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This year's holiday season is cluttered with high-quality software releases. All of the major consoles have been around for a while. Developers are comfortable with the environments they are working in. And as a result, we are seeing a flood of high-quality late generation titles. Gears of War 3, Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, Skyrim, Batman: Arkham City, Saints Row the Third, Skyward Sword, Mario Land 3D, the list goes on and on. And it isn't even the end of this release period. There's still a solid month for major releases to come out before the holiday sales rush is over.

So why is it that Rayman Origins is slowly becoming my most-anticipated title of 2011? It already caught my attention with its teaser reveal at this year's E3. Now that reviews of the game are rolling in I'm more excited than ever for this considerably less marketed piece of software. I was lucky enough to see the game demo running at PAX, and was startled by the fluidity of the gameplay and animation. Now every review I've read of the game swear up and down that this is the platformer to beat.

Though it will probably not do as well as New Super Mario Bros. Wii, I'm thinking Rayman Origins is going to be the 4-player platformer of choice for those in the know.

I loved the demo, but not sure Ill buy it for a while, due to wanting to play Skyward sword and a couple of other games first.

Gameplay wise its a lot of fun and visually its complete eye candy. The animations are lovely, although admittedly Im not so keen when they zoom in on the characters and you can see close up they're quite sketchy/messy vector work. They should keep to a smaller scale IMO.

I love the whole idea of the game feeling more like a cartoon, which reminds me I still need to try Warioland: Shake it.

You know what? I think I'll buy this one. I just know that this title isn't going to do nearly as well sales-wise as most of the other games dropping this season. I'll have to give up getting some of the other big games this year as a result, but I'll bite the bullet on this particular game. High-quality platformers are few and far between these days, and I would love to see more developers make this type of game for high-definition consoles.

I'll nab a copy next time I go out and give my impressions after I've played a few levels.

I agree that the amount of good games coming these months is absurd.

And I'm definitely buying this. I was not sure if I should buy it for PS3 (prettier) or Wii (cheaper, good addition to my Wii platformer collection), but I'll probably buy it for 3DS anyway.

Stopped by Best Buy while I was out to lunch, and picked up a copy for the PS3. With the art style they are using in this game, I wanted to be able to enjoy it in full 1080p. It really is a shame they are releasing this game during such a glut of high-quality titles. It's $60 price tag is going to scare off consumers with far more options to choose from. Still, I'm glad I was able to cast my wallet-vote in favor of Micheal Ancel's latest.

Won't get a chance to play it until after work today.

I have never played a Rayman game, to be honest. The original series did look good.

I'm interested in hearing a report on this once you've had a chance to play it a bit more.

I'll almost definitely buy this on Friday (in the UK). Zelda and Mario are also must-buys unfortunately. I can afford to get them but I'll feel rather guilty about spending that much money at once. It'll be worthwhile though. Really want to support this kind of game. Also anything that helps convince Ubisoft to let Ancel get on with Beyond Good & Evil 2.


Is that 1080p thing specific to PS3 or does the 360 version handle that ok too, and you were just comparing it to the Wii version?

SirNiko, I can tell you that if nothing else you should try and find Rayman 2: The Great Escape. It's one of my favorite 3D platformers, period.

As for Origins, I've got this game on my wishlist. Here's hoping I can pick it up soon, it looks gorgeous.

Man I usually do everything in my power to not get hyped for games, but I can't help it, this just looks so lively and fun to play.

I've only managed to play through the first level so far.

The 2D backgrounds in this game are jaw-dropping. They are as good as I've ever seen a 2D background look in a game. And I have copies of Odin Sphere and Muramasa: The Demon Blade. They are simply that good.

The controls so far are fairly basic, but are quite responsive. I'm not sure whether I prefer the analog stick or the d-pad, but both can be used for moving the character. Environmental interactions were regular, there were plenty of instances where the level changed in response to my actions. THE WHOLE LEVEL looked like it had been hand-painted.

The vector art is worth noting. If you aren't a fan of vectors, you might have some issues with this game. I'm personally very fond of vector art, and found the whole style they used to be delightful.

Want this so much :nono:

Also, not surprising or anything, but I lurked at GameFAQs and there are tons of people saying they'll buy it when it's cheaper because it's not worth its full price.

Yes, not really surprising, but a little disappointing. I am slightly confused why people would be willing to buy New Super Mario Bros. Wii by the millions, but Rayman Origins doesn't warrant a similar price tag. From what little I've played, this game is oozing personality and production value. Rayman Origins makes most of Nintendo's similar games look conservative and restrained.

If you don't want to pay more than $50, buy the Wii version. If you are like me and want your eyes assaulted by this delightfully exaggerated art style in HD, pay the extra $10 and pick it up for the PS3 or XBox 360. What little I've experienced so far has inspired confidence, and every review I've read is swearing up and down that it's worth the price of admission.

It's a shame there aren't 3DS screens yet. I don't think it'll look bad, and I'm really curious about stereoscopic 3D on 2D games. It'll also be the cheapest version, but by the time it comes out, you'll probable be able to get the Wii version for cheaper :durr:

I just watched the trailer. The art style reminds me a lot of Wario Land: Shake It, although it looks like they used a lot of rotation and stretching rather than pure animation.

It still does look gorgeous, though.

How is the level design? It isn't clear from the trailer if I'm looking at a sequence of very linear levels, big wide levels with multiple paths, a continuous world, endurance levels where I'm going to be fighting off monsters and conserving health, or puzzle platforming.

Managed to play through the first area this afternoon. The levels are linear, as near as I can tell there are no branching paths. It has a faster pace than Mario, but is more platforming-oriented than Sonic. If I had to compare it directly, I would say that it feels most like Super Meat Boy. (though a touch slower, and considerably less brutal) The game's levels focus on traversal first and foremost, and dealing with enemies as a secondary concern.

A lot of the levels have a "speed-run" achievement that you need to get in order to unlock additional areas. The collectibles in the levels also play a fairly significant role. There are no "lives." The collectibles count for each individual level, and don't carry over. You need to collect a given amount per level in order to unlock more. One of the unlocks is additional characters, that you can change out by returning to the "home."

This game is really feeling like a winner. I played through the entire first area in single player.

Everybody Loves Rayman

Turns out the game was out this week, not last week, in the UK. I got it! Only played a few levels so far (in two player) but am enjoying it. Very smooth and pretty.

Big ass bump.

Why is this game not getting any attention, this is a masterpiece.The graphics are stunning, it's hard to imagine a 2D game looking better than this. The animations are hilarious, ecspecially the frames where you get hit.
It's just some good old fashioned platformer fun, I can entertain myself just by running around and sliding down hills. Not to mention co-op.

Give this puppy some love  :beg:

considered getting it until i got to the water level of the demo

Aquaphobia in audiovisual entertainment?

But the water levels have the best music!

The background graphics are extremely beauitful, but I don't like character designs and the bland level design.

The level design may be a bit bland, but it's memorable at least in the demo. I'd hurry and buy this if it didn't cost thirty bucks.

It's for sale on steam right now, 20 bucks, was 15 last week. I'm at the water levels myself now (already did a previous playthrough), I enjoy those the least aswell.
I think the level design isn't bland at all, ecspecially the treasure chase levels are brilliantly fluid.

The levels are well-designed for their specific purpose. In this case, the purpose is to speed-run fluidly through them, Meat-Boy style. (though without Meat-Boy's blistering level of difficulty) You aren't going to be seeing the kind of puzzle-platforming normally found in Mario titles, or the more sprawling levels present in the Sonic series. This is extremely linear platforming designed for a swift and fluid pace, and rapid re-plays. (again, Meat-Boy style)

Personally, I love this title. I picked it up at launch for full price, and have no regrets. (the PS3 version) I can't understand why anyone would object to paying $30 for it. It is an excellent platformer with some of the best 2D art I've seen in games in recent years.

I love it. Got it for the PC where it had the 30€ price tag right from the beginning. Played it alone a bit, the level design is next to brilliant and the art/animations already received their rightful praise here. But boy... one afternoon we gathered at a friends large TV, everyone brought his/her controller, and there was a whole night of screaming, laughing and hilarity. Easily one of the best gaming experiences I had in the recent "always online, no LAN" years.

Now I'm playing it with my girlfriend. Unfortunately, due to the design, it's much easier in multiplayer.

I didn't really enjoy what I played of it at GDC (which was admittedly just a little bit). Kind of confirmed my suspicions that it was going to be a "europlatformer" with super floaty physics and disjointed level design.

Meat Boy and Dustforce are much better-tuned for pure platforming and short speed runs, imo.

The water levels in Rayman: Origins are much better than in most games. The water doesn't slow you down to make it a drag, and you don't "jump" to swim up.

Just got this, and I must say I'm enjoying it thoroughly. It's like they got the first Rayman (the first game I actually owned. Oh the nostalgy!) and revamped it thoroughly. Perhaps the best vector art I've ever seen in a game.

I've been playing with one of my friends and I have to say that it's one of the most fun experiences I've had with a game in a long time.