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As I get older, I keep getting the distinct feeling that I'm progressively forgetting more than I'm remembering. Since my memories are being swept away like the sands of time, any chance to revisit my past is a welcome opportunity. My graying hair and spotty recollection were the major reasons why I was looking forward to sitting down with Rampage: Total Destruction for the Wii. Rampage holds a special place in my heart and mind (while I can still recall it anyway). I spent countless hours stomping through virtual cities on the Commodore 64, living out my childhood fantasies of wreaking havoc as a large, mutated gorilla. This updated Gamecube and PlayStation 2 title was a chance to relive those memories and discover how it would translate roughly 20 years after I played the original.
Total Destruction retains the smash-everything-in-your-path style of previous Rampage titles, placing you in control of a mutated monster on a mission to decimate major cities and chomp down on innocent bystanders. The Wii version doesn't skimp on the monsters. In total there are 40 different monsters to choose from, including 10 new Wii exclusives. A bunch of them are selectable from the start, but several of the monsters have to be unlocked by locating special items.
Each monster has different strengths, but they tend to play the same. Once you select a monster you can get on with the task of clearing out the world's urban centers. Each of the major cities is comprised of 8-10 blocks, which constitute individual stages. Your main objective is to destroy every building you see. However, each stage of the city also has a specific bonus goal, like eating three ice cream cones or smashing six trolleys. Accomplishing the goal for that specific stage can yield additional points or unlock a new ability for your monster.
After playing sandbox titles like Crackdown, what I want out of Rampage is the chance to truly feel like I'm destroying a city. I don't want to traverse through a block at a time.
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The five upgraded abilities are worth getting, too, as they help make your monster more of a force to be reckoned with. Many of the upgraded attacks require the use of the motion-sensing remote, which, surprisingly, works well enough. Most of the remote moves involve swinging the remote to spin or moving it down to smash something on the ground. It feels like a fairly natural extension of the control scheme and works well with the button mashing you're already doing. Slamming the remote down to take out that pesky tank firing at you is a satisfying feeling. Still, it's not enough to warrant purchasing this version if you already have the Gamecube or PS2 game.
After using the motion control for a bit, it becomes apparent that the main problem is not so much the control system, but trying to utilize it in a 3D space. Rampage is still essentially a 2D game that has partially been converted to a 3D world, and as a result, it's often difficult to navigate the 3D space. It's beyond annoying to take a swipe at an enemy, and miss because you couldn't tell that you weren't even with them. The helicopters constantly buzzing around your hulking body are an unfortunate reoccurring example of this. It will appear that a helicopter is right next to you, but actually it's a little in front or a bit behind you. Downing the helicopter ends up being a repetitious process of elimination.
Playing a 2D game in a limited 3D space is what really kills the fun of the title. After playing sandbox titles like Crackdown, what I want out of Rampage is the chance to truly feel like I'm destroying a city. I don't want to traverse through a block at a time. You don't feel like an overpowered beast when you're just progressing stage by stage. It ends up feeling repetitious and tired. Despite the somewhat disappointing single player campaign, there's plenty of multiplayer action. There are three strictly multiplayer modes: King of the City, King of the World and Timed Run. Each one supports up to four players, but you can also play these modes with computer-controlled opponents. If you get frustrated with taking down buildings, you can share your ire with your friends by beating on them as they try to rack up points. The multiplayer modes add some life to a title that quickly gets a little stale.
Like hooking up with an ex-girlfriend, Rampage: Total Destruction is a familiar bit of fun, until its annoying quirks ultimately push you over the edge. For the retro-minded though, Rampage and Rampage: World Destruction are included on the disc. Playing through them just goes to show that things are better left in the past. |
