Typically, I'm always first in line to call "foul" when a studio tries to capitalize on a licensed property by releasing a subpar game. Sometimes it feels as though production houses get a kick out of tricking parents into buying a full price game for their children, when the game isn't really worth half the price. So, when I got Rango on Xbox 360 to review, I immediately felt my bones tense with frustration as I let out a sigh. "Here it goes, another game not worth playing." Thankfully, my fears were not warranted. Not only is Rango a fun game to play, but the characters, voicing, controls and action are all fluidly delivered in one cohesive game that can be just as fun for adults as it is for children.

Rango doesn't try to rehash the story of the feature film it was based on. Instead, it takes place sometime after Rango has officially staked his claim as sheriff in the town of Dirt. This is a welcome decision. There is nothing worse than playing through a "movie story" that forces situations and gameplay that were not present in the film. It usually ends up giving gamers a pointless and muddled tale. In Rango the video game, a mysterious meteor rock is discovered that may have had something to do with the disappearance of Beans' father several years ago. So, this actually ends up serving as an origin tale of sorts for Beans. Now, Bad Bill and the Jenkins gang have gotten possession of the meteor rock and are using it as some form of power upgrade. The premise sounds like something out of the first four seasons of Smallville, where meteor rock prevailed, but playing through it Rango's world is more entertaining. The only thing that's strange about this tale is that one character in the exposition apparently gets vaporized when he is exposed to the glowing green rock. However, nothing happens to Rango when he is exposed to it.

The game functions as a cross between an action-adventure game and a shooter. Most of the time, you'll engage various giant slugs and members of the Jenkins gang with melee attacks. You also can jump in the air and press the X-button to land a smash attack from above. The smash attack is actually quite useful and can be upgraded as the game progresses. Plus, gamers earn multipliers for chained attacks. So, it's great to land a smash attack when you're surrounded, followed by an uppercut barrage. You also have a popcorn gun that can be aimed by holding down RB. There are also three special guns, like the blaster (which is a machine gun) and the double-barreled shotgun. These are special power-ups that can be picked up from a Jack-in-the-Box. Usually, they appear just before a mid-level or final boss. Each gun only has a limited lifespan so it behooves you to beat as many of members of the Jenkins gang before opening the Jack-in-the-Box and then using the special weapon for the boss battle.

There are seventeen abilities that can be upgraded in Rango. You can buy these with sheriff stars that you pick up from downed enemies, barrels and mining deposits. Wounded Bird is usually positioned in one to three locations on every board so that you can buy your upgrades from him. Perhaps one of the best upgrades is the one that increases the number of star drops. If you get this first, then you'll quickly be able to build up other upgrades later on. Each of the abilities can be leveled up three times.

The boards are brilliantly designed just like the feature film. Everything feels like a patchwork environment, from your popcorn gun to the stairs that are made out of staples. Sometimes the staples are also electrified. There are also several movie references. One board is called the water train, which is a small but subtle reference to Dirt's need for water. The character designs have the excellent detail presented in the movie, while the voicing and personalities also stay true to the movie.

The game does a nice job of adding diverse level design to keep gameplay dynamic. As you proceed through the game, you will be introduced to more and more platforming puzzles. You will also get to rail grind and whip down zip lines as well as play an on-rails board on a roadrunner. The roadrunner is a little difficult to control and you will inevitably crash into multiple objects. However, it's almost impossible to die on this board.

Rango is probably one of the best movie adapted games when it comes to diversity of play. I was startled at how often the gameplay or level design would change, yet still stay true to the core gameplay mechanics. It's always odd to play a game that throws in a different style of play and completely new controls after you've already passed through fifty percent of the game. However, everything is executed with terrific symmetry in Rango. For good measure, there is also a slow motion bullseye mini-game you have to play on each board as well as a stealth board where you have to avoid a giant human with a flashlight.

The boss battles in Rango could use some added difficulty. After a while, taking down Bad Bill time and time again became redundant. Also, I didn't feel like any of the boss battles were that much different from the fighting on that board. Sure, I got to use a golf club to drop a bell on Bad Bill, but it wasn't challenging enough to be a memorable boss battle.

Rango is a solid action-adventure game. I thought the boss battles could use some added difficulty. But, this is definitely one licensed title that any gamer can enjoy.

Final Score: B+