Rayman has typically been seen as the rather irritating French version of Super Mario but he won tons of friends for Rayman Origins last year. Can the praise continue with the Vita version?
By Leo Stiles
Ubisoft usually deliver more titles than any other publisher during the launch of a new console and the Playstation Vita is no different. Quantity usually trumps quality for the most part but you can usually count on a gem shine through.
Rayman Origins is that title for the Vita, with its vibrant art style and refined and challenging platform action, it proves that any number of Raving Rabbids can’t make up for the absence of the least likely platform star of them all.
Essentially a port of the well reviewed and little bought console title of the same name, Rayman Origins has lost almost nothing in the translation. The game’s imaginative and intricately detailed art style remains and is exceptionally animated.
I have never really been a fan of Rayman in the past and his 3D adventures never really felt like they were more than another platforming clone, but this 2D revival bursts with character and finally gives the Rayman universe its own memorable style.
The visuals would all be for nothing if the gameplay wasn’t up to scratch but producer Michel Ancel and his team have crafted a classic mix of familiar platforming gameplay with rock solid controls.
Level design is much as you would expect with all the genre tropes rolled out, such as fire levels and deserts and so on. Not particularly groundbreaking you might think but the execution is stunning, with the musical desert sections deserving of real praise as every surface builds and blends into the level soundtrack.
There is a fair amount of challenge to be had with each level asking you to free a number of creatures (don’t ask me what the hell they are…), collect bugs (the game’s currency and they key to progression) and hidden gems to uncover. The game is forgiving enough to allow steady progression through well placed checkpoints and the game does way with lives, a smart move that even Mario could learn from.
Rayman learns a lesson from the Nintendo mascot himself with an excellent control scheme and neatly cumulative drip feed of powers to unlock, which by the end, gives you absolute mastery over the environments. This is essential for the tricker later stages where pixel-perfect platforming skill is needed to beat them. It is to the game’s credit that multiple deaths and near unconquerable sections don’t ever put you off playing, as failure is never down to anything but your own lack of skill.
While all of this might be great, the best feature from the console versions, the four player co-op, failed to make the transition. Given that the Vita seems to be able to handle the game without breaking a sweat, the feature’s absence is a bit of a puzzle and could have lengthened the life-span of the game enormously.In its place is a time trial ‘ghost mode’ which lets you race you friends through the levels but is a poor replacement for the mayhem of the four player mode.
That said, there is still plenty of meat on this game’s bones and scoring that platinum trophy will take some dedication and more than a few replays with a stack of secret levels to unlock and secret gems to collect. Trophy addicts will be delighted to know that there is a steady stream of the things to unlock and most don’t require you to do anything out of the ordinary.
Rayman Origins is by far the best launch title from Ubisoft and one of the best games for the Vita. It looks amazing, plays well and offers both quick bursts of fun for gaming on the go, whilst also having the substance for more committed sessions.
Rayman might not be able to rival Super Mario 3D Land for the 3DS (what can?), but is easily the equal of New Super Mario Bros on the Wii and DS. I can think of no greater compliment.
Format: Playstation Vita
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier; Publisher: Ubisoft
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