Future Rayman games

[Shrooblord]

The gaming market changed a lot in these last 14 years, and something I've been noticing in platformers is the fashion of co-operative gameplay, super guides and "kid-friendly level designs" (to not make them cry of frustration).

I miss those games. They were clever and you yourself had to be clever to beat them. I never got frustrated as a kid when in King's Quest VII I [repeatedly got stabbed in the face by a ginormous scorpion with the battlecry of twenty Tyrannosaurus Rexes], no, but I tried to find a way to solve that problem. Also, the game was designed in such a way that 'losing' was both merely an inconvenience and sometimes even a funny thing to have happen to you (funny deaths, phrases, 'Oh dear, you died' screens, etc.).

I can understand if a kid nowadays gets frustrated of losing to a game like Halo with the Iron Skull on, where one death will reset your entire progress to zilch - but that's the point - if you're going to make a game challenging, you've got to enable players to beat that one challenge, not face the whole ordeal of getting back to that challenge first. This is what's great about R2's Green Lum locations too - if there's a difficult spot you have to beat, there's a Green Lum just around the corner to help you in doing so. How frustrating the Shell ride in the Sanctuary of Stone and Fire would be if the game didn't reset you right by the Shell, but rather at the entrance of the temple!

[Master]

Not to mention the mercy red lums that respawn every time you die in that segment.

[Earth Gwee]

still waiting for the game that will get rid off the wackiness the series suffers from since R 3...

I never believed the series suffered from wackiness, rather it thrived on it. Rayman Origins is a prime example that Rayman doesn't need to be dark too often. I feel it succeeds is being wacky while still having its few dark moments. While I've never played Rayman 2, I am aware that it is darker than the rest of the games that Rayman starred in, and I do see the appeal in what it presented. But when you get down to it, Rayman's world IS wacky. In fact, from what I understand, Rayman 1 was full of color and, yes, wackiness. So saying the series suffers from that seems kind of off to me. Although if you were to talk about Rayman 3 specifically, I can kinda see where you're coming from. It is pretty heavy on the humor with the dialogue, but in my opinion, it's what made the game fun to me, aside from the gameplay and the worlds. I'm hoping the next 3D Rayman game will still maintain its wackiness and humor while also being able to get away with its dark moments. To me, that's what Rayman is.

[Adsolution]

I feel it succeeds is being wacky while still having its few dark moments.

Such as?

While I've never played Rayman 2

In the end it is entirely up to your own perception, but solidifying your opinion on what you believe Rayman to be without having played the most highly acclaimed game of the series - and in turn, what is considered one of the best games of its era - is what seems off to me. Play Rayman 2, really. I implore you.

[Rayfist]

While I've never played Rayman 2,

WHAT!? Get out, go play it, and come back.

[Earth Gwee]

Yeah, I'll admit. I haven't been exposed to all of what Rayman has to offer yet. And I would play the second game, but I don't have the money or the means. And there are so many ports, I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm pretty much going backwards in the series (started with Rayman Origins), so in time, I'm sure I'll get around to playing Rayman 2 eventually. Just not now. As far the dark bits I mentioned, I always thought the ones with Reflux were the darkest, as far as Rayman 3 goes. I know it doesn't say much, but as I said, that's as much as I've been exposed to as of late. I do apologize if I disappoint anyone with my lack of Rayman experience.

[Adsolution]

Don't have the money? Torrent the GoG version. if you like it, then buy it when you do have the money (what, five bucks?).

[Shrooblord]

And for your 'what version should I play' question, I'd say try out the PC version first, since it'd be the most original one. Then, if you feel like seeing the differences between the ports, why not try out the PS2 (Rayman Revolution) or PS1 ports - I heard the Dreamcast version is neat too, but very close to the original at the same time - but don't ever try any of the DS ports. They suck so much I lose my words to detail and enforce that statement.

[Haruka]

Yeah, I'll admit. I haven't been exposed to all of what Rayman has to offer yet. And I would play the second game, but I don't have the money or the means. And there are so many ports, I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm pretty much going backwards in the series (started with Rayman Origins), so in time, I'm sure I'll get around to playing Rayman 2 eventually. Just not now. As far the dark bits I mentioned, I always thought the ones with Reflux were the darkest, as far as Rayman 3 goes. I know it doesn't say much, but as I said, that's as much as I've been exposed to as of late. I do apologize if I disappoint anyone with my lack of Rayman experience.

Do how Adsolution is saying: download the games first and then if you like the games, purchase them (when you can of course)! (I've been waiting to have enough for Rayman Origins for PC for example, but I own a pirated copy for now)

And personally I would suggest you to try out the games in its cronological order, or if you are too worried with the difficulty level of the games, start with Rayman Origins. But I do recommend trying out by this following order:

1st game - Rayman -> PlayStation version [If you own a PlayStation 3/Vita with internet connection and a PlayStation Network account, you can purchase the digital version of the game in the PlayStation Store for just 4,99€; quite a bargain! If you own a real PlayStation 1/2, you can find a Rayman copy on eBay very easily with prices that vary by the sellers, but with some luck you can get it even cheaper than 4,99€. If the issue is the money, just search on Emuparadise for the ISO file of the game and google for the ePSXe emulator. If you like I can prepare a ZIP file with the necessary elements to make the emulation work. ]

2nd game - Rayman 2: The Great Escape -> Dreamcast version [This is actually the hardest one for me to tell just one version for you to try out, and I'm going to explain why. Rayman 2 has got the biggest number of ports but there are four versions that stand out: Dreamcast, PC, PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2. In terms of quality, definitely try out the Dreamcast version, especially if you have the chance of playing this in a real console. If you haven't it, don't worry, I can help you in the same way as for ePSXe. The saddest part is that the emulation of Dreamcast isn't perfect yet, and that can harm the gameplay experience. As an alternative, you can try out the PC version which can also be easily downloaded in the internet, and it is the "version of the middle" so it is equally great starting R2 with this version. Concerning the PS1 version, due to the hardware limitations of the console, the game suffered many adaptations and consequently made the game shorter than the other versions. However, the changes/adaptations done are of the interest of the community, and there are people who started R2 first with the PS1 version. Finally, you have the PS2 version (also emulatable but you need to have a relatively decent computer for that) which has got an hub that you can explore and walk by yourself to reach the levels, and features the longest R2 gameplay which takes in average the double of the time of the PC/DC/N64 versions to complete it. Some people dislike it because of the hub exploration and being glitchy, but others praise it for the expanded gameplay and the extra decoration of the landscapes. It is up to you trying out one of these four but I think if you really can't play the Dreamcast version, try out the PC one.]

3rd game - Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc -> GameCube version [There aren't particular differences among the available R3 versions, with the exception for the GameCube version for including extra Arcade minigames that do not exist in the other versions but that is a minor detail. You can either try this out or the Xbox version, the PC version, the PS2 version or even the HD release for PS3/Xbox 360. I just warn that the HD release hasn't got most of its extras that were originally released so I think you should try out the PC version above all since it contains the best graphism (yes, even better than the supposed HD release).]

4th game - Rayman Origins -> Vita version [Again, there aren't particular differences among the versions of RO, except for the Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita versions, that include some bonuses to reward the lack of co-operative gameplay. I wouldn't recommend touching the 3DS version, do it for the Vita. If you can't try out the Vita version, play either the PC, Wii, PS3 or Xbox 360 versions since the four are equally good, but for the best graphism, don't play the Wii version. If you haven't a console of these, play the PC version.]

I hope I was clear and helpful enough.

[Raven_Guardian]

1st game - Rayman -> PlayStation version [If you own a PlayStation 3/Vita with internet connection and a PlayStation Network account, you can purchase the digital version of the game in the PlayStation Store for just 4,99€; quite a bargain! If you own a real PlayStation 1/2, you can find a Rayman copy on eBay very easily with prices that vary by the sellers, but with some luck you can get it even cheaper than 4,99€. If the issue is the money, just search on Emuparadise for the ISO file of the game and google for the ePSXe emulator. If you like I can prepare a ZIP file with the necessary elements to make the emulation work. ]

I've heard some saying the saturn version is the best.

[Haruka]

I only watched Cairnie's gameplay, and although it has got minor differences that are interesting, I think the PS1 is a better approach, especially if you don't own the real console.

[TFDS]

What about the Jaguar version?
It is better than PS1 version in my opinion.

[Haruka]

I actually find the Jaguar's controls to behave awkwardly, especially in the edges. The music isn't the best one available either.

[Cairnie]

Yeah the collision detection in the Jaguar version is weird, one minute it'd work the next it wouldn't, making harder levels a bit easier and vice versa. And the Saturn one's difference aren't much more than the extra animations and the different sounds and backgrounds...

So yeah, anyone who's yet to play Rayman should opt for the PS1 version.

[Xenon]

Yeah, I'll admit. I haven't been exposed to all of what Rayman has to offer yet. And I would play the second game, but I don't have the money or the means. And there are so many ports, I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm pretty much going backwards in the series (started with Rayman Origins), so in time, I'm sure I'll get around to playing Rayman 2 eventually. Just not now. As far the dark bits I mentioned, I always thought the ones with Reflux were the darkest, as far as Rayman 3 goes. I know it doesn't say much, but as I said, that's as much as I've been exposed to as of late. I do apologize if I disappoint anyone with my lack of Rayman experience.

I can relate to your position. To date I've never actually played Rayman 1 - the foundation of the entire series. I try to withhold any opinions I have about the game as they will be naturally entirely biased since I've never experienced the game in full. And frankly, as much as I respect and admire the game, I have no desire to buy it. Right now my view of the game is that it's fairly immature, simple and dated, but no way would I want to seriously discuss these opinions because they are based upon irrational and biased thoughts (given my lack of experience with the game).

[Adsolution]

While dated, it's not actually as dated as most games from that era are.

[Keane]

While dated, it's not actually as dated as most games from that era are.

Agreed. The game is still fine. The DSi version showed that it only needs a few tweaks to go for a modern game. I'd say Rayman 2 would be the dated game. Rayman 3D made me feel like I was playing it on an emulator. sadly disappointing me once more.

[Haruka]

While dated, it's not actually as dated as most games from that era are.

I agree with this. Look at Mario Kart 64 for example, it is from 1996 and it didn't age as well as Rayman 1.

I'd say Rayman 2 would be the dated game. Rayman 3D made me feel like I was playing it on an emulator. sadly disappointing me once more.

Rayman 3D is just other failed attempt in bringing the Dreamcast version back. It isn't the best version out there either.

[Earth Gwee]

Wow, I didn't know my having not played much of Rayman yet would veer us away from the initial topic. XD

But thanks, guys. That actually was helpful. I felt like I had said something really stupid back there and felt bad for it. Probably a better way I could've put it was that my personal viewpoint on the Rayman series was all based on what I've been exposed to so far, which I know isn't much. Right now, I need to not spend money on video games, as good as they are. I have yet to make my own income as well as own my own 3DS or PS3, so until then, I have to postpone getting the other Rayman games. Plus, downloading torrents feels dodgy to me, especially with the poor condition my computer is in.

[Keane]

I'd say Rayman 2 would be the dated game. Rayman 3D made me feel like I was playing it on an emulator. sadly disappointing me once more.

Rayman 3D is just other failed attempt in bringing the Dreamcast version back. It isn't the best version out there either.

I think the only reason it was the Dreamcast version was because they needed at least something to make it appear somewhat different from recent ports. Shameful cash-in.