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Rayman throws a punch in the wind
posted by JCDenton (FREEDOM, NH) Mar 7, 2009
Member since Mar 2006
2 out of 3 gamers (67%) found this review helpful
If you like platforming, you're probably familiar with Rayman. While he's more recently chosen to perform various mini-games with rabbids, he used to prefer the jumping, punching and collecting sort of action. While he makes a valiant effort in Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc, he falls short of seminal platforming series like Mario.
In Hoodlum Havoc, Rayman helps his large blue toad friend remove a black lum from his brain, dispatching of enemies and collecting jewels along the way. To help him, he'll use several different outfits, allowing him to mega-punch, fly like a helicopter, throw tornadoes, use swinging chains and shoot rockets. These make up the more puzzle-oriented features of the game.
Unlike Mario, the levels come one after another and in small doses. There is no over-world, no extra missions in each world, no unlockable galaxies or the like. You complete a level by getting to the end and move to the next. Collect enough points and you unlock special cutscenes or arcade games.
While the platforming works alright, some of the environments are so dark you might fall of a cliff or miss a crucial door. Also, some platforms you can grab with your hands, while others you cannot. And the other problem is the frustration of the level design. It's all doable and not insanely difficult, but will test the patience of a zen master with overly complicated tasks and annoying enemies.
These problems, along with a relatively short length, cause the game to fall short of it's competition. You have to appreciate the visual style and innovative game play features in the title, but it's flaws are too pronounced. It's fun for awhile, but not for long.
In Hoodlum Havoc, Rayman helps his large blue toad friend remove a black lum from his brain, dispatching of enemies and collecting jewels along the way. To help him, he'll use several different outfits, allowing him to mega-punch, fly like a helicopter, throw tornadoes, use swinging chains and shoot rockets. These make up the more puzzle-oriented features of the game.
Unlike Mario, the levels come one after another and in small doses. There is no over-world, no extra missions in each world, no unlockable galaxies or the like. You complete a level by getting to the end and move to the next. Collect enough points and you unlock special cutscenes or arcade games.
While the platforming works alright, some of the environments are so dark you might fall of a cliff or miss a crucial door. Also, some platforms you can grab with your hands, while others you cannot. And the other problem is the frustration of the level design. It's all doable and not insanely difficult, but will test the patience of a zen master with overly complicated tasks and annoying enemies.
These problems, along with a relatively short length, cause the game to fall short of it's competition. You have to appreciate the visual style and innovative game play features in the title, but it's flaws are too pronounced. It's fun for awhile, but not for long.
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