Rayman 2: The Great Escape

Miracle from the era of early platformers. Since this is an old game, allow me to open with some context. Rayman 2 was almost a 2D platformer sequel which made it as far as a fully functional prototype, but 3D was becoming all the rage. There is a huge leap in difficulty developing games in 3D, and it was mostly uncharted territory. Rayman 2 is a miracle because in spite of all this, it gets so much right that so many games fail to right up to the present day (2024). Satisfying control and weight to Rayman. Linear progression for a tightly-designed experience, but with enough openness to feel like a big world. A music score that smoothly adapts to the situation Rayman is in. Puzzles that anyone can solve with some thought. A sense of film and theatre. A sense of mythology. A balance of serious and goofy. Satisfying (if primitive) combat. I have read one reviewer call Rayman 3 "the best 3D Rayman", which upsets me because it is so difficult to make my case against a game that is clearly more refined. Naturally, everyone has their own experience. But I would assert that for people like me, Rayman 2 is a source of inexhaustible fascination; it is an epic quest and all-time classic that appeals to something inside of us, like older tales and films, an much-needed experience in the modern age.

I remember being given this game for Christmas as a kid and it was one of the best game experiences I have ever had. A couple months ago I was rummaging through some old discs and I came across the old copy of Rayman 2 and installed it, and got it working again. Even now the gameplay still holds up as some of the best you can get. It is perfectly balanced between skill, combat, and puzzle solving that keeps the game fresh for many hours of gameplay. Plus you can connect with the characters in a way that few adventure games allow. This is a great deal for a great game whose success that is still generating titles today. Buy it.

It worked fine before but now Rayman 2 crashes on the loading screen to the first level after you escape from the ship at the start of the game. The loading bar gets 90% of the way across, stops and then it crashes to desktop with nary an error message. There are a few posts about this on the forum and none of them have working solutions. Don't waste your money: wait until they fix the fucking game before buying it.

Coming from someone who did not play this as a kid, Rayman 2: The Great Escape gives me fixed feelings, but I can see why it is loved by those who played it as a child. At its best it is a great game with good design, atmosphere, art style and nice levels. When not at its best Rayman 2 can become a annoying battle with the controls and/or camera while you slog through bland levels and let out sighs of frustration. Though I do not know they pain of playing this with a keyboard, some parts of the controls have aged rather poorly. Rocket riding is frustrating and flying on it had me taking breaks to calm down. Plum surfing is something I do not enjoy, but I got used to. Swinging can cause you to fall immediately, if you start from the wrong spot. Quite often the camera position would work against you. Sliding sections are mostly painful, but often short. And then there are the button smashing minigames, which I see as the lowest point of this game and I cannot fathom how anyone could ever see that as a rewarding bonus for collecting everything within a level. But on the positive side, the base controls are solid. Ledge grabbing works well and feels good. Propeller hair helps out a lot and is used well in my opinion. Combat flows well with the rest of the platforming and doesn't take too much time. Game and its character's are charming and have a feel to it no other game series can give you. Writing is not funny per se, but it is entertaining and the cameo from Tonic trouble is a nice touch. For most parts the levels are well paced and designed, with just enough collectables to keep you looking around through out the rather linear levels. In my opinion this game is for those who have history with it, have good patience and like platformers or just want to peer into what late 90s kids had to go through. Otherwise, just go with the third one.

(If you dont want to read the review scroll to bottom and read my message) I remember when I first played this game. I played through it twice on 100%, this is how much I loved this game. I own it on Playstation, IPhone, Nintendo DS and of course PC (Dont own GoG copy yet, but I will soon buy it). There are a lot of factors that make this game so special. Colourful worlds, and each one of them is uniques. Fun minigames (like riding that sea monster you can see in screenshots, sorry hardcore fans but I forgot his/her name :( I was very young, and my english skills were non-existant). Story was interesting even though I could only see mimics and actions of characters. This game can be frustrating, but very rewarding too. And boss fighting are one of best ones I ever seen.So I have no choice but to say : BUY IT NOW. THERE IS NO EXCUSE, BUUUUY IT.