Well i broke down and bought a 3DS today. First time i've ever purchased a system at launch. Foolish? Maybe, but whatever. Having a blast with the new device with the AR games. Plus i bit the bullet and decided to buy Rayman 3D, a port of the original Dreamcast version of Rayman 2. I'll give my half-complete impressions below. Half because i've only beaten part of the game (just completed Whale Bay). Before i tell you my impressions, i will ask all of you to keep any "Rayman sucks" comments out of here. I'm just giving my impressions on how decent the port is and whether i think it's worth it. Lets also try to keep the "ports suck" mentality out of here. It's a port, not an original game, we know. Call this a sort of unofficial review, i may submit a full review after i complete the entire game.
Short impression- Very fun game and a mostly solid port with a few technical issues that SHOULD have been ironed out before release. Didn't bother me enough to impede my enjoyment of the game. Also, the 3D effect enhances the experience for me. It's one of the best uses of the effect IMO.
Long impression-
Ok, first of all Rayman 2 was released almost 12 years ago. And this 3DS version is a very close port to the Dreamcast version, considered the best of them all by many fans.
Graphics. For the most part, the 3DS version does quite an admirable job replicating the Dreamcast's graphics within the confines of its own resolution. The graphics are rather crisp and the models look pretty much identical to the original. Comparing the two games side-by-side (yes i did it), Rayman 3D pretty much nails the graphics, textures are actually a little better looking and seem less muddy (maybe due to the smaller screen size). There are also some added details to levels. Particularly some more plants scattered around to add variety and make levels look less empty. Some things that were previously flat are now modeled in 3D (like some wooden boardwalks). One of the prettiest versions of the game. Shame they couldn't port the PS2 version, but some people hate that one anyways so i'm not upset. The only real problem is that while the game looks quite nice and still holds up well today thanks to the lovely art, it doesn't push the 3DS' capabilities far at all. It certainly does the original game justice at least, but it's still a Dreamcast game through-and-through.
There are a few technical issues and bugs that prevent this being a flawless port of the original. The framerate isn't locked at 60 frames per second like DC. Reviews have bashed the game for this fact. To get it out of the way, there is no excuse for it and i'm not going to defend Ubisoft's lack of effort in that respect. The 3DS is much more powerful than the Dreamcast and could have handled the game magnificently. With that out of the way, the framerate certainly isn't BAD. It jumps around a bit, but lands anywhere between 30 and 60 frames per second. I never really noticed it dropping much below 30, so it's perfectly manageable at the very least. Compared to the DS port, it's godly. Rayman DS frequently dropped well below the 20's and even into the single digits occasionally. You may also spot a couple of very minor graphical bugs in the sky or transparent water effects. They don't plague the game though and are rather rare. There are a few aliasing issues, but just as many as on the original system (and a bit less noticeable being on a smaller screen in my opinion). All of these issues could have easily been fixed with just a few more weeks of development time. It's a shame, but they don't really impact the game all that much. I do expect more from Ubisoft though.
I do want to mention that the 3D effect does not seem to impact the graphics at all. It doesn't clear out jaggies or make the framerate better when you disable it.
Sound- Music wise, replicates the original Dreamcast music. Very high quality with no issues so far. The sound effects are decent, but a little bit compressed. The real issue with the sound is that some sound effects sound very low in volume compared to others. And there are some audio bugs with sound effects not playing back at the right time, whether it be too soon or not at all. Another technical issue that doesn't impact the game but could and should have been ironed out before release.
Controls- Here is where the game shines. Unlike Rayman DS, Rayman 3D controls like a dream. Unlike the DS version, there's no input lag that causes button presses to not respond properly. And thanks to the analog slider, my thumb remains blister-free. The analog controls are perfect. They function just like they should. I have absolutely no complaints here.
Gameplay- Another thing the port nails that Rayman DS couldn't. I've yet to run into any glitches that catapulted me through floors or off surfaces, or hit any snags at all. It plays just as well as the original. This is both a blessing and a curse for some people however. The camera is just as good as it always was. Meaning it functions well in large environments and gives a gorgeous view, but also messes up as it did in the original, particularly in smaller enclosed corridors.
One thing i MUST mention here is the 3D effect. It is handled very well. Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned in an interview that one of the ways he wished to use the 3D effect was to instill a greater sense of depth to make platforming easier and more natural. I now see what he meant. The 3D effect makes the platforming more intuitive and easier to judge the distance between jumps. There's a real sense of depth here and it serves the game remarkably well. It's quite striking too, making the game look vast and even some instances of minor pop out (which don't feel cheap, but immerse you into the experience).
It has been mentioned that the game is "easier" now. I feel this to be somewhat true. You're given infinite tries to do a level now. So if your health depletes, it doesn't seem to end the game and make you start the entire level over anymore. Some levels like the water skiing feel easier due to having fewer places where you can die instantly (bombs hurting you instead of killing you). It's not a huge difference in difficulty. Noticeable, but not dumbing it down as much as you'd think.
So far, this game is about an 8/10 for me. What we're looking at is a pretty solid port with some minor but noticeable technical issues. I would recommend it to fans of the original. Your experience with the game is dependent on whether you can get over some minor gripes. The game still shines where it always has- great gameplay and well designed art. It's an old game and has been ported to many systems. Though i will mention that very few of the ports were ideal (DS and iphone were a real mess, and the PS1/PSN version is heavily gimped). One of the reasons i'm liking this game so much is the 3D effect. I didn't expect it to be that good, but it really is.
If you have any questions, i'll do my best to answer them. As long as you remain civil and don't incite any trouble. I've just beaten Whale Bay. I may or may not find more issues in future levels. So far, it's very fun though, despite some minor issues.
Short impression- Very fun game and a mostly solid port with a few technical issues that SHOULD have been ironed out before release. Didn't bother me enough to impede my enjoyment of the game. Also, the 3D effect enhances the experience for me. It's one of the best uses of the effect IMO.
Long impression-
Ok, first of all Rayman 2 was released almost 12 years ago. And this 3DS version is a very close port to the Dreamcast version, considered the best of them all by many fans.
Graphics. For the most part, the 3DS version does quite an admirable job replicating the Dreamcast's graphics within the confines of its own resolution. The graphics are rather crisp and the models look pretty much identical to the original. Comparing the two games side-by-side (yes i did it), Rayman 3D pretty much nails the graphics, textures are actually a little better looking and seem less muddy (maybe due to the smaller screen size). There are also some added details to levels. Particularly some more plants scattered around to add variety and make levels look less empty. Some things that were previously flat are now modeled in 3D (like some wooden boardwalks). One of the prettiest versions of the game. Shame they couldn't port the PS2 version, but some people hate that one anyways so i'm not upset. The only real problem is that while the game looks quite nice and still holds up well today thanks to the lovely art, it doesn't push the 3DS' capabilities far at all. It certainly does the original game justice at least, but it's still a Dreamcast game through-and-through.
There are a few technical issues and bugs that prevent this being a flawless port of the original. The framerate isn't locked at 60 frames per second like DC. Reviews have bashed the game for this fact. To get it out of the way, there is no excuse for it and i'm not going to defend Ubisoft's lack of effort in that respect. The 3DS is much more powerful than the Dreamcast and could have handled the game magnificently. With that out of the way, the framerate certainly isn't BAD. It jumps around a bit, but lands anywhere between 30 and 60 frames per second. I never really noticed it dropping much below 30, so it's perfectly manageable at the very least. Compared to the DS port, it's godly. Rayman DS frequently dropped well below the 20's and even into the single digits occasionally. You may also spot a couple of very minor graphical bugs in the sky or transparent water effects. They don't plague the game though and are rather rare. There are a few aliasing issues, but just as many as on the original system (and a bit less noticeable being on a smaller screen in my opinion). All of these issues could have easily been fixed with just a few more weeks of development time. It's a shame, but they don't really impact the game all that much. I do expect more from Ubisoft though.
I do want to mention that the 3D effect does not seem to impact the graphics at all. It doesn't clear out jaggies or make the framerate better when you disable it.
Sound- Music wise, replicates the original Dreamcast music. Very high quality with no issues so far. The sound effects are decent, but a little bit compressed. The real issue with the sound is that some sound effects sound very low in volume compared to others. And there are some audio bugs with sound effects not playing back at the right time, whether it be too soon or not at all. Another technical issue that doesn't impact the game but could and should have been ironed out before release.
Controls- Here is where the game shines. Unlike Rayman DS, Rayman 3D controls like a dream. Unlike the DS version, there's no input lag that causes button presses to not respond properly. And thanks to the analog slider, my thumb remains blister-free. The analog controls are perfect. They function just like they should. I have absolutely no complaints here.
Gameplay- Another thing the port nails that Rayman DS couldn't. I've yet to run into any glitches that catapulted me through floors or off surfaces, or hit any snags at all. It plays just as well as the original. This is both a blessing and a curse for some people however. The camera is just as good as it always was. Meaning it functions well in large environments and gives a gorgeous view, but also messes up as it did in the original, particularly in smaller enclosed corridors.
One thing i MUST mention here is the 3D effect. It is handled very well. Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned in an interview that one of the ways he wished to use the 3D effect was to instill a greater sense of depth to make platforming easier and more natural. I now see what he meant. The 3D effect makes the platforming more intuitive and easier to judge the distance between jumps. There's a real sense of depth here and it serves the game remarkably well. It's quite striking too, making the game look vast and even some instances of minor pop out (which don't feel cheap, but immerse you into the experience).
It has been mentioned that the game is "easier" now. I feel this to be somewhat true. You're given infinite tries to do a level now. So if your health depletes, it doesn't seem to end the game and make you start the entire level over anymore. Some levels like the water skiing feel easier due to having fewer places where you can die instantly (bombs hurting you instead of killing you). It's not a huge difference in difficulty. Noticeable, but not dumbing it down as much as you'd think.
So far, this game is about an 8/10 for me. What we're looking at is a pretty solid port with some minor but noticeable technical issues. I would recommend it to fans of the original. Your experience with the game is dependent on whether you can get over some minor gripes. The game still shines where it always has- great gameplay and well designed art. It's an old game and has been ported to many systems. Though i will mention that very few of the ports were ideal (DS and iphone were a real mess, and the PS1/PSN version is heavily gimped). One of the reasons i'm liking this game so much is the 3D effect. I didn't expect it to be that good, but it really is.
If you have any questions, i'll do my best to answer them. As long as you remain civil and don't incite any trouble. I've just beaten Whale Bay. I may or may not find more issues in future levels. So far, it's very fun though, despite some minor issues.
![M[u]ddy](/data/avatars/l/196/196568.jpg?1351214129){kind=avatar}
