The N64 is a great place to go for a classic 3D platformer, isn't it? Rayman 2 delivers in that aspect very well. Imaginative worlds, fun ideas, memorable soundtrack & gameplay that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. Childhood me had some trouble here & there with some of the challenges, but finally getting to the next level after many attempts was exhilarating & always worthwhile. A late 90s gem for sure.
This has been my number 1 favorite game since it came out and I always come back to it.
What’s special about it to me is that it’s a fantastical fairy world being polluted. The subtle atmosphere of it adds to that as well. As if playing through a more thorough world of Ferngully or something.
The Celtic inspired art, the music. It’s just all perfect. The creepy parts are effective still. The entrance to the Cave of Bad Dreams feels like a strange voodoo Louisiana ritual. The Tomb of the Ancients feels like a true dive into the realm of the undead. The finale on the Prison Ship truly feels like a dangerous infiltration and the seedy mysterious merchant at the end adds to that. The zombie chickens are still creepy.
Didn’t put the correlation that this is a French game to the weird haunted swamp stuff together for a while, considering the heavy French presence in Louisiana.
What’s special about it to me is that it’s a fantastical fairy world being polluted. The subtle atmosphere of it adds to that as well. As if playing through a more thorough world of Ferngully or something.
The Celtic inspired art, the music. It’s just all perfect. The creepy parts are effective still. The entrance to the Cave of Bad Dreams feels like a strange voodoo Louisiana ritual. The Tomb of the Ancients feels like a true dive into the realm of the undead. The finale on the Prison Ship truly feels like a dangerous infiltration and the seedy mysterious merchant at the end adds to that. The zombie chickens are still creepy.
Didn’t put the correlation that this is a French game to the weird haunted swamp stuff together for a while, considering the heavy French presence in Louisiana.
Considering this is a 3D platformer from '99, I really wasn't expecting much and if anything was ready to give it a good go before giving up
Instead I got one of the most unexpected joyful games I've played in a while! While the original Rayman clearly had a world in mind, it was plagued with old 2D platformer tropes that felt uninspired. This world was clearly created for the 3D and has fared far better to time.
While the game isn't perfect, with camera issues and not-so-stellar combat, the levels and variety of gameplay more than makes up for it. I never felt like the game was repeating itself, the minimum collectible requirements for each level weren't high at all, all topped with the perfect length of the game (7ish hours) made for a fun retro experience.
I've got to mention though, without spoilers, if I failed the boss fight once or twice more I might have dropped this rating - introducing a new, disorienting mechanic to be the main part of the final fight is a very odd choice
Instead I got one of the most unexpected joyful games I've played in a while! While the original Rayman clearly had a world in mind, it was plagued with old 2D platformer tropes that felt uninspired. This world was clearly created for the 3D and has fared far better to time.
While the game isn't perfect, with camera issues and not-so-stellar combat, the levels and variety of gameplay more than makes up for it. I never felt like the game was repeating itself, the minimum collectible requirements for each level weren't high at all, all topped with the perfect length of the game (7ish hours) made for a fun retro experience.
I've got to mention though, without spoilers, if I failed the boss fight once or twice more I might have dropped this rating - introducing a new, disorienting mechanic to be the main part of the final fight is a very odd choice
I have so much nostalgia for this game so I know I'm being absurdly biased, but I do mean it when I say this is my absolute favourite collect-a-thon platformer. Rayman is my fucking guy, having a multi-purpose ranged attack that ricochets and the ability to temporarily hover are the epitome of controlled freedom in a 3D environment, only being outdone by wall jumps and flying, the latter he gains access to in some stages. There's zero bullshit in this game, no cheap deaths or mechanics that have a rocky learning curve.
The level design is consistently fantastic, every area has an identity and typically contain some sort of gimmick that most of the time expands on Rayman's moveset rather than removing. There are a few exceptions like riding the headless horse or that one chair rail shooter stage but they serve as neat deviations rather than overly gimmicky ones that remain stylistically in tune with Rayman's world and gameplay.
It mightn't be the hardest platformer out there but the amount of agency Rayman has never makes the game boring. And I'd definitely not call it an easy game either, there will be sections that'll stump most players especially if aiming for 100%. But when you finally pull off that challenging segment while getting every yellow lum along the way you'll never wanna put this game down until the credits roll. Rayman rewards and values the catharsis of overcoming a challenge, making you feel like a goddamn champion whenever you pick up a green lum following a string of difficult platforming segments.
I love pretty much everything about this game, I only wish it had more levels or more enemies to fight. It's on the cusp of legendary greatness and while Rayman 3 does flirt with some of those ideas it never reaches the heights this did. N64 version chosen cause as much as I love both soundtracks the N64's positive changes far outweigh the negative. The Intro and The Bayou themes are fucking amazing.
The level design is consistently fantastic, every area has an identity and typically contain some sort of gimmick that most of the time expands on Rayman's moveset rather than removing. There are a few exceptions like riding the headless horse or that one chair rail shooter stage but they serve as neat deviations rather than overly gimmicky ones that remain stylistically in tune with Rayman's world and gameplay.
It mightn't be the hardest platformer out there but the amount of agency Rayman has never makes the game boring. And I'd definitely not call it an easy game either, there will be sections that'll stump most players especially if aiming for 100%. But when you finally pull off that challenging segment while getting every yellow lum along the way you'll never wanna put this game down until the credits roll. Rayman rewards and values the catharsis of overcoming a challenge, making you feel like a goddamn champion whenever you pick up a green lum following a string of difficult platforming segments.
I love pretty much everything about this game, I only wish it had more levels or more enemies to fight. It's on the cusp of legendary greatness and while Rayman 3 does flirt with some of those ideas it never reaches the heights this did. N64 version chosen cause as much as I love both soundtracks the N64's positive changes far outweigh the negative. The Intro and The Bayou themes are fucking amazing.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape is a classic 3D platformer, but it definitely shows its age on the N64. The visuals are charming and the levels are creative, but the camera can be a nightmare and the difficulty spikes are pretty harsh. If you have nostalgia goggles for this era, you'll probably love it. But if you're looking for a smoother experience, the later re-releases on other platforms are the way to go.
Rayman is one of the first fictional heroes of my life. The creative design, cool powers and endearing voice and personality are still something to look up to even today.
But the most endearing part of Rayman is how this character is able to adapt to every sort of setting and environment that Ubisoft shoved onto him over the years. Party games, Dystopian TV shows, immersive 2D and 3D adventures.... math games.....
But my favorite of his adventures is for sure Rayman 2, often considered one of the best platformers of the past generation.
While I feel it has some flaws in terms of difficulty and camera controls, this games is absolutely magical in its potrayal of a dreamlike world, full of bizzarre events and haunting nightmares.
You feel captivated but also scared by the world of Rayman 2, a land you want to come back over and over again. The adventure to rescue your home from space pirates leads you to a series of shenanigans that always surprise you, and play on the overall mystical feel of the game, with a movement that feels natural and fluid at the same time.
It has a charm that I feel non other 3D plaformer was ever able to recapture. A timeless classic to check out if you are a fan of the genre.
But the most endearing part of Rayman is how this character is able to adapt to every sort of setting and environment that Ubisoft shoved onto him over the years. Party games, Dystopian TV shows, immersive 2D and 3D adventures.... math games.....
But my favorite of his adventures is for sure Rayman 2, often considered one of the best platformers of the past generation.
While I feel it has some flaws in terms of difficulty and camera controls, this games is absolutely magical in its potrayal of a dreamlike world, full of bizzarre events and haunting nightmares.
You feel captivated but also scared by the world of Rayman 2, a land you want to come back over and over again. The adventure to rescue your home from space pirates leads you to a series of shenanigans that always surprise you, and play on the overall mystical feel of the game, with a movement that feels natural and fluid at the same time.
It has a charm that I feel non other 3D plaformer was ever able to recapture. A timeless classic to check out if you are a fan of the genre.
Incredible game.
A timeless classic, like many others from this era, Rayman 2 immerses you in a world with heaps of charm and atmosphere.
With engaging combat and lots of mechanics to keep the gameplay fresh, there is rarely a dull moment in the game's big adventure.
What really makes The Great Escape stand out though, is its levels. The environments are distinctly varied, ranging from the bright, lush jungles of the first stage, to the creepy, claustrophobic depths of the water level (still have ptsd from this.)
My only problem with this title would be some janky controls, having been left scratching my head regarding what the game was asking me to do at certain points.
Overall, I strongly advocate for this game, and think if you have the £s to spare, should give it a go.
A timeless classic, like many others from this era, Rayman 2 immerses you in a world with heaps of charm and atmosphere.
With engaging combat and lots of mechanics to keep the gameplay fresh, there is rarely a dull moment in the game's big adventure.
What really makes The Great Escape stand out though, is its levels. The environments are distinctly varied, ranging from the bright, lush jungles of the first stage, to the creepy, claustrophobic depths of the water level (still have ptsd from this.)
My only problem with this title would be some janky controls, having been left scratching my head regarding what the game was asking me to do at certain points.
Overall, I strongly advocate for this game, and think if you have the £s to spare, should give it a go.
Que jogo lindo mano!!!!!
Apesar de ser meio fácil no combate e ter algumas partes fudidas por causa do sistema de checkpoint ainda assim é um excelente plataforma. O mundo é vibrante e imaginativo, a maioria das fases é bem marcante e facilmente distinguível uma da outra. A música é muito boa e o combate por mais que não seja muito desafiador como eu disse anteriormente pelo menos ele é único.
Apesar de ser meio fácil no combate e ter algumas partes fudidas por causa do sistema de checkpoint ainda assim é um excelente plataforma. O mundo é vibrante e imaginativo, a maioria das fases é bem marcante e facilmente distinguível uma da outra. A música é muito boa e o combate por mais que não seja muito desafiador como eu disse anteriormente pelo menos ele é único.
The only reason I have never completed this game is because somehow my gamepak ALWAYS ends up corrupted from this game only.
That being said, I did play it for too many hours at a time and got through about 80% of the game three times before I gave up because it really did suck me in.
The Rayman games going 3D was one of the greatest choices they ever made, It really allows you to get a better feel for the world that you are dropped into,
However if you play this game while drunk like I did, you won't be able to distinguish the platforms from the walls because they have the same texture, and then you'll get mad because you're running around one of the first levels for an embarrassingly long time only to find out that you had been standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM for like 20 minutes.
That being said, I did play it for too many hours at a time and got through about 80% of the game three times before I gave up because it really did suck me in.
The Rayman games going 3D was one of the greatest choices they ever made, It really allows you to get a better feel for the world that you are dropped into,
However if you play this game while drunk like I did, you won't be able to distinguish the platforms from the walls because they have the same texture, and then you'll get mad because you're running around one of the first levels for an embarrassingly long time only to find out that you had been standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM for like 20 minutes.
At the time, this was a solid 3D platformer featuring Rayman and friends. Graphics were colorful and had the right vibe for what the Rayman universe should entail, and were as good as the hardware allowed it.
Gameplay makes or break platforming games and Rayman 2 was fairly good. Some of the platforming sections were a bit hard, especially on the landings and camera angles were not the best in certain levels. Being able to shoot enemies was fun and added a new layer of being able to strategize from afar as opposed as most of the 3D platformers of the time which required close proximity for combat.
Gameplay makes or break platforming games and Rayman 2 was fairly good. Some of the platforming sections were a bit hard, especially on the landings and camera angles were not the best in certain levels. Being able to shoot enemies was fun and added a new layer of being able to strategize from afar as opposed as most of the 3D platformers of the time which required close proximity for combat.