8 years was a long, long wait. After the horrific rabbids games, I appreciated this game even more!
Rayman has never had a logical timeline, characters and events all jumbled up amongst each other, and of course origins continues that sametradition yet keeps it very familiar to us loyal fans. Much speculation has been set upon if the game is set before or after the original rayman, or even a whole new remake? Imo it's set after rayman 1, the name "origins" simply meaning rayman ahs went back to its 2d roots, I think ancel initially wanted an origins story but changed it during development.
Anyways the simple yet effective storyline is basically, Rayman and his chums are having a daytime snooze as per when their neibours, some zombie like elderly beings who reside in the land of the livid dead complain about the racket ( just like in real life huh?) Of course worlds collide, the zombies get angry set and army of darktoons to capture rayman and his chums all for a slight bit of noise, bit extreme? Of course our hero escapes rescuing his mates, to find the bubble dreamer, a creator of the world has gone cuckoo thanks too the dartoons and must have electoons (basically good darktoons which were from rayman 1) too regain his once brilliant mind. thefore rayman, globox and the teensies must go around the world collecting as much electoons as possible and of course eventually bring justice on those old zombie thingies and rid the world of darktoons!!
the worlds consist of very imaginative places, some even being similiar tot hose of rayman 1! We have the jungle/ forest type world, a desert full of musical instruments (bandland woooop) and other awesome places to
discover. each world has around 6 levels all packed full of lums to collect ( basically get as amny to rack up a highscore for trophies and get enough to get electoons) little sub sections where a short challenge is present to unlock an electoon cage and many enemies for rayman and his pals to kick the living poop out of. Each world has a Nymph to save who will grant rayman a new power, these can range from punching with your fist, running up walls and diving!! all are useful and add great varied gameplay! Aside from the main levels, there are also the return of Bzzit and the mosquitoes basically flight shoot em ups often with a boss at the end! Unfortuantly i found the bosses to be underwhelming as opposed to those in rayman 1 though they are are still decent. aside from these levels there are also a Tricky treasure chase in each world, which are often challenging, very fast paced and are extremely fun and rewarding and are required to unlock skull teeth to reach the land of the livid dead and beat some elderly people butt!
The graphics in origins are gorgeous, hand draw and brimming with life and character not seen anywhere else! The gameplay is as smooth as its colourful visuals and everything runs the way it should, i experienced no glitches just
fun platforming and slick level design. the earlier stages are pretty easy but once the player reaches the second half of the game, things can get pretty hard especially the final few levels!! Skulll coins are scattered withing the levels and add much more challenge for more expirienced players which is awesome!
The soundtrack is impressive boasting charming lum Melody's, chants and a great range of instruments that really fit the mood of the game! I also really liked the jibberish it really suits the world and characters of rayman just like in rayman 2!
Multiplayer is great, some of the best co-op in a platformer for sure, supports up to 4 players and is immensely fun adding even more replay value! Once the game is finished its great to go back and attempt to beat the time trials or gain some lum medals!
Overall rayman origins is an outstanding platformer, and a must for old school platform fans, rayman fanatics and anyone looking for an extremely fun game!