Solatorobo: Red the Hunter

 DS
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40
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  1. Destructoid
    Oct 3, 2011
    40
    Why settle for this shallow, repetitive interactive adaptation?
  2. GameCritics
    Jan 23, 2012
    30
    There were interesting ideas-and a very pretty opening video-but everything about Solatorobo felt…flat.

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best DS Game of 2011
19
#19 Most Discussed DS Game of 2011
12
#12 Most Shared DS Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 41
  3. Negative: 3 out of 41
  1. BraceHare
    Jul 12, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Really shines in creating a vibrant and engrossing world. The characters themselves are pretty standard archetypes for the genre, furry status notwithstanding, but done reasonably well; they always seem like they're acting in accordance with their own motivations and the world they live in, instead of doing things because other similar characters from other works would have, so in that respect despite being unoriginal they are still very solid characters.

    As for the story, I really loved the 11th hour reveal defining the origins of the world. A lot of people I know hated it; it is indeed largely "superfluous"; however, it is a clever twist which adds to the weight of the game's messages (and it does have several, although they are pretty minimal and conventional and easy to miss). It also explains much, perhaps some of it not actually needing explaining. As I said at the beginning of this review though, the main strength of the game is its world, and the reveal at the end is an extension of that.

    As for gameplay: the mechanics are developed and smooth, but the difficulty curve is nonexistent, and the game holds your hand in many ways that can get annoying over time. This game is very much not recommended if you're solely or mostly interested in complex, engaging gameplay. It falls closer to interactive story than it does to game in many senses, so if that's not your bag, then go ahead and skip it, but you will be missing out on getting to explore a very unique and interesting world.

    A minor nitpick goes to the bizarre flourishes of homophobia and transphobia displayed by the protagonist and partly the game itself, including a gay man who is constantly making Red uncomfortable by flirting with him, and a main character who dresses and looks male while being biologically female. This second item is particularly bizarre because it comes as a big reveal complete with Red chastising her for "deceiving" him, but is then suddenly and completely dropped from the story, with the character in question starting to wear female stereotypical clothing. It almost feels like, in an otherwise ruthlessly consistent and well developed game world, there was a brainstorming session where some upper level boss went "wouldn't it be hilarious if...?", and it just sort of got shoehorned into the game.

    I deeply enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in any of the main underlying aesthetics/genres (steampunk, furry, mecha, etc) as well as anyone interested in experiencing a unique world. I tend to enjoy games more for their world than anything else though, and your mileage may vary. Kind of wish there was merchandise available for the game stateside, I would totally buy a wall scroll.    … Full Review »
  2. SanctuaryCat
    Jan 9, 2015
    8
    Solotorobo is a fantastically original Action RPG. You play as red, an anthropomorphic dog who rides a mech-like robot. The game revolvesSolotorobo is a fantastically original Action RPG. You play as red, an anthropomorphic dog who rides a mech-like robot. The game revolves around the robots main function: lifting. You lift enemies and throw them in the air, and then juggle them til they die. You can catch projectiles and use them against the enemies. It is admittedly a limited set of skills, but what it lacks in action it certainly makes up for in charm. It has a lovely art style, great story, fun side quests and even a Mario Kart style racing minigame. There's lots to collect from music to photos and the customisation of you robot via a tetris style grid is fun to try to optimise at each stage of the game. A lovely addition to any DS collection.… Full Review »
  3. PabloEnver
    Jun 21, 2023
    7
    Lo mejor del juego sin duda son los gráficos y el diseño artístico, que es una delicia. El problema es el gameplay, que se queda a medias enLo mejor del juego sin duda son los gráficos y el diseño artístico, que es una delicia. El problema es el gameplay, que se queda a medias en todo. Combate demasiado simple para ser un juego de acción, elementos RPG demasiado escasos para el género, pocos puzzles para ser un juego de puzzles, pocas plataformas para un plataformas... está en tierra de nadie y hubiera sido interesante decantarse por algo en lugar de hacerlo todo a medio gas.

    Por lo demas es decente, la música es buena y la historia es normalita, nada que no se haya visto antes, pero cumple.    … Full Review »
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