Game Review: Rango - The Game

Game Review: Rango - The Game

Rango - The Game
Platform: PS3
Rating: PG
Released by EA
Based on the brilliant Johnny Depp CGI animated film of the same name, Rango (The Game) takes place after the film's denouement.
Depp's CGI chameleon is still top dog/ sheriff in the town of Dirt but has a new investigation to look into - the disappearance of Beans' father and the appearance of some moon rocks.
So, once again spinning some tall tales, the player must take on his mission and find out what the rocks have to do with everything and why Bad Bill's back in town.
The platforming style of this game mean it's pretty much aimed at all ages - though after a while, it does tend to feel as if it's skewing a little younger with the core repetition of action scenes.
It's great to have Depp voicing the character once again and makes the spin off game feel more like it's part of the film rather than the usual swift cash in. With some smart scripting, the goofy oddball sensibilities which pervaded the film are once again present in the gaming narrative.
Most of the game sees Rango having to see off gangs of bandits - either with his trusty shooter gun or via some crafty punching and general fightin'. Each villain you dispatch brings you sheriff stars which you can trade in to build up your core strengths, fighting skills and gun ammo. Throw in the need to guide bullets around certain parts of Dirt to open up portions of each level and you've got enough to keep you occupied.
While Rango is good platforming generally, its somewhat simplistic tone and repetitive nature (search the town, fight the gangs, collect the stars, shoot a golden bullet at a target and defeat the end of level boss) does grate a little towards the end. There are a few minor deviations where you get to ride creatures and chase trains and because of their sparse use they feel like welcome diversions.
Three settings (easy, medium and hard) mean you can play again if you want to - and also means all ages can take part in this.
All things being equal, Rango isn't a bad platformer; I was quite happy to endure the repetition of the levels and played onto the end - though I have to say, while it was a fun and entertaining ride while it lasted, it's fairly forgettable stuff once the PS3 was turned off.

Rating: 7/10