Robots at Midnight Review
Release Date: June 19, 2025 (August 28, 2025 on PS5)
Publisher/Developer: Finish Line Games/Snail Games USA
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, Steam, PS5 (reviewed)
Price: $19.99
Imagine if the humans had returned to Earth, but the army of Wall-E robots they left behind had turned evil and formed gangs.
Robots at Midnight sees players thrust into the shoes of the scrappy Zoe, in this retro-futuristic action-RPG, as she searches for answers about her past on the ruined luxury planet of Yob while bashing through the robots that once served it.
Story
After 20 years of cryo-sleep, Zoe has awakened on a strange and unfamiliar world. We learn of an intense cataclysmic event known as “The Blackout”, that once hit the Planet of Yob. This “blackout” had an effect on many of the machines and robots that once helped run things. As you explore the world, relics and scenes of the past can still be seen. Yob was a luxury planet where many valuable resources were mined but also a flourishing tourist destination with popular locations such as its own “arcade”, campgrounds, monorail, and many more. But now, both nature and machine have worked together to claim these areas for their own.
The planet of Yob holds many secrets that can be discovered through pure exploration. And there will be plenty of time to explore, as Zoe quickly gains a personal mission that will draw her further and further into the world. Her missing father is somewhere out there. Just as it felt like the primary goal would be survival, the game sends players into a full-on rescue mission. Just make sure you are indoors before midnight.
Characters
For a lifeless and uninhabited planet, Yob is surprisingly full of life. Truthfully the cold and heartless machines show more emotion than the human protagonist. If done by design, then this genius. Most NPCs, to no surprise, are robots. Some like the mysterious Doug (seen in the picture above), act as central characters that share information on the planet and “The Blackout” while providing helpful upgrades and services.
Phlite, a witty AI companion droid, acts as emotional support. There is a new role appearing in many video games. We see this in the form of small companions given to player characters to make vast open worlds, especially more barren ones, feel less lonely. Phlite succeeds in this role, while also acting as connection to Zoe’s past prior to her cryo-freeze.
The last interesting group of characters to speak on are the enemies. Each level/area sees the player facing off with different groups of machines with their own design and combat style. Throughout the world you can see a cacophony of graffiti and tags marking the scenery that cuts through the sea of greenery, stone, and metal with bursts of color. The enemy bots have formed gangs, each with their own goals in mind as they also fight to survive.
Gameplay
While advertised as an action-RPG, Robots at Midnight plays more like a beginner friendly Soulslike. Each movement and action must be balanced with a draining stamina bar, and “campfires” litter the map acting as healing checkpoints and fast travel locations. There are two difficulties. Hero Mode focuses on story and exploration, making it great for players new to those Soulslike mechanics, while Master Mode presents a true test of strategy and reflexes. Defeating enemies will cause them to drop resources, also be found in chests, that can be used to upgrade weapons, armor, and stats at workbenches.
The most unique gameplay element though, is the M.I.T.T. (Mobile. Impulse. Traversal. Technology). This powerful gauntlet is a key mechanic to both traversal and combat. It acts as an all-purpose Swiss army knife. While it is fun to swing around barbaric oversized swords make out of scarps, the M.I.T.T adds layers of flavor. It can be used to produce super-powered punches, pistol-like laser beams, electromagnetic shockwaves, and added propulsion that is great for dodging and reaching out of the way areas.
Overall
Cons:
-Player character shows little emotion
-Felt too short with a rushed ending (beat in 7 hours)
- Obstacles such as ladders were hard to interact with
-Small resources would easily get lost in scenery
- Movement felt robotic and clunky until late game
Pros:
-Story that keeps driving the player forward
- Fantastic detail in world building through dialogue and scenery
- Unique game mechanics that work well together
-Great soundtrack that adds to the atmosphere and art style
