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Metro
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business review - 20 seconds to comply
2023's surprisingly good homage to 80s classic RoboCop sees Officer Murphy uphold the law in a new standalone expansion with improved graphics. It's tempting to say that RoboCop is not the kind of film that would be made today, and in terms of the action and gore they certainly don't make 'em like they used to. As the gutless 2014 remake proved, the social satire is also not something you'd expect to find in a modern mainstream film, but we would say that a TV show like The Boys is a reasonable modern equivalent. The original RoboCop movie still holds up as an 80s classic, and sadly its portrayal of corporate callousness is more relevant than ever, but it's difficult to see what future the franchise could have in terms of live action, even though Amazon is apparently planning a new movie and a TV show. Indiana Jones has that same problem, especially as both protagonists are so tightly tied to their original actor (and, yes, Peter Weller is back for this game). 2023's RoboCop: Rogue City wasn't quite as refined as Indiana Jones And The Great Circle, and certainly didn't have anything like the budget, but it was a surprisingly ambitious and self-assured game, that not only did justice to the RoboCop franchise but had something to teach narrative action games in general; including how to make a standalone expansion. Although this is technically a direct sequel to Rogue City there's really no story connection, so you don't have to have played it in order to understand what's going on. It's set some time after the events of RoboCop 2, with this game having a few more direct references to RoboCop 3 than the last one. However, the actual plot set-up, and even some of the set pieces, are clearly inspired by Alex Garland's 2012 film Dredd, perhaps in reference to the fact that Judge Dredd was a major influence on the original RoboCop. The story starts with Robo investigating an attack on his police station, where many of the cops have been killed. This leads him to a massive, rundown tower block, that's owned by OCP (the evil corporation that made RoboCop) and looks like something straight out of Mega-City One. The tower is filled with heavily armed mercenaries, led by a big bad who knew Alex Murphy before he started eating baby food. Somewhat surprisingly, you start the game with all of the major abilities from the first game already unlocked, including time-limited shields, an electric shock attack, and the wonderful ability to bounce bullets off of angled surfaces, in order to hit bad guys from behind. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. The first person shooting is very simple, and in truth very repetitive, but there's such a primal joy to it that you can never get enough, especially the wonderfully satisfying headshots. The game starts off moderately difficult but as you unlock the skill tree, and find new circuit boards for your signature Auto-9 handgun, it becomes trivially easy in the final hours. On paper this should count hugely against it, but we had the Auto-9 so ridiculously overpowered we were using it like an infinite ammo machinegun, ripping through even the most heavily armoured goons almost instantly and grinning from ear to ear as we did it. Although the freeze gun that both they and you can use is also excellent and works just like Mr Freeze's from Batman. While this is primarily a first person shooter, with nothing that could be counted as a proper puzzle, in hindsight Rogue City is relatively similar to The Great Circle and other MachineGames titles, as you often come across areas where there's no combat and you can just chat to civilians and pick up side quests. The more enclosed nature of Unfinished Business' setting means that it's all very simple stuff but there's a few amusingly silly requests from the various civilians and Robo once again gets to pet a lot of cats. If he's investigating a crime then you also get the choice to either let the perp off with a warning or write them a ticket, although there's less payoff for this at the end of the game, compared to Rogue City. A low budget video game was never going to have a script to match the original movie and often the dialogue is very workmanlike, and in terms of the dialogue choices at least, badly translated (developer Teyon is Polish). But there are still a lot of good lines in there, like when Robo is asked why he insists on walking blindly into trouble, to which he answers, 'I have night vision.' We also liked the visual gag about turning machinery on and off again, but in general it's fair to say that while Teyon clearly get the satire and absurdity of RoboCop their attempts to replicate it are only occasionally successful. The game dabbles with the question of how far police action, and by association vigilante justice, should go but only in a very superficial way. You can see what they were going for with the main villain, but it doesn't really work. Also, we already complained that OCP weren't in Rogue City enough, since they had all the best lines, but in this game none of the execs are featured at all, which is a shame. The basic gameplay of Unfinished Business is functionally almost identical to Rogue City (environmental kills are the only new combat element) but there are a number of other new features. Unfinished Business has multiple flashbacks where you play as other characters, including Alex Murphy and a disturbing one where you're cast as a woman being chased through the night by thugs. Overall, though, these segues go on too long and in gameplay terms are easily the least interesting part of the game; that and a murder mystery that involves nothing more than Robo walking where he is told and scanning the crime scene like the world's simplest hidden object puzzle. What makes up for this is a chance to play as ED-209, the exec-slaying robot, in a wonderful sequence that shows off the game's surprisingly good destruction effects. You can't destroy anything particularly big but by the end of the shootout there's giant holes in the concrete and yet another model of Old Detroit has been thoroughly ruined. As a whole, the graphics are significantly better than Rogue City, which is presumably one of the main reasons this became a standalone game rather than just DLC. The environments were already good before but now they're triple-A standard, not just on a technical level but thanks to some fantastic work from Teyon's environmental artists. Also, the game's noticeably gorier than before, which we appreciate, even if it's still lightweight compared to the movies. The animation and human characters are also much improved, which means they've gone from being absolutely terrible to just plain bad – like a souped-up PlayStation 2 game. The AI also smacks of something from that era but apart from some missing lip synching there are very few graphical bugs. More Trending By comparison, the sound has a ton of problems, with voices often sounding slurred or being cut off and music (which is generally very good) not kicking in when it seems it should. However, the worst problem is that the ability to pick up extra weapons often doesn't work. We almost weren't able to complete the game because of that, during a mission where you don't have your Auto-9, which would've been a nightmare because it was right at the end. We're sure that sort of thing will be sorted out with a future update, as overall this is another highly ambitious AA game, doing its absolute best to make all your RoboCop fantasies come true. No one would expect much progress from just a standalone expansion but the improvements in the graphics and the attempts to expand the scope of the gameplay are very much appreciated. As with Rogue City, our score flatters the game, and you should definitely take off at least one point if you're not a RoboCop fan, but considering the improvements that have been made in just two years, for a 10 hour long expansion, we can't wait to see what Teyon does next, with even more time and money at their disposal. In Short: Another loving homage to the glory of RoboCop and despite only being a standalone expansion this features quite a few new ideas, as well as some hugely satisfying combat. Pros: Very enjoyable gunplay and RoboCop and his abilities are portrayed perfectly. The storytelling is once again unusually ambitious for a first person shooter. The improved graphics look great and playing as ED-209 is tons of fun. Cons: As enjoyable as it is, there's no denying the gameplay is very simple and repetitive. The script tries its best but can't match the high standard of the first movie. Flashbacks aren't terribly interesting and some nasty bugs at launch. Score: 7/10 Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, and PCPrice: £24.99Publisher: NaconDeveloper: TeyonRelease Date: 17th July 2025 Age Rating: 18 Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: 80s rock band sue each other after on stage punch-up ended reunion tour MORE: EA Sports FC 26 is desperate to win back fans with first gameplay trailer MORE: Nintendo and Steam crack down on hentai and other 'eSlop' filling up game stores
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Morocco launches longest desalinated water pipeline to power world's largest phosphate mine
Morocco has begun a groundbreaking water infrastructure project, the Jorf Lasfar-Khouringa (J2K) pipeline. The state-owned OCP Group unveiled the new 200-kilometer pipeline, which would transport desalinated water from the Atlantic coast to Khouribga, home to the world's largest phosphate mine. Morocco initiated the Jorf Lasfar-Khouringa (J2K) pipeline to transport desalinated water over 200 kilometers. The pipeline supports industrial activities in Khouribga, home to the largest phosphate mine globally. Besides industry, the infrastructure provides clean drinking water and promotes agricultural initiatives. The pipeline, operated by OCP Green Water (OGW), is a significant step toward Morocco's goal of achieving water independence and environmental sustainability. "This makes it the first infrastructure of its kind in Morocco capable of transporting desalinated water over such a long distance," OCP noted. This project immediately tackles the country's rising water crisis, which has seized the area since 2018, while also fulfilling a national need to expand non-conventional water sources. SEE ALSO: Morocco opens bidding to run Africa's largest shipyard 'We started this in 2008. By 2015, we used to have the biggest desalination platform in Morocco, producing 25 million cubic metres per year,' Hanane Mourchid, the Member of the Strategic Committee and Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer at OCP Group said during an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), According to the company, the pipeline, which has an annual capacity of 80 million cubic meters, supplies clean drinking water to the whole city of Khouribga in addition to supporting mining activities. The J2K pipeline connects the Jorf Lasfar desalination facility on the Atlantic coast with the phosphate-rich area of Khouribga, as reported by Morocco World News. It has 187 kilometers of 1,300-millimeter-diameter pipes and 16 kilometers of 600-millimeter sections. The pipeline, powered by high-capacity pumping stations capable of transporting 25,000 cubic meters of water per hour, is Morocco's first to deliver desalinated water over such a long distance. The project's benefits extend beyond industrial supplies. During its building period, it generated around one million man-days of labor, an average of 1,300 jobs per day for two years, with 85% of the workers employed locally. OCP achieved complete water autonomy at its Benguerir site, due to an innovative reuse technology that flows treated wastewater from Marrakech's treatment facility. This feat, which occurred on June 15, 2025, has helped the corporation fulfill its objective of 100% non-conventional water consumption two years earlier than its initial 2027 aim. Importantly, the J2K pipeline is conceived with a larger perspective. In addition to powering phosphate mining activities, it will offer clean drinking water to Khouribga and surrounding towns. Already, OCP Green Water has secured water supplies in Safi, El Jadida, and southern Casablanca. The pipeline is also intended to promote high-value agricultural initiatives, therefore promoting food security and sustainable rural development.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
OCP acquires PwC Business Services in Morocco
Moroccan phosphate company OCP has acquired PwC Business Services, a unit of PwC Advisory Morocco, in a deal that solidifies their established partnership. Financial details of the deal were not divulged. Walaw has reported that the acquisition enables OCP to bring in-house essential administrative and financial operations previously handled by the subsidiary. PwC Business Services was set up to deliver tailored, non-regulated support to OCP, covering areas such as IT, accounting, and operational tasks, which have been vital for streamlining OCP's routine processes. The unit has exclusively served OCP since its formation, functioning as a dedicated support entity. OCP, which holds more than 70% of global phosphate rock reserves, mainly in Morocco, is a major player in phosphate and fertiliser production. In recent years, the company has focused on advancements in technology, sustainability, and agricultural development. This acquisition supports OCP's aim to improve efficiency, cut costs, and oversee its internal operations more closely. For PwC Advisory Morocco, part of the global PwC network, the sale provides an opportunity to concentrate on its primary advisory services. With the subsidiary now under OCP's control, PwC Advisory plans to expand its client reach in Morocco and across North Africa. This transaction highlights OCP's focus on reinforcing its role in the global phosphate sector while allowing PwC Advisory to grow its consulting activities in the region. In June 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that PwC is restructuring its US advisory division, expanding from four to eight segments to better tailor services to specific industries. PwC will embed managed services into each of its eight revamped US advisory segments, moving away from maintaining them as a separate entity. "OCP acquires PwC Business Services in Morocco" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Morocco World
5 days ago
- General
- Morocco World
OCP Program Brings Summer Camps to 2,000 Children in Khouribga Region
Rabat — The OCP Group's Act4Community Khouribga initiative will provide free summer camp experiences to approximately 2,000 children from rural and urban areas across Khouribga and Fquih Ben Salah provinces this summer. Act4Community Khouribga has organized these camps since 2014, working closely with local educational associations and provincial ministry officials. More than 15,300 children have participated in the program over the past decade. The OCP program partners with 30 specialized associations approved by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Local cooperatives and textile associations also contribute by creating uniforms for participants and staff while enhancing the educational offerings. Five-phase summer experience The program runs in five phases throughout the summer, with more than 200 educational coordinators managing activities. Children aged 7 to 15 come from 35 communities across both provinces, with over 60 local associations helping coordinate with families and local authorities. The camps take place in coastal cities, giving children from inland areas exposure to new environments and experiences with peers from different regions. Second phase launches from Khouribga The second phase begins Monday, July 14, 2025, and departs from the Khouribga Media Library. Eighteen associations will accompany 770 children to destinations including Souiriya, El Haouzia, Beddouza (Safi), Sidi Taibi (Kenitra), Driouch, Témara, Ras El Ma (Larache), and the Diplomatic Forest (Tangier). Focus on child development The program aims to develop children's intellectual and cultural skills while promoting volunteerism, citizenship, and teamwork. Camp activities encourage cultural and social diversity through group living experiences and help children build friendships across regional boundaries. Act4Community Khouribga designed the camps to strengthen participants' educational values around civic responsibilities and the environment. The program also introduces children to various skills and technical knowledge they might not have access to otherwise. Fundamental right to recreation The OCP initiative recognizes recreation and relaxation as fundamental rights for children from both rural and urban backgrounds. Act4Community Khouribga views childhood development as central to its mission, believing today's children will become tomorrow's leaders. The summer camps create an environment where children can develop socially, relax, and gain new skills that contribute to their overall growth and preparation for future responsibilities. Tags: Act4CommunityOCP MoroccoSummer camps
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US Air Force boots must meet new height requirements under updated uniform policy
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The US Air Force has revised its dress and appearance standards to include new regulations on combat boot height. The update, released Thursday, July 10, requires all approved US Air Force boots to be between 8 and 12 inches tall from the heel tread to the top back of the boot. The soles must not exceed two inches in change effectively eliminates sneaker-like and hiking-style boots that have become popular for their comfort and military-compliant colors but fall short of the height read: US deploys F-35s to Philippines for first time amid rising tensions with China 'Combat boots must now be between 8-12 inches in height from the bottom of the heel tread to the top of the back of the boot,' the Air Force stated. The policy is scheduled to take effect within the next 90 addition to the new requirements for US Air Force boots, the policy also ends the authorization of eyelash extensions, a rule that had been in place for the past four years. According to the Air Force memo, medical exceptions will be across all career fields will also be required to maintain at least one full set of the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform, even if they do not regularly wear it to work. This includes pilots and others who typically wear flight suits.'All Air Force officers, regardless of career field, must maintain at least one complete set of either the non-fire-retardant operational camouflage pattern uniform or an improved hot weather combat OCP uniform,' the service said in its enhance comfort during warm weather or physical activity, personnel are now allowed to roll their uniform cuffs twice while still being considered in compliance with sleeve-down read: US Air Force sounds alarm on China's missile arsenal and 'Kill Web' threat Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi provided additional context in a Facebook post, stating that the ban on eyelash extensions will be implemented within 30 days, while the boot and uniform changes will take effect in 90 days.'This update is based on feedback from our NCOs & the Standards and Readiness Reviews across the force,' Flosi announcement marks the second round of uniform policy updates from the Air Force this year. In February, the service revised several appearance rules, eliminating duty identifier patches and restricting previously authorized nail polish colors. It also clarified grooming expectations for male personnel and reinstated the traditional definition of a 'gig line,' referring to the vertical alignment of the shirt, belt, and pants incremental updates reflect ongoing efforts to refine uniform policy in response to operational feedback and changing field conditions.
