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| | Title:
Rayman DS
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System:
Nintendo DS
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Genre:
Platformer
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Publisher:
Ubisoft
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Developer:
Ubisoft
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Release:
03/24/2005
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Online:
No
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ESRB:
Everyone (E)
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Like the GBA before it, Ubisoft readily fed the newest Nintendo handheld a ported version of its superb platformer from the Nintendo64 (N64). The platformer was a remarkable 3D adventure with 40 gorgeous levels and stellar gameplay. With the DS’ 3D capability, what better way to demonstrate its prowess by porting over another top notch 3D game? And that game was Rayman 2, now named Rayman DS for obvious reasons. I would love to tell you that all the things that made the original great were successfully brought to the DS…really, I wish I could.
Unfortunately, the game boldly shows off the weakness and debilitating effects of a great game badly re-done. We were excited. We were hopeful. We were utterly disappointed. There are still some great things to be said about the game, but they’re just outweighed by the full effect of comparison. That has to be the most unfortunate part about a ported game; comparing them is the first thing that happens. The N64 version was seamless, well formatted, and extremely rewarding. Versatility and simple fun made Rayman 2 a treasure.
The original game's success is attributed to its design; in one level you're bouncing up a series of platforms, the next you’re hovering down a near bottomless pit using Rayman's helicopter head. Gameplay is the most important thing to a gamer, right? Absolutely! Said levels were vibrant, imaginative, and were easily traversed using the analog control stick on the N64 controller; that is, until it got old and your stick went limp…the N64 controllers were notorious for that. So how do you go from analog stick to touch screen? And, can you actually provide feedback and positive control from a touch screen? Well, Nintendo came pretty close when they ported Super Mario 64 over to the DS at the system’s launch. The “virtual analog” used in SM64 kept track of the player’s finger when it drifted across the screen. That route was mistakenly not mimicked by DC Studios. Their idea of a virtual control stick is more like a wobbly twig. Although it LOOKS like a control stick, you can’t keep your thumb on the thing; it’s just too small. So you can move the virtual control stick pretty much anywhere on the touch screen you want, so what? It didn’t help at all. Yeah, bummer.
With that said, I moved to the directional buttons hoping to get some better control and comfort. Again, disappointment set in. Honestly, I don’t know which one was worse - the “blind” control of the touch screen, or the “no” direction buttons. Nothing is more important in a 3D environment then relatively precise and accurate control. Jumping across chasms and bouncing off mushrooms would have been much more rewarding had I been able to land where I wanted. Along with that, there is a full second delay when a desired direction is pressed, no matter how hard or how light you push. For instance: Rayman is standing still, looking across a gap. The directional cursor is pushed once to the left to get a better view. One looooong second later, he turns to the left. Do we see a problem here? Oh, and don’t even think about trying to jump diagonal! You’re better off playing this game using 90-degree movement wherever you go. You might actually be finding yourself switching between controls in some areas. Did I say something in the realm of disappointment already? Just making sure…
It really, really, REALLY sucks to trash a game that has sparked so much enthusiasm for the platforming genre, but there is some more bad news. The graphics and environments didn’t make the transition to the DS very well either. The blocky, pixilated, and “dark” graphics are nothing like they were on the N64. What was once plush and colorful, is now muddy and textured. Even the framerate takes a noticeable toll when a lot of action is present on the screen. The lack of filtering abilities is definitely made known when this happens. Low resolution is nobody’s friend.
There you are, playing Rayman underneath your desk in the middle of class and the teacher picks you to come up to the board. You need to save, quick! You don’t want to lose all that progress you just made while your teacher is babbling about math! So, you hit start and scan the screen for the save icon… uh oh, where is it? Oh, that’s right-- you can’t save your progress in game! While the above situation may not pertain to you, in-game saving should be a standard for handheld. Saving only takes place in between worlds, and believe me, some of the worlds are LONG and tedious. Heck, even in a console game some of these levels would make you pray to the game gods for in-game saving. Another miss by the development team—do they even play or look at the hardware first?
The only good thing that crossed over with the game is the sound. While there is no amazing soundtrack or anything, the cutesy music and squeeky dialogue goes well with the game and the DS' stereo sound. At least you can hear what's coming toward you as you feverishly try to get Rayman to turn the right way, huh?
Were there any good comments in that review? Not much. I was VERY unhappy about having to report such an awesome game being turned into a very mediocre one. Really, though, some of the fun that’s inherent in the game is retained. It’s not all bad. Like I said, it’s possible that if this game wasn’t a direct port, unable to directly compare, maybe there would be a little less criticism. Quality is greater than quantity, and that’s especially true for the handheld battle currently raining down on the market. It seems to some of us here that Nintendo is rushing to put games out on the market to compete with the PSP. DON’T LET THEM PUBLISH CRAP, IWATA!
| The Core Score |
Overall
6 |
| Fun |
|
6 |
| Gameplay |
|
4 |
| Graphics |
|
5 |
| Audio |
|
7 |
| Replay |
|
4 |
|
| | | |
