The platforming genre is dominated by a few franchises such as Super Marioand Crash Bandicoot. There are also smaller titles, such as Limbo and Fez, that manage to gain themselves a following by subverting expectations. Nevertheless, for every platformer that makes it big, there are a dozen that are overlooked.
Among platformers, there is one franchise that has managed to bring innovation and creativity to the genre over the years - the Rayman series. Although often forgotten, the Rayman games offer some genuinely fun platforming often paired up with a contagious soundtrack and brilliantly colorful visuals. Fortunately, for those who want an entryway into the series, Ubisoft is giving away Rayman Origins for free. The giveaway is being done to celebrate 35 years of Ubisoft. Though the game is a decade old at this point, there are still several reasons to claim what is arguably one of the best platformers available.
Rayman Origins - A Joyful Platformer
Rayman Origins can be downloaded for free on PC on the Ubisoft Store, and the offer is available from December 14 until December 22, 9 AM EST. For anyone with even the vaguest interest in platformers, this is an offer that should not be missed. Although it is overshadowed by Rayman Legends which improves on it in almost every way, Rayman Origins is a fantastic enough platformer to stand the test of time.
Released in 2011, Rayman Origins follows the titular Rayman as he explores various environments to collect Electoons and save the Glade of Dreams. Though the plot is somewhat interesting, it is not the main draw of the game, and one can ignore it completely if one wishes to. Part of what makes the game so special is its beautiful settings that are as gorgeous to look at as they are fun to play. Each level is bursting with color, and the environments are dynamic and constantly moving, which in turn encourages the player to also keep moving.
Thanks to the intricate design of each level, there is plenty of reason to revisit previous levels to find every hidden nook and cranny and collect as many Lums as possible. Every level exudes personality and serves up unique challenges for players to overcome. Environmental elements are used in unique ways, including water geysers that help Rayman hop to certain areas, and water rushes that can lead Rayman to hidden collectibles or danger.
The jovial feel of the game is enhanced by the upbeat soundtrack that never fails to put a smile on one's face even when the game does get a bit tough. Fortunately, Rayman Origins never feels unfair thanks to how smooth the controls feel. Although Rayman moves in a quick-paced and cartoonish fashion, it never feels as though he is unwieldy. While many platformers often end up feeling stiff to allow for preciseness, Rayman Origins achieves the magical feat of allowing Rayman to move in a natural, springy manner without sacrificing precise gameplay.
With the number of collectibles on offer, a nice variety of enemies to beat up, and plenty of levels to journey through, Rayman Origins is a game that is packed with content. Those who do not catch Ubisoft's Rayman Origins giveaway in time should not fret because forty Rayman Origins levels, remastered, are available in Rayman Legends. However, to access these levels one has to earn and scratch in-game lucky tickets. This is perhaps the best way to play the game, especially if one can play it on a portable device such as the Nintendo Switch or the PS Vita.
Rayman Origins is available on PC, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS Vita, and Nintendo 3DS.
