Written by: Alex

 

 

 

I feel like I have been trapped in a time warp recently. Playing and reviewing games from my youth with Shinobi, Mario Kart, Mario Land, Zelda, Sonic and Blood Rayne all finding their way back on to my system. But of all the reimaginings to grace my consoles recently none has impressed and constantly surprised as much as "Rayman: Origins".

 

Strangely of all nostalgia filled titles I have tried this year, Rayman is the franchise I knew least about. My knowledge only extended to the fact that it was a platformer developed by Ubisoft starting a guy with no limbs. But despite my lack of knowledge, early footage of Origins had me excited. With hand animated 2D characters and fluid gameplay this was title that didn't need my nostalgia to aid my enthusiasm.

 

 

I concede that I may have had more idea of what was happening in Rayman: Origins if I had been familiar with the rest of the series… maybe. But part of me suspects it is as simple as the short opening cut scene implies. Rayman and his friend Globox are sleeping along with some Teensies (small beings that inhabit Rayman’s home in the Glade of Dreams). Their raucous snoring upsets a witch and she casts a spell sending the world in to chaos and imprisoning the gang in bubbles.

 

 

There is an adorable innocence the set up and so to in the solution. To return order and beauty to the world they travel a range of fantastical environments and free the Electoons and Nymphs from the witch’s Darktoon hordes.

 

 

Of course all of the whimsy and spectacle of Rayman: Origins would be nothing without gameplay, which somehow manages to be as sublime as the visual design. A simple 2D platformer, the mechanics manage to naturally evolve throughout. From slapping to running up walls, moves are slowly layered on top of the core jumping action, means that every new area is met with a new play style that the environment specialises in utilising.

 

What makes it all work so well is the feel. There is a weight and substance to the characters and their momentum that perfectly compliments them. Punching other players in the wonderful four-player co-op (local only), disrupting movement just enough to be annoying but never enough to upset the game flow. And just when the core mechanic begins to tire it manages to mix things up with one of the side scrolling shooter or swimming levels.

 

 

Despite how easily it controls and its colourful graphics it does get hard. Rayman: Origins is not a kids game, requiring focus, coordination and skill to complete. But challenge is never an issue of interface, difficulty is always by design and even if it can at times become infuriating, it always feels deliberate. But (usually) the really tricky parts are the extra collectables and babuls that allow you to reach 100% and are optional to the main game’s progression, ensuring it is always possible to move forward but with lots in the mix to keep you coming back.