Border Bots VR is puzzle simulation set on a future earth where AI is in control. As a human border agent, you begin a new role as a booth operator at an AI travel border. Interact and check over a variety of robots as they try to get through security. Some of their credentials might not be up to scratch, its up to you to make sure they get the stamp of approval...

If you don't process enough robots correctly each day you'll be fired

Set in a dystopian future, where human employment is scare, the majority of jobs are taken by robots. Listening to the local news, from your tiny apartment, you learn that the robots are starting to act weirdly, threatening the order of society. To counteract this threat to mankind a new program is being implemented. A number of humans are to be employed as agents to regularly check the credentials of working bots to ensure that only those sanctioned to perform important roles are allowed to continue their essential work.

You are chosen as the very first employee and are quickly moved from your humble dwelling to an impressive, uptown luxury apartment. Your new role is that of a border agent. To climb the corporate ladder, you will need to examine documents and employ a variety of quirky gadgets including a 3D printer, barcode scanner and contraband detector, to interact with a host of friendly assistant AI and mechanical denizens, ensure they have the necessary clearance to enter, and aren’t concealing any unauthorised items.

The game slowly ramps up the difficulty as new robots and search criteria are slowly introduced. If you don't process enough robots correctly each day you'll be fired, and sent back to obscurity.

Check over a variety of robots as they try to get through security

I really enjoyed this game. It's an incredibly simple idea, beautifully realised. Not only are you up against the clock each day, but also you must match up to your fellow border guards in other parts of the city. Each day brings new and interesting tasks, and it doesn't take long for you to get a little in over your head. Remembering to check everything isn't always as easy as it seems and you'll be kicking yourself when you make a mistake.

The only slight issue I had was that if you fail a day and have to retry it, the robots and their eligibility for work are identical on the next play through. So, if you messed up you'll know how to process them next time. Also, at the start of the game, and periodically throughout the rest of the proceedings, you'll receive a call on your watch. You're notified of this with the sound of an alarm. However, you are not told that this is what the alarm is and so I spent ages wandering around my apartment trying to work out what the noise was.

An enjoyable game that makes good use of the VR functionality.

8

Darren Rea