Many have fought for the crown of official PlayStation mascot, but in the early days of the original console, one French-created hero was set for greatness. Rayman shone brightly amongst others in the market, with beautiful levels and a lead that was full of character. For those that were there, Rayman remained in the hearts of many, ensuring a slew of sequels, and more recently, some excellent platformers harkening back to the original. Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition aims to give the 90s experience to newcomers and veterans alike, and minus a few hiccups, succeeds brilliantly.
Taking the title of “Anniversary” seriously, for the price point, there is a lot of bang for the buck. As well as the PS1 original that introduced Rayman to the mainstream, there are a multitude of other versions here, including a pilot created to showcase what the final product could be. Although none of these really match the PlayStation game, they are exactly what you would want from a celebration of a classic.
All versions revolve around the same simple concept. The supposedly evil Mr. Dark has captured small pink creatures known as Electoons, and Rayman is recruited to save each and every one, gaining abilities to help along the way. This is platforming at its simplest; easy to pick up but difficult to master. Rayman was notoriously tricky back in the day, so it’s a welcome addition that this new release has some quality-of-life features to make everything that little bit easier. Extra lives, invincibility, and the all-important rewind system make Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition far more accessible.
Although later iterations have been praised for their level and graphic design, none have achieved the charm of the original. Colours pop and enemies are brimming with personality, ducking and diving to avoid a flying fist to the face, while others track Rayman intently with their eyes firmly fixed. It’s these little details that have allowed this title to stay firmly in the minds of fans and warrant this collection in the first place. With great gameplay, brilliantly fun visuals, and a treasure trove of extras, is there really anything to gripe about? Well, yes, there is. Sadly, it’s quite a big one, too.
While bouncing through the early stages, there is an unnerving feeling of something being not quite right; a niggle that something is off. Then it hits you, tugging at the nostalgia strings. The soundtrack. Although some of the original soundtracks and effects are present, many of the level music has been replaced with a “reimagined” piece, presumably due to licensing issues. They all feel fitting and reminiscent of newer titles such as Rayman Legends, but there is no substitute for the originals.
It won’t be an issue for the newer fans, but for players who spent hours with the original, it is a very jarring experience indeed. It’s a massive shame considering everything else has received so much love and attention. There is some excellent behind-the-scenes content, including concept art and interviews that really make this a worthwhile package. It’s just that one part that holds Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition back from greatness.
