Rayman Origins

Playing this game is like blowing bubbles: fun with something delicate and ephemeral that seems strange and strong at first glance. The characters veer between sweet and mad, the music between interactive afrobeat and big-band bluegrass. This game reeks of love. It's Michel Ancel's crowning achievement.

Rather old-school in its approach, Rayman Origins still remains a game that fits well with today's standards. Its gorgeous, blessed by an exceptional soundtrack, it's beyond reproach in terms of fine-tuned gameplay, for a 2D platform approach that's super rich, and intense in terms of challenge. As fun and enticing in solo play as it is in multiplayer, it has almost no shortcoming.

The best Rayman game in the series and one of the best games this year.

Rayman Origins is so obviously a labour of love for its developers, and it shows in the artistry, in the care and attention to every detail, and in the feeling of uplifting whimsy that permeates the game.

Ultimately however, the strength of Origins lies in the whimsical subject matter tied into a surprisingly strong platform foundation that manages to both enthral and entertain. There's real intelligence behind the unfolding action, and the sense that the title has been slaved over by developers who understand not only the franchise, but the very concept of what it takes to make a compelling 2D platformer.

Rayman Origins is a true masterpiece. Taking us back to the 16 Bit era, Ubisoft delivers a game that stands firmly among the best bidimensional platformers of all time.

It's downright gorgeous and a total blast to play alone or with friends. A truly realized vision at the top of its genre, Rayman Origins is an extravaganza with plenty of action to keep it fresh from start to finish and beyond.

Rayman Origins is the best platform game for the current generation of consoles. The old fashioned gameplay will be loved by many gamers, and the offline co-op mode is outstanding. Hail Rayman!

If videogames were in a museum, Rayman Origins would probably be the star of the platforming room. This game is an incredible piece of art, recommended for every gamer with no exception. A next-generation platforming game that will take your breath away.

Origins' brilliance is it keeps that simplicity on the surface, but ends up feeling incredibly varied thanks to its level design.

Gorgeous, polished, and legitimately challenging, it is as good a 2D platformer as one will find, nostalgic or no. Very few games manage to be old-school and new-school at the same time, but Rayman Origins threads that needle to near-perfection.

Oh man, is Rayman Origins beautiful or what? The anarchistic humor and vivid landscapes made me enjoy my adventures with Rayman even more than New Super Mario Bros. Or Donkey Kong Country Returns, and that's saying something. Thank you Michel! [Dec 2011]

Rayman Origins is the best 2D platformer this year, one of my favourite ever made (it's up there with Yoshi's Island), and the one game out in November everyone should play. I don't care if you've got other games to play – this one will make you feel good inside.

Rayman Origins puts Sonic in his place and stands atop the pile of this generation's 2D platformers. It's as close to platforming perfection as we can get from a Rayman game and not just a step forwards for Rayman himself but ultimately a step forwards for the genre altogether.

In Rayman Origins, Ubisoft and Michel Ancel have crafted both the best platforming game of the year and a striking monument to the giddy joys of the medium's heritage. Fun, funny and frantic.

This is a beautiful game that deserves to be played by everyone.

Origins returns Rayman to his 2D roots and is filled to the brim with gorgeous hand-drawn environments, blazing-fast platforming, and a huge variety of gameplay mechanics. [Holiday 2011, p.82]

The game controls perfectly, delivers satisfying platforming and shooting experiences while also featuring underwater stages that are actually fun.

One of those gorgeous gaming experiences that will quickly win you over and put a smile on your face for the rest of your playthrough. A charming, beautiful and entertaining 2D platformer.

Ubisoft should be commended on going back to basics but with that said, the game is not basic and expands the 2D arcade platforming genre.

For the game's only con to be the music and a silly tune that plays too often, that's really saying something. Everything else, is nearly flawless.

Of course, the most impressive aspect (and most addictive) is the couch multiplayer with friends. Think New Super Mario Bros., and you get the idea.

Rayman Origins is a declaration of true love to classic side-scrolling platformering, and a must-have for anyone who still feels something for this genre and has a couple of friends to share this exciting experience with.

The game is crafted with so much love, so much humor, and does so many things right, that it's impossible not to have a blast.

If you like 2D platforming games you can't miss this game. Visually gorgeous and with impeccable gameplay, this is a love letter to platforming games and also a great multiplayer experience for up to four players. Rayman has returned with great strength with a very inspiring title.

This is a return to form, a fact that Rayman fans will certainly appreciate. It's a little bit inaccessible, but once you're past that problem, Origins will keep giving you reasons to come back.

There's a ton of content here; enough that the forced repetition of old levels could have been avoided.

Well, who'd a thunk it? Ubisoft's horrible jumble of body parts in a genuinely wonderful game. Better dust off those reflexes: 2D platforming is back.

Rayman goes from 3D to 2D but gains charm and quality in the progress. The hand-drawn levels are beautiful and well animated, the music has rhythm that compliments the gameplay and playing the game with two, three or four players is hectic in a good way.

Rayman Origins is a wonderful 2D platformer whose goofy charm will have you smiling all the way through.

Rayman Origins is an undeniably beautiful game, with vibrant environments and richly defined characters. The graphical fidelity is astounding, even when you scrunch your face against the TV screen. Characters kick up eyelash-sized tufts of grass when they land, and the backgrounds are layered with loads of tiny details.

We had the most fun playing the game with just one other player. Four players on screen is too hectic, two is just right and a lot more fun than taking on the enemies on your own. The only thing we miss is online co-op for when you don't have a friend handy. [December 2011, p.94]

One of the prettiest 2D platformers of this generation.

Great music, lovable characters, colour and, most importantly, fun. [Issue#212, p.98]

Quotation forthcoming.

With its ever-louder demands for precise jumps and absolute control fluidity, Rayman Origins won't be for everyone. It is tough – have we mentioned that? – and it will frustrate some gamers more than it compels them to continue.

Rayman Origins is further proof that even in 2011, expertly crafted 2D platformers still have a rightful place in any gamer's collection.

A superbly crafted comeback for one of platform gaming's most overlooked stars, and one of the best-looking 2D games ever made.

A delightful, playful, occasionally exhilarating platformer. But while this is a game whose visuals point to a bright, alternative future, its systems too often rely on the dusty past. Half of a classic, then.

Rayman Origins has an awful lot to give: it's a passionate tribute to the days when platform games ruled the Earth, but beyond that, it's also one of the best examples of the genre we've had in recent memory.

It's a really beautiful game with lots of nice touches and a co-op mode that is great fun. But the level design is bumpy and the boss fights are crippled.