Power Rangers: Time Force
Score: 75% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: THQ Developer: Vicarious Visions Media: Cart/1 Players: 1 Genre: Action
Graphics & Sound: Power Rangers: Time Force is not a bad looking game by any means. Each of the five monochromatic universe defenders is smoothly rendered and look great. The problem is that instead of each ranger having his or her own style, they all use the same model. It's not bad for some of the Rangers, but you try explaining to the Pink Ranger why she is built like a Russian female power-lifter. I also had a problem with the animations. For the most part, it's the typical punch and kick moves which is okay, but considering the source material, I was expecting over the top jumps and special moves. Each level falls short of being impressive, but does a good job at conveying the time period it takes place in. This is good, because that is the only indication you will get that you are in a different time. The sound is excellent, and makes great use of GBA's sound card. This was very refreshing, especially considering the standard, run of the mill music used in most licensed games.
Gameplay: I will admit, I have not seen an episode of Power Rangers since they were flying around with big robot dinosaurs, so kids - forgive me if I get the story wrong. Apparently baddies have traveled back in time and it is up to the Power Rangers to stop them before they alter the time stream. The game is played as your standard sidescroller, and consists mostly of close combat, item collecting and platform jumping. Thankfully, Vicarious Visions broke up things by adding different attacks and weapon abilities to each Ranger. It is nothing mind-bending, but at the same time it's still fun. Power Rangers also takes a cue from the old NES Ninja Turtles game. Instead of your Rangers dying (this is a kids game afterall), they are instead 'retired', and like in the Ninja Turtles game, the only way to get them back is to rescue (or in this case revive) them. I was really surprised to see that the game was missing one major part of any action game - some type of story that at least attempts to move the game along. As mentioned before, the only way you know that you have moved into a new era is the background. At least a few cutscenes would have been nice to help things make sense (although I am sure any kid would be able to explain the entire plot system to me in seconds).
Difficulty: I blew right through Time Force with little to no problems. But you also have to remember that I'm once again a little out of the game's target range (see Rugrats: Castle Capers if you have no idea what I am talking about). But even if I was in the age range, I would still find it not much of a challenge. I will admit that it does offer some challenging areas though, but nothing any gamer could not get past.
Game Mechanics: Controls are about as simple as they come and are not very hard to master. The D-pad moves your Ranger while A and B attack and kick. Once your ranger's power meter is full, he/she can unleash either the Chronosaber special or Vortex Blaster special. Again, there's nothing too deep, but does it really have to be considering who the game is intended for? Despite the little things, I enjoyed Time Force. Again, it's not a deep game, but it provided for some nice, mindless fun. Older gamers may not want to pick this one up, but parents - especially those of Power Ranger fans will definitely want to look into this game.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Planet of the Apes Prehistorik Man