Video Game Gazette
Certain games are so exceptional that they become instant classics. Rayman is just such a game. This is all the more surprising as it was made long after the golden age of platformers, when they were passé and lay dead in the water.
So what makes Rayman so great? Everything. When you first see Rayman, you will be blown away by its detailed graphics and by its rich palette. Very few games have the fine shading that you find in Rayman. When you start to play, you will find that everything is beautifully animated. This took a whole lot of work, as they need lots of frames of those detailed sprites. Top this off with rock solid gameplay and you have a real winner.
The story of Rayman begins like many others, in a world of peace and harmony. It is kept in this state by the Great Protoon. However, one fateful day the mysterious Mr. Dark steals the Great Protoon and the world is thrown into chaos. The Electoons that spin around the Protoon are scattered all across the land. Soon evil creatures capture the Electoons and imprison them in cages. Can Rayman free the Electoons and rescue the Great Protoon from the evil Mr. Dark?
Rayman’s graphics speak for themselves. The gameplay is equally good, but you can’t see that in a picture, so words will have to suffice. Rayman has all sorts of moves. As one would expect he can climb and jump. He can also swing from flying hoops, and fly like a helicopter. His basic attack is a punch, which is kind of like a cross between Mazinger Z’s rocket fists and Bionic Commando’s arm. Rayman needs to use all of his powers to find the Electoons that are scattered throughout the levels. Some are rather hard to find. Just when you think that you have mastered the game, you reach a new level in which you have to fly on a rocket through a cave. It plays like Space Harrier on steroids. If you crash, its curtains for Rayman. After all of this you get to face off with Mr. Dark. Well, what are you waiting for, go out and buy Rayman and save the Great Protoon.
