Rayman 3

[The Jonster]

Yes, and I like the atmosphere so it’s become my favorite level. The reason I favor this level more now is because when I think about it, the longest shortcut is magical, yet nixe and quiet but it also feels…mmmm…empty? So the quietness feels a bit unnerving.

[DaveRattlehead]

And am I the only one who associates Rayman 3 levels to random moments you were experiencing irl?

[RayCarrot]

Something I recently discovered about Rayman 3 is that the GameCube version has 2 stages where the 100% score requirement differs from the other versions. These are The Desert of the Knaaren 7 and The Longest Shortcut 3.

In The Desert of the Knaaren 7 the GameCube requirement is 21200 points rather than 19500. It's still doable, but harder! However in The Longest Shortcut 3 it is 8730 points instead of the usual 7750. This is most likely impossible to get due to how few collectibles there are in that level.

It seems that these score requirements were the original ones. The strategy guide lists these and they're also used in the early game demos. I'm assuming that with the GameCube version being handled by a different studio that they didn't get the updated scores for it like in the other versions.

Also while on the topic of score requirements - some levels set two different score requirements for some reason :p For example the snowboard level first sets it to 12100, and then to 8000. It's only the last one that gets used, so maybe these are more earlier scores...

[SilverLum]

Wow, no wonder I always felt so annoyed by the percentages I would get on those stages. HAHA

Aside from the higher difficulty on those two levels, though, GameCube has to be my favorite port of Rayman 3. It's the first way I played the game so maybe I'm nostalgia blinded, but those controls were soooo smooth.

[Hunchman801]

It seems that these score requirements were the original ones. The strategy guide lists these and they're also used in the early game demos. I'm assuming that with the GameCube version being handled by a different studio that they didn't get the updated scores for it like in the other versions.

So, in a way, it's a similar story to that of the extra Slapdash that appears in the Polish, Russian and Hebrew versions of the game.

[The Jonster]

Wow, no wonder I always felt so annoyed by the percentages I would get on those stages. HAHA

Aside from the higher difficulty on those two levels, though, GameCube has to be my favorite port of Rayman 3. It's the first way I played the game so maybe I'm nostalgia blinded, but those controls were soooo smooth.

I've played both PC and GameCube, but I'm more partial towards PC for the same reason you are towards GameCube.
I really want to give the PS2 version a try sometime too!

[Greengoop]

I really don’t see much difference between versions, apart from the fact that GC has minigames and looks dreadful, and HD has a bunch of (dislikable) minor changes

[The Jonster]

I’d like to know what exactly about the GameCube version you find dreadful, since you did just state yourself there was almost no difference between versions.

[Greengoop]

It’s a lot more pixelated on the other versions due to the disc size being smaller.

[The Jonster]

Ok, I'd like you to show me proof of your claim please. And also the PC version has minigames too (I assume every version does too, in fact)

[Greengoop]

Next time you play the GameCube version, look to the outlines of the characters and you can see the jagged pixels. Tbh, my PC version still looks like that because it’s not a very good pc, and I also haven’t updated it for ages

[lyndo64]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5alQWG ... nel=B-Mask A really good video about R3!

[Master]

Having watched that video, it is interesting to think how Rayman 3's been assessed over the years. During my earlier years in the fandom, it felt like Rayman 2 was bar none the favourite. There'd be a lot of acclaim about its atmosphere, and artistry, whereas Rayman 3 felt much zanier in comparison. And yet as time has gone on, I feel like things have changed and Rayman 3's been reappraised and given more benefit to the point where I think at this point in time it's actually become the default favourite?

Personally, I used to consider Rayman 2 my favourite, and I still prefer it in many ways when it comes to tone and general atmosphere, but honestly, after all these years and so, so many replays, Rayman 3 has actually become my favourite. Rayman 2's a wonderful experience, I love its tone, the characters and the general themes and mysticism, but I find Rayman 3 more fun. It doesn't compare to Rayman 2 on the whole when it comes to atmosphere, but to say it *completely* lacks it? Yeah no. There are many moments in Rayman 3 that stick out as just as magical and atmospheric, The Fairy Council and Summit Beyond the Clouds are some of the most magical places in the series and have soundtracks to match for instance.

And gameplay-wise, as much as I like the variety of ideas in Rayman 2, I find Rayman 3 has a much more solid core. The combat is so much fun in Rayman 3 and I'd love to see more of that...though I think it's fair to say for the longest I've always said my dream 3D Rayman title would take the atmosphere of 2 and the gameplay of Rayman 3, so I suppose in some ways it might be less a change of opinion and more just a change in what I take more appreciation in?

[Greengoop]

Wow, having watched the video, the guy makes a lot of points that I 100% agree with. Somehow I recited the points about rayman 2 looking repetitive and the gameplay being bland on the survey thread even before I watched the video, coincidentally.

[Master]

Just finished a run through Rayman 3 on the GameCube, and something I noticed this time, Reflux's armaguiidon battle can be beaten in 3 phases. At the time I chalked it up to me just getting better at the game, but then I tried it again on the PS2 version, and that version still took me 4 phases, even though I think I played relatively similar...

At any rate, I was wondering, is this a genuine difference, or is it just that I didn't play as good on PS2, and it is possible on the PS2 (and for that matter PC version, I looked at some recordings I had of me playing the battle on PC and it took me 4 phases there too) to beat Reflux in three phases?

For reference-
PS2:


GameCube:


EDIT: Ok I decided to look up some footage by other folks, it looks like the fight can take just 3 phases in other versions too, I'm just not quite at the same level on PC and PS2 as I am on GameCube apparently....

[The Jonster]

When you mean 3 phases, I assume you mean 2 rounds of Armaguiddon shooting the scepter on his head, then bombing the hoodblasters, with the last round of shooting ending the fight? Then yeah I've done this on GC via Dolphin before, but not PC afair. Guess I need to work on my aim.

[Master]

Yeah that's what I had in mind, I take an individual phase to be began by a new shooting the scepter run, so for me it's three phases on GCN, and four on PS2/PC.

I did notice that aiming felt a little more loose on the PS2 version, it was harder to stay on target, compared to GCN where you'll see I could shoot the shield covering the sceptre a lot quicker.

[Hunchman801]

I can echo Master's thoughts on Rayman 3; though I would still consider Rayman 2 my favorite, it's a really great game and more and more fans have come to realize that as time passed by. I just it featured even more mysterious and magical environments such as the sanctuaries from Rayman 2, but places like the Land of the Livid Dead were already very good in that regard.

[The Jonster]

Yeah that's what I had in mind, I take an individual phase to be began by a new shooting the scepter run, so for me it's three phases on GCN, and four on PS2/PC.

I did notice that aiming felt a little more loose on the PS2 version, it was harder to stay on target, compared to GCN where you'll see I could shoot the shield covering the sceptre a lot quicker.

I haven’t played the PC version in awhile, for me it’s like 4 phases on PC and 3 phases on Dolphin. I want to get a physical copy of GC Rayman 3 at some point for both the collection and for playing (love you dolphin but nothing beats a real GameCube/wii). The PS2 port is the one version I’d like to play just for funs (not going to touch Xbox or Hd version)

I can echo Master's thoughts on Rayman 3; though I would still consider Rayman 2 my favorite, it's a really great game and more and more fans have come to realize that as time passed by. I just it featured even more mysterious and magical environments such as the sanctuaries from Rayman 2, but places like the Land of the Livid Dead were already very good in that regard.

Well unless you’re Greengoop that is!

[Greengoop]

(not going to touch Xbox or Hd version)

How come? Aren’t those supposed to be the best versions