Rayman Legends PS4 Review

History of Rayman Series

In year 90's, when the platformer game genre becoming popular from 80's to 90's, one of the Ubisoft game creator Michel Ancel decided to make 2D platformer game called "Rayman" was intended to developed for SNES CD add-ons, but the SNES CD add-ons was cancelled and later moved to Atari Jaguar, SONY Playstation, SEGA Saturn, PC, and handheld devices. Rayman received highly acclaimed from critics for colorful graphics, game atmosphere, soundtrack, and unique gameplay style that gained attention to gaming fans. 

In early 2000's, they later releasing a sequel "Rayman 2: The Great Escape" is a 3D platformer game for Nintendo 64, SONY Playstation, SEGA Dreamcast, and other console platform, which also received acclaimed for game presentation, fluid gameplay, vibrant graphics, and soundtrack had becoming one of the best game in the series. They later made another sequel "Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc" for Nintendo Gamecube, SONY Playstation 2, Microsoft Xbox, and other console platforms, which received positive reviews from the critics, but they say it may be not good as the previous Rayman game, but still a decent 3D platformer game. 

In year 2011, Ubisoft was announced another game called "Rayman Origins" that takes back to 2D platformer roots and was released for Nintendo Wii, SONY Playstation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and other console platform. It is entirely different from the previous game with cartoony animation, funny humor, and it has more variety of 2D gameplay than the first Rayman game. The game received worldwide acclaimed from critics for returning to 2D platformer roots, graphics, presentation, and gameplay overall as being the best 2D platformer game for modern consoles. They later releasing another sequel "Rayman Legends" for same multiplatform consoles including SONY Playstation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One is also receives critical acclaimed reviews from the critics.

Rayman Legends PS4 Review

Rayman legends is a 2D platformer game for all multiplatform consoles (Such as PS3, PS4, X360, XBONE, Wii U, and other console platforms), which both developed and published by Ubisoft. 

This is my first game to review for PS4 version to gain my experience on modern days console, so my opinions on this game is somewhat the most ironic 2D platformer game I've ever played is because I love the whole presentation of the game with sense of humor and story overall. It has magnificent gameplay style with superb controls and wacky stages, very detailed animations with cartoony art style, outstanding soundtrack with atmospheric musical score and all sound works, and other things that the Ubisoft has to offer even better than was before. 

Presentation

It all starts with Rayman and his friends have been sleeping for a century before the nightmares and 5 dark teensies slowly began to capture 10 princesses and all teensies from the land. Rayman and his friends are awakened by their friend Murfy who tells them about the bad news regarding the princesses and teensies has been captured by the groups of nightmares. Rayman and his friends set their quest to rescue all of remaining princesses and teensies. 

I really like the story cutscenes at the opening scenes that the developers gives a great idea to see what was the story and purpose of this game and I like the characters from the past Rayman games, such as Rayman, Globox, Teensies, and Murfy. I do like the rest of the new characters are actually look pretty decent in the game, but others rather looked a bit quite same. It does have some funny moments on each of the cutscenes that makes the game so interesting to watch. 

Overall, the presentation has superb cutscenes, cool characters, and some funny humour that really entertains me well.

Gameplay

This game has over 120 stages, so your main goal is to save all teensies in order to unlock next levels. You're take control of Rayman or other playable characters to complete each stages, so your character has ability to use floating jump, wall jump on each platform, climbing, and running to pass through the stages. Your character can damage the enemies by the attack button, charge attack while holding the attack button, jump attack, and running attack while running. 

Your assistant friend Murfy can able to move objects, cutting rope, and attacking enemy on each stage is very helpful in the game.

The 4 player co-op mode is very helpful as well to get your friends to help you completing the each stages, which is quite cool to have it on this game. 

You can find hidden secrets somewhere in the levels where you can rescue teensies and you can collect yellow lums on each levels, which you can able to unlock the different character when collecting enough lums. 

Your PS4 touchpad is used for scratching tickets and taking photos on camera modes, which you can upload and share images to your PSN services.

The gameplay works really well with outstanding controls is just easy and simple, solid hit detection, very advanced stages with variety of level design making the game look challenged, and it does have the best boss fights overall. Sometimes the level can be bit frustrating depends what level you're playing on, but I don't mind at all because that what the game enjoyment is about making it more challenged, the more you will enjoy the experience of this game. 

Graphics

I love the art style of the whole game with cartoony character design, colorful stages with some of great layouts and backgrounds, smooth animation, nice visuals, and overall environment that makes the game look amazing with cartoon style graphics running on 1080p with 60 FPS allowing the game to run perfect on the console systems without any graphical issues. 

It's definitely has the best graphics in modern gaming that shows how the Rayman series should have been like these days.

Music and Sounds

I say the original score of the game sounds really awesome on each levels especially I really enjoyed the cover soundtrack from rhythm based levels, such as RamJam - Black Betty, Survivor - Eye of the Tiger, and Anti-Social - Trust that gives overall atmosphere of the game. 

It has really great sound effects with well made background noise, more atmospheric effects, and has decent voice for the characters that makes sound like from 90's cartoons, so I say the whole music and sounds of the game are sounds actually fantastic. 

Special Features

This game has unlockable 40 stages from Rayman Origins, characters when collecting enough lums or rescuing princesses as playable characters, and collecting lucky tickets to win creatures, lums, levels, and teensies.   

Advantages

Outstanding gameplay

Amazing graphics

Superb presentation

4 players co-op

Fantastic music and sounds

More unlockable stuff

Disadvantages

Sometimes the levels can be harder depends what level you're playing on.

Some of the new playable characters are quite too similar to others.

Final Verdict

Presentation 9.5/10 - It has superb cutscenes, cool characters, and some funny humour that really entertains me well.

Gameplay 9.7/10 - Outstanding controls, characters abilities, solid hit detection, very helpful assistant character, having 4 player co-op, and it has the epic boss battles in gaming.

Graphics 10/10 - Cartoony art style, superb character design, smooth animation, nice visuals, and overall environment as being best graphics for modern gaming consoles.

Music and Sounds 9.5/10 - It has fantastic original score and cover music, well made background noise, more atmospheric effects and 90's cartoons voices.

Special Features 10/10 -  It has unlockable 40 stages from Rayman Origins, characters when collecting enough lums or rescuing princesses as playable characters, and collecting lucky tickets to win creatures, lums, levels, and teensies. 

Overall 9.7/10 - Rayman Legends is the Fantastic 2D platformer game by Ubisoft. I say it's better than the Rayman Origins and it is the best 2D platformer game up to date for multiplatform consoles. This game has really takes in the right positions of making the game played just perfect for all platformers fans out there should considering buying this game.

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Shenmue 3 Kickstarter ends at $6.3 million

Shenmue 3 Kickstarter has ended last night with $6.3 million and it is becoming one of the highest funded kickstarter in video game history.

It breaks the record of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, which has raised $5.5 million.

Shenmue 3 Kickstarter was announced at E3 2015 Press Conference since last month and their main goal is to raise $2 million in order to start developing game, so it did raised more than $2 million, which had becoming the fastest kickstarter funding before they announced the stretch goals been pushed to $11 million in order to add more extra content of the game, such as expanded mini games, advanced free battle, rapport system, skill tree system, character perspective system, and etc.

While Sony are not going to fund kickstarter, which they only pay for marketing, advertising and PS4 version, the company's kickstarter have later revealed the physical PS4 copy of the game and bringing more Shenmue merchandise, which allowing more backers to pledge more money faster for the kickstarter campaign.

Overall, it is great news for Yu Suzuki's teams are doing well with their kickstarter raised $6.3 million and I'm happy that the game's sequel announcement has happened last month and I'm definitely look forward to see this game on PS4 in 2017.  

Yu Suzuki, good luck with the development of Shenmue 3 and I hope it is best of luck to all fans of the series will enjoy the sequel in 2017.

Great job, YSNet.

If you like to check out the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter news, then here the link down below.

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/07/17/shenmue-3-just-became-the-most-funded-video-game-kickstarter

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Satoru Iwata have passed away

Today, I have to give a sad news to all gamers and fans who grew up playing the classics Nintendo games from the past.

The President of Nintendo Satoru Iwata have passed away at the age of 55 on July 11th 2015 due to health issues. I'm shocked that I've found out the gaming article on internet this morning and there are lot of people on comments are very upset to hear such depressing loss of Nintendo President.   

He first started working the company called HAL Laboratory as a programmer in 80's, which he is known for making games like Earthbound, Kirby, and Balloon Fight. In year 2002, he became forth President of Nintendo succeeding Hiroshi Yamauchi, so he helped the company to make hardware and games to appeal all the gamers, such as Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii that end up became the most popular consoles in Seventh Generation Console era.

We all gamers out there should be very thankful what he brought us a fantastic times with the classic Nintendo games from the past that made gaming industry so awesome. 

Rest In Peace Satoru Iwata, you're the greatest Nintendo President that helped the gaming industry to make gamers happy with the games that we all remember playing in our nostalgic times.

If you like to check out the news article, here is the link down below:

http://kotaku.com/nintendos-president-has-passed-away-1717386412

Top 5 2D Fighting Games

We love to play the 2D fighting games in every platforms. It is the most popular video game genre from 90's to modern days is because we played many great 2D fighting games like Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat are the pioneer of the fighting game genre that really inspires many video game developers to make their own kinds of fighting games like King of Fighters, Guilty Gear, Fatal Fury, and many more fighting games out there. 

2D fighting games are very known for combo moves, techniques fighting style, using special abilities, and finishing moves that makes the whole fighting games so memorable.

I'm going to make my 5 favourite 2D fighting games of all time, so here is "Top 5 2D Fighting Games." 

5 - The King of Fighters 99

If you like the Neo Geo fighting games like Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting, then The King of Fighters 99 is definitely for you to play because SNK made the best fighting games for Neo Geo system. 

The King of Fighters 99 is amazing game featuring memorable characters, such as Terry, Mai, Kyo, Iori, and many others fighting rosters.

This game features 4 characters in teams, selectable fighting styles, and performing special moves with power gauge gives more variations of the fighting gameplay.

The gameplay control feels very fluid for combo moves and special moves works very well done and it has stunning 2D graphics with spectacular animation, nice visual effects, and great character details that fits really perfect for Neo Geo games.

4 - Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!!!!!!!!  

I love Mortal Kombat series because it is one of the bloodiest and most badass fighting game series in classic days.

Mortal Kombat had becoming so popular in 90's along with fighting fans and critics is due to high impact violence that caught attention to gamers.  

My favourite Mortal Kombat game goes to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 for the arcade version because it has more characters including returning favourites and better gameplay system.

It has awesome characters like Liu Kang, Kitana, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, and many memorable characters in the game.

The gameplay has perfect controls, great moves, and many fatalities moves that keeps the game so bloody entertaining to watch.

3 - Killer Instinct 

In 1994, Rareware brought the amazing fighting game that blows our mind with Ultra 64 arcade system, so that is Killer Instinct for the original arcade.

Killer Instinct is just one insane fighting game that created crazy amount of combo moves known as ULTRA COMBO!!!!! is the sickest combo hits in gaming history.

It has superb characters like Cinder, Jago, Black Orchid, Chief Thunder, Sabrewolf, Spinal, and others.

The gameplay has straightforward controls with special moves, fast paced combo mechanics, knocking opponent off the stage, and no mercy moves is the great example of 2D fighting based game.

I have to say the SNES version is one of the best arcade ports ever made, even the first game was meant to be made for N64, but still the SNES version is just straight in perfect arcade port.

2 - Marvel vs Capcom 2

       

I'm a huge fan of Marvel vs Capcom series that caught so much attention to my eye. 

Back in Dreamcast days, it had tons of fantastic 2D fighting games for SEGA Dreamcast.

I say Marvel vs Capcom 2 is the superb crossover fighting game by Capcom because I like to play as favourite Marvel and Capcom characters in fighting games, such as Ryu, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America, Chun-Li, Mega-Man, and Rogue is just sounds cool to have in this game. 

It has 3 characters in team, unique fighting style of gameplay, well made animated graphics, and Jazzy soundtrack that makes Marvel vs Capcom 2 the best game for SEGA Dreamcast.

1 - Super Smash Bros Brawl

  

Oh yes, Nintendo has one of the most masterpiece fighting game ever made.

Super Smash Bros Brawl is the best 2D fighting games on Nintendo Wii and it is my favourite fighting game in history because it has many playable roster like Mario, Link, Samus Aran, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, and of course it does share of the third parties characters like Sonic the Hedgehog and Solid Snake is just made my day.

This game has simple gameplay control makes easier to make basic and special attack, using weapons and items, addicting matches like brawl mode and special mode are perfect for multiplayer, single player adventures, so many unlockable stuff, and creating your own fighting stages that made this game so epic.

Of course this game is also played with Gamecube controller is another fantastic addition to this game for those who are Nintendo console owners really enjoys playing previous game like Super Smash Bros Melee.

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Top 5 Racing Games

Racing games is a spectacular video game genres for gaming industry. I've been playing so much fun with racing games that have awesome racing cars to drive around the track, head to finishing line, and win the championship, so that's what the racing games is about.

There are bunch of great racing games library out there to choose from since our retro gaming days to modern racing games. 

I'm going to pick out my 5 favourite racing games that really deserves to be greatest racing games of all time, so here is my Top 5 Racing Games.


5 - Daytona USA

Daytona USA is a arcade racing classic by SEGA. The arcade version was released in 1994 and it is the first SEGA's racing games that made the debut of SEGA Model 2 with very detailed 3D system.
This game gets really attention from racing fans from the 90's and demanding SEGA to port it from arcade to home consoles, such as SEGA Saturn was released in 1995, while Championship Circuit Edition was later released in 1996. It was later released on SEGA Dreamcast as remake in 2001 and was re-releasing on PSN and XBLA in 2011.

Daytona USA is a fantastic game for the arcade version, which comes with 3 tracks to select with and it felt very challenging to complete against 40 cars in the gameplay is just simple straightforward arcade game. While the SEGA Saturn version did have slow gameplay framerate and downgraded graphics aren't good as the original arcade counterpart, but still an okay version. The Championship Circuit Edition is the updated version for Saturn did have better overall improvements over the original version because it has new cars and track, 2-players battle, and better frame rate makes better gameplay performance.
Dreamcast version is one of my favourite version is because it took advantages of running on same 60fps as arcade version, better graphics design, 3 new tracks, championship mode, and gameplay feels like playing arcade version makes the Dreamcast version more faithful to original arcade version.

This game have fluid driving controls, nicely made track design, fairly challenged game with 40 cars to beat the race makes the game worth playing.



4 - SEGA Rally Championship

   

In 1994, SEGA Rally Championship is the finest racing games for the arcade system and it is one of the milestone of early rally racing game that defines the genre. I really enjoyed sitting on the arcade system with racing seat, steering wheels, gear shift, and foot pedals that makes me want to drive around the track is one hell of the fun.

It was also released for SEGA Saturn in 1995 and it is the best rally racing game for Saturn, which has 2 player battle and time attack mode.

The gameplay works really well with basic controller or steering wheels, which allowing driving controls feels responsive and easy to control with. The graphics are looking amazing for Saturn 3D games are fairly closer to arcade counterpart. What makes the game even more fun is the 2 player battle is a great addition to Saturn version makes it the most updated racing game on SEGA Saturn library.



3 - Ridge Racer

It's Ridge Racer, RIDGEEEEE RACER!!!

Remember this game in 1994, when it was came out for arcade systems and it was later released for PS1 in 1995.

Ridge Racer is one of the the PS1's biggest racing game that got really hyped for 32 bit console era and it shows what the PS1 could able to handle the 3D arcade ports seems really damn impressive in 90's.

The PS1 version offers the 4 course modes, music player, and car select are the decent addition to the game.

This game has superb drifting controls, arcade style gameplay, amazing 3D graphics, and quality soundtrack that keeps you playing this game. While this game were praised by video game critics and fans, they are later making a sequel for later consoles is due to success of the first game that made the whole series so popular.



2 - Mario Kart 64

I love the Super Mario Kart on SNES, but this game is so amazing on N64.

All you have to do is drive around, throw things, use special items, avoid objects, and head to finishing line is what makes Mario Kart 64 so epic to play.

Mario Kart 64 is a go-kart racing game for Nintendo 64 and it is one of the second best-selling N64 games in worldwide.

This game has 16 wacky stages with the variety of levels, more game modes to play with, playing as beloved Nintendo mascot Mario and other characters, and 4 battle courses are featured in the game.

It has better driving controls, impressive multiplayer with versus and battle mode, and epic level stages that takes a lot of improvements from the original game for SNES.
I really enjoyed the 4 of the grand prix mode are very enjoyable to play and I say the battle mode are the best part of the game that makes the multiplayer so spectacular for N64 racing game.  



1 - F-Zero X

Nintendo made another famous racing game for N64 is F-Zero X, which is sequel to the classic original game called F-Zero for SNES.

This game is one hell of the fastest racing games of all times with so many speed of the gameplay overall, craziest track to choose from, more futuristic vehicles to select with, five grand prix modes, and death race that keeps the game so intense and fun to play it on N64.

It has precised driving controls, great variety of gameplay with unique level design and ability to use speed boost that makes the gameplay fast paced and well challenged for the N64 game.

This game also has kick ass Thrash Metal style of music well made by 2 of the Japanese composer, awesome characters like Captain Falcon and others, brilliant vehicle design, and it has the best game overall so far and it is my favourite racing game ever made on my list.

  
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