"Two genres mix into one."

Up until now, I've been disappointed time after time with the Rayman series as a whole. It seems that, although they're good games, they never seem to hit the spot where everything works out smoothly. This game takes the series in a new direction, but unfortunately, still has its flaws and downfalls. Expect a decent game that'll last you 2-3 weeks. Rayman Arena was released to North America by Ubisoft in the year 2002. It is designed so that 1-4 players can play at the same time.

Gameplay: 9/10

I don't know whether to specify this game as a fighter/beat-em-up or a racing game. If anything, it mixes both these elements and combines them to make a unique and innovative game with great modes and features that help the game reach its full potential. There are five battle modes: Time Attack, Obstacle Course, Battle Mode, Freeze Fight, and a mix of extras. Each course is slightly different from the others. For example, Time Attack is a racing mode where you have to beat your competitors by a certain amount of seconds to win. Simalarily, but not the same, Obstacle Course pits you and your competitors in an arena where you race and nothing more. The next two mods, Battle and Freeze Combat are where the fighting element of the game picks up. While you'll still be racing around, you'll also be using weapons to hurt other competitors. Freeze Combat is a mode where you have to take "lums" and try to avoid others in your process doing so. For the most part, this game involves two separate genres that surprisingly blend naturally into Rayman.

Sound: 7/10

Rayman takes a small hit into the final score with the sound. Although above average, it isn't "Rayman-style" in the fact that besides Rayman and pals/enemies, nothing seems quite similar to what you'd normally expect from a game in the series. After that, you've got typical racing sounds that are there because they need to be. Nothing special on Ubisoft's side, but it definitely wasn't bad. More nostalgia would do the trick.

Graphics: 8/10

Rayman takes what they normally do from other games and implements it into a racing/fighting game. Besides the unique animation, I'd say the color and the texturing is mediocre, but in any case, I really like the environments the arenas take place in.

Scores:
Gameplay: 9/10
Sound: 7/10
Graphics: 8/10
Story: N/A
Replay: ABOVE AVERAGE
Fun Factor: HIGH
Difficulty: AVERAGE
Frustration: WAY BELOW AVERAGE
Multiplayer: HIGH
Grade: B+
Final: 8/10

Rayman Arena is very worth your time considering the low price it is currently. I got it for 15 dollarish, and with a great deal of replay value and multiplayer, you'll feel like the game's real and your friend were replaced by Rayman and Razor Beard. Oh yeah, I wouldn't suggest buying this game for any people who've never experienced Rayman before, because you won't relate to the game as well, so you won't be able to fully enjoy the plot line. Other than that, this is a racing game that everybody should consider.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/23/05