Rayman M - PC

Also known as: Rayman Arena

Got packs, screens, info?
Rayman M (PC)
Also for: PS2, Xbox, GameCube
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Platform
Media: CD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Ubisoft Soft. Co.: Ubisoft
Publishers: Ubisoft (GB)
Released: 14 Dec 2001 (GB)
Ratings: 3+
Accessories: Control Pad

Summary

The gaming world would be nothing without diversity. After one highly successful 3D sequel, Ubisoft have created a racing/battling derivative starring their popular mascot. Rayman. M is for multiplayer, and Rayman M is the latest title to feature the bright and colourful fellow and his pals. This is a game worth inviting your friends around for.

The gameplay comes in two distinct styles to satisfy your gaming needs. First up to bat is the battle arena which is similar to Mario Kart but without the go karts. Try to imagine a Quake variant where players need to pick up weapons and dish out damage to their opponents. The action is viewed from behind the character and as such makes it easy to navigate the arena and find your enemies.

To be successful in the battle arena, it’s important to think and act faster than your competitors. Make good use of the power-ups, e.g. ice, to slow them down before really laying into them. Good fun, especially when there’s more than one player involved.

The second half of Rayman M is a racing-style adventure, but different to the majority of other racing titles in so far as there are no vehicles. Harking back to Rayman’s humble platform beginnings, in this game mode, you race a friend through several revolving worlds in a desperate race to the finish. You’ve only got a second to make those crucial leaps, otherwise you can say hello to second place. Finding the quickest way through, avoiding the obstacles, and trying to slow down the competition are elements of the fun on offer.

The PC version of Rayman M actually looks nicer than its PlayStation 2 counterpart, mainly due to the higher-resolution and crispness of PC monitors. It’s a game designed to be fun and it succeeds. A party game if ever there was one.