"Build your perfect mech, then pilot it like it's 2002."
About
RIG Riot is a third-person action roguelike focused on mech combat. Players take a customized RIG on raids against increasingly difficult enemies, completing objectives to earn new parts and currency. Between runs, you can permanently alter your mech with thousands of parts, creating unique builds that draw heavy inspiration from classic Armored Core titles. The core loop involves raiding, looting, and endlessly tinkering with your machine's loadout.
Verdict
RIG Riot is a triumph of feel. Its fast, fluid mech combat is a brilliant revival of a specific brand of third-person action many thought was lost to an earlier console generation. The sheer volume of parts makes building a custom RIG a deep and rewarding process that can consume entire evenings. This is all, however, delivered in a package that feels decidedly unfinished, with a clunky UI and a host of bugs. For those who crave that classic mech-piloting fantasy, the core is so strong you'll gladly overlook the rough edges.
You'll like it if …
- +You have fond memories of PS2-era Armored Core and want that exact feeling back.
- +Tinkering with part stats and build synergies for hours is your definition of fun.
- +You can forgive considerable jank as long as the core combat is fast and responsive.
You'll dislike it if …
- −You expect a polished, bug-free experience from a fully released game.
- −Clunky menus and a confusing user interface are major sources of frustration for you.
- −A lack of story and repetitive mission objectives will quickly bore you.
Breakdown
- +Fast-paced, fluid movement captures the feel of classic mech action games.
- +Responsive third-person shooting makes combat satisfying and immediate.
- +The core loop of raiding for parts and upgrading is compelling enough to power through dozens of hours.
- −Mission objectives and enemy encounters can feel repetitive after several runs.
- −Combat balance is inconsistent, with some builds trivializing content while others are non-viable.
- +Vast customization with thousands of parts allows for deep, rewarding build-crafting.
- +The hunt for hidden and rare parts adds significant replay value.
- +Supports a wide variety of playstyles, from nimble gunfighters to heavy weapon platforms.
- −Roguelike systems feel underdeveloped, with little mission or map variety.
- −Many mech parts are simple stat variants rather than functionally distinct pieces of equipment.
- +Successfully captures the specific aesthetic and impersonal, corporate-dystopian mood of older Armored Core titles.
- −There is no discernible plot or character development to speak of.
- +The low-poly, PSX-inspired art style is a deliberate and effective aesthetic choice.
- +Generally performs well on a wide range of PC hardware.
- −Sound design is a clear weak point, with grating music and uninspired weapon sounds.
- −Despite the simple visuals, performance can drop significantly during intense moments.
- +The core gameplay is strong enough to shine through the general lack of polish.
- −Feels more like an early access title than a finished 1.0 release.
- −The user interface is clunky, cluttered, and often difficult to parse.
- −Riddled with bugs, including broken AI, physics glitches, and enemies spawning inside terrain.
score
