Rusty Rangers, developed by Fantastica!, is one of those indie surprises that manages to walk the line between retro homage and modern mechanics and experimentation. Billed as a blend of classic platform shooting with roguelike elements, the game tries to combine nostalgic mechanics with progression systems that reward repeated play. On PlayStation 5, that balance mostly works – even if some parts of the experience struggle to fully ignite the excitement its pixel-packed presentation promises.
At first glance, Rusty Rangers looks like a straight shot from the 16-bit era: vibrant pixel art, mechanical enemies, a dystopian world full of charming weirdness, and rangers with oversized weapons. But the narrative setup offers something a little more interesting. You play as one of several rangers trying to unravel what went wrong in a chaotic world, slowly revealing more through quests, character interactions, and a looming confrontation with a villainous baron. There’s enough personality in the world and its inhabitants to encourage exploration, though some of the story beats rely a bit too heavily on familiar genre tropes.
Gameplay starts out familiar, with traditional run-jump-shoot mechanics that echo the likes of Mega Man or Contra, but the roguelike structure quickly kicks in. Procedural level design means no two runs are quite the same – at least in theory. In practice, the randomization is relatively restrained, and it’s often enemy placement or power-up variety that shifts between runs rather than major environmental changes. Early stages feel like straightforward action-platforming, but as you rack up more attempts, the roguelike elements deepen through meta-progression, character unlocks, and the increasing challenge posed by successive bosses.
Each ranger comes with their own special skill set, and this adds genuine variety – whether it’s a high-damage burst attack or extra mobility, your choice of character significantly changes how each level plays out. This variety also feeds into the difficulty curve, which becomes noticeably steeper after the first few bosses. While roguelikes are known for demanding gameplay, Rusty Rangers pushes the envelope with sometimes harsh difficulty spikes, particularly if your loadout or enhancements don’t synergize well on a given run. It’s a rewarding but occasionally frustrating loop that could benefit from better balance or more meaningful early-game upgrades.
Controls are tight and responsive, essential for a game that lives or dies on its action feel. The PS5’s performance also helps – fast loading and smooth framerates keep the pacing brisk and restarts fast. That’s especially important as the screen starts to fill with projectiles, effects, and enemies, all moving at once in pixelated chaos. Visuals, for their part, are a highlight. The environments are layered and detailed, with a technopunk aesthetic that pops on modern displays. Character designs are distinct and charming, and while animation could be smoother in places, the overall effect is stylish and cohesive.
Audio design supports the experience with a catchy, energetic soundtrack and solid effects work. Nothing here breaks new ground, but the chiptune-heavy score fits the retro-futuristic vibe perfectly. That said, the game could use a bit more variety in its sound palette, especially when you’re deep into a multi-run session and starting to notice repetition not just in gameplay but in audio as well.
In the end, Rusty Rangers succeeds in combining two familiar genres into something that feels distinct without becoming disjointed. It may not be the most groundbreaking roguelike-platformer out there, and the difficulty curve can be a barrier, but there’s a solid core here that rewards persistence. For those looking for a pixelated throwback with just enough modern bite, this is a fun – if occasionally unforgiving – ride worth taking.
Score: 7.5/10
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