Rayman 2: The Great Escape

After a few years in retirement, jumping game giant Rayman returns with a new 3-D adventure game that will keep you hopping through several graphically stunning game environments. Fans of Sonic, Mario, and other cartoon-like jumping games will probably enjoy the familiar gameplay of Rayman 2. While the French-created Rayman character may not be as recognizable as Sonic or Mario, he does bear a distinct animated look that will win over younger gamers. This strange cartoon creation manages to keep it together despite lacking any body limbs to connect its head, hands, and feet.

While younger players will appreciate the cartoon-like 3-D gaming environments, this game promises to challenge experienced gamers with 13 3-D game environments and 45 unique levels. Rayman 2 follows in the footsteps of Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie as another classic 3-D action game for the Nintendo 64. Rayman, who is strangely huge in France, is a strange yellow creature with hands and feet that are magically connected to his body by invisible appendages. This odd character can glide like a helicopter and throw his fists around as well as jump, climb, and swim. As in any decent action jumping game, Rayman meets up with many friends and enemies on his quest. Your mission is to rescue hostages held by the vile Robo-Pirates.

The game has an odd cinematic feel to it--perhaps due to its widescreen presentation and cutscenes. A cute feature is the design of the characters, who speak in their own forms of cute gibberish. Graphically, this game is rich with deep dark colors spread out over 50 levels and 20 worlds. Hiding in these levels are colored "lums" that can be used to open up new worlds or to restore Rayman's energy. These come in handy when you want to breathe underwater for long periods of time. Rayman must also collect magic masks and crystals, among other goodies. --Robb Guido

Pros:

• Vivid 3-D graphics
• Huge number of levels
• Lots of gameplay variety

Cons:

• The Dreamcast version looks even better