A Robot Named Fight! | Switch Review

May 14, 2018June 7, 2018 Scott Clark

I’ve only somewhat recently become a fan of roguelikes. A few years ago, I discovered The Binding of Isaac and, shortly after, Rogue Legacy, both of which I spent countless hours of gameplay on. The formula clicked with me in a way I wasn’t expecting, which is why I was excited to try A Robot Named Fight! from Matt Bittner Games. Originally on PC, Mac, and Linux, the game recently found a home on the Nintendo Switch. Although it suffers from some risk vs. reward mechanics (which according to the developer are in the process of being patched), it’s a great experience for fans of the genre or a certain Nintendo franchise.

The story is very simple. A massive alien orb has descended upon the planet. You play as an anonymous robot on a mission to rid your world from the meat-like creatures that have come from this giant mass floating above your planet. As expected with games of this type, you will die often and respawn as a fresh robot to make another attempt.

Fans of Super Metroid should feel right at home with A Robot Named Fight!. The gameplay, weapons, map, and even the soundtrack are very reminiscent of the beloved classic. The difference here is that the world is procedurally generated every time you play. The game boasts up to four billion unique runs, which is impressive for a $12.99 title. As you play, you’ll earn achievements for killing a certain number of enemies or even defeating a mini-boss for the first time. These achievements unlock available weapons and armor for subsequent runs, making your next try a bit easier.

Additionally, the game offers four different currencies that can be found throughout the world. Some are more rare than others, but all can be used for a variety of purposes. The obvious use is shops, which are scattered in random places on each run. Here you can purchase even better upgrades that last until your next death.

Another use for these currencies lies within rooms called shrines. These areas house a different god in each one that asks for an offering. You have the option to give any combination of the four currencies, and you will either be rewarded or punished. Although there’s supposed to be a “tell” from each god as to the recipe they will appreciate, I was not able to figure it out on my own. Because of this, I wound up avoiding the shrines altogether for fear of draining my resources or making my run more difficult. While I appreciate the addition of a puzzle element in a game such as this, I found the solutions a bit obtuse.

That aside, A Robot Named Fight! is still a fantastic experience for fans of roguelikes. Bittner has nailed the “one more run” mentality quite well. Even though you feel very powerless at the beginning of each run, building your way back up feels great. Discovering new bosses and items keeps the gameplay exciting and familiar at the same time. The best part is that skilled players can complete a run in 60-90 minutes. While that might not sound like a selling point, this is a game designed for repeated playthroughs. Hardcore players will find plenty of difficult achievements to attempt, prolonging the longevity of the game.

A Robot Named Fight! Final Verdict

A Robot Named Fight! is an easy recommendation for fans of either roguelikes or Metroidvanias. I would even venture to say that Metroid fans who haven’t tried the genre might find a perfect entry point. There’s quite a bit of depth beneath the retro look of this game, and it’s very much appreciated.

This review is based of of a Nintendo Switch review copy provided by Matt Bitner Games and Novy Unlimited for coverage purposes.