Chibi-Robo
From Nintendo
Chibi-Robo Gcube
- Amazon Sales Rank: #5010 in Video Games
- Brand: Nintendo
- Model: 45496963408
- Released on: 2006-02-06
- ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
- Platform: GameCube
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: .75" h x 5.25" w x 7.50" l, .20 pounds
Chibi-Robo, Plug into Adventure!
WARNING: SOME SPOILERS
Intro:
The game starts out kinda slow. With limited things to do and limited battery life. (only 80)
The good part is it is very easy to get more battery upgrades by collecting happy-points.
There is a toothbrush you can pick up not long after you start the game, which is for cleaning stains on the floor.
Every stain cleaned gives you 2 happy-points. Not to mention when you've cleaned a certain amount of stains you get a point bonus, usually 20+. You can also pick up scrap paper, candy wrappers, cookie crumbs, etc. By throwing these in the garbage can in the living room (I haven't been able to locate another one yet) you get even more points, not to mention Moolah, the games currency. Using Moolah, Chibi can buy things from the Chibi-PC in the Chibi House (located in the living room).
I'll tell you the coolest thing I've found so far (which I've bought) is the Chibi-Blaster.
Using it Chibi can blow through cracks in the walls to reach new areas and blast through spider-webs.
Most importantly, you use it to fight the little robotic spiders that appear randomly. Known as Spydorz.
However, you don't need to worry, they appear only after you've purchased the Blaster.
Defeating them leaves behind scrap metal which you can use to build Utilibots.
One is a latter which is very useful for reaching high places. Another is a Warp. Very handy for moving up and down the stairs in the foyer. (Which takes forever to do on foot.)
And yet another is an extendable bridge. A little bridge that unfolds that can reach far away places you couldn't get to other wise.
Exploring in the game is very fun. The games day/night cycle lets you explore during the day or the dead of night. Making even old areas seem different. Initially, you only have 5 minutes before the day or night ends and you have to return to your Chibi-House. However, from your handy Chibi-PC (once again located in the Chibi-House) you can purchase extensions. The first allows you to take 10 minutes instead of just five. The third, 15. It doesn't sound like much, but it makes a big difference when exploring.
Chibi can climb a number of things in the house as well as interact with other things. (Such as speaking to the toys that come alive at night.)
As mentioned early in the review, the battery can be annoying. Not enough to make the game repitive or anything, but you really need to keep an eye on your battery meter! Don't worry though, again as mentioned before the upgrades are fairly easy to get. I've went from 80.0 power to 160.0 since yesterday.
(The upgrades are in increments of 20).
Falling from high places though can spell Chibi-Robo's end. The end of his battery that is. Falling drains battery power significantly. If you take a fall and it doesn't drain Chibi completey, get to a plug-in, quick! It's not a catostrophe if he does die. It can be annoying. You have to start back from the Chibi-House plus you get Moolah taken away.
However, you don't need to worry about falls if you utilize one of Chibi-Robo's most important tools.
The Chibi-Copter. After equiping, hop off a high place to glide gently and safely down. You can also hover horozontily for a few seconds by holding A.
Review:
Graphics: 9.0
The game's visuals are awesome. From the details in the house to Chibi himself, the graphics won't dissapoint!
Sound: 9.5
As were the graphics, the sound is amazing. Always there, but never annoying.
It's very creative how they made a different tune play depending on what Chibi-Robo's doing.
Gameplay: 8.5
The gameplay is excellent. I don't know about the replay value though. Which is why I only gave it 8.5.
I would think I would want to play it again though.
Overall: 9.8
As close to excellence as you can get Chib-Robo is a game that I will remember and play for a long time.
Don't pass this one up.
Delightful, fun game with no laser blasters or mayhem
Really an endearing little game, the robot is adorable and there's plenty of play value wandering around exploring the robot's new home and taking care of its new family.
A game like this, with no Star War tie-ins or laser blasting mayhem is really something to be cherished when you've got a couple of young kids at home. Watching them play together to solve the puzzles in the game rather than trying to virtually slaughter one another is a real treat.
Excellent graphics, clever gameplay -- this game is a good example of why Nintendo is the best value of the three big consoles -- THEIR TITLES ARE BETTER, more original, more inventive, with greater long-term play value.
Find a copy of this game TODAY! It's a good one!!
I have no idea why I loved this game so much
Seriously though, this is one of the best games released towards the end of the GC's lifespan. I can't really explain why I liked it so much. You are a cute little (some may say Chibi) robot and you are primarily cleaning up after and solving the problems of your owners. There is a fairly large house to explore and finding items you can use is half the fun.
Even after I got the items and helped the characters through their issues, I still continued playing.
This is a simplistic game that is probably aimed at a much younger audience, but I still enjoyed Chibi's adorable little adventure.
