The Xybots are the latest villains in an ever violent future. A near-perfect race of robots, they have an unhealthy thirst for power and it doesn't take the invaders long to set up their massive underground fortress and enslave all around.
To remedy the situation two galactic heroes, Major Rock Hardy and Captain Ace Gunn, are sent down to break into the city and decimate any Xybots within.
The fortress is made up of many labyrinthine levels infested with robotic Xybots and fellow guardians. Using a split screen, the two laser gun-carrying fighters run through three-dimensional corridors. Rock and Ace can swivel around through 90 degrees by holding down Fire with left and right. Enemy robots continually try to sneak up on them - 'danger arrows' indicate which direction they're in.
As well as standard laser some of their ever-decreasing energy. Take a hit and the energy goes down even faster, once out of energy a life is lost - a new one can be obtained by using one of nine communal robots there are shielded droids with limited protection from attack, leaping fly guardians and unarmed but fast-moving droids.
As a last resort, a Zapper can be used to stun nearby robots, although this costs the heroes credits. Also, extra energy can be picked up along the way as well as coings which can be used in the end-of-level shop to buy energy pods, higher energy levels and the ability to lessen the ever-present energy loss. Weapon add-ons can also be bought to boost the gun speed and strength of fire and increase the strength of the Zapper.
Every few levels (starting from level ten) the Master Xybot must be defeated to progress - if the heroes fail, they're taken back quite a few levels.
Robin
I really enjoyed the Xybots coin-op when it came out in 1987, the revamping of the ancient Berzerk concept proving refreshingly different and making it a very playable game.
It's great to see that Tengen have produced yet another very, very close conversion indeed, even the robotic speech froom the coin-op is in there.
My main gripe is that the action can get repetitive in one player more, and the Master Xybot is just far too vicious (failing for the 20th time and being taken back to level 8 is not my idea of fun).
Despite all this, Xybots is a hell of a lot more action-packed than Vindicators. Spot on, Tengen, now when's my favourite coin-op Toobin' going to be converted?
Phil
I'm a big fan of simultaneous two-player games and Xybots, with its neat split-screen display, is one of the best. Okay, so the sprites aren't all that well animated and the 3D scenery doesn't scroll, but these flaws don't spoil the engaging gameplay which is simple enough to get into straight away.
As usual, the two-player mode is more enjoyable than playing solo. Rather like Blood Money there's usually a mad dash by both players for all the energy and coins although progress is easier if they co-operate, especially on later levels where you can hurt your colleague by shooting him!
Xybots is a very good conversion of the classic coin-op and definitely one of the most playable two-player games around at the moment.
1st August 1989
