture-mapped arena. Like Flash, you can leap high above your opponent then pummel its head with your armored feet.

Be careful to look before you leap. Land out of the arena or in front of an enemy's attack, and you can kiss one of your arms goodbye.

This one looks like fun. Check out RP when it hits!

Sometimes all aspects of a game seem to fit so well together that you can't help but like it. Robo Pit takes a 3D game environment similar to Jumping Flash's and turns it into a one-on-one fighting arena for cutesy robots. More environments and more simultaneous CPU enemies would have definitely made Robot Pit worth more than renting. Yet its addicting, lighthearted gameplay will sway some players to buy it nonetheless.

Graphics

The 3D environments are hardly as intricate as Jumping Flash's, but the colorful, smoothly rendered robots show lots of character.

Sound

Effects like laser blasts and spring-loaded weapons are well done, even if they sound muted at times. Synthesizer tunes provide an upbeat background for the action.

Control

The various robots all move and jump fluidly, making for solid controls. Even with numerous weapons and special attacks, the game is easily learned.

Fun Factor

The gameplay is simple and slightly addicting. Players will enjoy the two-player Vs. mode and the option to create their own robots.

Refreshingly simple. Robo Pit draws you in with the basic concept of building a robot to do battle with another robot. What keeps things interesting is the ability to create hundreds of different combinations, sometimes with hilarious results.

It seems at first that the difference is superficial, but as you progress and face tougher enemies, the need to be clever in robot design becomes readily apparent. Robo Pit is best enjoyed as a two-player fun-fest, but it's still a neat distraction for one.The graphics are pretty and sound is competent, with a few memorable riffs. A trifle for some, but an obsession for others.

Graphics - 7

Sound/FX - 7

Gameplay - 8

Rating - 7