reviews
Game: Rayman
Year Released: 1995
Platform: PS1
In the current generation, limbless wonder Rayman is best known as the party animal in the Raving Rabbids minigame extravaganzas. However, he originally got his start on the first PlayStation, as a platform hero. The little guy jumped and punched his way through level after challenging level, gaining many mysterious powers along the way. And after more than ten years, it’s still fun to play.
In the days of the PS1, platformers were generally switching to 3-D, just to show that they could. Sometimes this worked well, and sometimes it was abysmal. However, Rayman decided not to go that way and stuck to the classic 2-D side-scrolling formula.
This suits the game perfectly, and with beautiful (for the time) and vibrant backgrounds, it feels like each level is really alive. The sound effects in this game are really something to take notice of as well, whether it be the silly jingle you hear every time you finish a level or the noise Rayman utters when taking damage.
I found this game to be a lot more challenging than I remember it. Most of these levels aren’t the type that you easily breeze through; timing and precision are everything. That being said, the level design is really impressive. There are a few different themed areas within the game, and each theme has a handful of individual levels within it. You’ll take Rayman through standard outdoor scenes like forests and mountains, but also find levels that are musically or artistically themed, complete with instruments or paintbrushes. It’s a very nice variation.
In the beginning, Rayman can do next to nothing, but as the game goes on, he gradually gains more and more powers, starting with the ability to punch. This is crucial, as it is his only means of defense against enemies, and has many other uses as well. The ability to go back and forth between old and new levels is always a welcome one in platformers, with Rayman able to get extra lives and hidden items in earlier levels once he gains more abilities later in the game.
Of course, no game is perfect, and Rayman has its flaws, too. Most of these stem from certain level parts that are frustratingly difficult, and the game is pretty unforgiving if you’re knocked to your death or impaled upon some spikes by gameplay elements that don’t resemble anything fun. If there were more checkpoints in each level or unlimited lives, this wouldn’t be so much of a problem, but after you’ve done the same level over five times only to get another Game Over, you almost want to give up. Don’t get me wrong, I like a challenge as much as any gamer, but I’ve always said that there’s a difference between “challenging hard” and “frustrating hard”, and gaming frustration is something I don’t much care for.
Still, those are minor detractions from an otherwise fun gameplay experience. With all of the advances being made with modern-day video games, it’s hard to believe a little cartoony guy like Rayman can still entertain after all these years. However, the game holds up. It’s one of those games you put in every couple of years and instantly remember how much fun it was. It may not be the easiest game around, but it’s well worth it. PlayStation games are getting harder and harder to find, but if you spot a copy on eBay or at a flea market, you should totally give it a go.
Year Released: 1995
Platform: PS1
In the current generation, limbless wonder Rayman is best known as the party animal in the Raving Rabbids minigame extravaganzas. However, he originally got his start on the first PlayStation, as a platform hero. The little guy jumped and punched his way through level after challenging level, gaining many mysterious powers along the way. And after more than ten years, it’s still fun to play.
In the days of the PS1, platformers were generally switching to 3-D, just to show that they could. Sometimes this worked well, and sometimes it was abysmal. However, Rayman decided not to go that way and stuck to the classic 2-D side-scrolling formula.
This suits the game perfectly, and with beautiful (for the time) and vibrant backgrounds, it feels like each level is really alive. The sound effects in this game are really something to take notice of as well, whether it be the silly jingle you hear every time you finish a level or the noise Rayman utters when taking damage.
I found this game to be a lot more challenging than I remember it. Most of these levels aren’t the type that you easily breeze through; timing and precision are everything. That being said, the level design is really impressive. There are a few different themed areas within the game, and each theme has a handful of individual levels within it. You’ll take Rayman through standard outdoor scenes like forests and mountains, but also find levels that are musically or artistically themed, complete with instruments or paintbrushes. It’s a very nice variation.
In the beginning, Rayman can do next to nothing, but as the game goes on, he gradually gains more and more powers, starting with the ability to punch. This is crucial, as it is his only means of defense against enemies, and has many other uses as well. The ability to go back and forth between old and new levels is always a welcome one in platformers, with Rayman able to get extra lives and hidden items in earlier levels once he gains more abilities later in the game.
Of course, no game is perfect, and Rayman has its flaws, too. Most of these stem from certain level parts that are frustratingly difficult, and the game is pretty unforgiving if you’re knocked to your death or impaled upon some spikes by gameplay elements that don’t resemble anything fun. If there were more checkpoints in each level or unlimited lives, this wouldn’t be so much of a problem, but after you’ve done the same level over five times only to get another Game Over, you almost want to give up. Don’t get me wrong, I like a challenge as much as any gamer, but I’ve always said that there’s a difference between “challenging hard” and “frustrating hard”, and gaming frustration is something I don’t much care for.
Still, those are minor detractions from an otherwise fun gameplay experience. With all of the advances being made with modern-day video games, it’s hard to believe a little cartoony guy like Rayman can still entertain after all these years. However, the game holds up. It’s one of those games you put in every couple of years and instantly remember how much fun it was. It may not be the easiest game around, but it’s well worth it. PlayStation games are getting harder and harder to find, but if you spot a copy on eBay or at a flea market, you should totally give it a go.
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Comments
I played this when I was a lot younger and died repeatedly on the music stage. Great game though. I loved the graphics and music.
I'm playing Rayman right now....
My little brother accidentally rented this once while trying to rent some formula 1 game from Blockbuster. However, we all soon discovered how awesome this game was.