Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party
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Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party
Fight for Your Right, to Party
Those zany Rabbids are back, and are taking over the airwaves. Yes, the third iteration of Ubisoft’s minigame compilation has hit the Wii, and it’s bringing with it some new features. Are the new features enough to entice veterans of the series, or is it simply more of the same? Well, yes and no. Allow me to explain further.
Gameplay
The game starts off in the typical Rabbids fashion. The Rabbids are chasing Rayman, and during the pursuit get distracted by a bolt of lightning. The chase resumes, but a second bolt of lightning strikes the Rabbids and somehow transports the little guys into the antenna of Rayman’s house. As Rayman switches on the tv, he finds the Rabbids trapped inside, and officially taking over any and all shows on each channel. The premise is silly, and presented in that typical Rabbids humour, but it’s so charming that it works. If you’ve played either of the previous games, you’ll know what to expect for the most part.
Once you get through the opening storyline, you’re free to choose from several different gameplay modes. Solo, Party mode, Training and World Contest. Normally I’d say all of them are pretty self-explanatory, but World Contest isn’t what you think it is. Instead of being an online option to play against someone, it’s really a "contest" to design the wackiest rabbid out there using the "Pimp My Rabbid" customization feature found in one of the minigames. While interesting, it’s very pointless, and doesn’t replace the fact that you still can’t compete online. While designing and uploading the Rabbid are a breeze, once it’s uploaded you have to copy down a secret code in order to view your Rabbid online. I get why Ubi’s done this, because the options are limited, so designs will often get confused, but it’s still a huge pain in the butt. Here’s hoping the next Rabbid’s will give us true online play instead.
Solo and Party modes will likely be where you spend most of your time. Using the premise of the Rabbids running a television station, you select the games you want by selecting a particular channel, (ie: a couple of music channels, sports channels, and reality tv type fair.) Obviously the channel you pick determines which game you play. The music channels now have two different types of games: a rhythm based game, and a dancing game. The sports channel has several different types of wildebeest riding, and wrestling. The Cult movie channel represents the on rail shooters from the previous games. Playing through solo can unlock new movies that show the Rabbids driving Rayman insane, and also can unlock accessories with which to customize your Rabbids. While it’s nice to have the option to play through solo, the longevity of the game will pretty much rely on the always amusing Party mode.
One cool feature that has been added to the Party mode side of things this year, (which is where the game really shines, anyway), is the ability to sabotage another player, or give yourself an advantage. This is done in the game by pressing the 1 button when the "Advert" prompt comes on the screen. During these sequences, you’re shown a short commercial for a Rabbid product, and at a random time asked to perform a simple motion before your opponent does. If you’re successful, you can be granted certain rewards for being quicker on the draw. The advantages depend on what game you’re playing, but are worth winning every time. It’s a simple but effective way of giving players who are having a tough go of things a chance at winning, and definitely provides a few laughs in the process. That said, there are 50 minigames in TV Party, and sadly, only half of them are worth your time.
The reason for this is the controls. Yes, the much hyped "first game you can play with your bottom" works, thanks to the interesting use of Nintendo’s balance board peripheral. However, the controls really needed to be refined before this game was shipped, and unfortunately the Wii-mote and nunchuk feel too tight, and the balance board feels too loose. Addressing the complaints of previous games, in which the Wii-mote and nunchuk were deemed too loose, they’ve tightened up in regards to this. However, the amount of force that you have to use in games that you run in, (pumping the controllers up and down), is nearly impossible for younger players, now. Either motions aren’t being picked up, or the controls are just too tight, so that you really have to exaggerate your motions, but something’s not right here. Perhaps the controllers are to blame, but after three games, Ubi should be familiar with the problems and be able to compensate. This affects the dancing games most, as motions often aren’t being picked up, or the player is penalized for an incorrect motion when they’re simply following the prompts on screen. Even on lighter difficulties it can be difficult to get the controls to register properly. That’s not to say that all of the controls are problematic, though. There’s quite a few games that the controls work, but there needs to be a balance somewhere along the lines, and in my experience, I just didn’t feel that.
If you are fortunate enough to have a balance board, (which is optional), you’ll likely enjoy the game a bit more, as the balance board’s controls are effective. Riding a motorcycle and screeching it to a halt, while holding the Wii-mote and nunchuk inwards like your holding onto the handlebars of a Harley, and using your butt to lean your way around the courses is pretty cool. One problem is that if you tend to lean in one direction when you sit, you’ll be constantly having to adjust, as the balance board is just too sensitive. Still, for a first shot, the controls on this side of things feel pretty good, and definitely add to the value of the package. While, as I stated, the balance board is optional, it’s almost entirely necessary to get the most out of the game, as the standard controls just don’t work as well without the board.
One thing that needs to mentioned is a slight problem when you choose the option to use your balance board. Right when the game boots up, you’re asked if you have one. Obviously, if you select yes, it should automatically assume that you’re going to want to use it. That’s not the case though, as nearly every game that uses the balance board starts up with "Do you want to use the balance board for this game?". It’s nice that they’re giving the option, but this should only be asked one time. After that, just assume that I want to use it, alright?
Graphics & Sound
Rabbids TV Party comes complete with a new art style. Rather than the 3-D renders of the Rabbids like in the previous games, the menus and in-game animations are done in a cartoon style. This is actually very fitting, and compliments the madcap nature of the title very well. The games themselves are usually done in the traditional Rabbids style, but that’s by no means a bad thing as the Rabbids have always been fantastic looking games.
The audio is pretty fantastic as well. The Rabbids still scream their "so ugly they’re cute" little faces off, but it’s the music levels that give this game it’s score for the audio section. The Rabbids performing pop songs from different era’s is always a good time, and though it’s a bit different from the previous years, it’s still amusing to hear. There’s also a good selection of licensed songs on the soundtrack for the dancing levels. All around, a solid effort on the audio front as well.
Value
Any way you slice it, there’s a lot of content offered in Rabbids TV Party. While some of the minigames don’t measure up to past offerings, grabbing a couple of friends and making them dance to some Jungle Boogie is a fun time. I will say that a balance board is needed to get the full effect here. No, it doesn’t completely wreck the game without it, but it’s just not worth the full price of admission if you’re only getting half the experience.
Conclusion
Rabbids is still the best minigame compilation in town, hands down. If you liked the previous versions even a little, you definitely need to pick this one up. Just be warned, the game really shines with the balance board, so if you don’t have one, borrow one. You’ll see what I mean.
Pros
+ Rabbid humour is still funny.
+ New art style is great.
+ Dancing game can be fun. (if not frustrating at times.)
+ Great with friends.
+ Great soundtrack.
+ Balance board feature is pretty cool.
Cons
- Controls can still be touchy.
- Annoying prompt asks if you’d like to use balance board upon starting any minigame that uses the peripheral.
- Only half of the 50 games really shine.
Final Verdict
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
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