We are staring the release of Valve’s Portal 2 right in the face, and many of us are prepared to “have fun with science”. It is in honor of this anticipated sequel that I’ve decided to take a look back on some other creations of science in the gaming universe. After all, robots are people too; people with mechanical parts and artificial intelligence as opposed to actual intelligence. That makes sense, right? Well, I thought so. Why don’t we begin with a blast from the past:
10. Marina Liteyears (Mischief Makers – N64)
Marina is quite the rare breed in gaming; not only is she a non-sexualized female lead but she is a robot maid as well. Mischief Makers was a fun and detailed game ahead of its time and the likeable lead is a big reason for such success. The entirety of Marina’s offense revolved around grabbing things and somehow making it into a weapon. Some objects were obvious enough; missiles, guns, etc. Other more obscure items have to be shaken in order to realize its usefulness. Even enemies were not off limits as far as what she could get her hands on and bend to her will. Marina is the definition of loyal as the reasons for her misadventures are always to rescue her employer, Professor Theo. Her dedication leads her to victory against colorful and creative bosses Lunar a.k.a Cerberus Alpha, Taurus a.k.a Sasquatch Beta, and Merco a.k.a Phoenix Gamma; collectively known as “The Beastector”.
9. Claptrap (Borderlands – 360/PS3)
Claptrap starts out as your lovable tour guide on wheels upon getting off the bus in Borderlands. A little more witty and coherent with his vocal output then other robots on this list, this little guy serves as much comic relief throughout the game. We soon find out that there is more than one Claptrap, and many of them are part of find and repair quests when venturing into caves, towns, etc. Though optional, if you choose to repair any malfunctioning Claptraps (and cease their dramatic rambling goodbyes to the world) they will reward you by opening up an area previously unreachable that is rich with loot. Known more for his words then his actions, Clappy is almost like your unofficial sidekick; I mean he doesn’t follow you around or help you fight or anything, but he’ll never turn on you or try to kill you! Wait…no, that isn’t right either. Ah to hell with that, even in robot revolution how can you hate this mouthy bucket of bolts and humor?
8. M-308 Gunner (Metal Storm – NES)
Who can forget about Metal Storm? This gravity bending side-scrolling NES classic starred a little mech that could, the M-308 Gunner who single handedly took on a battalion of enemies. Throughout the game you could acquire power-ups to your weapons, but only one at a time could be activated. The silent robotic protagonist could engulf his body in flames, generate a shield to protect him from damage, enhance his projectile size and power, or wipe out an entire screen’s worth of enemies with a bomb. The most notable feature is of course the ability to shift the gravitational pull around you. If the Gunner is walking on the floor and the enemy on the ceiling, a simple shift will reverse both of their positions; not just the player’s. Much of the stage designs require tactical usages of this feature in order to get by certain obstacles, all while taking on hordes of baddies from all directions.
7. Aigis (Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3)
Aigis is an android created by Mitsuru’s father’s company, the Kirijo Group, in Persona 3. Her prime directive is to destroy shadows, and proves to be a very useful party member when exploring Tartarus. Aside from a strong general defense (and later the ability to nullify certain physical attacks altogether) and powerful ballistics based attacks, Aigis is amongst the most lifelike robots in all of gaming. She speaks in a staccato manner, but she easily passes for human when outfitted in a school uniform and enrolled so she can be close to the main character at all times in case of trouble. Throughout the game, she seems to learn more and more from being around the SEES members and even begins to develop a dynamic personality of her own. Aigis eventually shows signs of emergent emotions as well, questioning her purpose at certain points and even challenging the nature of her relationship to SEES by proclaiming her desire to stand by everyone’s side, as opposed to doing so because she had to. Exploring the possibilities of technology, or synthetic blasphemy? Aigis’s human like features can be perceived either way; regardless, she still knows how to put Shadows down for the big sleep.
6. R.O.B (NES Mascot/Super Smash Brother’s Brawl – Wii/ et al.)
R.O.B, or Robotic Operating Buddy, is one of the most recognizable robots in gaming. He started off as an accessory to theNintendo Entertainment System, compatible with all of two games; Gyromite and Stack-Up. Soon after the console’s release in 1985, he was driven into obscurity after wavering in his conventional usage and the gaming movement continued without the little guy. As time went on the good people over at Nintendo never forgot about their creation, inserting him in character form into many future games. Mostly cameos, R.O.B can be seen in such games as Pikmin 2 and Viewtiful Joe. He got his breakout appearance in the popular Nintendo fighter mash-up, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, as a playable character. Needless to say, R.O.B could totally kick Wall-E’s garbage crushing ass.
5. Metal Gear Mk.II (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – PS3)
The Mk.II is Old Snake’s little robotic companion that spend nearly as much time in the game as Snake himself. The mini-metal gear serves quite a few purposes as Snake’s sidekick. It can carry objects for Snake and make deliveries between him and Otacon. It is also a form of communication, as the Mk.II is equipped with a screen that flips out in video camera fashion. It can also be used as a scout, showing up in Snake’s item inventory. The player takes control of the bot and can explore an area ahead of Snake in stealth mode to not to be detected, and even use a metal coil to electrocute enemies rendering them temporarily unconscious. Just don’t let the poor thing get abused, or else you’ll get an earful from your support about mistreating the equipment. After all, this isn’t some outfitted car that James Bond destroys in every movie.
4. Legion (Mass Effect 2 – 360/PS3/PC)
His name is Legion, for he is many. Legion is a Geth that has been programmed with over a thousand Geth artificial intelligences. More importantly, he is a recruitable party member in Mass Effect 2. Any ME fan knows the significance of a synthetic joining with humans; but for those who do not, the Geth are a dangerous robotic army who served as one of the main opposing forces in the first Mass Effect. They were seemingly mindless and resolute in their hostility, but in actuality the Geth have a complex collective intelligence and a detailed history both before and after achieving sentience. Legion sheds a lot of light in his conversations with Shepard on these points thanks to his much more advanced A.I and ability to still tap in to the main Geth network. Legion alone opens up an entire section of knowledge on the most obscure race in the ME universe at one time. Easily told apart from other Geth in physical appearance, Legion attempted a self-repair prior to his meeting with Shepard using pieces of an N7 armor. He is a skilled sniper and naturally, an engineering wiz. Admittedly, I always felt a little uneasy having a Geth aboard the Normandy; but all was good as long as he didn’t annihilate our favorite cutesy Quarian, Tali.
3. Robo (Chrono Trigger – SNES)
The RPG genre’s flagship robot with the unimaginative name, but equipped with a heart of gold…no wait, I meant to say rocket arms and laser beams. Robo joins Chrono and crew upon being repaired by geek icon Lucca in 2300 A.D, when he realizes he has no recollection of his directive programming. At first Robo might seem like a space filler of a party member to showcase some cool attacks, but his story is much deeper than that. Originally created to observe human behavior by a computer who seeks the destruction of humankind, he was originally dubbed Prometheus (we knew Robo couldn’t really be his name, but then again who honestly calls Red XIII Nanaki?). Our technologically advanced pal however wanted nothing to do with such an insidious plot, and continued to use his “magic” mimicry skills to fight the good fight! As awesome as Gato the singing and dancing robot is, Robo takes the title of lead metal man in Chrono Trigger.
2. KOS-MOS (Xenosaga Series– PS2)
This blue haired bombshell gnosis wrecking machine is the face of Namco’s Xenosaga series. Human like in appearance but comprised of mechanical parts and nanomachines, KOS-MOS provides the strongest and most effective attacks in battle against Gnosis enemies. She uses a pair of oversized gatling gun and fire rays of blue energy from her abdominals. While Shion and other party members must rely on piloting their mechs for battling certain enemies, KOS-MOS is well equipped to take on any foe as she is. The most interesting feature of KOS-MOS is the aura of mystique surrounding her stability. Calm and even for the majority of the time, she has a history of losing control and becomes capable of dealing massive damage indiscriminately. A possible kindred spirit to Aigis, mentioned earlier on this list, KOS-MOS also begins to showcase evolutions in her primary programming at times showing a more human like side when her eyes turn blue. In this state, she diverts from her usual monotone style of logic and analytical reasoning. This sexy synthetic comes close to topping this list, but the actual number 1 is hard to deny.
-Mega Man (Mega Man Series – Multi)
As if there was any doubt over who would be topping this list? No of course not. The blue bomber has starred in dozens of titles and never seems to have a shortage of robot masters to demolish, or different powers to assimilate. With his trusty robotic pooch sidekick Rush, Mega Man has made Dr. Wily look foolish more times than Cutman has cried over his animate show ineptitude. No other selection on this list can claim a legacy which spans multiple decades with several spin offs from the initial classic series.Not only did Mega Man run his own side-scrolling series, but he broke through the height barrier for Capcom’s big crossover fighter, Marvel vs. Capcom 2. I mean so did Roll I suppose, but apparently robots who clean out your fireplaces and dust your shelves aren’t as well received as ones who can freeze you in time, then fire a huge clump of dust at you; go figure.
Post contributed by Matt J. Randisi. Questions for the author? Send an email to Mjrandisi@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SaveUsMatt.
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