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Retrospective Return is a look at older games to see whether they’re worth a revisit. Ranging from unknown gems to bargain bin failures, we’ll revisit any games that we think deserve it.

Gotcha Force is a troubled gem. First off its one of those games that you find yourself continually returning to, revisiting it on and off when you get the sudden urge to play something familiar. It’s got quirky characters, first-rate gameplay and an easy to use interface. On the other hand, it’s got peculiar AI and monotonous aural qualities. It isn’t a game for everyone but Gotcha Force is a game that you’ll abnormally want to keep playing until its 100% complete.

The game was released for the Nintendo GameCube back in December 2003 and received a mixed reception. The general critical response was generally focused on the lower end of the spectrum and reviews generally blamed Capcom due for its shoddy production quality. Despite this, the general gaming consensus seemed to disagree with the critical retorts and largely accept Gotcha Force as a nice title. After all, it was fairly unique in its setting and story. The player is faced with an earth invasion from Gotcha Borgs, minute creatures hell-bent of controlling the earth. The game grants control of Kou Shishido, a young child who forms an alliance with a Borg known as G-Red. Confused yet? It gets worse. Throughout the game you’ll collect more Borgs, combine them together to create larger Borgs and fight back the invasion. There are about 200 Borgs to collect and for the perfectionists out there, you’ll be playing a very long time until you have them all. 

 

The story and aim, when described in a literary sense, seems more complicated than it actually is and you’ll quickly pick up the concept when playing the game. The game does have its negatives, and the critical response to it isn’t unfounded. Its camera angles can be a bit tricky and the AI at its best what can only be described moronic. The controls take a little time to get used to; with switching between locked-on enemies and allies to heal becoming annoyingly fiddly. Combat generally includes more than one enemy at a time and is pretty frantic. It’s fast paced and often generally quite hectic. To make matters worse, your ally (whether it is a healer, fighter or large dragon) will accidentally attack you and consequently heal you. It can be frustrating and often has you gritting your teeth in infuriation. Coupled with that, the music will attempt to burrow into your consciousness and bug you senseless. The voice acting is meagre, on par with pornography acting and the music is laboriously repetitive.

Luckily it isn’t a complete disaster. Traditionally the GameCube’s graphical prowess is quite feeble but Gotcha Force is quite commendable in the department. They’re fluid and full of ‘last-gen’ detail. Rotating your Borg on the selection screen with grant glimmering, shiny graphics all emphasised by adequate shadows. Battle effects are sparkly and the environments are generally quite pleasing on the eye. Each character is generally unique, with a different art style and move set. Not only that, you can create a team of Borgs to fight with you. Each has a cost of GF energy of varying values; say 200 or 1000/2000. After each battle you win GF energy adding to your GF pool and then eventually after x number of battles you can build a powerful and immense team. The combat (minus the AI) is addictive and enduring and it really does redeem the shortcomings. Its original characters as well as its stylistic approach are refreshing when compared to the hordes of FPSs. It tries to be distinctive and is actually successful in its means. Its execution may let it down but it’s likely to delight if you’re looking for something different. 

Retrospective View: It’s worth a try, its dirt cheap anyway.

Score: 7/10 

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