Holding the R trigger will put Rayman into strafing mode, and when he's in range of an enemy, he'll automatically lock on. Rayman 3 definitely puts a greater focus on combat than previous entries, and Rayman is better equipped for it, too. Rayman has always been a very versatile platforming hero, with the jumping and the punching and the grappling and the gliding, and Rayman 3 expands considerably on the lead character's abilities. Of course, Globox's tummy ache is just the tip of the iceberg, but the situation sets the tone for the rest of the game nicely. The teensies send Rayman and Globox to find a doctor who specializes in stomach problems, but Andy and his army of hoodlums (lums that wear hoods, get it?) are going to try to stop them at every turn.

The dark lums are sort of like the energy-restoring red lum pixies from Rayman 2, only really mean. Through a series of events, Globox ends up with Andy, the leader of the dark lums, in his stomach. Rayman's aquamarine-toned lummox of a friend Globox returns, playing an even larger part than he did in Rayman 2. The small and magical teensies still play the part of the hostages, and help Rayman along on his quest when they can. The Cheshire cat-inspired insect Murfy helps Rayman through the tutorial areas of the game. Rayman 3 expands considerably on the lead character's abilities.Īdmiral Razorbeard and his robot parade have been completely flushed from the world of Rayman, but many of the supporting characters from Rayman 2 return. Rayman 3 doesn't blow the doors off Rayman 2, but it does further refine the formula, is completely worthy of the Rayman name, and is also one of the best platformers we've seen on the GameCube thus far.

But now that he's finally back, is Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc the life-altering follow-up that players have been waiting for? In a word, no. Super Mario 64 might have laid the groundwork, but anyone who's played Rayman 2: The Great Escape can tell you that this little French fellow refined the formula with impeccable production, a unique sense of style, and some of the most varied and inventive gameplay yet seen in a 3D platformer.

It's been three-and-a-half years since Ubi Soft's limbless platforming hero did his part in redefining the 3D platformer.

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