Review: Rayman Origins
It’s difficult to collate all of my feelings in regard to the absolutely phenomenal Rayman Origins but I am going to try and give it a go.
It’s hard to really put this into words but Rayman Origins is a beautiful game. It is certainly not the same kind of beauty you may find in the stunning vistas of Skyrim or the lush backdrops of Uncharted but a kind of beauty that usually only exists in animated film. The hand drawn aesthetic is pleasing but it is the creative scope and bright palette that bring this game into its own. Hilariously conceived chili pepper enemies pop out in the foreground while lava flows deep within the backdrop. A spiky segment of orange bounces along a bright blue ice cap. A swarm of flies approach a set of aboriginal style instruments. These moments stick in my mind as they made me gasp and shriek with the giddy excitement of a child on Christmas day. The animations of the different enemies, the protagonist and his various cohorts are marvelous and add comedy and delight in equal measures.
While the backdrops, assets and animations are all expertly crafted they would be a miss without the simply outstanding level design. The platforming in Rayman Origins is equal parts Mario, Sonic and Mega Man. The earlier stages tend to deal with standard Mario-esque fare. Offering up the basics of the game to you, while introducing the collectables that make up a large part of the extended gameplay. Throughout the game there are lightning quick, twitch reflex levels that require a lot of repetition and practice. This never gets dull however with many of the ‘chest’ levels being so much fun that after the 27th death you are still smiling from ear to ear. Finally the Mega Man style action occurs late in the game where some levels open up that require great platforming accuracy and precise attack techniques. These three styles of gameplay merge with some brilliantly worked horizontal shooter segments that are tremendous fun.
There is bags of replay value in all of the levels with time trials and countless collectables to consume you for days. That’s all without mentioning the frantic fun of four way multiplayer no doubt influenced by New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
Rayman Origins is a wonderful, hilarious acid trip platformer thats as much Van Gogh as it is Spongebob. Even the water levels are fun…
