I, Robot

I never played I, Robot in the arcades, discovered the game in emulation after 2000 and quite liked it even if it never felt super playable in emulation due to the lack of the correct Joystick. I am a fan of Minter since Gridrunner, not every single game from him clicks for me and I couldn't get into some of Llamasoft's later games (Space Giraffe and Akka Arkh do nothing for me) but overall I like how all the games have some kind of artistic vision. I, Robot is a more traditional take then I expected, but as Minter is known to be a great fan of the original, maybe the idea was to pay tribute by staying true to the original. The core gameplay loop is the same as in the arcades and the addition of more stages is welcome. The game has multiple background layers that if activated can be rather distracting and it becomes hard to see what is happening on screen. Again expected for a Minter game, but this time I find it more challenging to distinct back- and foreground. Maybe I am getting old :D Overall, if you like Minter or like you like I, Robot (and chances are high both is the case) this game is worth the money.

So, perhaps I'm the first player to select the Ungame FIRST! before the rest of the game. It was fun to morph the background tunnel in various ways! (That's what VJ's always do) but it would be good to have foreground objects also! (as the original Ungame had) doing some kind of creative stuff under our control. Well, I enjoyed and got confused by the main game! I guess that's the point. It is actually as much of a Puzzle title as an arcade game, I wasn't totally expecting that. We shall see what strangeness future levels hold on my next gaming session... The 3rd type of play: Arena levels, it's hard to understand what's happening, there are too many "polygon shatter" effects getting in the way? I also liked Jeff Minter's version of Polybius, which is more literally straightforward action, but I, Robot has more variety in what you must do in the levels. https://youtu.be/VxGF93D0U5A

I don't really enjoy this one. It is a very slow arcade game and the main menu controls dont work so I cant remap anything on keyboard, not sure about controller. I feel like this game would play amazingly with a trackball or mouse to speed up the gameplay or something

巨大な目を避けるコースは良かったけどその後のシューティングパートがリメイク前より気持ちよくないなー でもデザインがめっちゃ好きだから高評価不可避

"Ping, Ping,ping,Zero,....pleasure...see you next Thursday, "baaaaa!"- Excellent game, and easily worth the dosh. Looking forward to what they do next!

<3 Dave Theurer - Atari - Jaguar - VM Labs - Nuon - Jeff Minter <3

I, Robot is an arcade-style action experience developed by Llamasoft Ltd. and published by Atari that takes one of gaming history’s more unusual concepts and rebuilds it with modern technology and a bold artistic identity. Inspired by Atari’s original experimental arcade release from the 1980s, this version does not simply recreate the past. Instead, it reinterprets it through vibrant visual design, rhythmic gameplay systems, and the unmistakable creative direction associated with legendary designer Jeff Minter. The result is a game that feels nostalgic in foundation while remaining completely unconventional in execution. At its core, I, Robot revolves around movement, timing, and survival. Players control a rebellious mechanical figure attempting to overthrow an oppressive force represented by a giant all-seeing Eye. The premise sounds simple, but the mechanics quickly establish a strong gameplay rhythm built around precision and awareness. Players move across floating structures and geometric landscapes while flipping tiles and avoiding deadly observation from the Eye itself. One mistake at the wrong moment can instantly end progress, creating tension that keeps even simple actions engaging. The central gameplay loop succeeds because it relies on mastery rather than complexity. Controls remain approachable, allowing players to understand the fundamentals quickly, but true success requires practice and familiarity. Timing movement correctly becomes essential. Learning stage layouts gradually improves performance. Small improvements naturally transform into stronger runs as players begin understanding how environments function and how to manage risk more effectively. One of the game's most memorable strengths comes from presentation. Jeff Minter’s design philosophy has always embraced visual experimentation, and I, Robot fully commits to that creative approach. Environments explode with shifting colors, abstract patterns, and constantly changing visual effects. Geometry twists and pulses while particle effects flood the screen with movement and energy. Rather than aiming for realism or restraint, the game embraces sensory overload as part of its identity. That visual intensity helps create an experience that feels distinct from traditional arcade action titles. Every level carries a surreal atmosphere where the environment itself becomes part of the challenge. Stages often feel unpredictable not because mechanics constantly change, but because presentation creates a constant sense of motion and instability. The result feels almost dreamlike at times while maintaining the fast reactions and precision expected from classic arcade design. Variety also contributes heavily to long-term engagement. While tile-flipping platform sections provide the central gameplay structure, additional gameplay sequences help prevent repetition from becoming an issue. Different challenges introduce shifts in pacing that force players to adapt rather than rely entirely on one approach. Certain moments emphasize careful movement while others demand stronger reflexes and faster decision-making. The arcade structure naturally supports replayability. Like many strong score-focused games, I, Robot encourages improvement through repetition rather than progression systems built around unlocks or extensive upgrades. Stronger performance feels rewarding because success comes directly from personal growth. Early failures eventually become cleaner runs as familiarity increases and confidence develops. Audio design works exceptionally well alongside the visual direction. Music responds dynamically during gameplay, helping reinforce momentum and intensity as players perform more effectively. Sound becomes tightly connected to player actions rather than functioning purely as background atmosphere. Combined with the constantly evolving visuals, the presentation creates a surprisingly immersive arcade experience. One particularly unusual feature allows players to step away from traditional gameplay entirely and experiment more freely with audiovisual systems. Rather than focusing purely on objectives and scoring, the game occasionally encourages creativity and interaction with its artistic side. This reinforces the idea that I, Robot values expression and experimentation just as heavily as competition and mechanical mastery. The game's origins also make the modern release more interesting. The original arcade version stood out decades ago because it experimented with technology and ideas that were highly unusual at the time. This modern interpretation honors that spirit not by playing safely, but by remaining equally willing to take risks creatively. Instead of simply preserving history, it builds upon it. Of course, I, Robot will not appeal equally to every player. Those looking for heavy narrative content or large progression systems may find the arcade structure more limited than expected. The experience remains focused heavily on reaction speed, repetition, and score improvement rather than storytelling or customization. However, players who appreciate arcade design and games built around skill development will likely find substantial value in its approach. Llamasoft and Atari deliver something refreshingly confident with I, Robot. It embraces strange ideas rather than avoiding them. It pushes visual style aggressively rather than settling into familiarity. Most importantly, it understands that arcade games succeed when gameplay remains immediately engaging while offering enough depth to reward improvement. I, Robot ultimately succeeds by transforming a historically important concept into something that feels exciting and distinctive today. It captures the spirit of classic arcade design while layering it with enough personality and creativity to stand comfortably on its own. Rating: 8/10

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