There simply aren’t enough heist games out there. I would have played at least three licensed Oceans 11 games, but the deals involved in a potential project like that would be an impossible task. Alas, there are a few indies here and there that fill that gap, including Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine, one of my recent favorites. Robbery Bob 2: Double Trouble (Free) is no Monaco, but it’s a pretty fun little sneak-fest.
With one of the most absurd framing devices in recent memory, Bob accidentally manages to ruin a wedding of a bride who happens to be fathered by a mafia Don of sorts. Since Bob just “happens" to be an ace burglar, it’s up to him to make things right and work for his newly-found boss. Yep, it’s pretty stupid, but thankfully things go uphill after the intro.
Bob isn’t a killer, nor is he formidable in any way, so every bit of Double Trouble will be played out by way of stealth maneuvers, grabbing key trinkets across each level. Yep, you can’t snap enemy necks like Snake in Metal Gear or even knock them out, so you’ll have to be extra careful as you’re tiptoeing around. It’s a simple thing, but it really creates an aura of real stealth rather than the action mish-mashes we’ve seen time and time again.
This is all done by way of a top-down view, which is incredibly easy to navigate with touch-screen controls, even if you don’t have as much screen real estate as say, an iPhone 6 Plus or an iPad. The zoom feels just right, and you’ll be able to see across multiple rooms to plan out each and every move, giving it a more tactical feel. Just like the original Thief, noise will play a factor, so you won’t be able to just rush through every map unhindered.
It’s because of that learning curve that Double Trouble feels fair and challenging, while also being welcoming to newcomers — mainly due to the fact that being discovered doesn’t mean an instant failure, as you’ll still have an opportunity to escape and get your bearings back. Nearly every action becomes a second guess, and although it’s great to just close your eyes and go for it from time to time, there’s plenty of room for decision making.
Unfortunately, the visual style doesn’t really match the gameplay, to the point where it’s almost like the developer Level Eight didn’t even try to make it presentable. While the framerate is smooth and there’s nary a glitch in sight, nearly every character or environment in the game is forgettable.
If you’re looking for another stealth game, Robbery Bob 2: Double Trouble deserves a second look. It may not be in the running for most the memorable franchise in town, but it gets the job done for those of you who desire puzzle-oriented gameplay over non-stop action.
