Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc

Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc is the third major platform game installment in the Rayman series. It tells the story of how Rayman stops André, an evil black lum, from taking over the world with his army of sack-like "Hoodlum" soldiers. Unlike the game's predecessor, Rayman 3 took a more light-hearted turn, it has sarcastic self-referential undertones and pokes fun at the platforming video game genre. It was released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Windows by Ubisoft in 2003 and OS X by Feral Interactive in 2004. A remastered HD version of the game was released for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in 2012. 2D versions were developed for the Game Boy Advance and N-Gage. A follow up game, Rayman: Hoodlums' Revenge, was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2005. This would be the last main series Rayman game to be released until Rayman Origins in 2011.

Gameplay

Rayman's controls are similar to that of Rayman 2: The Great Escape, albeit he is now limited to utilising long-ranged punches (and kicks at some opportunities), as opposed to throwing Energy Spheres. Instead, Rayman can now find special "Laser Washing Powder" cans containing one of five temporary power-ups. The Vortex allows Rayman to fire mini-tornadoes instead of punching, the Heavy Metal Fist increases Rayman's strength and allows him to break down certain doors, the Lockjaw gives Rayman extendable claw weapons that can be used to latch onto and electrocute enemies or swing across gaps, the Shock Rocket allows Rayman to fire a remote controlled missile, and the Throttle Copter provides Rayman with a special helmet that allows him to fly vertically for a limited time.

Rayman

Rayman is a platform video game series created by Michel Ancel and owned by Ubisoft. The original Rayman was a 2D sprite based platformer similar to those of the 16 bit era. Rayman 2: The Great Escape moved the series into 3D, and added more variety to the gameplay with new actions such as being pulled through a marsh by a snake, riding a rocket, and the ability to temporarily swim in water. Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc kept the same core platforming of Rayman 2, but added timed power ups and had a bigger emphasis on combat. The handheld entries in the series have remained similar to the sprite-based original in gameplay in that they are mostly 2D; Rayman DS and Rayman 3D are the only exceptions to this, as both are ports of Rayman 2.

Rayman Raving Rabbids, which was at first planned to be a traditional platformer, turned into a mini-game collection late in development after the developers were able to try out the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. Early trailers for the game and early information portray it having a darker atmosphere than is typical of a Rayman game, and show Rayman riding animals including a giant spider. Rayman could alter his appearance, and his dancing style with it, and dance to entrance the Rabbids. Ultimately this idea was scrapped, and replaced with motion based mini-games similar to those in WarioWare: Smooth Moves. Rayman Raving Rabbids was also released on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PC despite being made around the motion-sensing Wii controller, and simply replaced physical actions with traditional button presses and stick movements. Rayman M features Rayman characters racing on foot through platformer like stages and battling in a separate arena mode. There has also been a Rayman educational game, Rayman Junior, which focused less on gameplay and more on learning.

Rayman (character)

Rayman is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Rayman series of video games, created by Michel Ancel for Ubisoft. He is depicted as a limbless humanoid with floating appendages, which he can throw at enemies to attack them.

Since his first appearance in Rayman in 1995, Rayman has been the subject of several video games, as well as a short-lived animated television series.

Concept and creation

Rayman was created by Michel Ancel when he began designing his first game as director at Ubisoft. The original character had a big nose as well as beady eyes made using simple geometric shapes; Ancel claimed in an 2011 interview that "it was quite simple, but funny at the same time."

Appearance

Rayman is typically found bearing white hands, a red bandanna on a purple body with a white Ring on it, covering his chest and stomach, and yellow trainers. The Ring appears to have magical properties. Whenever he earned a new power in Rayman, sparkles would appear around the Ring; in Rayman 2, it was used to open the stones holding the masks. One part of his character design is he has no neck, arms or legs, but rather his head, torso, hands and feet appear to float in midair relative each other as though they were attached. His hands and feet usually act like normal appendages (running, using objects, etc.), but some of his abilities involve separating them from his body. He also has a large round nose and blond hair resembling ears divided into two (three in the first game). His attitude, mannerisms, and attire seem to indicate that he is a teenager.

Rayman (video game)

Rayman is a 1995 side-scrolling platform game developed by Ludimédia (who later became Ubisoft Montpellier) and published by Ubi Soft. The first installment in the Rayman series, the game follows the adventures of Rayman, a hero who must save his colourful world from the evil Mr. Dark. Originally designed for the Atari Jaguar in 1995, a PlayStation version was developed and released around the same time, and further ports were created for MS-DOS and Sega Saturn in 1996. It has appeared in various other formats, such as Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Network and DSiWare.

Plot

The cosmic balance of Rayman's mystical world is maintained by an energy orb known as the Great Protoon. One day, the villainous sorcerer Mr Dark steals the Great Protoon. As a result, the Electoons—benevolent living energy-balls that gravitated about the Great Protoon—are scattered all across Rayman's world and captured in cages by Mr Dark's minions, who guard over them. The Magician, a local wizard, calls upon Rayman to free the Electoons, defeat Mr Dark's forces, and recover the Great Protoon. Mr Dark also appears to have enchanted some of the most powerful locals in each territory into becoming violent and ferocious, forcing Rayman to battle with them before they can return to their senses. Betilla the Fairy, the one-time guardian of the Protoon, frequently interacts with Rayman to update him with magical powers as needed along his journey.