for a while, i had a review of this game left up as "playing this game is a form of self-harm" or something to that effect. that was the result of me trying to get a platinum not only the PS3 version, but also the PS4. now that i've done both, i can actually try to be fair to this game, or at least approximate it.
rayman legends' design philosophy is "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks". there is frankly too much content here, most of it not worthwhile. 1/3rd or maybe even more of the levels in this game are just recycled from origins; there's a character selection/unlocking element that only speedrunners have convinced me has any impact on the actual platforming; there are daily and weekly randomly generated levels that are indefensibly terrible; there's fucking dailies with "collectable monsters"... there's just so much here that does not matter. and i get that there's a strong proponent of this game who would say "why focus on what doesn't work or matter if the core gameplay loop is good?". but that's just it: when you break it down to the base platforming aspect, rayman legends is just okay. nothing terribly special.
in terms of level design, most of them blend together for me. i can say this because, having 100%'d the game twice, only a handful of levels stick out in my memory. i don't think the majority of this game's levels are bad, per se, just very standard platformer-type levels. you have the chase levels, you have the underwater levels, you have the autoscroller levels... so much of this just feels done before, you know? i struggle to think of very many things about this game that were creative in that sense. i might be cynical and harsh, but i just can't feel that passionate or enthusiastic about a game that gave me such a "been there, done that" feeling.
i think some of this could've been remedied if i really liked the presentation of the game, but it's just... it doesn't do anything for me. the art style isn't bad, i just struggle to describe it in any meaningful way. and the music is very forgettable. maybe that's the risk you take when you go with a heavily orchestral soundtrack, but i could not for the life of me tell you any song from this game outside of the autorunner music ones (which overstay their welcome).
there were passionate people behind this project, i can definitely feel that, but none of it translates for me. i am the minority in that this game did gangbusters in reviews but i just feel left out in the cold. i'd rather play a game that's more focused and concise, something with tighter creativity and more unique ideas. when i think of the 2D platformers i love, i think of something like Donkey Kong Country or Wario Land 4 or VVVVVV. all of those games had such fun and unique ideas and outstanding presentation to match. i can't say the same about this game. it makes me a bit sad to end this review on such a "i don't GET IT" note, but there has to be someone out there who had this same reaction, right?
right?
rayman legends' design philosophy is "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks". there is frankly too much content here, most of it not worthwhile. 1/3rd or maybe even more of the levels in this game are just recycled from origins; there's a character selection/unlocking element that only speedrunners have convinced me has any impact on the actual platforming; there are daily and weekly randomly generated levels that are indefensibly terrible; there's fucking dailies with "collectable monsters"... there's just so much here that does not matter. and i get that there's a strong proponent of this game who would say "why focus on what doesn't work or matter if the core gameplay loop is good?". but that's just it: when you break it down to the base platforming aspect, rayman legends is just okay. nothing terribly special.
in terms of level design, most of them blend together for me. i can say this because, having 100%'d the game twice, only a handful of levels stick out in my memory. i don't think the majority of this game's levels are bad, per se, just very standard platformer-type levels. you have the chase levels, you have the underwater levels, you have the autoscroller levels... so much of this just feels done before, you know? i struggle to think of very many things about this game that were creative in that sense. i might be cynical and harsh, but i just can't feel that passionate or enthusiastic about a game that gave me such a "been there, done that" feeling.
i think some of this could've been remedied if i really liked the presentation of the game, but it's just... it doesn't do anything for me. the art style isn't bad, i just struggle to describe it in any meaningful way. and the music is very forgettable. maybe that's the risk you take when you go with a heavily orchestral soundtrack, but i could not for the life of me tell you any song from this game outside of the autorunner music ones (which overstay their welcome).
there were passionate people behind this project, i can definitely feel that, but none of it translates for me. i am the minority in that this game did gangbusters in reviews but i just feel left out in the cold. i'd rather play a game that's more focused and concise, something with tighter creativity and more unique ideas. when i think of the 2D platformers i love, i think of something like Donkey Kong Country or Wario Land 4 or VVVVVV. all of those games had such fun and unique ideas and outstanding presentation to match. i can't say the same about this game. it makes me a bit sad to end this review on such a "i don't GET IT" note, but there has to be someone out there who had this same reaction, right?
right?