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PSP | Action | Tokobot

Boxart for Tokobot
Tokobot 15 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.0
  • SOUND: 4.0
  • CONTROL: 4.5
  • FUN FACTOR 4.5
  • AVG USER SCORE 5.0
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 3.7
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

Hands-On: Tokobot

Hands-On by Chris Morell | 11/16/2005 | 22:40:45 PM PST

Command a team of destructive mini robots in Tecmo's Tokobot for the PSP.

Not all robots delve in evil. In fact, the Tokobots in Tecmo's latest PSP venture Tokobot make nifty little puzzle-solving companions. Tokobot is, for the most part, an action-platformer with brain-teasing puzzles often intertwined. We've had our hands on it for the past few days, and are happy to report our impressions on one of the most original PSP experiences yet.

As you may not have heard much about Tokobot since E3, here's the lowdown on the story. Moritari, the once thriving, peaceful ancient civilization of mysterious technology has fallen. In its place, but unable to harness the same technological power, a new society has grown. Still intrigued by the ancient society, research on the ruins of Moritari progressed, until Bolt, a new field agent at Canewood's lab, stumbled upon six friendly, high-tech robots called Tokobots.

Because he was the first to activate the ancient robots, Bolt is the sole person that can command them. Hence, he is ordered by Canewood to take the Tokobots further into the ancient ruins in search of even more uncovered technology. It's a risky mission, but the Tokobots' interesting ability to cooperative with each other will definitely help Bolt along the way.

As previously mentioned, the game is a smooth blend of action, platforming, and puzzle-solving sequences, most of which are utilized through special Tokobot abilities and formations. Tokobots can be arranged in three basic formations: U, V, and circle, with each formation capable of its own special abilities. In formations, the Tokobots hold hands to link together and perform platforming and attack actions. For example, the Tokobots can be whipped in a straight line to form a ladder, which Bolt can climb upon to reach otherwise out of reach areas. He can also spin the Tokobots around to attack enemies, or even float down to lower areas.

There are also special joint abilities that transform the Tokobots into a bevy of useful objects, such as a giant hammer and a neat little catapult, great for taking down pesky bosses.

So far, Tokobot is quite the refreshing PSP game, and one of the few titles specifically designed for the portable, and not just a trimmed-down port. With the success of Lumines, the PSP has proven a great medium for puzzle-based play, and Tokobot makes excellent use of this. And, it ain't no walk in the park; Tokobot will force you to put on your thinking hat several times, with puzzles that will surely take a few tries to pile through.

Head on back for our full review of Tecmo's Tokobot next week.


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