“One day, this will all be yours, Simba.”Rayman 3 HD is a beautiful game — at times, we put down our controllers to admire the view — but all of its loving visual upgrades can’t hide the fact that it’s nine years old. Camera angles swing around randomly, often refuse manual adjustment, and are even used as a means of challenging you through poor or funky perspectives. Beating bosses requires repetitive thumbstick movements and button-presses that can leave your hands sore. Factor in voice-overs that begin to grate after the first few hours (what was once edgy and refreshing now feels needlessly sarcastic), and you may find yourself wishing for a more modern platformer.
Still, if you’re willing to put up with the antiquated gameplay, you’ll find a few enjoyable moments during Rayman’s efforts to dislodge André, the leader of the Hoodlums (red lums that have become black, mayhem-causing versions of themselves) from his buddy Globox’s stomach. Using various power-ups — such as cyclone fists, grappling-hook fists, and a rocket launcher — adds some variety to the platforming, and unlockable mini-games (separate from the main adventure) can easily swallow whole hours if you get obsessive about beating them.
If you crave a Rayman game that mixes a retro vibe with contemporary gameplay and gorgeous graphics, do yourself a favor and opt for last year’s stellar Rayman Origins. Rayman 3 HD’s dated platformer appeal is a playground strictly for old-school nostalgics seeking a tangible example of how far the genre has evolved.
Power-ups come in the form of these cans, and offer various abilities, like the power to super-punch (shown here).PUBLISHER: Ubisoft • DEVELOPERS: Ubisoft Shanghai • ESRB: Everyone • MULTIPLAYER: None • ACHIEVEMENTS: Stingy • COST: 800 Microsoft Points ($10)
+ Dazzling visual upgrades; fun unlockable mini-games; amusing (if thin) plot.
– Frequently poor camera angles; annoying voice-overs.
– Repetitive controller input can tire out your hands.
? If Globox’s brain is really that small, how did he find those gliders?
