A Fun Platformer
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers is a fun game to review, because it's a fun game to pick up and play... It's also one of the shortest games I've ever played, clocking at around 2-3 hours. The game itself is easy as hell (what a stupid expression, btw), aside from a few challenging sequences that require a bit of timing. The bosses are laughable. Bottom line, this is a kids' game, although anybody with a bit of spare time can come and enjoy these annoying little rodents' adventures for as long as it lasts - or rather, as short as it lasts. Just don't expect anything you haven't seen before (and since) in a zillion other games. Jump, shoot, avoid obstacles - hurray!
Everything is sort of blocky; that was my initial reaction. I don't mean that the graphics are ugly, on the contrary, everything is very colourful and the enemies are big meanies. But the game relies on boxes and containers and trash cans for much of its level design, and you can even pick and throw these objects around. There are poles, ropes, trees and rooftops to climb, and tomatoes (!), apples and other property-restricted natural objects to pick up, carry and throw around at enemies like a couple of mischievous furry funkers. The levels are fun, but not all that varied or innovative. There are some high altitude sequences as well as water levels, but by and large it's the same crapola over and over again. The first level offers about 90% of what the game has to offer. Few surprises are granted during the course of the play. At least there's the option of choosing routes on the map screen and, if one so chooses, skipping over some levels in favour of others. However, considering the shortness of the experience, this is hardly enough to make the game interesting in the long run. But at least there's some illusion of replay value beyond the mere cutesy factor of a simple platformer. The game also boasts an admittedly engaging cooperative mode for 2 players, but this mode adds nothing but numbers (+1) to the core game.
I've played though this game at least twice. It can easily be done in one sitting. Perhaps even twice a day. So, is it worth it? Depends. If you're looking for harmless, jolly platforming action where instant gratification takes the place of deep immersion and extensive challenge, then this game is just for you. For young kids, this game is a good introduction to the platforming genre. It's not as quirky as some of the other Disney-related games developed by Capcom, such as Duck Tales 1 & 2 (which are also better games in some regard), but Chip 'n Dale hold enough charm to be the perfect protagonists in an adventure to save something-or-another and to kick ass while doing it. Playable and fun, fast and furry-ous, this is the game in a nut shell - or should I say acorn shell?
