Rango is one of those few games that’s based on a movie that manages to set itself apart and be something fun and interesting. Taking place outside the main Rango story, the game tells a story through flash backs. A strange glowing rock has been found and Rango, a lizard sheriff tells all the towns folk of his adventures over the past week and how he knows what the rock is… a meteorite from space. The story itself is funny, charming and well acted, but in order to understand who’s who and how they relate to each other it’s important to see the movie. Luckily the game itself comes with one free movie ticket, so you can brush up on Rango’s story before you dive into it.
Rango’s gameplay is varied and fun. Most of the game is platforming, jumping, hanging from ledge and collecting sheriffs badges. These segments are broken up with light gun style shoot outs that often involve a cover mechanic, feeling a bit like Time Crisis. This is a welcome way to dispatch your enemies. Some segments are full on rails shooters, one of which involves riding on a bird and shooting obstacles as you chase a train. This segment alone was fun enough to come back to a second time. The levels are short and fun with an intuitive camera that follows your every movement rather well. The only downside is that there’s no real challenge. Given that this title is developed for kids it’s understandable, but I never felt like I was challenged, even on the bigger boss fights, and if I did die either by falling or simply getting shot too much in a shoot out, then I respawned right back where I was with a full bar of life and no penalty.
For a Wii title Rango shows that it’s visually impressive. A crisp frame rate, well animated characters and bright colors are the name of the game. Rango jumps around beautifully, double jumping, smashing boxes and shimmying with flair. Cut scenes are pre-rendered video but use the game’s engine well, with vibrant lighting, though a little washed out at times. It’s a shame they didn’t move the story forward in game. The sound design is also rather good, with a flurry of pings and pangs from popcorn bullets the proper western style soundtrack to accompany it. The little bird mariachi band The Dirtonians, chime in assuming that Rango will never make it, acting as trash talking little narrators. The only issues I had with the sound was the constant tinny chime that I’d hear from collecting badges. It’s constant and unpleasant.
Rango is a short game, only consisting of a handful of levels, which may lack replayability. There’s no online mode to speak of and while the game tracks your badge collection and allows you to select any level you’ve beaten, there’s no much that screams for you to come back and enjoy it again. It’s story is interesting, but in that “Saturday morning cartoon spin off” kind of way. A quality game is here, and kids will enjoy it… but just not for very long. It’s lack of replayability, multiplayer or any extra features keep Rango from truly breaking away from the movie adaptation genre. It earns a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. A worth while rental for kids, especially if they like the movie.
