Rayman Origins is the latest from French game designer and Rayman creator, Michel Ancel – who is also the man behind the criminally under-purchased Beyond Good & Evil.
The beautifully animated side-scrolling platformer follows Rayman and his buddy Globox, as they traverse the dreams of the Bubble Dreamer – whose snores have disturbed a grumpy old lay in the Underworld who has sent a bunch of nasties to the Glade of Dreams.
The game is single player as well as supporting up to 4-players in local co-op – and has hit a critical reception of “Whoohoo!” garnering a Metacritic score of 89 on Xbox, 88 on PS3 and 92 on Wii (based off of 25, 22 and 4 reviews, respectively).
The game’s GameRanking score has a similar reflection of 89,31% on Xbox 360, 88,40% on PS3 and 91,67% on Wii, based on slightly fewer reviews (16, 15 and 3).
That gives a cross-platform, combined average of 90%, with IGN weighing in, giving it 9.5 out of 10, saying “It’s downright gorgeous and a total blast to play alone or with friends”.
Check out what other critics had to say:
Joystiq 5/5
Every nuance is positively dripping with goofy, heart-swelling joy. Full Review
1UP A-
Origins’ brilliance is it keeps that simplicity on the surface, but ends up feeling incredibly varied thanks to its level design. Full Review
Games Radar 9/10
At a time when games seem to offer a whole lot of everything, Rayman Origins stays focused on pure platforming pleasure, and it delivers. Yes, it can be too tough for some, but we’re betting even the more casual players will soon find themselves hopelessly addicted to the finely tuned challenges on offer here. Full Review
Destructoid 9/10
I adored my experience playing Rayman Origins and I’m certain that anybody with a love for 2D platform games will feel the same. It stands tall in the field as being one of the best of its kind in this console generation and supplies ample hope that there’s not only plenty of life still in that genre, but in Rayman as a franchise. Full Review
GamePro 4.5/5
The game is crafted with so much love, so much humor, and does so many things right, that it’s impossible not to have a blast. Full Review
GameTrailers 8.5/10
With platformers enjoying a big resurgence in the last few years, it makes sense that Rayman: Origins has an anachronistic feel. Challenging levels, mosquito breaks, amusing multiplayer, and a hard-as-nails reward for perfectionists assures its place in the platformer pantheon. It just lacks a little of the sparkle that could’ve helped battle the fatigue of coaxing out every last lum. Full Review
GameSpot 8.5/10
Rayman Origins is a wonderful 2D platformer whose goofy charm will have you smiling all the way through. Full Review
Eurogamer 8/10
A delightful, playful, occasionally exhilarating platformer. But while this is a game whose visuals point to a bright, alternative future, its systems too often rely on the dusty past. Half of a classic, then. Full Review
