Mr Robot mobile game Review

I’ve always smirked and looked down upon ludicrous conspiracy theories surrounding our corrupt society and government filled with alien lizards. It’s silly and farfetched, reserved for those with tin-foil hats and nuclear shelters in their gardens.

So I’m all the more blown away when a franchise comes along that defies my cynicism, pulling me into a conspiracy-ridden universe that’s both compelling and self-aware. Mr. Robot presents an unrealistic yet entirely believable idea, and propels it to new heights with a distinctive setting and unique characters.
 
Mr. Robot is the latest in a long line of successful properties to be adapted by Telltale Games. Except this time, things are a little different. Mr. Robot is a text-driven adventure set in the show’s universe, exclusive for mobile.

Developed by Night Dive Studios (in the Telltale formula), it successfully revitalises a formula of which I’ve recently grown tired, repeating the magic I first felt back in 2012 with The Walking Dead; it creates an experience that wouldn’t feel out of place on the Atari 2600.
 
After picking up an abandoned phone on the street, I’m sent a mysterious text message hinting at a conspiracy that requires my involvement. I’m soon actively drawn into conversations with characters from the show, immersed in the mythos in a manner that feels natural and cohesive. Intertwining a distinct narrative with a pre-existing tale can often feel clumsy and shoehorned, but here it works surprisingly well.

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The flavourful traits and flaws of certain characters are translated brilliantly into a medium with nothing but text. I anticipated each new interaction, hearing their voices as I read. Unfortunately, waiting for the narrative to progress via text messages can take hours.

While realistic, this can sometimes slowdown the pace to a crawl. At one point I thought I’d encountered a bug after waiting eight hours for a single message, only to receive several at 2am. Despite this, the encroaching anxiety that accompanies each unfolding scenario is unique, distilled with a fleeting feeling of tension that adds drama to every encounter. You’re part of this story, for better or worse.
 
On the surface, Mr. Robot is a relatively straightforward hacking adventure, but it implements Telltale’s trademark decision-making in cleverly subversive ways. With each message I normally faced three decisions, all of which reflect a different mood, motive or subject. It isn’t always clear whether my actions had a significant impact on the plot, but I was constantly shaping my character as one with a cautious heart of gold who loved to mess with people.
 
None of this is particularly challenging, with the exception of a few moments where you’re asked to upload files or devise a plan with a contact of whom you may not be aware. As with many other Telltale games, the difficulty comes in making moral choices that may impact the overall story. Do you threaten a man and his family, or explain that you’re being forced to manipulate him against your will. Considering Mr. Robot is following a pre-destined plot-line, it can only go so far with its creative liberty.

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I was genuinely impressed by how realistic the experience felt. Taking place in a fictional smartphone OS created by antagonist conglomerate eCorp, Mr. Robot provides an entire device to mess around with.

The conversations I found myself in were full of typos and mannerisms you’d expect from a real person, giving each exchange an aura of legitimacy that makes it all the more engrossing. Considering how kooky and melodramatic Mr. Robot can be at times, this is a commendable achievement by Telltale.

Verdict

The first episode of Mr. Robot is a solid yet slow start to a promising episodic adventure. It successfully translates the tension and intrigue of the show into a text-based experience that excels at times, despite its questionable pacing.