Rayman Origins- PS3, Xbox 360

[evil_ash_xero]

I bought this game, after playing the demo, and I am not disappointed. This is some intense shit! It's been a long time, since I've played a platformer with this kind of difficulty(it has lots of checkpoints, and limitless lives, mind you).

But the real star is the level design. It's..inspired. I mean, it's really something else. And I don't mean the way the game looks, I mean how it's put together. It's just out of this world.

I have problems with some aspects of the game...mainly art, and sound issues(I'm kind of a Japan-o-phile, when it comes to games)...and also I think the game is zoomed too far out, most of the time.... but if you like platformers, I think it's a must buy(or at least, a must play).

It's on Xbox 360 Gold(bastards), for download(the demo, that is). But PSN has it for free. Give it a look!

Here's a vid, if you don't have access to Xbox Gold, or PSN. The narrator is annoying, but the vid quality is good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5a3XQHahnw

[MadScientist]

Apparently there's a shmup-section in the demo as well;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1wlDXLMOxM

[Skykid]

Gayman.

[kid aphex]

If you showed this game to me when I was 10, I would've been so, so happy
It's so beautiful, and so fun

[Moniker]

Which old Rayman games are fun? I picked up Rayman 2 at a 2nd hand store and it was a crappy 3D platformer.

[evil_ash_xero]

I didn't like the old ones either.

[OBSCVRA]

the demo had me hooked the moment I played it as well, most fun Ive had in a platformer for years. The game isnt released here till next week though...

[kid aphex]

I didn't like the old ones either.

Same here; no love for the series

[sjoecool1991]

Which old Rayman games are fun? I picked up Rayman 2 at a 2nd hand store and it was a crappy 3D platformer.

Not sure how long you played it, because the game gets a lot better further in. Every platformer I have ever played has levels I hate, or tutorial like sections that were awful, and Rayman does have some sections at the beginning like that.



Bought this game the other day, really good game. Really frustrating in the later stages, especially trying to time trial them for the 100%, but still a good experience.

[Moniker]

I guess I was expecting a 2D platformer based on the fact that Origins is 2D. I'm probably spoiled by 3D mario games, but the camera in Rayman 2 makes me nauseous just from playing. It just feels like it should've been zoomed way out, coz it's hard to make heads or tails of the level layout. Then again I only played 10-15 mins due to motion sickness. I know it got rave reviews 'n such.

[Elixir]

I loved the original Rayman, it's a colourful 2D platformer and also pretty challenging. Everyone said it was hard, but I didn't find it too difficult, it enjoyable to complete back on release and I'd probably play through again sometime. It's one of the few PS1 games I've bought for PSN.

I'm glad they've gone back to 2D, since I honestly lost complete interest in the series once it went 3D.

[neorichieb1971]

I just downloaded it. Its quite enjoyable but the problem with Rayman games (2D ones anyway) is that its hard to get everything first time through so you have to use the map to revisit places. I just finished the demo, or at least got to the point where it says "To be continued".

Makes you wonder if that engine could be used to good effect in Japanese themed 2D platformers. A Castlevania with those types of graphics would be insane.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Rayman 2: the Great Escape on the PC is my very favourite 3D platformer (still haven't played Mario Galaxy, mind you). 3 tried too hard to suck up to the cool kids, but it's worth playing for the graphics alone (I'd say it about extremely few games), as well as the ultimate bossfight (that's the way you do real time polygonal graphics).
Origins looks like yet another step into the realm of unwanted coolness (cripes, is Ancel really responsible for that?), but Naughty Dog platformers were far worse in this respect, and yet I enjoyed them.

[guigui]

How does this game compare to Donkey Kong Country Returns ?

I mean, this one was one of a hell platformer...

[kid aphex]

Makes you wonder if that engine could be used to good effect in Japanese themed 2D platformers. A Castlevania with those types of graphics would be insane.

It's an interesting set up http://ubi-art.uk.ubi.com/

[evil_ash_xero]

How does this game compare to Donkey Kong Country Returns ?

I mean, this one was one of a hell platformer...

I dunno really...I didn't play a whole lot of DKC. It didn't grab me, all that much. It sure was easier than this one(from what I played).
This is prettier too.

This game sort of reminded me(in some ways) of Earthworm Jim, with tight controls and good stage design. The camera still seems way too far out, on a smaller monitor. I have to hook it up to something big, for Rayman to look of decent size.

[PinkSweets]

Has anyone tested this out on a Japanese 360 yet?

[Obiwanshinobi]

The music in earlier Rayman games was pretty good. How about the OST in this one?

[Dave_K.]

Has anyone tested this out on a Japanese 360 yet?

Doesn't look like there is a demo for JP yet. Anyone have the US release know if it runs on JP 360?

[evil_ash_xero]

Has anyone tested this out on a Japanese 360 yet?

I have a JP 360, and I'm using an American disc.

So, yeah.

Actually, I constantly forget it's a JP 360, and always buy and rent games before I've found out if they'll work or not. Kinda dumb, but I haven't run into anything yet, that didn't work, other than a few games I already had.

[BulletMagnet]

Picked this up last week, and have been enjoying it for the most part - there are a few graphical spots where it's obvious that shortcuts were taken, but for the most part the thing looks and sounds quite nice (I have a hard time resisting the pig latin speech in particular). Play-wise it's pretty good too - a few spots can feel a bit sticky, but the respawn is generous enough that you don't get frustrated, though medaling on each stage will take a bit of practice. There are also minimal buttons to worry about, and it works well on my Madcatz SF4 controller too, so no need to worry about the janky 360 pad - then, of course, there are the semi-frequent shooter areas, which are pretty easy (even for me) at first, but get a bit trickier later on.

All in all, it's a welcome trip back to the time when games weren't expected to be realistic or even make much sense - it's a bit tentative in some respects, unfortunately, but I'm still glad I snapped it up. I wonder if it sold decently enough for such an effort to happen again...

[TrevHead (TVR)]

I dont know if its just marketing BS but Ubisoft mentioned that they have made some form of middle ware that easily allows them to incorporate and animate traditional artists drawings, IIRC much of the graphical content are from artists outside the gaming industry.

I would hope that Ubi would want make use of that middleware in other games

[Moniker]

Anyone have the Wii edition? I haven't seen much mention of it in the press. Because if it doesn't take any hits to content or quality, it'd be worth it to play the version that supports the classic controller.

[BulletMagnet]

Finished the hidden area last night - pretty evil, but doable if you're stubborn enough. Now to go back and see how close I can get to "full" completion...anyone else still working on this one?

[evil_ash_xero]

I don't know if I'm going to go for any more, but I may.

You know, those damn songs are stuck in my head...driving me insane!!!

[brentsg]

Startes the PS3 version with my kids, sharing the controller mostly. Great fun for sure..

[evil_ash_xero]

Gayman.

Try it, you might like it. I'm not talking about gay men though.

[Jockel]

Tried this game in co-op yesterday. Didn't like it at all.
The characters are way too small, the level design is unimaginative at best.
I was bored out of my mind. Damn me and my Nintendo-spoiled childhood.

[evil_ash_xero]

For real?

That's why I liked it, was the level design. I thought it was really good. Like, really really good, at points.

The characters are too small though.

Too bad you didn't like it. Weird too, because I'm so harsh on modern platformers.

[MJR]

I tried this for some time, and I agree that level design is very linear and unimaginative.

The visual elements however have lots of imagination. It will amuse you for some time but it's not quite enough to counter the fact that mostly you are just running from place A to place B exactly in the way that designer intended, or you die.

That is what's unimaginative. Try playing any mario game to see how to put variety and surprises into level design.

I am glad that I tried this out before buying at our office, otherwise I would have regretted spending €50 on it.

Donkey Kong country felt much better.