While the HD upgrade does little to hide the title's age, the gameplay is strong enough to ensure that Rayman 3 has stood the test of time. As one would expect the change in console generations has allowed for new additions such as achievements and leaderboards. There are some omissions in the form of the original's intro and the "Wanna Kick Rayman" bonus videos, but they don't make this 360 port a lesser version.
The gameplay takes a much more linear approach than most 3D platformers. Rather than throwing you into open areas where the goal is to collect everything in sight, Rayman 3 breaks the experience up into more traditional levels. It allows for a more action-oriented approach. Levels are littered with gems so the genres collect-a-thon nature is still present. The well-crafted boss battles, regular enemy encounters, and platforming challenges make for some occasionally tricky segments that can push you further than you were expecting without ever really becoming too difficult. The well spaced out mini-game diversions do a great job of providing breaks from the main gameplay segments. I do think that the "Funkyboard" stages go on for a little too long, mostly due to their stiff controls, but I appreciated their funk soundtracks.
The music in the game is a treat to the ears and very memorable. The dialog not so much. The game tries to have a self-aware, sarcastic tone but is never as funny as it thinks it is. Oddly enough there are some sound design issues that will actually prevent you from hearing most of it's jokes. The characters can rarely be heard over the levels themselves even with some adjustments being made in the options menu. Graphically you can tell this is a game from the previous console generation. Bumping the game up to 60 frames per second, in up to 720p has made it easier on the eyes, but just know Ubisoft didn't go the full remaster route. The colorful and sometimes outright magical level designs themselves can still leave you gawking regardless.
Amassing as many points as possible will open up bonus levels and the achievements themselves will extend the life of the game as they will require you to find everything and perform at your very best. Rayman 3 is still a worthwhile 3D platformer after all these years. Even in the face of the occasional difficulty spike with a boss or two, the hardest thing to deal with is the camera which can sometimes obscure your view, make it difficult to lock on to a target, and has a tendency to hung on the geometry. Yet, it plays well and features some very creative environment designs. Its imaginative world and goofy sense of humor reminded me of the Oddworld series, only not as dark. Something that makes it perfect for all ages.
8.5/10
The gameplay takes a much more linear approach than most 3D platformers. Rather than throwing you into open areas where the goal is to collect everything in sight, Rayman 3 breaks the experience up into more traditional levels. It allows for a more action-oriented approach. Levels are littered with gems so the genres collect-a-thon nature is still present. The well-crafted boss battles, regular enemy encounters, and platforming challenges make for some occasionally tricky segments that can push you further than you were expecting without ever really becoming too difficult. The well spaced out mini-game diversions do a great job of providing breaks from the main gameplay segments. I do think that the "Funkyboard" stages go on for a little too long, mostly due to their stiff controls, but I appreciated their funk soundtracks.
The music in the game is a treat to the ears and very memorable. The dialog not so much. The game tries to have a self-aware, sarcastic tone but is never as funny as it thinks it is. Oddly enough there are some sound design issues that will actually prevent you from hearing most of it's jokes. The characters can rarely be heard over the levels themselves even with some adjustments being made in the options menu. Graphically you can tell this is a game from the previous console generation. Bumping the game up to 60 frames per second, in up to 720p has made it easier on the eyes, but just know Ubisoft didn't go the full remaster route. The colorful and sometimes outright magical level designs themselves can still leave you gawking regardless.
Amassing as many points as possible will open up bonus levels and the achievements themselves will extend the life of the game as they will require you to find everything and perform at your very best. Rayman 3 is still a worthwhile 3D platformer after all these years. Even in the face of the occasional difficulty spike with a boss or two, the hardest thing to deal with is the camera which can sometimes obscure your view, make it difficult to lock on to a target, and has a tendency to hung on the geometry. Yet, it plays well and features some very creative environment designs. Its imaginative world and goofy sense of humor reminded me of the Oddworld series, only not as dark. Something that makes it perfect for all ages.
8.5/10