Solatorobo: Red the Hunter

 DS
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
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  1. BraceHare
    Jul 12, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand 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.    … Expand
  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 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 itSolotorobo 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.… Expand
  3. Ragnar_san
    Feb 13, 2023
    10
    Un juegazo de mecas que es simple en el combate pero con una historia genial y bien llevada
  4. EmuGame218
    Jun 1, 2023
    8
    Solatorobo is the most controversial entry in the little tail bronx series.
    This game is both a cartoony platformer with a strong emphasis on action and a Japanese RPG with a Xenogears level storyline.
    Anthropomorphic cute dogs from children's cartoons intersect with human gods from naruto fillers who want to wreak genocide on the canine and feline races with an Evangelion aesthetic. In    Solatorobo is the most controversial entry in the little tail bronx series.
    This game is both a cartoony platformer with a strong emphasis on action and a Japanese RPG with a Xenogears level storyline.
    Anthropomorphic cute dogs from children's cartoons intersect with human gods from naruto fillers who want to wreak genocide on the canine and feline races with an Evangelion aesthetic.
    In terms of gameplay, it's a mix of dodgeball, with tons of mini-games like fishing, Mario kart, arena fighting, levitation platforming, all set against the backdrop of some amazing boss fights in the main Zelda puzzle story.
    But, it is worth moving on to additional missions, as the game makes us work as a loader, cleaner, insect fighter.
    The main undeniable plus of solatorobo is that they combine the soulfulness of Game Boy Advance and PSP.
    When Hiroshi was making this game, he wanted to please absolutely everyone, to make it so that every audience would be able to grasp it. He dreamed of making a dream game.
    But in the end the game turned out just really good. This game has not been able to conquer the masses.    … Expand
  5. 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 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 interesanteLo 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.    … Expand
  6. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 1, 2023
    7
    An enjoyable hotchpotch of ingredients in this arcade-RPG hybrid with a fun storyline, funky graphics and added robot customisation for mech fans. Progression is a little easy but it's consistently entertaining.
  7. Nebara
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Es la OBRA MAGNA de Nintendo DS,
    Jugué a este juego cuando apenas tenía 13 años, y me pareció una obra increíble, me mantuvo enganchado a esa pequeña pantalla durante toda su duración, aunque me saltaba algunos diálogos.
    Lo rejugué hace relativamente poco, y me sigue pareciendo uno de los mejores juegos de la portátil, sus personajes, estilo gráfico y banda sonora son de 10. Si te    Es la OBRA MAGNA de Nintendo DS,
    Jugué a este juego cuando apenas tenía 13 años, y me pareció una obra increíble, me mantuvo enganchado a esa pequeña pantalla durante toda su duración, aunque me saltaba algunos diálogos.
    Lo rejugué hace relativamente poco, y me sigue pareciendo uno de los mejores juegos de la portátil,
    sus personajes, estilo gráfico y banda sonora son de 10.
    Si te planteas jugarlo, hazlo. Un indispensable para cualquier colección de Nintendo DS.    … Expand

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. GameCritics
    Jan 23, 2012
    30
    There were interesting ideas-and a very pretty opening video-but everything about Solatorobo felt…flat.
    Read full review
  2. PALGN
    Dec 30, 2011
    60
    Solatorobo is a title full of great ideas, which were wasted with shoddy execution. Nevertheless, those interested in games with great stories should check it out.
    Read full review
  3. Nintendojo
    Dec 15, 2011
    100
    A great swan song for the DS. Its production values are stellar, the game plays very well, and is chock-full of some sweet content. Plus, it's literally as close to MegaMan Legends 3 that any 3DS owners are likely to get in terms of play, style, and overall feeling.
    Read full review
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