Rayman Raving Rabbids
RAYMAN RAVING RABBIDS
So I did get another new game yesterday for the 360, and this one is purely for party entertainment, and it is aimed for the kids, but I think adults will enjoy it even just as much. So I am going to write a review on this game. I haven't seen one single review online yet which is never a good sign.
Graphics: Well this has a unique approach to the style of graphics. Kind of like claymation characters and also mixing traditional graphics in with cardboard in presentation. You will see many cut out rabbids on the loading screens and overall the style is something I enjoy. As you can see by the box art the characters look goofy, and Rayman himself looks very good in this next generation of consoles. I think the closest thing in terms of graphics I have seen so far has to be the new Little Big Planet of Sony's that probably 99% of the gaming community as already seen and fell in love with. I for sure would say though that Ubisoft did not invest much time in the process of transfering the game data from the Wii to the 360. Ubisoft are rapidly becoming the next Electronic Arts of the video gaming world. They are making games as cheaply as they can with little difference between each consoles version of the games. So overall the graphics are a good 5 out of 10. Not much in the way of effects take place at all. Maybe a little dust here and there, not much lighting to speak of though.
Audio: This is where Ubisoft usually come through in all their games. Yes this also has some good and amusing sound effects in the game. From the stadium and the masses of Rabbids all awaiting your demise in the stands, that does sound good listening to them roar with anticipation as you enter many of the obstacles in each dungeon arena, to the music in the dance sections. But for some reason, and I guess to keep in the spirit of the games characters, we have chip monk versions of songs. I forget which songs where in those dance mini games, I had a little to drink that night, but I thought it was a wasted opportunity to make the game sound real good. But I don't think the traditional artists were used anyways, so maybe the chip monk approach was the best option overall. I do enjoy the overall audio of this game, but nothing at all pushes the 5.1, and I am sure this is yet again a simple port of the Wii's audio files over on the 360. But presentation wise it gets a 7 out of 10.
Gameplay: Ahh yes, the all important gameplay. This game actually uses two forms of control for the game. The traditional 360 controller, and you also have the option of using the vision camera. But if you have ever used TotemBall on Arcade you will appreciate the camera should not be used. Basically the camera control sucks ass! The 360 camera has many useful uses, and that involves sending picture messages, having a nice watery effect on the dashboard and watching some weird ass freaks playing Uno, but it should never be used to control games at all, NEVER! Back to the gameplay. Mini games is the name of this particular game. And the mini games can be available through two modes of game options. Either story mode or scoring mode. The various mini games are broken into a few gameplay elements:
Precision: which involves throwing, dancing and so on
Sports: Riding warthogs and other stuff like that (you get the feeling I forget due to drinking too much?)
And something else. Anyways there are 70 mini games to get through. So enough already, give me a break will ya!
This game does only use basically three buttons on the 360 controller. Both left and right trigger buttons and also the green A button. The left thumb stick is also used primary for control. I would suggest though if you cherish your controllers then use one you ain't too fussy on, as tossing cows (that means throwing them for all you Europeans, not masturbating the poor things) does seem to take a toll on your poor left thumb stick. Too much tossing ain't good for you or your controller, so it seems. Also you will be rapidly pressing those trigger buttons much in this game. Milking cows does require precision and fast rapid trigger button action. I felt my whole forearms turn into Popeye's before I actually milked three pitchers of milk in 20 seconds. I ain't felt that much pain since using the damn vision camera on Totemball, and if the cows were real that I was milking then I think I would be having a dead cow sitting on my lap at this point in time.
So overall the gameplay is your traditional and simple multiplayer gaming party kind of thing. It is easy for kids to play, and a blast for the the adults who drink and use controllers in these kind of games. It is a party game, and thankfully everything is simple enough. Good choice in control setup! I think overall I will give the gameplay 8 out of 10, but one things stops it getting higher, and that is the damn loading. Not that it takes long, it may take but a few seconds for some mini games to load, but I think given the contend of most of the mini games they could have made it seemingless to go from one mini game to the next. But nope, each mini game loads seperately. That sucks, but it is alright. If it were not for the loading times then I would have given the gameplay a 10 I think.
The best parts of the game are: The FPS sections. They are fun and really come as a very refreshing change in party games like this. Even though the action is purely on rails it is such a blast shooting rabbids and getting extra points for headshots! You use rubber plunger things as your ammo, but it is fun!
The worst parts of the game are: For sure the loading screens. Even though they have nice little animations for loading screens there is way too many loading screens for these mini games. The loading times are short enough, but still it is a distraction.
One other thing is total absurd, and that is the leader boards. There are none, but you do get a code to put into an internet site to see your high score compared to other players?!?!? WTF? What year is this, and is this a 360 I have? Shit, that is stupid!
Overall: I think this game was made for the Nintendo Wii and it shows, but that doesn't mean the game is bad on a traditional controller. Infact this game is fun, and that is what counts. In terms of using the 360 to its limits, I would say it only uses 20% of what the 360 has inside of it. The game is fun though, and for this reason alone I am going to give this game a 7 out of 10. Kids will enjoy it, and it is a fun party game for adults. It does have a twisted sense of humour in parts of the game, and that only adds to make this game one of those cult-ish titles. It won't sell well at all, infact wait a little while and find it sitting in the bargain bin at Walmart and Canadian Super Store.
