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Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc Review by Old
Rooster "Love is lovelier the second time around; What does this tune one of my colleagues used to hum a lot have to do with Rayman 3? Not much, really, but it did get me thinking about sequels. This review is about the third iteration of the classic and wonderful Rayman series. It may even be the fourth, if one includes the not-too-successful Rayman Arena, a multiplayer effort. Of course, I also thought of this lyric because Rayman rarely has both feet on the ground, being an adept jumper and even frequent flyer! Back in my younger days, I had the pleasure of reviewing for another site the classic and incredible Rayman 2: The Great Escape. This first venturing of the venerated Rayman series into the world of 3D was truly awe-inspiring. The worlds were huge and colorful; the design of levels was ingenious; surprises were abundant; and the whole novelty of the character, coupled with offbeat humor, simply made this the most endearing platform game I had, and have, ever experienced. Flaws, such as the interface (camera control) and save game limitations, were overlooked with the overwhelmingness of the beautiful gameplay of Rayman 2. I trust you get the impression I liked the game. "Does it Have a Story?" —FFC Boss Person Our management is fairly liberal in allowing reviewers latitude in the games they choose to write about. Rayman 3, like its predecessor, is primarily an action/platform game. Nevertheless, there is a narrative backdrop, which goes something like this:
Well, it's not a very original theme, is it? Fight critters, battle bosses, save the world. Like many or most games, with the exception of adventure titles, the story is but backdrop or context (pretext?) for action. In many respects it's style over substance. But what style! "Here Comes Numbskull Again!" —Your Guide Rayman 3 has 50 levels, plus bonuses and minigames, some of which I won't unlock 'til I play it through again, due to my marginally low score. Once again, I needed to secure some assistance from my middle son, who not only is younger, but also more adept and experienced with quick reflexes and jumping skills (in games, that is). Playing the Game Cube version, I had trouble, embarassingly, with Level 1—a minitutorial with a smart-aleck sidekick. Indeed, at one point, after my tenth or so try on a jump, he comments: "What's wrong with you—never played a video game before!?" Finally, though, I got into the rhythm and had a wonderful time with most of the rest of the game. Rayman 3 plays, like its predecessor, from a third-person perspective. Generally, the camera follows rather well, and there are modifications or look-arounds one can do with the gamepad. However, there are times, admittedly few, when the camera locks you in a position with poor visibility—particularly frightening during a boss battle. Saving your game is done only at the end of a level, at least in the console versions. I recall Rayman 2 for the PC had the option of midlevel check points (lost when you left the game completely), but unfortunately that is absent from this iteration. Of course, my son, especially, feels the levels are short enough not to present a problem in this regard. But I'd still suggest you allow at least a 30-minute session when you contemplate sitting down for some fun. Controls are gradually taught by your sarcastic guide, who does exude praise at times—"Rayman, you are the best!" By the time you're into level 5, you begin to feel fairly comfortable. The initial levels take 20 minutes or so (10, if you're like my son), and you'll find generally you don't get rushed just by standing and looking around, as you are in most PC shooter titles, for example. This stationary environmental exploration, accomplished very smoothly with gamepad controls, can be useful, as well as entertaining in terms of the gorgeous settings. Does it Have Fighting and Blood? Yes, Rayman 3 has considerable fighting; and no, it has no blood, being rated "E" for everyone. The confrontations in Rayman are cartoony in nature, with "bops" and "pows," but no body parts flying around. Having said that, there seems to be more in the way of fighting, especially as compared with the exploration emphasis of Rayman 2. Indeed, this is elaborated with special moves available for Rayman, the most interesting of which is a semicircular launching of his fist in order to hit objects or enemies around a corner. In addition, there are traps to spring, levers to pull, doors to open. Indeed, again as compared with its predecessor, Rayman 3 has more in the way of power-ups to help enable some of those special moves and need for heavy-duty weaponry. You'll enjoy the Lockjaw, Heavy Metal Fist, Vortex, Shock Rocket, and new helicopter embellishments. A Nice World to Visit? As mentioned, even if the story is something of a pretext, the varied settings of Rayman 3 alone are worth the trip. Considerable artistic creativity is present in all of the levels and even characters, from the "jointless" Rayman to the sadly comical Globox. Imaginations have been allowed to run wild, and the look of these levels runs second to none. Indeed, seeing what's around the next corner becomes a large part of one's motivation for carrying on. And another part of your enjoyment will come from the voice acting. Globox is played by John Leguizamo, with actors for other roles, including Rayman himself for the first time, also doing a quality job. Sound effects and musical themes add to the overall atmosphere. It doesn't surprise me that the developer is French. Is Love Lovelier the Third Time Around? If you're in the mood for a platform game in a rich, colorful and quite weird setting, Rayman 3 is sure to please. The "story" is not what this game is about. However, although Rayman 3 honors the legacy of Rayman 2, there are changes to this iteration that are not necessarily improvements. Voices instead of subtitles takes something away and presents a problem for our hearing-impaired gaming friends. Sarcastic cracks and jokes become a bit old after awhile. The emphasis on combat, from power-ups to special fighting moves, is not something I particularly liked. The point system, presumably encouraging replay in order to unlock special treats, is questionable. Finally, I'm not at all fond of the classic console save system—only one save slot available, no going back, and no midlevel save. Still, there is little in the way of competition. Rayman 2 was a better game, but Hoodlum Havoc nevertheless ranks as one of the best platform titles available. It's polished, smooth, and done with care and affection. The levels are gorgeous, inventive and worth exploring. Therefore, Rayman 3 earns a solid Thumb Up rating from this happy player! A word about the PC version—This review is based on the Game
Cube edition, but I did play the demo for the PC. Rayman 3 for
the PC is anywhere from $10 to $30 cheaper than the console versions.
It seems much the same game. However, don't even think about the
PC edition unless you use a gamepad! The complexity of keyboard
commands and limited use of the mouse will be confounding otherwise.
Have fun! |
The Verdict
The Lowdown Developer: Ubisoft
Available for: Four Fat Chicks Links Screenshots
System Requirements PIII 600 MHz (1 GHz recommended) Where to Find It Amazon.com
(PS2) $39.99
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