Rayman (Sony PlayStation 1, 1996)

Rayman was and is a Great platformer first appeared on 64 -bit Atari Jaguar multimedia games console system on early nineties and later on other machines as well.
-It was actually underrated at the time because nobody knew anything about this character called Rayman let alone it`s creator Michael Ancel who is the one of the most important peoples on UbiSoft these days, so as there were dozens of mediocre platformers around not many folks out there even bothered really find out if this one was any better than the rest of Mario and Sonic rip -offs...
-Luckily, it was.


This is mainly courtesy of the cheer originality of this particular title as despite similar gameplay, it has very little if anything to do with those more popular platformers.
Gameplay and main character itself may look like nothing special at first, but more you get into it, more you start to appreciate all those small little details that create perfectly balanced interaction with games levels...


Unlike most games even today, Rayman does not have anything in the actual game that would not FIT into it. Despite overly dreamy fantasy theme, everything feels so natural that it is nearly unreal when you think about it. OK, first Donkey Kong Country was also perfectly executed in the way one would not want to add anything or remove anything as it was perfect gaming world or small planet (actually it was just a land, but still) on just the way it was and made sense. But what makes world of Rayman so special is that the visual art is simply unequaled when it comes to both ideas & style, and this combo delivers dream -like experience despite the system you play with it.


What you get is one of the most important platformers out there with a lovable hero, and that is enough for this title to be up the with just mentioned ones.
But... Here IS a word of warning for platform fans: This is a Difficult game. No Donkey, monkey, or even Mario with Sonic could beat this game without crying some real tears for a while and all of that brings this game in to the point where you have to play it over and over again until you finally made it. Kids? -I`m afraid that despite all the joy there is in this title, it delivers very little for majority of gamers, yeah, -gamers.


Is first Rayman game too hard? Well yes it is, but not impossible. I would say it is about as hard as first Rock/MegaMan, despite being different on gameplay. It seams that desingers were creating game(play) for themselves and not for the audience that haven`t even heard name Rayman ever before, so yes if you think Yoshi`s Story is hard you should leave Rayman alone until you want to kill him...


-Luckily, all this was fixed for the sequels that are most likely the definition how to do platforming for the 3D universe, so while first Rayman is not as good as it should or could have been because it was not playtested properly, it IS up there with the best ones.


Personally, i allways get exited when i heard about NEW Rayman game, if i heard one...

*VISUALS/GRAPHICS: 10/10
*SOUND/MUSIC: 8/10
*CONTROL/GAMEPLAY: 9/10
*CONTENTS/ENTERTAINMENT: 9/10

*TOTAL SCORE: NINE OUT OF TEN

This game is one of my favorite PS1 games I've ever played: It is challenging, colorful, and packed with fun! It has optional bosses depending on which direction you choose to go. If you defeat the boss, you become its friend, and go through a bonus stage, riding on the boss's back. I recommend this game to players around the world!
The_Pokeson

This one is a classic. Basic side scroller and basic controls. Where this game shines is its controls and graphics. The graphics are bright, colorful and just plain cartoony. The controlls are tight. As you progress thru the game trying to free your locked musical buddies (the game thrives on the music theme) you get different abbilities. The first being your super punch followed by being able to cliff hang. To me the music is lacking. I would have liked something a little up beat but its not annoying (thankfully). The beginning intro stinks, but hey it was one of PS1's first games so I'll give them a break. If you have raving rabbids then get this one. You need to see where Rayman began.

This is a platforming and saddist's dream come true. It is indeed very challenging, but it has fantastic controls so any deaths are your fault, not the game's. The colours are vibrant, environments are lush and diverse, platforming sections have great variety and challenges any player. The character is quite unique and having to use your fists to move spiked chain balls and such, it adds so much variety and challenge. It's hard for me to say much about this game other than it's unique and great. Pick it up! Check out Screw Attack's video game vault for more information is you'd like!

an excellent game, very nice level designs and very funny to play, there is a number of challenges within the level but there good challenge. i recommend this game to anyone who loves 2D platform games.