Rambo: The Video Game

Rambo: The Video Game attempts to channel the explosive action and emotional punch of the iconic film trilogy but aims its sights far too low and misses the mark by a wide margin. Developed by Teyon and released in 2014, the game positions itself as a nostalgic on-rails shooter, casting players as John Rambo across key moments from "First Blood," "Rambo: First Blood Part II," and "Rambo III." It's certainly an ambitious prospect—after all, the films themselves are known for their over-the-top action sequences and memorable set pieces. Unfortunately, instead of recapturing those thrills, the game rapidly devolves into a repetitive, clunky slog.

The core gameplay is reminiscent of light-gun arcade shooters from decades past, but with modern controls limited to a controller or mouse and keyboard. Players move automatically along a preset path, tasked solely with aiming, shooting, and occasionally taking cover or tossing grenades. While this genre can be entertaining in short bursts, Rambo fails to inject variety or polish into its formula. Enemy behavior lacks intelligence, often simply standing in the open or charging headlong into gunfire, and the environments feel lifeless and static. What should be cinematic and dynamic shootouts wind up feeling dull and uninspired.

Visually, the game is disappointingly dated, even for the time of its release. Character models are stiff and expressionless, environments are bland and repetitive, and effects like explosions and gunfire lack the needed flair to elevate the action. Worse, sections that rely on stealth or quick-time events are hampered by poor animation and clunky controls, breaking immersion rather than enhancing it. All of these elements work against making players feel like the legendary one-man army they're meant to embody.

One small positive is the use of original audio clips from Sylvester Stallone and Richard Crenna, lending a touch of authenticity to cutscenes and story moments. However, the implementation is inconsistent—dialogue is often jarringly dropped in, and the emotional beats of the films are lost in translation. Additionally, the narrative completely glosses over the character development and anti-war themes of the movies, reducing Rambo to a caricature driven by mindless violence rather than a traumatised veteran with depth.

The game does try to reward replayability with an experience system, unlockable skills, and weapon upgrades, but even these elements feel shallow. Progression is slow and the upgrades fail to materially impact gameplay, which further diminishes the player’s sense of achievement. Multiplayer and co-op are notably absent, which is a missed opportunity that could have at least added variety to the repetitive formula.

Ultimately, Rambo: The Video Game is a failed tribute to an action movie legend. Rather than providing a tense and thrilling shooter, it serves up a feeble, outdated, and unpolished experience marred by repetitive gameplay, poor presentation, and wasted potential. Even die-hard fans of John Rambo will struggle to extract much enjoyment here. There are far better ways to relive the saga of the bandana-wearing veteran than this lackluster adaptation.