Rayman was one of those series I loved when I was a kid, and then seemed to vanish at some point. Looking back it seems that it did pretty much vanish in 2005, with Ubisoft deciding to move the focus over to Raving Rabbids; it always feels a bit sad to me when a spin-off eclipses the original series. I was therefore very happy when I heard the news that Rayman was returning with Rayman Origins, a move back to the series’ roots. Ubisoft have done a great job of recreating the original feel of Rayman for modern systems, creating beautiful HD environments that look exactly as weird and wonderful as the original Rayman titles did.
I wasn’t the only one who was impressed by the newest Rayman title either, Blair found a lot of love for the game in our review from last year. He scored the game at a well deserved 9/10, and had this to say about the platformer:
Perhaps, though, all of Origin’s little faults – such as the lack of a tightly-knit story or online co-op – are in keeping with what Rayman is at heart: a traditional platformer. That’s all it’s aiming for, to bring that style of game into the modern age with spectacular design, incredible visuals and animation, top-notch sound and a lengthy playtime.
Rayman Origins puts Sonic in his place and stands atop the pile of this generation’s 2D platformers. It’s as close to platforming perfection as we can get from a Rayman game and not just a step forwards for Rayman himself but ultimately a step forwards for the genre altogether.
Of course that’s from the home console version of the game. Rayman Origins also has a Vita version, and we’ve looked at that too, so it’s only fair to give you the chance to do the same. That’s right, if you have Rayman Origins on your new handheld toy you can write your opinion of the game based on that. I know there are some tweaks and additions to the Vita version of the game, but the overall experience is close enough to make the comparison valid.
Don’t worry if you’ve only got the home console version, you’re still free to take part (as you are if you only have the Vita version). If you happen to have both version of the game, and you feel like putting in a little extra effort, you can compare your feelings on the two version.
If you do feel like taking part in this week’s cross-platform extravaganza then all you need to do is drop a comment below containing your opinion of the game. Once you’ve taken care of that you need to attach your rating for the game. Rather than a numeric scale, we use the Buy It, Bargain Bin It, Rent It, Avoid It system. Simply select which of these labels best describes your feelings about the game and add it to your review. Please remember this step, as it lets us get a fully formed overview of the community’s verdict of the game.
If you do feel like taking part make sure you have everything in by Sunday evening. Any later than that and you’ll have missed the cut-off and your opinion won’t make its way into Monday’s verdict article.
ThatMattKid
I have only gone as far as to get the demo so far but the one thing I noticed instantly was how musical the game was, I ended up just scrolling through the title menu for a while just to listen to the song it created! I’ll be picking this up the moment my wallet allows me to.
KeRaSh
That’s what I did the first time I started up the game. I love these kinds of details. Kudos to Ubi for all their effort.
freezebug2
It’s in a league above any other platformer out there for PS3.
Buy it!!!
DrNate86
Buy it, a wonderful game that you can tell was made with love and deserves to do very well.
XisTG
Best platformer I played in a very long time. I bought it on the Vita and I’m still at it trying to platinum in.
Rayman Originis is just plain gorgeous, both in it’s 2d (bless Ubi for that) graphics and music.
The game might not be as friendly as LBP (my better half can only play the former) and the last levels do get a tad difficult, but it just made it better.
I think this is the first game I ever enjoyed doing time trials. I just wish there were more flying/mosquito levels!
For all it’s worth, just Buy It. I got it for 15£ from Amazon bundled with my Vita, but would have gladly paid more for it.
XisTG
rather than “the former”, I should have put “the latter”.
Severn2j
I got it for the Vita and really enjoying it, I havent played a platformer in years, so this brought me back to it. The only downsie is that my wife cant play it without wiping out my save as you can only have one, so she has to wait until I’ve finished the game.. Not sure if thats a fault of the game or the Vita, but its a big one either way.
Still, a definite BUY IT from me, especially as there seems to be a drought on..
stueeeee
It may be the Vita, as I’ve got the ps3 version and theres always about 3 lines when i load it up, 1 of which is my data and two spare, which I presumed would be for multiple saves…
Bodachi
Got it for Vita and it is brilliant. It has to be a BUY IT.
cam_manutd
Regardless of which version people claim is better there is no denying the beauty as well as the accompanied nostalgia that surrounds Rayman. Very faithful to the original in terms of style and execution.
The console version boasts local multiplayer…not that it is essential but what matters is that this game shines with beauty and that is saying a lot for a game that can be considered as art.
Flaws. The fact there is unlimited respawns instead of a lives system defeats the object of traditional platforming and something that should have featured instead of catering for the modern bubble wrapped players. Also, the childish overtone more so than the original is questionable.
At the end of the day, this is a platforming game for platforming. Narrative, emotional evocation, realism are completely unnecessary. This is a game built on traditional terms- fun and fun and fun. Considering the price drop, the recent buzz around the game, the challenge of 2D platforming once again you would be doing yourself disservice in not buying this game.
So buy it already!
stueeeee
I’m only about half way through the game, but what I’ve seen so far it’s fantastic. Great level design, great graphic, and lots of replayability. I have heard there is a difficulty spike about half way through but the only difficult bits I’ve encounter so far are the speed trophies. That’s about the only complaint I have so far. If they remain still possible after practicing lots, then I imagine this game would be fun to platinum. And as a player of the original ps1 rayman, I have to say its very similar, which I did hope judging by ‘origins’ title. But even with the first world being a jungle, and having the cages, and the camera man taking silly pictures. About the only thing missing is the ! post at the end (if youve played the oringinal u know what i mean)
although there are great 3D platformers out there, and HD releases of great ps2 platformers, please BUY this. It really is worth the investment.
aerobes
Rayman Origins.
Thank goodness I only paid $18 for this brutally disappointing experience. With some of my finest gaming memories being of 2D platformers, Super Mario World being one of my personal top 3 games ever, and being intrigued by all the tremendous scores I thought it’d be something I would very much enjoy and get a lot out of.
Oh dear … Looks fun, sounds fun, isn’t fun.
My biggest problem with the game is that the controls are just so wooly and sluggish, they don’t feel even remotely sharp and I never feel 100% in control. A cardinal sin for a 2D platformer.
Rayman feels slow and unwieldy, and controlling him doesn’t feel natural or intuitive.
It feels like I’m constantly struggling to get him to keep up with where I want and need him to be, and while some levels move at a fairly quick pace, Rayman always feels like he’s as slow as molasses in comparison.
It’s downright bizarre, like playing with lag even though there is none. He’s just not responsive.
Certain moves and jumps can’t be aborted, bouncing pads are often unidirectional, and you just don’t feel in control. I certainly don’t.
Yeah sure, the artwork is nifty, the graphics are beautiful and the plinky-plonky sound is perfect for the visuals but I just can’t recommend this game based on the shortcomings in the controls, the one thing which need to be perfect in a game of this ilk.
It started life as a potential PSN game and it should’ve stayed that way.
I’m hard pressed to justify laying out for a rental. I could perhaps have seen myself shelling out $15 for a PSN download, but $50 + for a retail disc? Just no.
It’s by no means lacking in content, ideas and playtime but in other ways, the most important ways, it’s another sad case of style over substance. I’m not saying it’s intentional but it seems to me that getting so wrapped up in the inimitable style and design of the game, the most important and basic things which should tie it all together haven’t been perfected.
I wish I could’ve recommended this game because I wanted to like it so much and I love the style and the ideas but the controls are just so unresponsive and sluggish, I’m left with no choice but to go with ~ Avoid it.