RoboCop: Unfinished Business - A Strong Return for a Classic Franchise
The RoboCop franchise has been a staple of sci-fi cinema since the 1980s, and its video game adaptations have had a varied history. With the release of RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business on July 17, 2025, Nacon and developer Teyon have added a meaningful chapter to the saga - one that both honors the legacy and improves upon the gameplay foundation laid by its predecessor.
A Look Back: RoboCop in Gaming
Over the decades, RoboCop has inspired numerous video game adaptations across platforms, but few have truly captured the tone and grit of the films. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the franchise’s games were mostly 2D side-scrollers or arcade shooters on consoles like the NES and Sega Genesis as well as arcade cabinets. These titles focused on fast-paced action but often sacrificed narrative depth and atmosphere, which resulted in mixed receptions.
In the early 2010s and into 2014, tie-in games and mobile titles attempted to capitalize on the franchise’s revival, particularly around the 2014 RoboCop reboot film. However, many of these games struggled to balance engaging gameplay with the darker, satirical tone the franchise is known for.
Smaller-scale releases and mobile games appeared around this period, but these often lacked the depth or polish that fans of the franchise had come to expect.
Rogue City’s Breakthrough
The 2023 release of RoboCop: Rogue City was a welcome surprise for many fans and critics alike. Developed by Teyon, the game was one of the first to seriously embrace the darker, corporate dystopian themes that the RoboCop films are known for. Its semi-open world design, deliberate first-person shooter combat, and narrative set between the events of RoboCop 2 and 3 gave it a unique place in the genre.
A significant highlight was the return of Peter Weller, reprising his role as RoboCop, which added a layer of authenticity rarely seen in licensed games. The game balanced thrilling shootouts with grim satire and moral complexity, reflecting the spirit of the original films.
Though it faced some technical issues and pacing concerns, Rogue City was praised for its atmosphere, combat mechanics, and its respectful treatment of the franchise’s core themes.
Unfinished Business - Expanding the Legacy
Building on this solid foundation, Unfinished Business offers players new missions inside OmniTower, a heavily fortified location brimming with mercenaries, experimental technology, and deadly threats. The DLC introduces fresh weapons such as a cryo-cannon and a minigun, while also giving players the rare opportunity to control ED-209 in select segments.
It deepens the story by including flashbacks that explore Alex Murphy’s life before he became RoboCop, providing a tighter and more focused campaign with narrative choices that carry real impact.
The expansion leans fully into the franchise’s classic themes, exploring the tension between humanity and machinery as well as the perils of unchecked corporate power. The result is a solid, action-packed experience that enhances both the story and gameplay mechanics introduced in Rogue City.
Why Unfinished Business Matters
RoboCop: Unfinished Business is more than just an expansion. It demonstrates how a beloved franchise can evolve in gaming while staying true to its roots. By building on deliberate combat, immersive storytelling, and moral complexity, it honors decades of RoboCop history and offers a continuation worthy of fans’ time.
For longtime followers who have endured uneven gaming adaptations, this DLC offers a sense of redemption. For new players, it provides a polished, immersive cybernetic justice experience that stands strongly on its own.
