“RIG Riot” is a roguelike action game about mechs, with customization and synergy across two modes [Game*Spark Robot Game Catalog]

"Robots" are one of the classic genres in anime and video games. Robots in these works come in a wide variety of forms—from giant piloted models to autonomous ones that seem to possess a will of their own, to cute, mascot-like types—and each has its own unique appeal.

The [Gemspa Robo Game Catalog] is a series designed to introduce gamers to wonderful robot games from all eras and regions. This time, we’re featuring *RIG Riot*, released on PC (Steam) on September 15, 2026.

Build the ultimate robot from thousands of parts!

*RIG Riot* is a 3D roguelike action game created by independent game developer Sage Boatman. In addition to game development, he also composes music, and the game’s digital soundtrack is available for purchase on Steam.

Development on the game began in 2024, and it was officially announced in February 2025. In addition to publishing development diaries on Steam and the official YouTube channel, the developer released early playtest versions on itchi.io to gather feedback and drive development forward.

According to Boatman, the builds under development were so challenging that, wanting others to experience them, he provided test builds to a few members of the official Discord server. Seeing those members struggle with the difficulty made him happy that people were playing his game, and in response to numerous requests from others who wanted to participate in future test plays, he released a public version.

This game was created under the influence of the *Armored Core* series and *Risk of Rain*. Players control a combat mech called a “RIG,” completing missions that occur within stages of gradually increasing difficulty to collect parts and upgrade their mechs. With thousands of different parts available, combat styles can vary greatly depending on the build.

Immediately following its release on September 15, 2026, the developers implemented several updates to fix bugs and adjust game balance. Their current plan is to focus primarily on bug fixes first, followed by improvements and the addition of new features. Future plans include multilingual localization and Steam Workshop support; they are also considering cooperative play, though it remains unclear whether this will be feasible.

The difficulty increases as you progress

The RIG allows you to equip weapons on both hands and both shoulders, each with its own cooldown and ammo capacity. During combat, enemies are locked on once you get close enough, and guns and missiles will automatically track targets to a certain extent, making it easy to land hits even while moving.High-speed movement using thrusters and boosts is also possible, but energy management is essential.

The game features two main modes: “RAID” and “ARENA.” “RAID” is arguably the game’s flagship mode, where players aim to defeat the boss waiting at the end—or escape midway—while clearing missions that occur one after another on the map to earn rewards.

Missions include eliminating enemies at designated locations, holding out for a set amount of time, and delivering supplies. Upon completion, you’ll receive “Scrap” and “Parts”—which serve as in-game currency—from reward chests, as well as “Power-up Items” that take effect during the raid.Enhancements include upgrades to weapon performance and buffs for your mech, both of which offer powerful effects. You might even discover surprising synergies, such as adding bonus effects to high-fire-rate weapons.

Depending on the difficulty level, Raids increase in challenge as time passes or as you complete missions. Additionally, after completing several missions, a mid-boss unit will appear, and the stage culminates in a battle against the final boss. Furthermore, the stage features challenges where you’ll face powerful enemies.

If you get shot down along the way, you’ll lose most of the parts and scrap you’ve collected up to that point. During a raid, you’ll be able to escape partway through as time passes, so consider retreating if you find it too difficult. There are also health and ammo recovery spots on the map, so making decisions based on the situation is crucial.

The possibilities for combining parts are endless!

In the Garage, you can customize your very own RIG by combining the parts you’ve acquired so far. When you first create your profile in the game, you’ll receive a starting RIG ranging from Lightweight to Super Heavyweight, so choose one that matches your preferred combat style. You can also create multiple profiles.

You can customize eight parts—including the head, torso, arms, legs, and boosters—and freely combine them within weight and other restrictions. Additionally, you can equip weapons at four slots: both arms and both shoulders; however, there are weapon cost limits that vary depending on your RIG’s parts. Of course, you can also change your RIG’s color.

You can obtain mech parts as rewards from raids and the Arena, but weapons must be unlocked by spending scrap in the Armory on the main menu. The variety of weapons increases as you reach new stages, and you can also expand your arsenal by collecting hidden items—one per stage.

In addition to guns and missiles, the arsenal includes melee weapons like sabers and pile drivers, as well as lasers and flamethrowers. You can significantly alter your preferred combat range with different RIG parts, and depending on how you combine them with enhancement items obtained during Raids, some can produce surprisingly powerful effects.

Furthermore, you can equip Mods to your RIG by spending Scrap on parts. Mods purely boost your RIG’s base performance, allowing you to further enhance your favorite parts. Of course, there’s also a Training Room, and you can view detailed RIG specifications, making customization in this game a highly accessible and enjoyable feature.

Conquer the Arena and Aim for the Top!

The other mode, “ARENA,” is—as the name suggests—a mode where you battle other RIGs in the arena to secure victory. Winning raises your rank, allowing you to fight against higher-ranked opponents as you strive for the top.

In this mode, unlike in Raids, there are no power-up items to acquire during missions, so your RIG’s equipment is put to the test. Naturally, when facing a high-durability opponent, you’re bound to struggle if you try to fight head-on without having the right combination of parts and Mods. Since you can challenge opponents as many times as you like, it’s important to start by fighting them to learn their characteristics.

One advantage you have is the ability to choose your battle stage; if used wisely, this can put you in a much more favorable position. I was having a hard time against an opponent who used powerful missile attacks, but I discovered that on a narrow, roofed stage, one of the opponent’s missiles would hit the ceiling and be neutralized, allowing me to secure a victory.

If you win in the Arena, you’ll earn Scrap and parts as rewards. Since the types of parts you can obtain depend on your opponent, you can challenge them repeatedly if there’s a specific part you want. Additionally, there are hidden items scattered throughout the Arena stages. Since you can move freely after winning a battle, be sure to search for them.

In the Garage, you can save your loadouts, so you can switch between customizations for Raids and the Arena. Also, your Arena opponents’ profiles include detailed character backgrounds, so reading those might be fun too!

As a roguelike action game, *RIG Riot* lets you enjoy detailed customization tailored to your preferences. The mech parts are truly diverse, and it’s not uncommon for changing just one part to drastically alter how the mech handles.

The performance required for Raids and the Arena differs; Raids, in particular, often feature maps with significant elevation changes, so I found it easier to play with higher jump and boost performance. Of course, even if your mobility is low, there are jump pads and other features on the maps, so even players who prioritize high durability and firepower can play without any issues.

While the game doesn’t currently support Japanese, the clear display of mech performance stats makes customization a breeze. The backgrounds of Arena opponents are also unique, so I’m hoping Japanese support will be added someday. *RIG Riot* is currently available on PC (Steam).