Genesis - Rambo III Review

Rambo III is a top down action shooter. Not based on the movie at all, Rambo III doesn't have a prequel but was released (I assume) sometime after the Rambo III movie was released.

Gameplay: 8/10

With the ability to fire only in eight directions and a choice of four weapons, it seems like Rambo is heavily outmatch and outgunned by the enemy. Which he is. His weapons of choice are: a dagger, his trademark bow and explosive arrows, really really big bombs and finally a rapid-fire machine gun.

Fortunately for us, while the first three weapons are limited in ammo, his rapid-machine gun isn't. Which means you can pretty much mow any enemy soldiers down Contra style. That is holding down the attack button and firing wildly in the general directions of the enemy soldiers while moving as far away as possible from the slow moving incoming bullets.

As for the other three weapons, the dagger is fairly redundant and comes in handy only when you want to gain points by stabbing people one after another. The bow and explosives arrows are somewhat redundant as well, usually used for blowing easier targets which can't shoot back because of the charge time. The bombs will be used against structures and buildings which usually are shooting at you.

Perhaps the only trouble comes when you don't know the level very well and you realise you have to destroy a machine gun tower a little too late. Shooting and arrow takes too long so you have to plant bombs. Unfortunately, the best way to do this is to begin the the previous screen and run in from the side planting bombs while the enemy tries to hit you.

There's also a second part to the game where you're looking from behind Rambo and you're using your bow and arrows to shoot down enemy vehicles like a helicopter or tank. Once again you have to charge up your attack and fire. In this part you can move only when you're not charging up (annoying me at first) and you can only aim when you're charging up. While this system seems a little silly, what it does is increase the game's challenge. You have to time it right to avoid enemy fire while returning fire within a small time constraint. Just like in the movies. For example, in the second part of level 2, you face a tank. To defeat it you have dodge behind some sand bags, wait for it to fire and then pop out charge your bow and attack it before returning back to hide behind the sand bags. It may take some time to get use to but it's pretty fun when you do get used to it.

Graphics: 3/5

While the graphics aren't too spectacular now, the game graphics do a fair job for their time.

Sound and Music: 2/5

The sound and music aren't too good for this game, mostly they're limited to bleeps and poor quality explosions. Not something you want really.

Game design: 4/5

The levels in this game are fiendishly designed for maximum annoyance. Until you realise that everything's the same and that nothing ever changes each time you play. What this means is that under the right actions and timing you can actually finish the level without being hurt by memorising the locations of all the buildings and people. New players will probably die about twenty times before catching on to this fact.

The point of the game isn't really to finish it. The point of the game is to see how fast you can finish a level and compare high scores with other players. At the end of every level, you'll be awarded points if you beat certain times put there plus you have unlimited continues which can only be a good thing.

Longevity: 4/5

This game will actually last you a long time once you get past the learning curve because of it's replayability. Just don't expect too much from it at first. It can't compare to modern games but as itself, it's a classic action/puzzle blend really.

For: Good game design.

Against: Steep learning curve, poor sound and music, mediocre graphics.

Genre: Action/War

Produced by: Sega

Year: 1989

Platform: Sega Megadrive/Genesis

Runs on: Genecyst, Gens

Scoring Summary:

Gameplay: 8/10

Graphics: 3/5

Sound and Music: 2/5

Game design: 4/5

Longevity: 4/5

Total: 21/30

Rating

70%

-Reviewed by Barnabas