A Resurrection for the Limbless Legend
Rayman. That’s a name that gamers likely haven’t heard for a while. The creature with the floating head, hands, and feet, captivated fans of platformers since his very inception in the 90s. Whether it was the original title on the PlayStation, the two following 3D platforming masterpieces, or the legendary Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends, this franchise was always home to some of the best experiences the platformer genre had to offer.
Why is it then that the once legendary character seemed to have been scrubbed off the face of the Earth? The latest mainline entry (Rayman Legends) was released thirteen years ago, and Ubisoft hasn’t made any efforts to address this downfall of one of their greatest franchises… until now.
See, an emulation bundle of the original Rayman, the one that started it all, has now made its way to modern hardware thirty-one years after the game released, aptly titled… Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition?
Eccentric Charm
Regardless of the incorrect naming situation, and before we delve further into the specifics, I just want to say, if you’re a fan of the original – or the series for that matter – this collection rekindled my memories of playing the original on the PS1. It managed to capture the same eccentric charm and off-the-wall nature of the original. I mean what other game has their protagonist high-fiving a pink mosquito, and the CRT display added encapsulates the warmth of nostalgia. For me, this collection that contains five emulated versions is the definitive edition going forwards.
As far as story, that was never the strong suit of the series’ debut, being easily summed up by Rayman attempting to free the caged Electoons and defeat Mister Dark. Where the storytelling truly excels is in the gorgeous crafted stages, ranging from vibrant forests, to living musical instruments, or even stages with pencils as platforms. Each setting utilises elements from their corresponding aesthetic in fantastic visual ways, setting the stage for the absurd nature which the franchise would follow.
Floating Fists and Propeller Heads
This strangeness oozes into the gameplay too, with the first thing many players will notice being Rayman’s floating body parts. These are incorporated into his move-set with his hand being thrown for punches or his head transforming into a helicopter propeller for hovering. It gives the perfect taster for new fans to experience the originality of Rayman, whilst blending visuals and design with gameplay. Add in climbing and running, and Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition has a relatively stacked move-set for 1995.
Once players are actually ready to jump into the game, they’ll be met with a huge selection of versions of the game to choose from, ranging from a SNES prototype with over 120 additional stages, to the handheld ports. Most players will want to begin on the 1995 PlayStation release, labelled the definitive edition and where most originally experienced the title. The sheer number of ports available should be applauded for preservation and gaming history, even if many players will likely never touch them.
Simplicity, Secrets, and Caged Electoons
Finally moving onto the core gameplay loop, Rayman is a mirror for the simplicity platformers incorporated during the 90s, with the overarching goal largely being to simply reach the end of the stage. Said stages consist of enemies, obstacles, and collectibles, usually split into three or more distinct sections. Collectible wise, there are six caged Electoons to free per level, often hidden in secret locations, or with never explained mechanics. Thanks to this, they’re fulfilling to locate, although a first playthrough will almost never see a player free all six in even a single stage.
The aforementioned move-set Rayman obtains is received through the fairies you’ll encounter, offering a distinct ability per interaction and allowing previously hidden paths in stages to unlock. These encourage revisiting completed stages to collect every Electoon, or simply explore and discover hidden secrets. Each stage feels like a fever dream in the best way, with precise platforming and collectibles merging with the dreamlike fantasy Rayman incorporates, and a linear approach topping off the perfect pacing Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition stands by through the majority of its runtime.
This core gameplay, despite its unforgiving difficulty, can be curated to the player through the use of enhancements or the rewind ability, allowing for mistakes to be corrected. From the fancy headshots taken of Rayman for a checkpoint, the idle animations, or the taunts players can use, every aspect of this debut title oozes the personality and charm that made the franchise a household staple, and is largely preserved through this re-release.
The Architecture of Frustration
A platformer can have the greatest move-set, story, and gameplay, but without expertly crafted platforming playgrounds to utilise these in, it will fall flat on its face. With Rayman’s first outing, stage design can sadly feel cheap in many instances; in the second stage for example, you must jump up red flowery platforms which promptly fall upon being stood on, leaving the only path an unseen route upwards, and many times I was hit by a moving obstacle there was no way I could have predicted. I believe this to be a product of its time, with the gaming scene in the 90s unaware of handholding and forgiveness in design, the former of which is a blessing in this instance, however the latter often leaves Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition feeling its age.
On the other hand, when a stage gets into its groove and presents various original mechanics, they are some of the best 2D challenges this series has to offer. Take for example the musical stage, constructed of pianos, bongos, and recorders amongst many others, all of which are interact-able. Although these are a novel addition, they’re not what I want to focus on. Instead contributing to the expert entry this stage introduces, the shrinking mechanic. Rayman can be transformed into a miniature version of himself (think Metallic Madness in Sonic Mania) which opens up previously inaccessible spaces of the world, along with giving players the freedom to forge their own path forwards. The best mechanics merge with existing elements of the game, and Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition’s set pieces perfectly blend with the zany nature of the series.
The Digital Museum: Exploring Rayman’s History
The new History feature is also a huge factor in this collection’s value, taking players through a timeline of Rayman’s development, the key figures involved, and how it came to fruition. For those not familiar with the franchise, or simply eager for more education, the History feature will be your digital museum and a great addition to the collection.
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition maintains the evergreen eccentric visuals of the original through the pristine presentation and soundtrack. Where there are peculiar visuals or stage elements, the music will reinforce this through corresponding soundscapes made to completely immerse the player. Despite this, the original’s soundtrack has been reworked by Christophe Héral (the composer of Origins and Legends) much to the dismay of many fans. The issue can be attributed to the lack of a toggle to the original soundtrack which seems a glaring omission, although I for one was quite content with the new tracks.
The Definitive Way to Play a Classic
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition completely and wholeheartedly maintains the experience brought to the table by the original. Visually and gameplay wise, this is a blessing, with the challenging experience many enjoyed in the 90s brought to modern hardware. Yet that does mean the debut’s blunders have also been introduced to the 21st century.
It’s not quite a remake, yet Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition proves to be the definitive port of the original with a few enhancements.
Important Links
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition Revives A Platforming Classic – https://www.thexboxhub.com/rayman-30th-anniversary-edition-revives-a-platforming-classic/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/rayman-30th-anniversary-edition/9PNFBKJRXDJH/0010
