We’re amazed at how much the movie Rango won us over. For not-so-traditional animated fare that doesn’t use an ounce of pumped-up 3-D effects, it’s a great adventure film for all ages, with plenty of quirky humor and likable characters, particularly the gun-toting lizard himself. Surprisingly, EA’s game, which puts these folks in an entirely new adventure, is pretty good in its own right. Rather than simply follow events from the film, Rango: The Video Game instead spins a tall tale of its own. Standing in a bar with his fellow citizens of the Western town of Dirt, Rango explains how he single-handedly tackles a gang of thugs while, at the same time, investigating the appearance of mysterious glowing meteorites. It’s hokum at best, but it’s on the same funny level as the film’s story, so it works. Rango borrows a few elements from the Ratchet and Clank video game series.
You can shoot enemies using a run-and-gun or strafe method, or zoom in with a press of the shoulder button for manual aim. These techniques prove useful over the course of the game, should you need to shoot switches or aim for a glowing pack of dynamite in a boss’ hands. In addition, there are some fun flying and horse racing stages, though the action can get hectic as you need to dodge objects and shoot enemies at the same time. It might be bewildering to younger players. We’re also fans of the extra mini-games scattered throughout each stage. One has you steering a “magic bullet” to a target, steering its path. Another has you playing golf using a movable ball. All you need to do is set up your power, swing away, and guide the shot. This is pretty cool in the game’s later stages, as you’ll battle a Hunter S. Thompson look-alike and a horde of cowboy zombies. You’ll see. For the most part, the gameplay handles well, even if it isn’t entirely original.
There’s nothing here that wasn’t done better in the Ratchet and Clank games, but Behavior Entertainment pays tribute the best way they know how. And it isn’t sloppy either. We just wish camera movement was a little smoother, as there were times we accidentally died mis-judging the distance of a jump. Could be worse, tho. The biggest downside to Rango is its length. You can see everything that the game has to offer in a matter of hours, as the main story doesn’t last long and there’s no sign of any multiplayer. You can go through it again on higher difficulties and try to earn all the Achievements, or play through the game wearing Mexican duds or a Hawaiian shirt, but that’s really about it. Fortunately, the ride is an acceptable one. The graphics, while hardly mesmerizing, do represent Rango’s world very well. The backdrops are impressive, even if you’re mostly just wandering around the desert, and the animation, supplied by Industrial Light and Magic, is sharp, though there are times it can be a bit fuzzy.
The in-game music mostly consists of a score similar to the films, and it’s good, but becomes repetitive. (We did enjoy the re-appearances of the Mariachi band when your life was in peril.) The voiceovers are okay, but no stars from the film are included here. On a side note, the game also comes with a digital ticket for the film, so if you haven’t seen it yet, or want to see it again, it’s a decent little bonus. With Rango, a lot more could’ve been done in terms of multiplayer (c’mon, ostrich races!) and getting the film’s voice talent to contribute. As it stands, however, it’s a better-than-most film-to-game adaptation, backed by a strong story, mostly fun gameplay, some inventive ideas and good-looking visuals. We highly recommend it for kids, fans of the film, and those who don’t mind a good tall tale…even one with Hunter S. Thompson.
