• Review: Rayman Origins

    by
    Jason Arriola
    Published on 12-12-2011 05:48 PM
    2 Comments Comments


    Rayman Origins

    Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
    Publisher: Ubisoft
    Platforms: XBOX 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita
    Genre: Action-Adventure, Platform
    Rating: Everyone
    Release Date: November 15, 2011

    The famous, limbless hero often referred to as a thingamajig, has returned to save the day once again. That hero is Rayman. Ubisoft returns to Rayman’s glory days in the first Rayman side-scrolling platformer that hasn’t been seen in over a decade. Expect to see enthralling gameplay, wonderful visuals, and a fun time with all crazy characters in the game.

    Presentation

    Despite the title, Rayman Origins is really a sequel. The original plan of the game was to describe the origins of Rayman as it was intended to be released as downloadable content, rather than a retail disc. Nevertheless, Rayman’s origins are told by the Bubble Dreamer, who emphasizes on events from Rayman’s past.

    This game finds Rayman and his friend Globox, and two Teensies enjoying a care-free life. The area that Rayman and his friends call home is called the Glade of Dreams, a beautiful world created by the Bubble Dreamer. One day, Rayman and his friends take a nap under the shade of a tree, a rather noisy one at that. Their snoring and sleep habits form into a symphony of disturbance for the creatures that lie deep below them. In fact, the creatures below them live in the Land of the Livid Dead, and they are not happy with the ruckus our heroes are causing.

    To shut them up, the Land of the Livid Dead unleashes their evil forces on Rayman and his friends. Monstrous creatures and Darktoons are released into Rayman’s world. They find and imprison the helpless Electoons. What’s more is that they have also captured the guardian Nymphs of the Glade of Dreams and fling Rayman’s world into darkness.

    Now Rayman and his friends are tasked with freeing the Electoons, saving the Nymphs, and stopping the Darktoons from taking over their world. Along the way Rayman and his friends will have to learn to work together, though they can’t help messing around. Yet a dark presence watches Rayman from afar, and he’ll have to keep his wits about him if he is to reach the end of his journey.

    Graphics

    Rayman Origins is a cartoon come to life. It’s like watching a Saturday morning cartoon, but you’re the one who controls the pace of the story. That is what Rayman Origins looks like. It is one of the best, most beautiful looking platform games that heralds back to the classic days of side-scrolling gaming. The XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of the game must be played for their HD display. Forests, deserts, volcanoes, and deep sea settings bring the game to life with their brilliant use of color. Another strong point in the game’s graphics is the use of shading, or silhouettes. In the segments of gameplay that shift into these perspectives, you’ll find yourself looking over the background of the level. It’s a painting come to life. There’s life in the settings that Rayman explores. Pair this with a camera that pans out for a widescreen perspective and the game goes from fantastic to breathtaking. In fact, if you’ve played the original Rayman so many years ago, you may find yourself taking a nostalgic trip when you see some of the stages reminiscent of the original game.

    Each and every character in the game is equally detailed as the environments are, from Rayman, Globox, the Teensies, Electoons, and the bodacious Nymphs. Each enemy has a unique look to them too, emphasizing on the creepy-crawly factor, or even the plain weird.

    Sound/Music

    Rayman Origins has strength in its sound, that’s for sure. The little wacky characters have sound effects to match, from yelping, yelling, and cheering. You won’t grow tired playing with friends when you slap each other around with the sound effect to match. Even the Nymphs have a unique way of speaking. I noticed after listening closely that they speak using Pig Latin. In other words, instead of saying something like: “Thank you for saving me!” it’ll read and sound more like: “Hank-tay ou-yay or-fay aving-say e-may!”

    A strong feature of the original Rayman game was its soundtrack. Rayman Origins shares this with its predecessor. Each world and each stage has its corresponding musical track. It fits right it in like a glove. Even the soundtracks for the music-world stages feature effects that, for example when Rayman walks across a drum or xylophone, cue the game to play a sound that matches appropriately.

    Gameplay

    The saying that simple is best definitely applies to Rayman Origins. The gist of the game is good old platforming gameplay at its finest. That is, jumping around, smacking enemies, looking for the captured Electoons, and exploring hidden areas. Rayman will put his fists and feet to good use by punching and kicking his enemies. Lums act as the game’s point system. Lums are the fairy-like beings that are scattered throughout each level. Additionally, there are Lum challenges that can give you a higher score depending on your skill. For example, a napping Lum can be touched so that all Lums, which typically have a yellow color to them, turn red. Collecting the red Lums in the appropriate amount of time multiplies the number of Lums you pick up while they’re in this state.

    At the end of each stage your Lums are tallied and you’re presented an Electoon medallion that requires it be filled. Electoon medallions are filled by completing the Lum challenges, among others, such as finding the imprisoned Electoons and setting them free in the hidden areas of each stage.

    Rayman will not always have access to certain parts of a level. That’s where Betilla the Nymph and the rest of her sisters come in. The Nymphs, when set free by Rayman and his friends, will bestow a new ability as a reward for their selfless deed. Familiar abilities such as Rayman’s wind up punch attack, and helicopter hair, that enables him to hover through the air, are just some of the power ups you can expect to receive. Find all the Nymphs to obtain their special gifts.

    There are no such things as lives in this game. So even if you find yourself messing up continuously, you’ll find some solace in the fact that you’re lives hang by a thread. Even if you get to a point where your skill isn’t in the right place, the game will ask you if you’d like to skip on to the next stage. It’s evident that Rayman Origins demands good use of your button pressing and twitch reflexes. You may just find yourself going through a process of trial and error until you get your platforming skills polished up.

    The boss fights of the game are memorable. So many of these bosses are huge, and a small thingamajig like Rayman taking them out is a spectacle that needs to be experienced. Even Moskito, from the original Rayman, provides for some side-scrolling shooting action similar to that of early arcade shooters.

    Lasting Appeal

    The fact that Rayman Origins pushes you to the limits of your platforming skills is reason enough to master each and every level to fill in every spot on the Electoon medallions. Much of your time can be spent earning these by completing the various challenges in the game. The most popular challenge must be the Time Attack Challenges. This enables you to run through a level nonstop, if you choose to, to get to the end of the stage as fast as possible. Completing the Time Attack challenge on Easy earns you an Electoon. Players who absolutely need everything in the game can try the Time Attack Challenge on Hard to earn Speed Trophies.

    Chest Challenges are some of the trickiest challenges imaginable. Here you’ll have to race after a chest that’s racing away from you. If the Time Attack Challenges tested your dexterity, the Chest Challenges really push you to the precipice of your skills. One wrong move may find you having to start over, but the hard work is worth it once you find out what’s inside each chest.

    For every Chest Challenge you complete, you are awarded with a Skull Tooth. Collecting so many Skull Teeth will open up access to where all the Nightmarish creatures came from, the Land of the Livid Dead. Surely, the challenges to be found here will live up to the name of this area.

    There’s a variety of unlockable looks and styles for each character in the game. So you can mix it up whenever you feel interested.

    While Rayman Origins doesn’t feature an online cooperative multiplayer, I must say that a local multiplayer suits the game much better. As I’ve mentioned, Rayman Origins is a throwback to great platforming games of the past. What better way to share the fun than with three other friends? This way you can share the laughs, the face palms (both in reality and in the game), and the “oh my gosh” moments. Whether you choose to play cooperatively or competitively, you’re sure to have a fun time with your friends or family as you race through each level, find the hidden stages, and beat down every boss.

    Conclusion

    Let’s thank Ubisoft for making Rayman Origins a full retail game. What you have in the end is one of the most polished, beautiful, fun, and funny game of the year. In actuality, Ubisoft has literally brought Rayman back to his origins in the best way possible. If the classic side-scrolling platform genre has been absent in these recent years (exquisite games of the genre that is), it’s Rayman Origins that brings the genre back the way it should be brought back. Whether you own an XBOX 360, PlayStation 3, or hey, even a Wii, Rayman Origins is a welcome addition to your collection. Bring it home the next chance you get!

    Score
    9.5/10

    Comments 2 Comments
    1. Gusto's Avatar
      Gusto - 12-12-2011
      I don't know why they didn't put in online multi-player and I am so ready for this on the PS Vita.
    1. Beatboxtaun's Avatar
      Beatboxtaun - 12-13-2011
      I was having a lot of fun with this game. I wouldn't mind having it for the 3DS. But, I hear ya about the Vita, Gusto.

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.