Roboquest (PS5) Review: Roguelite Shooter Provides Endless Thrills

At this point in the generation, there’s no shortage of roguelikes and roguelites on PlayStation 5, so a game has to be either unique or great to stand out from the crowd. Thankfully for Roboquest, RyseUp Studios’ shooter fits both criteria as it’s a refreshing first-person shooter with plenty of charm and fun weaponry that will keep you entertained for hours on end. It’s a game I checked out on PC, and it’s only gotten better since I last played, thanks to the meaningful content updates it has received that are all included in the console port.

What really makes Roboquest such a special shooter is how polished and fun its core combat loop is. There’s a wide array of fun weapons that can be upgraded, so each run is fun, no matter if you’re using your favorite gun or something new. There are some ridiculous weapons that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Ratchet and Clank game, and just a lot of style in general — such as the little comic book-style on-screen sound effects for when you’re firing the dual Uzis. It all comes together to create a fast-paced shooter where you’re constantly moving and blowing up evil machinery.

Roboquest isn’t an overly punishing roguelite, although it’s still quite the challenge. There are multiple difficulty options, and you can even play with a friend in co-op play if you’d like someone to assist your run. You’re also consistently unlocking persistent upgrades for classes and upgrading your base camp, so you are regularly having a better shot at getting to the final boss. The game really comes together once you’ve experimented and settled on a play style, as there are several different classes to choose from and builds you can implement.

Randomized levels can lead to mixed results for a lot of games, but Roboquest has a nice balance of what is randomized and pre-placed. My runs never got frustrating due to the level design — and there’s a helpful map as well — and you’re rewarded for exploring the levels fully too, as you’ll want to keep leveling up to gain new perks if you want a shot at the later bosses. These end-of-level fights wind up being a real highlight, especially once the catchy soundtrack starts blasting and the fights get intense, as you have to really learn the patterns and stay on your toes throughout. It also helps that the bosses have some wonderful visual designs, which help them stand out from the more standard and ho-hum robot baddies that you destroy hundreds of in each stage.

It’s also a great time for PlayStation gamers to be getting Roboquest. The console version includes two major updates that previously came out on PC — the Super and Endless updates that add in additional trophies as well. There’s really a ridiculous amount of content in the game now, including an endless mode — helping make my headline not hyperbole. It really feels like a complete and fully realized shooter now, and its late arrival on PlayStation makes it all the more satisfying experience for newcomers.

Roboquest (PS5) Review: Final Verdict

Roboquest is filled with great ideas and is one of the most refreshing shooters in recent years. With no shortage of interesting guns and upgrades, it’s a roguelite that you’ll keep going back to. I’ll certainly be coming back thanks to its massive replayability, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming PlayStation VR2 version, which will certainly be a wild trip.

Disclosure: The publisher provided a digital copy for our Roboquest PS5 review. Reviewed on version 1.003.000.

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