[#13] Rampage: Total Destruction

Genre: Action / Scroller
Publisher: Midway
Developer: Pipeworks Studios
Number of Players: 1-2
ESRB: E10 for Everyone 10+e

The Story

"In Rampage, players take on the role of mutated giant monsters created by the unscrupulous scum labs corporation (operating under the guise of a soft drink company.) The player's goal is to progress through a series of cities around the globe destroying as much of them as possible in an effort to locate all the other captive monsters".

The Facts

EGeorge, Lizzie and the gang are back in action, this time roaring onto the Nintendo Wii for launch day. Spread across 7 major cities, players will be able to select up to 30 different characters to advance through classic Rampage gameplay. Actually, that's what the other ports boast. The Wii version will see 8 major cities, including Las Vegas, Hong Kong and New York; and up to 40 playable characters.

Play up to 4 main game modes: Campaign, a singular or cooperative city destroying assignment (this is where you can unlock more characters); King of the City, where players attempt to control the most city districts; King of the World, a larger scaled version of King of the City; and last a Time Trial mode, where players attempt to dominate all a city's districts in a race against the clock.

Total Destruction marks Rampage's first effort to make the jump from 2-D to 3-D on a video game console, making the damage all that much more enjoyable. Speaking of doing some serious damage: fists, claws and tentacles wont be the only way to Rampage through the city - no, not anymore. In Rampage: Total Destruction also comes the inclusion of some tasteful car throwing, and buildings can now be scaled from the face if so desired. In fact, some buildings are even layered behind one another, so if you're attentive you'll be able to manage a two for one deal! Also new are timely challenges (non-pertinent) available throughout levels to spice things up, and allow more points to be earned for your score and even character improvements.

Below you will find a short bio by the Rampage team on on 30 of the 40 characters available in the Wii version.

RETURNING

Ralph (Wolf): My what sharp teeth Ralph has! The well-balanced wolf likes to hwol through the city, tossing taxicabs (or whatever else gets in his way) into buildings or into the distance. We've heard of Hungry like the Wolf, but this is ridiculous!

George (Ape): George the Ape doesn't monkey around. He uses his climbing abilities to scale buildings quickly and he's always on the lookout for more bananas to increase his health. If you see this monkey, you know what to do - run!

Lizzie (Dinosaur): They say not to swim for 30 minutes after a mean, but do you want to tell Lizzie the Dinosaur that? Nothing slows her down as she uses her speed to quickly scale and destroy building after building. After which she visits your town, you'll wish she was extinct!

NEW

Gilman (Blowfish): Gilman the Blowfish has come up for air, and with his natural ability to deal with all water hazards, you'll wish you could throw him back! He's set up to 'fin'ish destroying all the buildings in your city, and he won't even feel any 'gil't about it!

Marco (Shark): Every week is shark week in San Francisco with Marco the Shark around. Now that he's hit the beach, it may be safer in the water! Even though his health isn't the best, years of evolution have streamlined this monstrous man-eater into a human-feeding frenzy. Marco gives new meaning to the line, "you're gonna need a bigger boat".

Ramsey (Ram): Ramsey puts the RAM in Rampage. There are no butts about it, his amazing crushing ability makes him an awesomely powerful monster. So what if he's got an ugly mug, if you mess with this ram, you get the horns!

Rhett (Rat): Frankly my dear, Rhett the Rat doesn't give a damage about the destruction he unleashes. The villainous vermin scurries from city to city running, jumping and destroying all that stands in his way. You won't find this dirty rat hanging out in dark alleys - and if you do, you better hope you're the one that can scurry away!

Cal (Squid): People have eaten them friend, sauteed and grilled, but no one has ever seen a squid like this before. Cal's anger has been simmering on the backburner for awhile and now he's decided to make the population of Hollywood his dessert! Talk about an appetite for destruction!

Leon (Lion): Leon the Lion is no coward. This large feline has moved to the mean streets of Las Vegas, and is now the 'mane attraction' as the king of the concrete jungle. Just listen as his royal roar echoes through the city.

Crock (Crocodile): Everyone says humans taste like chicken, but this Crocodile thinks that's a Crock! Humans actually taste like asparagus, according to Crock the Crocodile. All pedestrians of Hong Kong should beware of this razor toothed savage with his mammoth tail and its earth shattering force. He may be a slow climber, but if Crock could ever be taken down, he'd make a heck of a big handbag.

Kyle (Cyclops): Kyle the Cyclops may not have much use for a pair of binoculars, but he certainly has his 'eye' on the prize - total destruction! Singularly focused on destroying city block after city block in London, Kyle and his superior strength are tempered by his lack of speed - you wouldn't run very fast either if you had no depth perception!

Rojo (Bull): When Rojo enters your city, you better hope you're ready for you own version of Running FROM the Bull! Citizens of Chicago will be seeing red if they try and grab this bull by the horns. Rojo takes a while to get up to full speed, but once he does the city's going to be knee deep in Rojo's destruction!

Icky (Echidna): Icky may lack teeth, but his quick movement, strong forepaws and sticky tongue make this prickly predator one to avoid. He's quick to knock down any British building that stands in his way just to get a taste of his favorite treat... cockroaches.

Venus (Plant): Your mom always told you to eat your vegetables - and now the plant world is about to have its revenge! Venus the Plant has jumped the pot and planted himself in Hong Kong, and she's hungry! Even with her massive head, Venus remains rooted to her one ambition - total destruction!

Wally (Warthog): Wally goes absolutely hog-wild when he enters New York - 'warts' up with that? His high health, bulging biceps and obvious good looks will raise your alert level to read. Once he visits, no one will welcome the warthog back.

Harry (Yetti): Harry the Yeti has done some truly abominable things to the cities he's razed, and he's showing no signs of chilling out anytime soon. His years of hiding in the Himalayas gave him time to develop an annaturaly quick climbing ability. Even the highest skyscrapers of Chicago prove to be a useless getaway retreat for his victims.

Shelby (Tortoise): Some may mock this turtle for her average jumping and crushing abilities, but what they don't realize is that slow and steady wins the race. Under Shelby the Tortoise's tough exterior lies a turtle in a half shell with a super high health. The only shell game Shelby plays involves crushing block after city block in Frisco.

Amanda (Armadillo): Amanda the Armadillo is built like a tank and armed with high health. Despite her average nature, this tough as nails Armadillo is ready to roll through your city. Rumor has it, someone in Hollywood once called her 'Amanda Huggandkiss,' and she's been on a Rampage every since!

Natalie (Nautilus): This 'sailor' has multiple arms giving her the upper hand - err tentacle - for crushing the competition! When it comes to tearing apart downtown San Francisco, Natalie and destruction go arm in arm... in arm... in arm... in arm...

Kingston (King Cobra): Kingston the King Cobra's slithering speed and his attraction to poison powerups mean there's no charming this snake! This venomous snake is on the loose and looking to make 'hissss'tory by wreaking havoc from Las Vegas and beyond.

Rocky (Granite): Rocky's fists of stone crush New York skyscrapers with ease but this blockhead has got some lead in his shoes. Rocky is burning a path of destruction everywhere he goes. Forget partying, Rocky wants to rock n' roll through buildings all night, and every day!

Edwin (Invader): Edwin's not from around here, and he'll make sure that nobody else stays around him in the city of London! Edwin has superior physical abilities, probably from years of experience destroying puny worlds like ours. His only weakness is that all that power has made him confident - Edwin is slow to cut loose with a Rampage.

Joe (Wildman): With his extremely sharp teeth and claws, Joe the Wildman makes even the spazziest Tasmanian devil look like a sissy. With his perfectly sculpted 'Wolverin-do,' Joe relies on his strength, cunning and feareless nature in his quest for total destruction. And if that doens't work, his voracious roar is sure to send shockwaves through the city blocks of New York.

Bart (Bat): With his keen sense of hearing, Bart the Bat is well in tune to the pulse of Hollywood. With sharp fangs and an awesome double jump, he's more like a bat out of 'Help Destroy The City!' Bart's short flight abilities make it nearly impossible for his prey to get away.

Jack (Jackalope): Feel free to tell this 'warrior rabbit' that Jackalopes don't exist, and you might get a look at what a jackalope looks like from from inside his stomach! Jack's fast speed and high jumping abilities make this mythical creature a force to be reckoned with. You may not know jack about him now, but when he crushes your window or throws your car across Las Vegas, you'll definitely know Jackalope.

Jill (Jellyfish): Even the world's largest jar of peanut butter wouldn't help you get along with this Jellyfish. Jill is a double threat, with both an electric personality and speed that is faster than a bolt of lightning. Unfortunately for Jill, her tentacles don't do much damage. Nevertheless, she manages to prove that even without a backbone she's got the goods to tear apart Hong Kong.

Nick (Demon): What one word would Paris Hilton use to describe Nick the Demon? Hot. This flamer has brought to Chicago death and destruction. His other-worldly body is completely fire resistant, giving new meaning to the term 'en fuego.'

Eyegore (Alien): Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away, Eyegore the Alien had a single vision - total destruction! Beware weary earthlings, because once Eyegore gets his eye on you, there's no escape from his unnatural powered jump and his intense air control.

Bubba (Blob): Bubba the Blob's oversized arms give him the ultimate crushing ability. He's also remained quite agile, with tremendous leaps and crushing air attacks, including his patented butt-slam of doom. Make no bones about it, Bubba oozes destruction wherever he goes!

Philbert (Ungulate): If you see Philbert coming down your street, it may be'hoove' you to learn what an Ungulate is. Sure he may look weak, but, well... actually he is weak. But he makes up for it with... well... nothing. Ok, clearly Philbert has a lot of issues, and he's taking them out on the world!

David Light's Favorite Game Award

Sigh... ok, I made this award up. It doesn't really exist. I just love Rampage. Actually wait, all these awards are made up. Wow, I'm so lazy I can't even make faux awards properly.