Tokobot

Every now and again a game lands on my desk that I have absolutely no pre-conceptions about, indeed I'd only heard about this game days before thanks to a phone call from a rather enthusiastic PR guy. 'I think you're really going to enjoy this, it's really original'. While it's true Tokobot doesn't follow your usual shooter, driving, arcade etc route it certainly borrows heavily from the 80's puzzler and titles such as Lemmings, Baldies and even Dinolympics (on the Atari Lynx) spring to mind. The big difference here, of course, is that these were simple 2D affairs whilst the latest offerings are almost exclusively 3D but while, all those years ago, we all craved for a more deeper, multi-dimensional experience is the reality as good as we imagined. Read on and see...

Tokobots are a group of rather basic robots that are at your absolute disposal during this latest adventure puzzler from Temco. You play the role of Bolt, a quick-thinking 16-year-old agent whose only mission is to track down Fule in order to stop him overthrowing the current government. Once you've mastered this rather elaborate plot you'll quickly discover that this is a puzzler with simple combat elements with the Tokobots at your side every step of the way. This is because they are essential to your success and although you start out with only four this number will both increase and decrease during the game. Your first use for the Tokobots is simply navigating the landscape with as little as four of the bots able to form both bridges and ladders. In addition to this there's the combat and whether you select to 'spin' or 'throw' your Tokobots they are generally successful in slaying one of the numerous foes lurking around the various worlds.

Where Tokobots really come into their own though is their unique ability to transform in order to tackle problems, which are otherwise off limits. Before you do this though you'll need to collect both components, which are just about everywhere and slates, which provide the blueprint for the transformation. These range from the very practical such as changing into a crane to solve block puzzles, to the bizarre when you suddenly find yourself as a train speeding down a disused mine-track. It is pleasing to see that the developers have attempted something unique though even if it doesn't always work as it should. Extended gameplay is provided by the Time Attack mode but this is simply more of the same and to be honest once you have completed the game you are unlikely to re-visit it.

Visually Tokobot is pleasing but never outstanding. Although historically this is not usually an issue, now the PSP's untapped power makes it one. The problems are mostly due to repetition - once you've done one cave ruins you've done them all. There are highlights though and the Kingdom of Krank Belt is particularly impressive thanks to its well-designed architecture and lighting effects. The draw distance is reasonably impressive too although this is never really put to the test due to the level designs. Finally here (and a constant problem with 3D games of any description) the camera angles are rather temperamental and whilst they can be moved, they never appear to behave when you most need them to - obscuring your Tokobots and making the odd pixel perfect jump a great deal more challenging.

The audio elements are a little mixed really but at the same time incredibly hard to criticize. While all the various pieces of the soundtrack are very well composed they seem to have no link at all to the on-screen action and during the game we were 'treated' to the rather overused Japanese Pop and to an even more confusing Tango styled track. Like we said, well composed, just entirely misplaced. The sound effects are much better with everything from breaking glass to exploding robots sounding good. Shame they couldn't have been a little more selective with the music really.

The control presents a somewhat steep learning curve initially, which is surprising given the limited abilities of your Tokobots. Problems do present themselves though when you are required to say, form a bridge with not enough Tokobots at your disposal. To achieve this you'll need to throw your Tokobots whilst also jumping but this requires such pixel perfect precision you're still not convinced that you are approaching the task in the in correct manner, even after ten or twenty attempts. The rest of the game is pretty straightforward and it's generally clear when to use a given formation, combat move or gadget. Most of this is due to the rather helpful first/tutorial level but, as we've indicated, it doesn't cover everything.

Whatever genre of game you are used to you'll quickly discover that Tokobot both delights and frustrates in equal measures but finally working through some of the tougher problems is always very satisfying. All this, of course, is only once you've overcome the particularly steep learning curve thanks to a mixture of moves, gadgets, combinations and lots of text. It's also unfair on occasion, and some sections are filled with a collection of tricky puzzles and jumps only to be rounded off with a boss battle. All criticism aside though, this is a welcome addition to the PSP library and offers something a little different from the constant sequels and ports.

By Andrew Blanchard

Review Round-Up

IGN: 7.5
“PSP gamers yearning for both unique game experiences and classic platforming challenges, Tokobot slips into both roles and does its job well.”

GameSpot: 8.2
“Tokobot is a charming and entertaining platformer, and its only major setback is that there isn't more of it to go around.”

GameSpy: 5.0
“Tecmo's Tokobot for the PSP satisfies one of man's most basic desires: to command a legion of kick-ass, yet still diminutive and cute, automatons. It's one part adventure and one part wish fulfillment, with only reality getting in the way of what should be a sublime experience.”

GamePro: 9.0
“Tokobot emerges as one of the few original titles on the PSP, and is more fun than a barrel of monkeys--er, robots.”

Aggregate Rating: 7.6