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John Rambo is a bit of relic by today’s standards, so it’s only fitting that the muscle-bound macho man returns sporting some equally old-fashioned tropes. With Rambo: The Video Game, developer Teyon is attempting to serve up a fresh slice of on-rails shooter action, complete with Quicktime-Events, high scores and a nationwide shortage on body bags.
Speaking to VG247, Reef Entertainment publisher Will Curley briefed fans on just what to expect from his team’s take on the First Blood trilogy (no mention of John Rambo, the fourth film). Poised to ambush players at the tail end of 2013, the lead-shedding title will shepherd armchair-GIs through a series of familiar filmic locales, from the North-Western foothills of First Blood to the arid and unforgiving plains of Rambo 3.
Progress in Rambo: The Video Game appears to be based on the player’s screen-clearing prowess, though the game will attempt to mix up the tried-and-true Time Crisis formula with a number of specific set-piece encounters. These intermittent distractions are designed to allow gamers greater tactical control over a given fire fight, as cover selection, ammo conservation and destructible terrain elements all enter into play.
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Weapons loadouts are restricted to the modern-standard 'two guns and grenade' setup, with Rambo's deadly bow and arrow combo also thrown in for good measure. Selectable skill perks boost the efficiency of Rambo and his weapons, modifying everything from magazine size to player movement speed. Setting high-scores is a central pillar of the in-game experience, and modifiers appear key to claiming that top spot. Adhering to the route taken by Rambo in the movies will also yield up extra score hauls, so Teyon has devised a simple stealth system to complement Rambo 1's comparatively modest body count.
Curley revealed that Mo-capped QTEs will stand-in for some of the film's less gun-tastic moments, including John's classic escape from police custody. Non-deadly takedowns are also available for play during gunfight scenarios, as targeting specific limbs will disarm and dissuade encroaching cops, commies and Vietcong alike.
With Curley admitting that many fans asked for a greater emphasis on 3rd person play, is the game's first-person dynamic right for Rambo? Did the likes of Contra, Far Cry and Metal Gear Solid 3 already scratch your itch for Rambo-related gaming? Will Sylvester Stallone contribute any new lines of dialogue? Have your say in the comments below.
Rambo: The Video Game will appear - as if from nowhere - on PC, PS3 & Xbox 360 later this year.
Source: VG247