The Wii isn't going to run into a shortage of party games anytime soon. Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is already slated for a January release, and shortly after that, Mario Party 8 will make its debut. In the meantime, however, a game is needed to fill the void, and a surprising hero has stepped up. It's Rayman, the limbless hero that's been the star of numerous platformers over the years, as well as occasional duds (like Rayman Arena and Rayman Rush.) This time, he's back in the all new Rayman Raving Rabbids for the Wii, and it's got two unexpected factors working for it, the first being the game's design.
Rabbids is not a typical platforming game. It does have a story, but it's merely a set-up for it's numerous mini-games. Rayman and a few of his blue-ish Globox buddies are enjoying a picnic, when suddenly they're overtaken and captured by a group of bunny-like creatures called rabbids. These rabbids have their own arena (the Bunny-dome?), and they're forcing Rayman to fight through a series of battles while using the little Globoxes as bait. Rayman has no choice but to fight, and he goes through door after door, facing each of the rabbid's challenges. It sounds deadly serious, yet the game is anything but.
The second unexpected surprise is Ubisoft Montpellier, headed up by Rayman creator Michel Ancel developed the game. With such an influential force heading up the team, one might wonder why a full-blown platforming game wasn't created. Well, that can be summed up in a few words -- Wii control set-up. All of Rabbids' mini-games make use of both the Wii-mote and the Nunchuk controller, whether it's waving them up and down trying to gain speed or waving arms about to gain leverage on an object.
Rabbids succeeds because of its wild sense of humor. All of these mini-games have a perfect comic approach to them, especially with the numerous Rabbids that pop up throughout the game. One has a splitting headache and requires a pill to be dropped in just the right digestion hole, or he notifies you -- in hilarious fashion -- of the failure. Others include taking out bunnies with ammunition such as plungers and carrot juice, keeping Rabbids in line while they use the restroom or try to rule the dance floor, and tossing a stuffy bovine as far as possible. This game has the best cow launching stage we've seen since the good old days of Earthworm Jim. All of these games are fun to play, thanks to the outstanding control scheme.
The presentation can be off and on. Some stages, like pulling worms out of a Rabbid's rotted teeth, look great. As the Rabbid looks on frantically, worms pop out (seriously) and break out gut-busting grins In other stages, however, it looks like more work could have been done with the game's speed, like during a first-person shooter stage on the beach when the Rabbids launch a full-blown plunger attack. The animation's done just right, however, and the game contains personality by the handfuls. The sound is equally impressive, complete with cute sound effects and a soundtrack that includes classics and redone covers alike. Pulp Fiction's "Misirlou" is present and accounted for, as well as a revamped cover of "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" that's fitting for the game.
Rabbids also deserves a nod when it comes to its multiplayer aspect. Some of these games can be a lot of fun when competing against others. However, most of them feature turn taking instead of simultaneous playing.
There are about 70 different mini-games spread throughout Rabbids, but once they're beaten, some players may become bored. Ubisoft has thrown in some interesting unlockables, including new tunes for the jukebox and several outfits for Rayman to change into. (Why anyone would want to cross-dress Rayman into looking like a grandmother is beyond me, but the option pops up after the first set of stages.) Past this, the game may grow old for some -- especially without an option to download new content or play against others online.
That said, Rayman: Running Rabbids manages to beat the hare at the finish line. The comic creativity poured into the game is evident right from the get-go, and a lot of these games are fun, taking full advantage of the Wii-mote. The presentation isn't too shabby, and the multiplayer games, despite being up and down in quality, are a blast with friends and at a party. This latest Rayman is at least worth a rental, and to some, maybe even a purchase -- especially if a hatred for rabbits is present. Hey, they can be evil sometimes. Remember when they took the carrots from that garden? EVIL!
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