Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 Review

When the Wii was new and before the onslaught of mini-game-fests to come, Ubisoft released Rayman Raving Rabbids and it was both unique and entertaining. The title was a success because it wrapped some 70 mini-games in an original and surprisingly funny package. The minis themselves were good -- some better than others -- but the comedy was second to none. In fact, the real stars of the title, the Rabbids, collectively stole the show from Rayman, whose presence seemed secondary and unnecessary. Like all mini-game compilations, the title could be hilarious and addictive one second and a boring chore the next all based on the quality of the mini in question, but thankfully a good chunk of the challenges were at least novel and amusing, if not fun.

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 is a predictable sequel and, like the next installment in Madden Football, the development team hasn't endeavored to re-invent the experience, but add to it. Rabbids 2 features several dozen new minis, all of them original, not to mention a continued storyline that takes the evil bunnies to Earth. The end result is a sequel that feels more like a continuation of the first game than it does an all-new undertaking. Some of these new games are fun and funny, but unlike the original, which included its share of hits, Rabbids 2 misses more often than not.

Rabbids 2's is a successful comedic endeavor, like the first game. Ubisoft has, in fact, elaborated on the presentation in some ways (and cut down on some unnecessary fodder, too). The title begins with a humorous cinematic that sets up the action to follow. The bunnies have invaded Earth and it's up to Rayman to sneak into their maniac camp and put a stop to the impending war before it begins. Just watching the behavior of the Rabbids is entertaining as the creatures are so unpredictably crazy and their movements ridiculously exaggerated. Additionally, all of the minis in the title feature brief real-time cut-scenes meant to be funny, and most are, whether the Rabbids are chugging carrot juice in a saloon, chasing a bunny Spdier-Man down a city street or fingering a Rabbid thief in a police lineup. Meanwhile, the stadium-based setup that powered the first game has been removed -- Rayman no longer needs to travel into and out of a colosseum in order to make his way through the limited story, a design choice that dramatically increases the overall speed and brings a more balanced pace to the single-player experience. If you're going to play Rabbids 2, make sure you do so with friends because the game experience is improved greatly with two, three or four people. Ubisoft has added some incentive to keep at the single-player game, mind you, but there's just not substitute for real, live gamers, particularly for a project whose many minis are designed for parties. As you play through the trips in the game, of which there are roughly five (each sporting nine minis), you will unlock new Rayman and Rabbids costumes -- everything from cowboy hats to Spider-Man and Assassin's Creed pull-overs -- which you can use to dress your characters. Also, all of your top scores are updated via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to a central tracking system and thus, you will have something to shoot for if you're a highly competitive player. These inclusions are welcomed and do add replay value.