8Bit/Digi

A Classic Homage Returns

When it comes to the mecha genre, my first introduction came through Mobile Suit Gundam Wing and Robotech on Toonami. These series became a gateway to both mecha anime and video games. While the concept has existed as long as anime itself, it was a completely different genre prior to the original Mobile Suit Gundam. This was thanks to the super robot anime format that featured superheroes saving the world with their mechs. Titles like Getter Robo and Mazinger Z were staples of the era and influenced a generation of writers and artists.

That is the experience 70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X wants to recapture while introducing mecha fans like myself to the classics. Originally released for the PlayStation in 1999, the title has been remastered for PC and modern consoles. Even though it has all the hallmarks of a quality remaster, it still carries the charm of both a super robot anime and a ’90s shoot ’em up.

Welcome to 197X

It is 197X, and the Cosmic Demon Empire has begun its invasion of Earth, starting with Japan. Outgunned and overwhelmed, all hope seemed lost. That is, until Dr. Kureishi launched the Geppy-X, a giant battle robot he built in secret to protect humanity. Players take control of humanity’s last hope and fly into battle against the forces of the Cosmic Demon Empire in a fight to save the world.

70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X is structured like the anime that inspired it. Each level plays like an episode, where players battle enemy forces followed by a boss. When the battle ends, the sinister General Hisser sends out another minion with a special weapon in hopes of defeating the Space Robotics Team. The blend of anime cutscenes, a soundtrack that transports you to the past, and fake commercials in between creates the feeling of watching a super robot anime from the ’70s.

Standing Strong

70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X is a fast paced side-scrolling shooter with improved controls and upgraded visual design. Players control one of three battle robots that can be swapped at any time during combat based on the situation or personal preference. Each battle robot is based on a familiar design while carrying its own attack style and special attacks. Which one you choose is entirely up to you. Combat has you blasting through waves of enemy forces as you push through each stage. At the end of every level, you face the main boss. Overall, the gameplay is what you would expect from a shoot’em up title in all the right ways, as it keeps the familiar setup while being a unique experience.

Borrowing elements often seen in restored / remastred titles published by Limited Run Games, players are given options that make the experience easier. Gamers can rewind when they make a mistake or apply a poor strategy against a boss. They can also save at any time instead of waiting to complete a stage to preserve their progress. It may sound unnecessary, but these options go a long way.

Back from the Dead

The original 70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X is one of those games the development team did not have to put this much effort into, but they did anyway, and you have to love them for it. This is a game that recreates every aspect of watching a giant super robot anime from the 1970s, before Mobile Suit Gundam changed the genre. It pulls this off through anime cutscenes and a soundtrack that fit the era, while the entire game is structured like a full season of a show. In between, you get fake commercials for fake tie-in products, adding an extra layer of immersion. All of this works together to create the experience of a super robot anime in the form of a shoot ’em up.

All of that has been enhanced by this remaster, which polishes the visual and audio details while preserving the aesthetics. It still carries the charm of a ’70s anime without being held back by the limitations of the PlayStation, and it fully utilizes modern hardware. Another aspect that cannot be overlooked is how many more people can finally experience it. Given the original was a Japan-only title, gamers in the West can now discover this cult classic for the first time. With how popular anime has become and how easy it is to access, players can either go in with an appreciation for the classics or use this game as a gateway to find them.

Where the game falls short is in how clunky the controls can feel at times, especially in the heat of an intense battle. Compared to other times I have encountered this problem, this is not an issue that gets noticed right away. It is one you will miss at first, up until the combat gets intense. But when it happens, the clunkiness becomes hard to ignore. There are also countless examples of actions being set up in a redundant manner or not responding to input properly. Turning around does not happen through movement but by pressing a button, making it a redundant control option. Switching robots can also take longer than it should, and sometimes the swap comes too late. Plus, this is not an issue I should encounter in a shoot’em up, as it undermines the overall experience.

Save the World

70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X recaptures what it was like growing up watching mecha anime in the ’70s. The original game went above and beyond to take a shoot ’em up and turn it into a unique experience, from the anime cutscenes to a fleshed out story that anyone who grew up watching super robot anime will instantly recognize. The remaster enhances the audio and visual quality while introducing it to a world far more familiar with the genre than it was in the ’90s.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent news outlet that provides insightful reviews for Bay Area Gamers.

70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X (PC)

8

Excellent

8.0/10

Pros

• Audio and visual upgrades are noticeable as they utilize modern hardware.
• A homage to the super robot anime’s of the 70s.
• A new generation can experience this cult classic that was only released in Japan.
• It went above and beyond with the cutscenes and fake commercials while also having a classic story.

Cons

• Controls can feel clunky at times and become an issue during intense moments.