Electoonfying (Rayman (PS))

Member Name: whitby

Product:	Rayman (PS)
Date:	08/01/02 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bright and Colourful, Addictive, Young kids can watch whilst you play!

Disadvantages: Frustrating

I know that this game has been around for over five years. The recent cold nights have made me dust down the old Playstation and I was quick to insert the Rayman disc when it caught my eye. I have never reviewed a game before so any feedback would be most welcome we all have to start somewhere don't we?

I got the game free with my Playstation starter pack. Research has shown me that the present retail price is around £9.99, which is quite good even for an older game. Ubi Soft Entertainment produces the game.

Many may say that it's pointless reviewing old games. I disagree as the launch of PS2 and talk of PS3 means that many regular games people update their equipment and often hand down their previous kit to younger relatives etc. This is where my review could come in handy?.

The back of the case describes the game as follows: Discover the world of Rayman, where action, challenge and technology await you. 60 different levels in six amazing worlds! Eye-popping animations using 65000 colours.

To be able to watch a sample of the sounds and music from this game then visit http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/ then search Rayman. Once the Rayman explanation page appears, select the Playstation option and then click to watch game demo which is on the right hand side. This site also gives five actual views of the game which may help anyone considering purchasing this game. I find it's interesting to note that although Rayman is no longer a new / modern game, it is still included in the archive at Blockbusters.

The game is marked as suitable for ages 3 upwards. My niece is aged three and I don't think she'd cope with playing it! Although she does love watching the very colourful and highly amusing features of the game.

The disc takes under a minute to get to the initial pages upon loading and gives the option of playing in English, French and German for all of those multi-nationals out there! Whilst the ma
in bulk of the game loading is being loaded, The Magician talks the player through the background of the game. Below is a brief description that is based on the introduction from the game and instruction book:

Rayman's World is one where nature and people live together in peace. The Great Protoon which oversees this harmony is protected by Betilla the Fairy and the Electoons. Until... The evil Mr Dark has stolen the Great Protoon, defeated Betilla the Fairy and captured the Electoons in cages scattered around Rayman's world. You've guessed it, Rayman has to come to the rescue and free Betilla and the Electoons in order to restore the Great Protoon.

Rayman starts his mission in the The Dream Forest at Pink Plant Woods. The idea of the game is to collect tings (little blue balls) and other items in order to pass through the levels and rescue the Electoons. When Rayman punches a cage of Electoons a medallion appears which has six holes in it. Each cage punched is signified by one of these holes being filled, the idea being that to progress onto the sixth and final level all of the electoons much be freed from the previous levels (5 x 6 = 30 cages).

During the game though, you may not be able to achieve you goal, as you do not have all the powers needed. You are expected to progress regardless and then return to these levels at a later time to free the remaining Electoons.

As you complete a level such as Swamp of Forgetfulness or Anguish Lagoon you are presented with a map in order to choose you next zone for play. At this point you can also see your medallion for each zone and therefore be aware of which zones you need to return to. Upon completion of each level you then move to a different area of Raymans world such as Band Land, Blue Mountains or Picture City. Can you now see where those 60 levels come from?

During the game you get temporary and permanent powers and I normally forget that some are only temporar
y. The permanent powers are things such as Telescopic Fist, which allows you to punch long and far.

Like many of these character platform games, extra lives and powers can be obtained along the journey. Rayman has lots of friends to help him and I particularly like the Hornet and Tarzan who are quite funny. The hornet initially tries to get you, but then becomes a friend and flies you around the forest. Tarzan is caught naked in the bush! Rayman has to retrieve his clothes in order to proceed.

I must admit that I get so frustrated when I get so near but so far to completing a level. Most people recommend using a memory card with this game although you can use a password if that option appeals. The first time that you loose your last life though you are allowed a Continue to restart the game from the last level played which is great and was quite a surprise the first time it happened. This option gives you another five lives!

I think this game is quite fun to play. It starts off quite easy but gets harder and harder. It's at this point that my boyfriend shouts out things like 'dozy cow' to me - it's great for him to say that when he never plays but only watches don't you think!

It's times like these when I feel like using some of the cheats that are readily available over the internet. Two of the sites, which have specific cheats for this game, are www.gamewinners.com and www.redcoupe.co.uk. So far I have yet to use these though they are really tempting for getting past the levels I am constantly stuck on.

With regards to sound and graphics I think the pictures and wonderful (although many may find them a bit dated now). There is an excellent use of bright colours to create the amazing world and pictures are very clear, although I get a bit confused when the world moves faster and faster (but then that could just be me!) Thank god it's not a 3D game! The music is quite fun too with jungle drums
and cheesy UhOh noises when you loose a life. Completion of a level means Rayman let's out a 'Yeah' to a little tune that becomes familiar throughout the game - this is demonstrated on the Blockbuster preview.

Altogether this is an enjoyable game, which may bore some of the modern day game players. As a novice playstation user though this is a game I thoroughly enjoy as it gives a bit of light background music and beautiful colours without the blood and guts that many games provide.

I?m going to have to go and buy Rayman 2 now and see what delights that brings!


1 Player game
3 Memory Card Blocks
3+ Suitable Age Classification
20 Pages of English Version Instructions which are easy to follow


Produced by Ubi Soft, Customer Service Number 0990 998877
www.ubi.com

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