Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc

I played this game when I was little and I hoped that I would have the same experience here. Pretty much everything about this game is still great. Ups - music is great. - graphics are still really nice to look at. - gameplay is really fun. - the atmosphere is really nice, it gives off a dark yet goofy and magical vibe. Downs - I can't fullscreen the game (the game appears in a small box). - sound-mixing is not bad but not good ether. - sometimes characters will continue talking after their talking animation has ended.

I think the gameplay is pretty good and I don't mind the 4:3 but I think the controls are pretty weird, the strafe-attacking is really weird and super clunky and it's really unclear at times. I needed to pull up a walktrough twice in the first 20 minutes. I have to admit, the OST (Soundtrack) is pretty killer.

As much as I love Rayman 2 with a similar nostalgia to this game, thinking on it now I can say 3 has much better combat and enemy design, and is generally less frustrating in the platforming department due to a better camera and no instant death water/pits. This game is also notably harder than 2 to my memory, though in a fair way, with much more complex fights, and a tough struggle to get a high "score" through a combination of collectible gems and enemy kill combos. There's a lot of variation in the levels, and each section generally has its own gimmicks not seen elsewhere which add rather than detract from the game so long as you're paying attention to how they work. This time around there is a focus on humour with the introduction of voiced dialogue, and it generally is actually funny in a sarcastic way with no fourth wall, but of course that's going to be subjective. The music in this game is excellent, to cap it off. I think the main game was a little too short though, even if as a kid it took me ages to complete (especially that beautiful devil of a last boss--perhaps the most satisfying action finale I've played, but man was it hard the first time around). Sadly, the tutorial guide character lies when he promises that he will "see you in Rayman 4"...

The whole series is quite amazing, especially Rayman 2: The Great Escape, but this game is nearly as good! This game's got some great humor, brilliant gameplay, and the beautiful world of Rayman. It's soundtrack is also great like the soundtrack of its predecessors in the Rayman series, and it's definetly a great game. I, personally, still prefer Rayman 2, but this is an amazing game.

All of the rayman series games are great! But I always found Rayman 3 to be the best most creative Rayman game. It has a very distinguished art style with hours of gameplay and fun! The greatest aspect though are the imaginative characters as well as the environments they are put into. So if your considering getting the game, PLEASE do.