I reviewed Rayman Origins on the Xbox 360 last year, giving it the highest score I’ve ever given a game – 92% – and even voted it as game of the year in the MyGaming Awards.
It’s difficult not to sing the game’s praises because it was truly a wonderful experience, bringing together stunning visual design, challenging levels and the most bizarrely hyponitizing soundtrack, in one tight package.
What made the experience to wonderful to ingest, though, was the fact that you could experience all of these things with 3 of your friends.
Rayman Origins on the PS Vita is practically a direct port of the big-daddy console version of the game, but brings a bit more to the party…and forgets to invite the guests.
Snoring but never boring
As with the console versions, Rayman Origins is a simple tale that leads to a massive journey. Rayman and his entourage are catching some R&R at the fittingly-named Snoring Tree.
Of course, in the process, they manage to upset a grumpy old lady in the Land of the Livid Dead, who sends all the nasties into the Glade of Dreams to exact revenge.
It’s up to Rayman and co. to go out there and save the world from the evil toons, and restore order to each of the lands they visit.
Of course, saying “they” is a bit misleading, because in the PS Vita version of Rayman Origins, there is no “they” – there’s only you.
Indeed, what made the console versions of this game exponentially more memorable and enjoyable, is notably absent from the PS Vita version, and it’s a missing component that heavily impacts on the experience.
Feast for the eyes
Visually, Rayman Origins is as remarkable as ever. If you’re looking for the perfect game to showcase the PS Vita’s OLED screen capabilities, this is the game to use.
Vibrant colours, environments filled with detail, and animations that would evoke a titter from even the most miserable person on Earth – it’s every bit the visual feast that the console version is.
The music in the game is in a world of its own, and functions on a level that’s difficult to comprehend – in a good way. It’s childish, and silly – but will fill you with warm fuzzy feelings and bring joy to your heart. Seriously.
It’s such a pity, once again, that you’re experiencing all of this very much on your own.
Touching gameplay
The new sense of loneliness also poses a greater challenge in gameplay. Before, in a multiplayer run through, you always had the luxury of having a friend nearby to restore you once you’d bubbled up in death.
Now you’re on your own right through, meaning one false move results in you re-doing entire, sometimes frustrating, sections of the game.
That said, even as a single-player experience, the game is a cut above the rest – well balanced; difficult enough to challenge you; and most of all, exceptionally fun.
In terms of new additions for the PS Vita, a few touch-based features have been introduced – including a new pinch/punch zoom option, letting you see more of the level, or place more focus on your character.
More notable though, is the addition of a new type of collectable: a strange looking artefact that’s hidden with each level. By touching and collecting these hidden goodies, you unlock a section of a massive mural, found in a new section of the Snoring Tree.
In a hope to probably make up for the lack of multiplayer, there’s also ‘Ghost mode’ – which challenges you to beat your own times on levels. These ‘ghosts’ can be shared with other players, so other people can get involved, just not in the fun way.
Table for one
The lonely journey aside, Rayman Origins remains an excellent game, and definitely one of the best games the PS Vita has to offer – if not THE best (so far).
If you missed the console versions that came out last year, or simply want the same experience while you’re on the go, then Rayman Origins comes highly recommended. It’s the exact same game, with a little more here, and a little less there – but never dropping the same level of quality.
Just don’t plan on bringing any friends.
