Difficulty:

Easy

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Uninspired"

When the Rayman series took such a dramatic turn with the arrival of the multi-platform game 'Rayman Raving Rabbids', there were mixed reactions. The video gaming public in general liked the game for its lightheartedness, the focus on fun, and the great media campaign that was attached to it, while a large part of the Rayman fans were disappointed with the series' departure from the platforming genre. Rayman Raving Rabbids no longer saw the title character appearing as the limbless pirate killer we knew from the first three games, but rather as the centre of a series of mini-games organized by a horde of deranged rabbits, called Rabbids.

The DS version differs from its console counterparts, though. While the concept revolving around the Rabbids is still there, the game is a platformer with some party game elements instead of the other way around. Although technically this game does return to the 2D platforming roots of the franchise (with 3D character- and object models), it's unlikely to ease the pain of those Rayman fans who were disappointed with the sudden switch their hero made on the home consoles.

While there is nothing wrong with a good side-scrolling platformer, Rayman Raving Rabbids fails to stand out in nearly every area. From the beginning and onwards, the gameplay defines the term 'linear'. Every level involves having to make your way through largely generic areas, beating enemies by either punching them or launching lums (the famous fairies from the Rayman series which have now adapted the function of bullets) at them a few times, and having to find certain items to aid you in your quest. Not only do most of the levels look very much alike, but you'll even have to come back to the same levels quite frequently in order to discover new power-ups, or to unlock branching paths. This would be less of a problem if the levels were remotely graphically impressive, but they're not. Even within the uncomplicated overall layout, the character designs and level tilesets look sloppy and unsharp, and don't push the system's graphical abilities in the slightest.

Still the DS version of Rayman Raving Rabbids isn't completely unable to generate the same appeal as the console editions in some parts. The music, for example, is surprisingly enjoyable, with the surf-rock classic Misirlou being included, as well as 'Rabbids versions' of songs such as Hip Hop Hooray and Girls Just Want To Have Fun (which basically means that the vocals are [even more] high-pitched).

Another nice touch (literally) is the inclusion of some short bonus levels that you play with the DS touch screen. It basically features Rayman running through the level automatically, with the player having to use the special powers he acquired in the normal levels to move certain hazards out of the way before Rayman reaches them. For example, if there's a gap lurking in the distance, you'll have to prevent Rayman from falling in by quickly lowering a bridge using wind force, while enemies blocking your path can be taken care of with the use of fire power. These levels offer a nice little break from this otherwise generic platforming experience, but they don't save the game either as even these bonus levels will get boring after a while. Basically the same goes for a small collection of mini-games that you can unlock as you play through the game.

In conclusion, there are but few elements that try to lift this game beyond anything out of the ordinary. The twisted humour and constant screaming of the ever so adorable Rabbids give the game some of the charm that made the console versions so popular, and the great soundtrack is among the finest the DS has to offer. The overall experience, however, is a typical case of 'been there, done that'. Side-scrolling platformers can still be original and enjoyable if they feature innovative gameplay or an artistically interesting layout, yet Rayman Raving Rabbids offers no such things, bar the relatively cool touch screen levels. Fans of the traditional Rayman games won't have anything to get excited about with this platformer, especially considering Rayman DS, a port of the smash hit Rayman 2, has already made its appearance on the DS. Rayman Raving Rabbids is not a bad or broken game, and can even be enjoyable in some parts, but the overall experience is not impressive enough to make it live up to Rayman's platforming reputation.


Report Card:
+ Rabbids!!!
+ soundtrack is nothing short of great
+ touch screen levels are fairly interesting
- uninspired level design
- way too linear to remain interesting for longer periods of time
- sloppy graphics