In short
Rayman Origins will be familiar to all old-school gamers; it’s like something straight out of the era when 2D platforming ruled the gaming world. Origins is a comical new title in the accomplished series, and in short, it is the best yet. Go at it alone or up to four people co-operative style. It’s a stylish, charming, comical and flawless 2D platforming experience that should win favour with any avid gamer.
Developer: Ubisoft, UBlart Montpellier
Publisher: Ubisoft
Reviewed on: Playstation 3
Also available on: Xbox 360, Wii
For fans of: Rayman series, old-school 2D platform games
If we had to give it a score: 9/10
What I liked
- Outstanding design levels
- Platforming perfection
- Comical characters
- Scoring
- Graphics
- Replayability
- Co-op
Not so much
- Not a single thing wrong with this one
Gameplay and features
Rayman Origins reminded this old-school gamer of various games that formed this gamer. Games like Mario Bros. and Wonder Boy (or Islander), so simple at first glance, but once you get into it you learn that these actually require more co-ordination and finesse than many modern hi-tech games that almost allow you to stumble your way through. The level design is particularly outstanding with Origins, starting off with requiring simple and timely jumping, and then as you progress so too does the difficulty of the level designs.
Like any good 2D platforming game there are the obstacles along the way – from the malicious monsters (a strong word to describe the antagonists) to some witches. Then like all platforming titles, you can fall off the level by missing the next platform, or get caught by the spiked-flower trappy thingy’s. There’s the obligatory collectables that you need to collect, the more you get the more percentage of the level you finish. The main collectables are little yellow singing bugs or electoons that also give you energy. There are special pink ones that give you bursts of speed.
Each level consists of two stages – the first play through the level is aimed at collecting as much as possible, and the second round is a timed one against preset times. The combined efforts of your ‘collecting’ and ‘timed’ rounds add to the overall percentage you get in the round, which in turn contribute to unlocking new levels.
Sound and visuals
Rayman Origins’ world is lush, vividly colourful and inviting – the design is simply gorgeous and refreshingly flawless. Don’t mistake the simplistic, 2D design for simple, as it is clear that considerable thought was taken with the design and the crafting of Rayman and friends’ new playground. From the menus to the loading screens, from the characters to the levels designs – all were stunningly put together, never deviating from the game’s light-hearted and humorous theme.
The stunning visuals are perfectly complimented by the sound effects and scoring, which is amongst the finest this year. Both the sound effects and the scoring continue with Origin’s sense of humour and are simply exquisite in design. Every last bounce, thud and pop is complimented by a brilliant sound effect, comical in design. The sound design and execution is crucial with a game from this genre – and top notch in Rayman Origins.
Fun for the whole family
While my four year-old daughter is not allowed to even watch me slay a dragon in Skyrim, I actually want her to play Rayman Origins and she was happy to oblige. Raymin Origins is not just perfect with its light-hearted theme, but it’s engaging thanks to the exquisite design. I think the young (and old) can learn from the rhythmic gameplay and timely decision making – I see this as good and I certainly want my daughter playing it. With the young, I think the sound and visuals playing a more primarily role – and Rayman Origins is an absolute treat and therefore a magnet in this department.
Then while my wife was also born into the ‘Atari era’ and was totally obsessed with Space Invaders, Mario Bros. and such, she missed some gaming generations and is often overwhelmed by modern titles and so not willing to take the time out to come to grips with many modern titles. I remember demonstrating to her what you can do with Ezio in Assassin’s Creed, she was blown away but overwhelmed too. Enter Rayman Origins and out comes that young gamer that used to fight her sister for the controller… and this is a reason I took a little longer than normal with this review.
So from me, the most fervent of gamers, to the indifferent gamers that are my wife and my child, Rayman Origins had everyone arguing just why it was their turn.
Final thoughts
Rayman Origins is not so much about the plot or storyline as it is about the flawless platforming gameplay. Think Mario Bros. in a modern, super-stylish package, and like Mario and Luigi, the characters are loveable and memorable. One of the more engaging and entertaining titles this year.
Zombiegamer rating:
Read about our ratings here.
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