Rayman 2

Product Details

• ASIN: B00002971H
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,583 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

Editorial Review

Rayman 2: The Great Escape packs more charm and surprises in a single level than most games can muster in their entire length. This 3-D platformer is designed in the same vein as Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 and the Gex series on the PlayStation. With the notable exception of Sonic Adventure, Dreamcast owners have suffered through a dry spell when it comes to action jumping games on the 128-bit system. Rayman 2 was worth the wait.

The back of the case describes Rayman 2's graphics as "lush," but that may be an understatement. The game's environments and effects are impressive. We were awed by the amount of detail that has been designed into many of the game's environments. Perhaps more amazing is that the game suffers no slowdown despite the high-resolution visuals.

Pretty graphics aside, Rayman 2 delivers solid gameplay that will suck in both casual and hardcore gamers. The controls are intuitive and special moves are easy to pull off. Rayman has a limited set of moves--basically he can run, jump, and shoot energy balls. Analog speed control is fully implemented, letting users pounce through a field of butterflies or tiptoe around a sleeping guard. Several puzzles are scattered throughout the game, but they are so ingeniously designed that you'll never feel overwhelmed by their complication.

We were hard-pressed to come up with many drawbacks to this game. One slight flaw is the camera angle, which can sometimes interfere with your ability to accurately control the on-screen action. Fortunately, this can usually be amended with a few quick presses of the camera control buttons. Other than that, Rayman 2 is as good as it gets in this genre. Better still, Dreamcast owners get a special bonus: this version contains some extra levels you won't find anywhere else. If you have multiple systems, this is the version to get. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Outstanding visuals
• Tight control
• Excellent level design

Cons:

• Has some 3-D camera problems
• Sound effects lack punch

Product Description

After a few years in retirement, jumping game giant Rayman returns with a new 3-D adventure game that will keep you hopping through several graphically stunning game environments. Fans of Sonic, Mario, and other cartoon-like jumping games will probably enjoy the familiar gameplay of Rayman 2. While the French-created Rayman character may not be as recognizable as Sonic or Mario, he does bear a distinct animated look that will win over younger gamers. This strange cartoon creation manages to keep it together despite lacking any body limbs to connect its head, hands, and feet.

While younger players will appreciate the cartoon-like 3-D gaming environments, this game promises to challenge experienced gamers with 13 3-D game environments and 45 unique levels.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars O.k., December 23, 1999

By A Customer

Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

The graphics of this game will blow your mind. It is the best rayman yet. If you have a dreamcast, this is the game to buy. the gameplay is easy yet challenging to keep you hooked 'till the end.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superbly executed platform game, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Rayman 2 is the best example of how to do a platform game (in the vein of Super Mario 64), in my opinion. It has a cartoony goofiness that's sure to entertain, and manages to achieve that perfect balance of making the characters cute without being annoyingly so.

The gameplay is simple and elegant, and the game itself contains enough different types of levels to beat that you don't get stuck in a rut of just jumping around the world avoiding bad guys. Different objectives, from waterskiing holding onto a snakes scarf to using Rayman's helicopter hair to fly up a lava flow to riding on a flying shotgun shell to actually piloting a flying pirate ship, keep the game fresh from level to level. The gameplay of the different methods is done very skillfully, making each method relatively easy to control, while balancing them with challenging levels.

The collection of yellow lums in the game also adds to the replayability of Rayman 2, while not resorting to simply making certain lums nearly impossible to get.

The only two flaws I could see would be the lamentable brevity of the game and the "bonus" levels you get when you collect all the lums/cages on a level. The bonus levels are rather pointless, and a pain in the neck, but they're easy to ignore in light of the quality of the rest of the game.

All in all, I definitely consider this a must-buy game, more so than Sonic Adventure (not to put Sonic down, but Rayman 2 truly tops it in everything except length of the game).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant graphics and great game play., March 3, 2000

By A Customer

Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

I've tried a demo of this game. It's great. I'm a fan of the Rayman series and can't wait get a hold of a full version. Graphics will blow you away. They're amazing. One of the best features is the 1st person view. Hold both shoulder triggers on the controller and see the world through Rayman's eyes! Game play is seemless. Give this game a try if you've never played a Rayman game before. You won't be disapointed.