| System: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS |  |
| Dev: Behaviour Interactive | |
| Pub: Paramount Digital Entertainment | |
| Release: March 1, 2011 | |
| Players: 1 | |
| Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p |
I have to admit that I didn't actually see the Rango movie before playing the game, and therefore I assumed that the plot of the game followed the film, so I wouldn't have much to say about the game's writing. Upon taking a peek at the movie's Wikipedia page, I found out that the video game has a completely separate plot. Apparently there are no zombies or aliens in the movie. The game's plot is a little hard to follow (being rather rushed), but the writing is somewhat clever—another thing that I don't expect from these types of games.
It starts with Rango telling the story of how he collected mysterious rocks in an effort to solve the mystery of the disappearance of Beans' father. As the scene of Rango's tale is shown, his audience will interrupt by pointing out flaws in the story. As one character reminds him that there are bones to the north instead of a canyon, bones fall from the sky before Rango to complete the landscape that the player will traverse. The dialogue is as quirky and humorous as we've come to expect from anything involving Johnny Depp, and on occasion made me laugh. During the part where you learn how to walk while crouching, Rango narrates: "This part was hard on the quadriceps." Also, the trophy earned for successfully flying on the back of a bat is titled "This is bat country!" Well done, Behaviour Interactive.
The game's sound is perfectly adequate. The music is pretty much one song the entire time, but it's a decent song, especially if you enjoy the fiddle. It is occasionally interrupted by the only song that the mariachi band knows, which they play from their random perches throughout each level while they offer up some amusing quips. Sound effects are fine, and at times appropriately exaggerated. You can't have a Western without the sound of ricocheting bullets, after all. I would even say that the voice acting was above average. Johnny Depp didn't voice Rango in the game, but his impersonator did a bang-up job. Graphics are about what you'd expect—not bad, but nothing like the next-gen experience.
In terms of controls, fun, and general wackiness, Rango reminded me of the old Spyro the Dragon games, except not as refined. It's a sub-Spyro game, but again, for a game that was based off a movie, it is quite good. This would be a great gift for a kid who really liked the movie, provided you've got enough spare money lying around to pay $50 for ten hours of entertainment. Otherwise, remember that it's only good for a movie video game, and you should probably spend your cash on something else.
By
Lindsey Weedston
CCC Freelance Writer
Game Features:
