Robotech: Invasion

In the 21st century, humankind was freed from the confines of the solar system through the discovery of an alien technology known as Robotech. Contact with the stars also brought war with the Invid, a race of parasitic aliens bent on conquering and transforming the Earth into their new home world.

Released: 5 October 2004
Platforms: PlayStation 2 Xbox
Genres: Adventure First-person shooter Shooter
Developers: Vicious Cycle Software
Publishers: 2K Play
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: First person
Themes: Action Science fiction
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB T
Composers: Jesper Kyd

About

Robotech: Invasion is a 2004 first-person shooter video game set in the Invid Invasion era of the Robotech saga, itself based in the Japanese anime series Genesis Climber Mospeada. Developed by Vicious Cycle Software and published by Global Star (following parent company Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of TDK Mediactive, which published Robotech: Battlecry).

Keywords

aliens
post-apocalyptic
mech
robots
ancient advanced civilization technology

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Development

The second Robotech game produced by Vicious Cycle focuses on the universe as depicted in Robotech: The New Generation series. Instead of the distinctive, cell-shaded style of Battlecry, Invasion has a 3D textured graphic look. As with Robotech: Battlecry, Invasion used a number of the original Robotech voice cast to reprise their old roles for cameos and voice many of the new characters introduced in the game.

During production of the Robotech game several unused mecha and armor designs from the original Japanese series, which can be found in an artbook called The Imai Files, were used or served as inspiration for new designs.

Reception

Compared to Robotech: Battlecry, Robotech: Invasion was a critical disappointment, receiving "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Electronic Gaming Monthly called it "pretty dull, even for a first-person shooter." GameSpot said, "the game's single-player campaign still suffers from the same bland gameplay and mission design that plagued its predecessor."