When we initially covered Frobot way back in November of last year, Frobot was a rather simple puzzle-esque Smash TV type game. It was quite simple to explain because it was a relatively simple game. After months of redesigning and a completely remade game, however, Frobot has undergone some serious gameplay changes that not only make the game better, but also longer, meatier, and an experience that is definitely worth paying for.

As I mentioned above, Frobot has been completely remade. This entails many things, but first and foremost is the level structure. When we initially covered Frobot the game’s puzzles were always restricted to a single screen. Meaning you would go into a new screen solve the puzzle and move on. In today’s Frobot, however, the game’s entire level structure has been changed from the single level structure of the past to a multi-roomed dungeon, similar to a Zelda temple. Puzzles can now stretch across multiple rooms and backtracking is something that occurs quite frequently.

Of course, with a new level structure that contains backtracking and multi-roomed puzzles, you’d expect there to be some sort of map system so that you wouldn’t get lost. Unfortunately, there isn’t one. While the developer assured me that the game wouldn’t need one being that each level was primarily only 10-12 screens each, the fact remains that having a map probably would have been a nice asset to those of us that are less directionally inclined.

Despite that, however, the game continues to look incredibly solid as a WiiWare title. A number of new additions have been added which include collectible hairpieces — where attaining them is a puzzle unto itself — which will allow you to upgrade your various Frobot equipment. For example, the once timed bombs can become remote or proximity mines, the dash can be upgraded so that you can destroy enemies via dashing into them, etc. This is a worthy addition to the game that really can bring a whole new level of replayability to to thee game’s original sterile levels.

Of course, as a WiiWare game the title also comes with a death match styled competitive mutliplayer. I was able to test this out with the developer and it’s actually pretty good. The multiplayer version is 4-player co-op and comes with 10 maps and 2 additional items — on top of the single players arsenal — the grenade, and shield. The grenade is actually the more useful of the two in my opinion, as you’ll be able to toss the grenade over walls and other objects in order to hit the other players. This is actually one reason why the grenade is exclusive to the multiplayer version as apparently the AI was having a hard time understanding the concept of throwing a weapon over an object.

Of course, the bad news is that the multiplayer is local only. No online multiplayer will be shipped with the WiiWare copy. Additionally the game is only initially planned for release on to the WiiWare. While there was a PC version in the works initially, it appears to have been pushed aside to ensure the WiiWare version was the primary version. A PC port (Steam, Gamersgate, D2D, etc.) is being planned for a later release should the WiiWare version do well. Additionally, should a PC version get made the developers are continuing to assess whether or not to add online multiplayer.

Frobot is still scheduled for Q4 of this year (they’re shooting for October) onto Nintendo’s WiiWare digital distribution platform. No pricing has yet been announced.

Screenshots