Globber's Escape Review

We already had our first taste of Globber’s Escape when it soft-launched earlier this year. But now, the debut game from Robomodo's new indie imprint Robomite has finally arrived in the US. So, what’s the final verdict on this new intergalactic take on an old arcade classic?

Globber’s Escape tells the tale of an exploited, weaponized, gelatinous sentient mass taking its freedom back from the mad scientists that created it. As soon as players start munching on tiny objects and collecting power-ups while avoiding enemies in cramped mazes, it’s clear the game is just a cosmic riff on Namco’s timeless masterpiece Pac-Man. However, Pac-Man clones are an enduring tradition unto themselves at this point, and fortunately this latest one offers plenty of new ideas.

Globber’s Escape focuses more on giving players sudden strategic decisions to make. Instead of eating static dots to progress, players must devour aliens that pop up and move around in random parts of the map. They can set waypoints for Globber to follow, but situations get so precarious so quickly that frantically tapping becomes crucial for getting out of harm’s way as soon as possible. Enemies seem a little slower than in earlier versions: particularly the once-inescapable robots. They are still plenty persistent however, so instead of just running away, hiding behind barriers is a smart, surprisingly stealthy way of shaking foes. But the game does seem a bit easier overall. I blew through tons of boards in a single sitting, and even death was less of a hassle thanks to the generous post-game lottery system. Luckily the game’s fast-paced, bite-sized levels will easily have players saying “just one more round.”

However, little things that annoyed me in the preview still stand out in the finished game. The graphics are pleasantly colorful and cartoony, but still generic. The lack of original music is still odd, and while the banter between aliens amuses, the game has the potential for much more personality.

Ultimately, Globber’s Escape impressed then, and it impresses now. Catch this new strain of Pac-Man fever.

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