Headlander (PC)

In a society where humanity has long since given up their fragile, flesh-and-blood bodies for long-lasting robotic ones, you are the last remaining living human around. There's just one problem: all that's left of you is your head, sealed up inside of a space helmet. Fortunately for you, your helmet is equipped with maneuvering thrusters and a docking system that allows it to replace the head of any robot you encounter. All you need to do first is relieve said robot of its existing head.

Story and Flow

You will also need to change bodies of your own accord from time to time – maybe an upgrade has come along with a superior weapon type, a map-bot has showed up (which allows you to expand your minimap), or a patrol bot with a higher security clearance has appeared. Taking over that last one will allow you access to higher-security areas, using a Paranoia-style rating system: Red is the lowest standard access level, then orange, then yellow, and so on. There are also separate color sets for specialized bots in the arena.

New abilities are unlocked over time, with points gained by collecting glowing energy pulses, or by downloading massive amounts of said pulses when docking with special terminals. Major upgrades are unlocked by progressing through the story, while others come along with them as those trees are explored. Do you want to improve your auto-repair rate when you lack a body, or do you want to prioritize allowing your helmet to repair the bodies you have docked with? Do you want to improve your melee strength or your running speed, or would you rather save up and enable a headbutt move that lets you instantly take over an undefended enemy body? You can also gain extra points quickly by completing optional mini-missions offered by civilian bots as you go along.

The game autosaves as you go, and the penalty for dying is minimal – you simply restart the room you are in from scratch, complete with the body you were inhabiting when you did so. This can get frustrating if you've spent the last few minutes working out some complex puzzle, aiming your lasers just so while the constantly respawning enemy bots are taking potshots at you...but it's still far better than losing half an hour of progress because you couldn't find a save room.

Controls and Gameplay

Graphics and Sound:

The music creates an unobtrusive, retro ambience. Lasers sound like sci-fi lasers. Speech (even the cameo from Raz/Zim's voice actor, Richard Horvitz, as the enemy turret that's just doing his job) is filtered to have a mild, slightly hollow electronic effect. Civilian bots constantly chatter in the background about their own concerns – e.g., getting their faces made over (presumably with an arc welder), or allowing their minds to wander in one of the relaxation chambers. Most every door you come across will give you (Hitchhiker’s Guide) Marvin-esque commentary, responding with outright sarcasm if your current body doesn't have the security clearance required to get through.