History SugarWiki / RobotUnicornAttack

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/unicorn3.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350: [[EarWorm "Always, I wanna be with you, and make believe with you, and live in harmony, harmony, oh love~!"]]]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/RUA_Evolution_title_screen_6706.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350: Harmony evolves]]
[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/RetUA_8081.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350: Harmony devolves]]

->''"[[HaveIMentionedIAmHeterosexualToday Is your masculinity threatened?]] [[RealMenWearPink Then you're not man enough to play.]]"''
-->-- '''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdeg2YaUYZo TV Ad for the Game]]'''

->''"[[EarWorm Always, I wanna be with you, and make believe with you, and live in harmony harmony oh love]]''..."

''[[http://www.unblockedgamesroom.com/robot-unicorn-attack Robot Unicorn Attack]]'' is a free Flash game from Creator/AdultSwim. You're a [[EverythingsBetterWithRainbows rainbow-adorned]] [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot robot unicorn]] who runs across a pink, sparkly, brightly colored world, collecting fairies, jumping onto platforms, and dashing about while a happy, upbeat AwardBaitSong plays in the background. There are only two buttons: Z to jump and X to dash. Did we mention that they had a developer devoted entirely to "sparkles and unicorn tears"?

Oh, and it may just be [[SugarWiki/SoCoolItsAwesome the most awesome game ever]].

This is one of the few games endorsed fully and wholeheartedly by Encyclopedia Dramatica and Website/FourChan. Repeat: this is liked by the people that will derisively call something "objectively shit" if it even slightly falls short of expectations. They embrace ''Robot Unicorn Attack'' with open arms, even changing the website for a day, filling it with [[{{Bara}} Yaranaika]] rainbows to honor it.

[[http://vevegames.com/robot-unicorn-attack Play it here]].

There are {{i|OS Games}}Phone and {{Android|Games}} ports available for wish-chasing on the go.

Three expansion packs are also now available, and are still [[SugarWiki/SoCoolItsAwesome awesome]] even though one of them is... not as harmonious as you know it to be. See the ''[[DarthWiki/RobotUnicornAttack Robot Unicorn Attack: Heavy Metal Edition]]'' entry for more info on that one.

In February 2012, a sequel was released: ''Robot Unicorn Attack Evolution''. In this game (available on Facebook), the gameplay remains mostly the same; however, there are added additions of daily challenges, the ability to purchase powerups for the game using earned currency, and the like. The most notable addition is that for every three stars you smash in succession ([[NintendoHard And trust us, it ain't easy]]), you evolve into another creature and teleport to another world where there are more pixies to collect. [[http://games.adultswim.com/robot-unicorn-attack-evolution-twitchy-online-game.html Play the Adult Swim version here]] and [[http://apps.facebook.com/ruaevolution/ the Facebook version here]].

In December 2012, another version was released: ''[[{{Retraux}} Retro Unicorn Attack]]''. [[http://games.adultswim.com/retro-unicorn-attack-twitchy-online-game.html Identical to the original]], but now in [[UsefulNotes/The8bitEraOfConsoleVideoGames 8 glorious bits!]] Was later followed up with [[http://games.adultswim.com/retro-unicorn-attack-challenge-edition-online-game.html Retro Unicorn Attack: Challenge Edition]], which introduces fairy and star-laden {{Bonus Stage}}s to jack your score to previously unseen heights.

In April 2013, a true numbered sequel was released for iOS platforms. ''Robot Unicorn Attack 2'' borrows many elements from ''Evolution'', but also includes a rank system that allows you to [[UnlockableContent unlock power ups, daily/community challenges, and unicorn parts]] as you complete certain objectives (such as reaching a certain score or dashing a certain number of stars in a single wish). Said unicorn parts allow you to modify your unicorn both visually and functionally, altering things such as your acceleration rate, speed, dash length, and even gives you the ability to fly. At a certain level it also has you join either [[SugarBowl Team Rainbow]] or [[TheDarkSide Team Inferno]]; each day the teams compete to smash the most Stars, with the winning team being awarded a random amount of Tears, the in-game currency. Finally, it introduces a new stage hazard: Giants, which are basically huge Stars that fire FrickinLaserBeams at you.

''Robot Unicorn Attack 3'' is now available for iOS in the App Store. The game features multiple robot unicorns that can be fused or cannibalized for parts, new monsters, and stars and fairies in regular or '''RADIANT!''' colors. Despite the changes, it maintains the flavor and addictiveness of the original game, while managing to make the inevitable crash less frustrating.

Has nothing to do with [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn Gundam Unicorn]].
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!!Hold ooooonnnnn... to the niiiiight... there will beeeee noooo shaaaaammmmmeeeee...~
%%
%%Put tropes exclusive to ''Evolution'' and ''Robot Unicorn Attack 2'' down below.
%%
* AmazingTechnicolorBattlefield: Aptly described by one forum poster as "like my 3rd grade [[http://childrenofthenineties.blogspot.com/2009/05/lisa-frank.html Lisa Frank]] Trapper Keeper came to life." Others have described it as "Ohmigawd, it's like totally TheNineties: The Game!"
* {{Camp}}
** It's not Camp, it's [[color:red:F]][[color:orange:A]][[color:yellow:B]][[color:lime:U]][[color:cyan:L]][[color:blue:O]][[color:purple:U]][[color:fuchsia:S]][[color:silver:!]]
* CaptainErsatz: Arguably, the Robot Unicorn is a cyborg version of Starlite, "the most magnificent horse in the universe", from WesternAnimation/RainbowBrite. Heavens, if it was, that would make the game even ''more'' awesome.
** More than that, Markie, from the aforementioned Lisa Frank series of which the imagery screams anyway. [[http://www.r4mr0dinc.net/R4mr0dInc/images/full_markie.gif Look at it.]] Markie lives on islands above the clouds, enjoys collecting stars and cloud-hopping, is fearless and adventurous, wants to go where no unicorn has gone before, chases his dreams, loves rainbows and butterflies... (There are tons of butterflies on the start and score screens.)
** Another oh-so-80s possibility is the artwork of [[http://www.suedaweart.com/detail.php?id=148&gallery=classic Sue Dawe]], whose fanciful and almost impossibly shiny creatures graced many a folder.
* ChristmasSpecial: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Robot Unicorn Attack: Christmas]], playable [[http://games.adultswim.com/robot-unicorn-attack-christmas-twitchy-online-game.html here]]. The Robot Unicorn is seen dressed as a reindeer and "Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)" by The Darkness plays in the background.
* CoolHorse: [[CaptainObvious It's a robot unicorn]].
* DarkerAndEdgier: ''[[DarthWiki/RobotUnicornAttack Heavy Metal Edition]]'', which has you trying to escape from Hell.
* DashAttack: You smash through stars this way.
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: "Open your eyes, I see--your eyes are open."
* DifficultyByAcceleration
* DoubleJump: With ''rainbows!'' (paired with a ''glissando'')
** This move, along with the accompanying techniques and accommodating level layouts, is a large part of what differentiates this from ''VideoGame/{{Canabalt}}''.
* EndlessGame
* EveryTenThousandPoints: Every 5000 points dolphins accompany you.
* EverythingsBetterWithRainbows: Your mane and tail are rainbow coloured.
* EverythingsBetterWithSparkles
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: It's about a robot unicorn that attacks stuff.
* FanDisservice: Creator/LordKaT's [[http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/bt/lk/uww/19646-robot-unicorn-attack playthrough of the game.]]
* FollowTheLeader: This game is arguably a robot unicorn-themed version of ''VideoGame/{{Canabalt}}'', the similarity being [[EndlessRunningGame the inability to stop running]].
* {{Friendly Playful Dolphin}}s: A dolphin appears for each 5.000 points you earn. [[spoiler:They don't do anything.]]
* GameMod: [[http://megaswf.com/serve/1144550 Rainbow Pony Dash]], which simply replaces the robot unicorn with Rainbow Dash from WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic.
* HaveANiceDeath: Failing in different ways gets you different messages. Crash into a wall? "Your dreams did not come true." Smash into a star? "You became a star." Fall off the screen? "Your dreams were dashed against the rocks below."
** ''Evolution'' instead has a different message for every form.
--->'''Unicorn:''' It ends where it began.
--->'''Panda:''' What's black and white and red all over?
--->'''Wolf:''' Join your ancestors.
--->'''Gorilla:''' The jungle mourns.
--->'''Rhino:''' Ever endangered.
--->'''Dragon:''' You will live on as a legend.
* HaveIMentionedIAmHeterosexualToday: Many males editing this article.
** The commercial had the line "If you feel your masculinity is threatened, then you're not man enough to play!"
* InTheStyleOf: [[http://nyanicorn.com Nyanicorn]], aka Nyan Cat meets RUA.
* JustOneMoreLevel: This game is ''addictive as hell''. You have been warned.
** Lampshaded by one of the start screens in Retro Unicorn Attack.
--> Press 'Z' to waste even more of your life.
* LetsPlay: Yes, it has a Let's Play.
* LighterAndSofter: Compared to most of the original games on Creator/AdultSwim's site. Hell, compared to almost everything put out by Creator/AdultSwim, period.
* LifeImitatesArt: A 2017 line of MAC makeup palettes in nacred neon metallic rainbow colors was called ''Unicorn''.
* MadeOfExplodium: The stars and the unicorn itself.
* MechanicalHorse: The beloved Robot Unicorn is the {{trope}} image.
* MickeyMousing: [[SubvertedTrope A very bad idea]], especially as you speed up. That being said, it can be very difficult to resist [[InvokedTrope invoking]] this trope.
* MohsScaleOfRockAndMetalHardness: The song is definitely level one.
* {{Mondegreen}}: As ''Reimagine :VideoGame/{{the game}}:'' put it, "HARM MANY HARM MANY OH LOVE".
* MostGamersAreMale: A lot of people point out how CampGay it supposedly is, regardless of the fact that it doesn't apply to the ''women'' that play this game.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Rainbow Robot Unicorn for the win.
* NintendoHard: Once your score gets over 5000 or so the game starts getting faster... And nothing will slow you down unless it kills you.
* NotQuiteFlight: By alternating jumps and dashes, you can stay in the air indefinitely. It's not uncommon for stretches of rock to generate in such a way that this is necessary, especially once you gain enough speed.
** {{Nerf}}ed in Retro Unicorn Attack, where you can only dash in the air three times without touching the ground.
* OneHitPointWonder: If you crash into a wall or a star, you die.
* PaletteSwap: The environment does this in Retro Unicorn Attack as you earn more points.
* [[ThePowerOfLove The Power Of HARMONY HARMONY OH LOVE]]: Not even Website/FourChan can resist.
* RandomlyGeneratedLevel: After the first two platforms, the platforms are randomly generated.
* RealSongThemeTune: "Always (2009 Mix)" by Music/{{Erasure}}.
* RealMenWearPink: Yep.
* {{Retraux}}: [[http://games.adultswim.com/retro-unicorn-attack-twitchy-online-game.html?cid=em_g_retroua Retro Unicorn Attack]].
* ScoringPoints: The main point of the game... Well, other than being ''[[SugarWiki/SoCoolItsAwesome awesome]]''.
* SoundCodedForYourConvenience: A little whooshing noise warns you when a star is approaching.
* SugarBowl: Rainbows, unicorns, fairies, the color purple everywhere. Yep.
* SuperSpeed: You gain speed as your score goes up. Which leads to more SurpriseDifficulty
* StuffBlowingUp: Oh so much.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: The music in the above commercial is "Always" stripped down to its basic chord progression, presumably because Adult Swim's license for the song doesn't cover TV broadcast.
* SweetDreamsFuel: It's practically hypnotic.
* {{Unicorn}}: Natch. In ''Evolution'', all of the animals have unicorn horns.

!!Tropes displayed by ''Evolution'' not present in the original:
* BreathWeapon: The Dragon form does this simultaneously with its Dash attack.
* CanisMajor: The third-tier form.
* FakeDifficulty: If you jump immediately after an evolution, it has a slightly more 'forward' and less 'upward' arc than usual. If you happen to smash your third consecutive star right at the edge of a platform, and the next platform is more 'upward'... HaveANiceDeath.
* MorphicResonance: The Panda, Wolf, Gorilla, and Dragon all still have unicorn horns.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: The [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot Rainbow Robot Unicorn Dragon]], the final form.
* RollingAttack: The Panda form seems to do this for its dash attack.
* SceneryPorn: The background art is quite detailed.
* SequelDifficultyDrop: The Facebook version gives you the option of making the game easier thanks to its enhancements. For example:
** The DifficultyByAcceleration can be turned off with the "leisurely pace" enhancement.
** The DoubleJump can be upgraded to a triple jump.
** The Jump's length can be upgraded by adding [[WingedUnicorn wings]] to the robot unicorn.
* RPGElements: The Facebook version of ''Evolution'' has a level-up system that earns experience as you play and unlocks new abilities as you level up.
* TeleFrag: If you're using the Portal powerup from Evolution, there's a chance this will happen.
* VideoGameSettings: ''Evolution'' has different environments depending on the form taken.
** GreenHillZone: The Unicorn form's environment could be considered this considering that you start out in it, and it's a grassy area, except it's entirely purple.
** TheLostWoods: The Panda travels through a bamboo forest.
** SlippySlideyIceWorld[=/=]DeathMountain: The wolf form travels on a snowy mountain.
** DarkestAfrica: The Sabretooth Tiger form (Facebook version) or Rhino form ([adult swim] version) travels through an African Savannah.
** JungleJapes: The Gorilla form travels through a jungle.
** SpaceZone[=/=]BubblyClouds: The Dragon form travels through a night sky with an aurora with cloud platforms.
* WingedUnicorn: The "Glide" powerup adds wings to the Unicorn, but it only lengthens the jump instead of allowing for flight.

!!Tropes displayed by ''[=RUA2=]'' not present in the original:

* BoringButPractical: Sticking to the topmost route if you're going for a high score. Granted, you get less points for killing Giants since there aren't as many up there, but it also makes it the safest route, so you can still get a high score by simply surviving a really long time (as opposed to having your run cut short by a wayward Solar Beam).
* BribingYourWayToVictory: You can buy such things as a Tear Doubler (which doubles the amount of tears you earn in-game), permanent Fourth Wish, and giant gobs of tears to buy all the boosts and Unicorn Parts you need. Other than the permanent Fourth Wish, though, none of them is really game-changing.
* BulletHell: All of the levels become this eventually, with some screens having as many as three Giants firing lasers at you at the same time.
* DifficultButAwesome: Flying. It replaces your double-jump and allows you to hover indefinitely in the air once you reach top speed. While it has a rather steep learning curve (thanks in no small part to copious amounts of DamnYouMuscleMemory), it can lead to astronomical scores for those who can stay in the air long enough to gain massive multipliers from hoops.
** The Ice World. The level layouts are far less forgiving than the Sky World, but there are a ''ton'' more scoring opportunities to be found.
* FrickinLaserBeams: The Giants fire "solar beams" at you that will kill you unless you dash through them.
* PinballScoring: In previous games in the series, a six-digit score is worthy of considerable praise. In ''[=RUA2=]'', the top scores go well into the ''millions'' thanks to all kinds of new scoring opportunities.
* RandomlyGeneratedLevel: Instead of being entirely random like in previous games, the game instead picks a random fixed level from a list each day. Justified in that the levels in this game are [[SequelEscalation far more complex]] with branching paths aplenty.
* SequelDifficultySpike: Zigzagged. It starts off ''easier'' than the earlier games mainly due to its slower pace, but when you get far enough into the level it gets downright crazy, with tiny platforms and passages you can barely fit through aplenty.
* ShoutOut: One of the shifting backdrops for the 'Ice World' level is a pair of giant hounds sculpted from crystal and ice who are standing guard over a large jewel. Or, to put it another way, [[Music/DavidBowie you could call them the diamond dogs.]]
** One of the unlockable unicorn trails is called the [[{{Franchise/Transformers}} 'Automatic Deception']]. It even mimics the classic blue-red-white gradient of the old cartoon's title!
** Another unlockable unicorn called the "Pretty Princess" has thicker hooves and a heart on its flank. It bears a striking resemblance to another set of [[{{Franchise/MyLittlePony}} colored horses.]]
* [[SpaceWhale Space Whalicorn]]: Appears in the background from time to time.
* UnwinnableByMistake: Using embers can let you resume a failed wish, but sometimes the game will reposition you to a place where you'll end up crashing into the environment again.
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'''[[color:red:HA]][[color:orange:RM]][[color:yellow:ON]][[color:lime:Y]] [[color:cyan:HA]][[color:blue:RM]][[color:purple:ON]][[color:fuchsia:Y]] [[color:silver:OH LOVE~]]'''\\
[++[[color:red:♥]][[color:orange: ♥]][[color:yellow: ♥]][[color:lime: ♥]][[color:cyan: ♥]][[color:blue: ♥]][[color:purple: ♥]][[color:fuchsia: ♥]][[color:silver: ♥]][[color:silver: ♥ ♥]][[color:silver: ♥]]++]
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* CaptainErsatz: Arguably, the Robot Unicorn is a cyborg version of Starlite, "the most magnificent horse in the universe", from RainbowBrite. Heavens, if it was, that would make the game even ''more'' awesome.

* FanDisservice: {{LordKat}}'s [[http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/bt/lk/uww/19646-robot-unicorn-attack playthrough of the game.]]

[[http://robotunicornattack.club Play it here]].

* RealSongThemeTune: "Always (2009 Mix)" by {{Erasure}}.

In December 2012, another version was released: ''[[{{Retraux}} Retro Unicorn Attack]]''. [[http://games.adultswim.com/retro-unicorn-attack-twitchy-online-game.html Identical to the original]], but now in [[EightBitEra 8 glorious bits!]] Was later followed up with [[http://games.adultswim.com/retro-unicorn-attack-challenge-edition-online-game.html Retro Unicorn Attack: Challenge Edition]], which introduces fairy and star-laden {{Bonus Stage}}s to jack your score to previously unseen heights.

* MostGamersAreMale: A lot of people point out how CampGay it is, regardless of the fact that it doesn't apply to the ''women'' that play this game.

* LifeImitatesArt: A 2017 line of MAC makeup palettes in nacred neon metallic colors was called ''Unicorn''.

Three expansion packs are also now available, and are still [[SoCoolItsAwesome awesome]] even though one of them is... not as harmonious as you know it to be. See the ''[[DarthWiki/RobotUnicornAttack Robot Unicorn Attack: Heavy Metal Edition]]'' entry for more info on that one.

* ScoringPoints: The main point of the game... Well, other than being ''[[SoCoolItsAwesome awesome]]''.