Rendering Ranger: R² [Rewind] review

Rendering Ranger: R2 [Rewind] isn’t a remake and barely qualifies as a remaster. Essentially, it’s the same experience as playing the original 1995 Super Famicom game, albeit with two minor differences. The first distinction is the ability to play the canceled European version, renamed Targa. The second divergence is the ability to reverse time while playing with a tap of the lefty trigger. Now, if you lack the razor-sharp reflexes to get through nine stages of enemy hostility, you can cheat your way through the tougher moments.

So why would Limited Run Games provide such a no-frills re-release? Well, the original Rendering Ranger: R was manufactured in very limited quantities, so purchasing a used cartridge will set you back about $1500. Even though the game’s mixture of run-and-gun and shmup genres is diverting, the amount of enjoyment leans closer to the ten-dollar price of this emulated re-issue. And that’s only if you’re a devoted fan of Manfred Trenz’ Turrican series, as Rendering Ranger sporadically feels like a relic.

Don’t Try to Unwind with Rewind

Revisiting Trentz’ title undoubtedly feels like a trip back to yesteryear. Much like the 1994 release of Donkey Kong Country, much of the game’s art is prerendered, making the protagonist and some flying adversaries resemble clashing action figures. Periodically, Rendering Ranger flaunts Mode 7 effects and screen-filling bosses. Largely, the emulation is solid, even reproducing the sprite flicker of the original.

Like Turrican, you’ll hit the ground running and gunning, swapping and powering up your weapons so you’re not vanquished by the dozens of flying and ground-based threats. Certainly, one of the biggest hazards are the numerous holes in the ground, which can take one of your lives. Rendering Ranger has an impressive jump, allowing you to sail over danger. That is, if you notice them, since many gaps look traversable.

Happiness is Mirror Shot in a Tight Tunnel

But that’s not the only downside. Between a robust amount of knockback, imprecise collision detention, and hovering adversaries who like to scrape a ducking Ranger, frustration is frequent. Another annoyance is the game’s overly long stages. After two rather tedious bosses in the fifth stage, Rendering Ranger will force you to backtrack through a barren hallway.

Fortunately, the game’s shoot ‘em up stages are redeeming. Here, you’ll pilot through narrow passages or dismantle the guns on massive warships, rivalling the action found in some of the Super Famicom’s best horizontal-scrolling shooters, from U.N. Squadron to Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius. Although Rendering Ranger provides some supplementals like original box art, a copy of the manual and some art, it’s difficult to not wish for a mode that just contained the shoot ‘em sections.

Rendering Ranger: R² [Rewind] was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.