Released in Japan as Slapstick, Quintet's Robotrek is a hybrid-JRPG whose fights couple sideview perspective with real-time movement/attacks, pausing only to issue commands while balancing offense via cooldowns. The main draw - however, lies in the ability to invent robots, with 'recruitment' and customization options that hark back to SaGa's blank slate allies. Their upgrades are handled by stat allocation (spending from a shared pool of points rather than per unit) and collectibles for synthesis (unlocking recipes for improved weapons, armor and even Zelda-like tools, not only items), while the influence of SRPGs is felt in their limited time, battle-screen treasure as well as the clear distinctions between weapon types (whether in range, AoE, recovery, etc.). On the downside, the proceedings tend to indulge in obscure solutions or lengthy grind-walls, that - altogether, are more of a distraction than an attraction. From combat to setting, humor and subject matter - though, one ultimately gets the impression that this paved the way for Mega Man Battle Network.