HomeNewsMiniLAW: Ministry of Law
Robocopy crimefighter MiniLAW: Ministry of Law is out nowMake sure he doesn’t get any doughnuts
Make sure he doesn’t get any doughnuts
It’s been several years since I first playedMiniLAW: Ministry of Law, the side scrolling shooter/fighter/screamer based on being a hybrid of Robocop and Judge Dredd. In that time it’s come a long way, adding more structure, story and flavour to its already colourful crime-stomping action.
The full release landed yesterday, and I have Some Thoughts.
Watch on YouTube
Watch on YouTube
I’ll be honest. I’ve kept a one of my many spare eyes on MiniLAW in the hope that it would overcome its horrible controls. Having gone back to it today, I can say that it sort of has. The controls are a lot better than they were, especially using a controller. But they’re still awkward, and the keyboard-and-mouse controls border on maddening. Space to aim? SPACE? Shift is ‘use’, but F is dash, and you can’t run unless you dash first. Melee attacks are right click but blocking with your arms is stuck to the E button. Ludicrous. Fortunately those defaults can be changed, but it does feel markedly better with a pad.
Other than that, MiniLAW is bloody great. You’re a future cyber-cop, sent out in a flying patrol car to subdue a variety of criminal groups who are running wild during a mass panic about a mysterious figure who’s hidden a nuclear bomb somewhere in the city. Scores, probably a few hundred blocks flare up into violence as you travel the city map, so you have to visit them and put down the troublemakers, either lethally, non-lethally, or verbally.
If you have a controller, I’d say it’s well worth playing. Its variety in weapons, playstyles, and stat-altering character backgrounds make for a lot of replay value, and the shooting and high-pressure decision making carry it a long way.
MiniLAW: Ministry of Lawis out now onSteamanditch.io, with a hefty 40% discount bringing it down to £6.80/€7.50/$9 until the 8th of January.
Note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said that MiniLAW’s controls can’t be redefined. I’ve since been informed that they can, but only from the main menu screen.
