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What about the game?

A chance to review an old game recently remastered, a look at the original – full disclosure, I don’t have the remaster on any platform. Rogue Trooper is set in the same universe as Judge Dredd, a dystopian future shared in the 2000AD comics.

Rogue trooper right of the bat is a slick, well made game, it really took me no time at all to get in the flow of the game, it starts off with a short cut scene of the troopers invading a planet, then plonks you straight into a mini tutorial, which quickly throws you into the action. The gameplay style is that of a mix of ‘Halo’ & ‘Gears’ Type of gameplay, so most people playing this game will feel at home with the control style of the game.

Soon after playing I found that the dying troopers ‘conscience’ so to speak, in the form of a bio-chip can be added to Rogue’s weapons and equipment. Gunnar is the first one to be installed into a weapon, he will pipe up in certain situations in the game. The game offers plenty of big guns, rocket launchers and emplacements to blow big s**t up! Overall this game is pretty solid and shouldn’t be overlooked, why pay full price for a re-master (Rogue Trooper Redux) when this game is still only £5 for the Xbox OG early in 2025!

Screenshots

Summary of the game:

Rogue Trooper on the original Xbox is a third-person shooter that was released in 2006 by Rebellion Developments, based on the comic book series from 2000 AD. Here’s an overview of the game:

Setting and Story

• Setting: The game is set on Nu-Earth, a planet ravaged by perpetual war between two factions, the Norts and the Southers. The environment is harsh, with toxic atmospheres and battle-scarred landscapes.
• Story: You play as Rogue, the sole survivor of the Genetic Infantrymen (GIs), an elite squad of clones designed for combat. After the betrayal and massacre of his unit at the Quartz Zone, Rogue goes AWOL to seek revenge on the traitorous general responsible. Throughout the game, Rogue carries the bio-chips of his fallen comrades – Gunnar in his rifle, Helm in his helmet, and Bagman in his backpack – who provide him with tactical support and abilities.

Gameplay

• Mechanics:
  • Third-Person Shooter: The gameplay involves a mix of cover-based shooting, stealth, and action. Players can use the environment for cover, engage in firefights, or attempt silent takedowns.
  • Bio-Chips: Each chip grants unique abilities:
    • Gunnar enhances the rifle’s functionality, allowing it to be used as a sentry gun or with different attachments like a sniper scope or shotgun.
    • Helm provides strategic advice and can hack into enemy systems or deploy a decoy.
    • Bagman manages resources, crafting ammo, grenades, and med-kits from salvage found on the battlefield.
• Weapons and Upgrades: Rogue can upgrade his weapons using salvage, which includes options like silencers, sniper scopes, and various explosive attachments. The game also features a crafting system where players can create specific types of ammunition when needed.
• Stealth vs. Direct Combat: Players can choose their approach, either sneaking up on enemies for silent kills or engaging them directly in combat. The game supports multiple tactics to complete objectives.

Graphics and Sound

• Graphics: For its time on the original Xbox, the game was noted for its detailed environments and character models, though they were not on par with the later generation consoles. The visual design captures the comic’s aesthetic with a grim, war-torn world.
• Sound: The sound design includes realistic weapon sounds and music that fits the dark, sci-fi theme of the game. Voice acting was considered passable but not particularly noteworthy.

Reception

• Critical Reception: Rogue Trooper received mixed reviews. Critics praised its innovative use of the bio-chip system and its comic book adaptation but criticized the game for its control issues, particularly with weapon selection and cover mechanics.
• Legacy: Despite its mixed reception, it has maintained a cult following among fans of the 2000 AD comics. A remastered version, “Rogue Trooper Redux,” was released in 2017, enhancing the graphics and gameplay for modern platforms.

Overall, “Rogue Trooper” on the original Xbox offers an engaging mix of strategy, action, and narrative from a unique comic book universe, though it shows its age with some gameplay mechanics.