Rango

When the 2011 film Rango ended, its chameleon sheriff had just saved the town of Dirt from a water-hoarding mayor. The video game, released the same year, picks up right there. Developed by Behaviour Interactive and published by Electronic Arts alongside Paramount Digital Entertainment, this action-adventure platformer sends Rango after a new villain known as Moustache Man, a bandit with a sinister mustache and a gang of outlaws. The game runs on a proprietary engine and uses cel-shaded graphics to mirror the movie's distinctive animation style. Johnny Depp and the rest of the film's voice cast returned to record new dialogue, making this a direct narrative sequel rather than a simple retelling.

Players run, jump, swing on ropes, and fire six-shooters from a third-person perspective. A trick-shot mechanic lets Rango target multiple enemies in slow motion, a nod to classic Western shootouts. Levels range from the dusty streets of Dirt to canyons, mines, and bandit hideouts. Hidden sheriff's badges and gold teeth upgrade Rango's health and ammo capacity. The Nintendo DS version shifts to a 2D side-scrolling format with touch-screen mini-games. Critics on Metacritic gave the game scores around 58 to 60 out of 100 across platforms, praising the voice work and visual fidelity but calling the combat repetitive and the camera frustrating. No DLC or multiplayer modes were ever released, and the game remains a single-player experience.[edit]

Rango plays as a third-person action-adventure platformer. The core loop involves exploring linear levels, jumping across gaps, climbing ledges, and shooting enemies with a revolver. The trick-shot ability slows time and lets Rango paint targets on multiple foes before firing a single bullet that ricochets between them. Players also solve simple environmental puzzles, like moving crates or activating switches. Collectibles include sheriff's badges that increase maximum health and gold teeth that expand ammo capacity. The Wii version uses motion controls for aiming, while the Nintendo DS version offers a completely different 2D side-scrolling experience with stylus-based aiming and touch-screen activities. No online or local multiplayer modes exist.[edit]

Rango's adventure begins just after the film's finale. The town of Dirt is recovering from Mayor Tortoise John's tyranny when a new threat emerges: Moustache Man, a well-dressed outlaw with a flair for dramatic entrances. He and his gang of bandits begin terrorizing the desert, stealing water and supplies. Rango sets out to stop them, traveling through canyons, abandoned mines, and a saloon turned hideout. Along the way, he encounters familiar faces from the film, including Beans the iguana and the armadillo Roadkill. The story culminates in a showdown at Moustache Man's train, where Rango uses his wits and trick-shooting to defeat the villain and restore peace. The script was written as a direct continuation of the movie's plot, with all original voice actors reprising their roles.[edit]