A Platform Paradise.

These days I tend to avoid playing video games due to my vast array of other interests... and reading. But there comes a time when I am compelled to fire up the computer for an hour or so to play something that is just outright delightful. 

I mostly play games that revolve around puzzles, platforming, or mind-boggling complexity (looking at you Dwarf Fortress and SpaceChem...). The requirement is that I have to be able to pick it up and put it down at a moments notice as some other shiny object or book may draw my attention. Such is the life of a chronic hobbyist.

On my birthday last year Rayman Origins came out for the computer and I loved every second of that beautiful platforming masterpiece. Vibrant colors, cartoony characters and brilliant environments created by the most impressive imaginations I have yet encountered in the video game industry. Although there are a few others that will have my admiration for all time. 

 
 


Turns out that Rayman Legends is every bit as good as its predecessor. Actually it is even better! This time around it has more game modes, more challenges, leader boards, collectibles and so many other features that I have been outright overwhelmed by the content. Well worth my $40. As you can see from the images above there, it is just beautiful to look at. With themes ranging from castles and dragons, underwater, deserts and even the Mexican Dia de Los Muertos!

But the real thing that absolutely sold me about how awesome this was for an impulse buy is a certain musical level where you run through a world of knights and dragons to the tune of that Ram Jam song Black Betty. If you do not look at this and simply grin with a sense of overwhelming, childlike delight... then I know not what to say. But don't take my word for it, you can see it for yourself!