Tokobot
{{Short description|2005 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Tokobot
Karakuri
|image = Tokobot-cover.jpg
|caption = European PSP cover art
|developer = Tecmo
|publisher = {{vgrelease|WW|Tecmo|PAL|Take-Two Interactive}}
|released = PlayStation Portable{{vgrelease|NA|December 5, 2005|JP|December 15, 2005|EU|April 7, 2006}}PlayStation 2{{vgrelease|NA|October 24, 2006|JP|October 26, 2006|EU|December 28, 2006|AUS|January 25, 2007}}
|genre = Platform
|modes = Single-player
|platforms = PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2
}}
Tokobot, later released in Japan as {{nihongo|Karakuri|カラクリ|Karakuri}}, is a puzzle-platform game developed and published by Tecmo for the PlayStation Portable in 2005. An expanded version was later released for the PlayStation 2, titled Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri in North America, Europe and Australia and {{nihongo|Korobot Adventure|コロボットアドベンチャー|Korobotto Adobenchā}} in Japan.
Plot
The game revolves around Bolt, an agent from Canewood's Lab. His first research expedition leads him to discover rare Karakuri robots known as Tokobots, one of which is Zero, a prototype gigantic, planet-destroying robot programmed for evil. Bolt must discover the secrets of the ruins, find Zero, and destroy it before it can destroy his world.
There are three human villains in the game who own robots and battle Bolt with large Karakuri robots: Flames, Bart, and Colonel Fuel (in order of appearance).
Gameplay
The player controls Bolt, who makes use of the Tokobots to explore the prehistoric ruins found in the game. The Tokobots mimic Bolt's actions and can be used together in "joint actions", complex tasks that include fusing them together to make Karakuri combinations. Combinations can do almost anything, from activating dead gears to shooting laser beams.
There are two types of Karakuri robots, both of which come in varying sizes: Workers and Keepers. Workers do odd jobs and include small Clunkers and the large Tornader. Keepers protect the ancient ruins and include tiny Beepers and the evil Zero.
Versions
The PlayStation 2 version of the game adds secret platforming sections that allow players access to hidden treasures. In addition, players no longer have control over the Overdrive forms; they now only briefly appear to attack before disappearing.
{{clear}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| PS2 = true
| PSP = true
| na = true
| MC_PS2 = 66/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/tokobot-plus-mysteries-of-the-karakuri/ |title=Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720181957/https://www.metacritic.com/game/tokobot-plus-mysteries-of-the-karakuri/ |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |url-status=live |accessdate=July 20, 2024}}
| Edge_PSP = 5/10{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Tokobot |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |issue=159 |date=February 2006 |page=89}}
| EGM_PSP = 5.17/10{{cite magazine |last1=Nutt |first1=Christian |last2=Intihar |first2=Bryan |last3=Parish |first3=Jeremy |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cc/EGM_US_200.pdf |title=Tokobot |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=200 |date=February 2006 |page=110 |accessdate=July 20, 2024}}{{efn|Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PSP version each a score of 5.5/10, 4/10, and 6/10.}}
| EuroG_PS2 = 5/10{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=January 25, 2007 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/tokobot-plus-mysteries-of-the-karakuri-review |title=Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807163031/https://www.eurogamer.net/tokobot-plus-mysteries-of-the-karakuri-review |archivedate=August 7, 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=July 20, 2024}}
| Fam_PS2 = 28/40{{cite magazine |title=コロボットアドベンチャー [PS2] |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |year=2005}}
| Fam_PSP = 31/40{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=December 19, 2005 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/12/19/now-playing-in-japan-3 |title=Now Playing in Japan |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720182819/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/12/19/now-playing-in-japan-3 |archivedate=July 20, 2024 |url-status=live |accessdate=July 20, 2024}}
| GI_PS2 = 7.25/10{{cite magazine |title=Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=164 |date=December 2006}}
| GameRev_PS2 = C−{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Tom |date=November 9, 2006 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/37645-tokobot-plus-review |title=Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri Review |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009200832/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/tokobot-plus |archivedate=October 9, 2015 |url-status=live |accessdate=March 2, 2020}}
| GSpot_PS2 = 7.2/10{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=October 18, 2006 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tokobot-plus-mysteries-of-the-karakuri-review/1900-6160075/ |title=Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri Review |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301190035/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tokobot-plus-mysteries-of-the-karakuri-review/1900-6160075/ |archivedate=March 1, 2020 |url-status=live |accessdate=July 20, 2024}}
| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last=Speer |first=Justin |date=October 16, 2006 |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/tokobot-adventure/739337p1.html |title=GameSpy: Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018143254/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/tokobot-adventure/739337p1.html |archivedate=October 18, 2006 |accessdate=March 2, 2020}}
| HCG_PS2 = 4/5{{cite magazine |last=Wilde |first=Thomas "Wanderer" |url=https://archive.org/details/hardcore-gamer-magazine-v2i6/page/n35/mode/2up |title=Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri |magazine=Hardcore Gamer |publisher=Prima Games |volume=2 |issue=6 |date=December 2006 |page=71 |accessdate=July 21, 2024}}
| OPM_PSP = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |url=https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-101-february-2006/page/n83/mode/2up |title=Tokobot |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=101 |date=February 2006 |page=84 |accessdate=July 21, 2024}}
| PSM_PS2 = 4/10{{cite magazine |last=Joynt |first=Patrick |url=https://archive.org/details/psm-issue-118-holiday-2006/page/n117/mode/2up |title=Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri |magazine=PSM |publisher=Future US |issue=118 |date=Christmas 2006 |page=84 |accessdate=July 21, 2024}}
| PSM_PSP = 7/10{{cite magazine |title=Tokobot |magazine=PSM |publisher=Future US |issue=106 |date=January 2006 |page=85}}
| XPlay_PSP = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last=Sewart |first=Greg |date=February 20, 2006 |url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/53396/Tokobot_Review.html |title=Tokobot Review |website=X-Play |publisher=G4 Media |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060314072326/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/53396/Tokobot_Review.html |archivedate=March 14, 2006 |accessdate=July 21, 2024}}
}}
Tokobot and Tokobot Plus received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of three eights and one seven for a total of 31 out of 40 for the PSP version, and 28 out of 40 for the PS2 version.
Mr. Marbles of GamePro{{'}}s February 2006 issue called Tokobot "a technological treat, with virtually zero loading, crisp colors, and a pleasingly quirky little soundtrack. There's no multiplayer, though Tokobot{{'}}s single-player is engrossing enough to soak up your valuable attention for a good eight hours."{{cite magazine |author=Mr. Marbles |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a5/GamePro_US_209.pdf |title=Tokobot |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=209 |date=February 2006 |page=78 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051207030743/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/50308.shtml |archivedate=December 7, 2005 |url-status=live |accessdate=March 2, 2020}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PSP version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.}} Ten issues later, however, Kilgore called Tokobot Plus "a decent title with challenging puzzles that will reward your patience and dedication. It's probably best as an extended rental but some of you might find that it's worth the full price of admission."{{cite magazine |author=Kilgore |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/92988.shtml |title=Review: Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=219 |date=December 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111105548/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/92988.shtml |archivedate=January 11, 2007 |accessdate=March 2, 2020}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version two 2.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, 3/5 for control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor.}}
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Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/karakuri/ Official Website (Japan)]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060428004823/http://www.tecmogames.com/games.asp?id=23 Official Website (North America)]
- {{moby game|id=/34715/tokobot/}}
- {{moby game|id=/49397/tokobot-plus-mysteries-of-the-karakuri/|name=Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri}}
Category:Koei Tecmo franchises
Category:PlayStation Network games
Category:PlayStation Portable games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Take-Two Interactive games