Rayman Bowling 2
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| Rayman Bowling 2 | ||
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| Developed by | Ryemanni | |
| Soundtrack by | Nathalie Drouet, Rémi Gazel, Frédéric Louvre, Frédéric Prados and Olaf Zalcman (music from Rayman) Éric Chevalier (music from Rayman 2 The Great Escape) | |
| Release date | Windows:
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| Genre | Action, sports simulation | |
| Gameplay mode | Single player | |
| Platforms | PC | |
| Ratings | All ages (OGRS) | |
| Distribution media | Digital download | |
| Game engine | Game Maker | |
Rayman Bowling 2 is a comedic unofficial sequel to the original Rayman Bowling using the Game Maker engine, released in 2020 by Ryemanni. It is a celebration of the Rayman franchise's 25th anniversary.
This fan-made sequel is fast-paced and action-oriented, featuring more elements akin to a traditional Rayman game such as enemies or a life point system, while the original Rayman Bowling was a sports simulation game. Rayman Bowling 2 provides an actual story and simplified, yet dynamic gameplay mechanics, making it very different compared to Rayman Bowling 1 despite the nearly identical graphics.
It features some music from most main entries in the Rayman series as its soundtrack, as well as some of their sound effects.
Plot
In this game, Rayman is challenged to a game of bowling by the three main antagonists from his original adventures, including the Black Lum André, the Robo-Pirate Admiral Razorbeard, and the evil Mr Dark. The game's tone is very comedic and self-aware, breaking the fourth wall at times and acknowledging the fact the Rayman franchise has been going on for 25 years as one of its plot points.
It is later discovered that "Mr Dark" in this game is secretly another character in disguise: The Teller, also known as Brain Blaster. He's the embodiment of one of Michel Ancel's first video games who is jealous of Rayman getting all the love and attention from his creator, and already attempted to take him down disguised as Mr Dark in Rayman 1.
Gameplay
Rayman Bowling 2 is a 2D arcade-like action game with slight elements of bowling sports simulation. Unlike the original, the game does away with traditional bowling rules and Rayman can only shoot the bowling balls straight, being able to do so continuously without the limitations of a frame system. To compensate for the removed aiming mechanic, Rayman is able to move laterally very fast.
The goal is to throw bowling balls to knock down every enemy bowling pin in the game's boards, which contain 10 phases each with different sets of pins. Each board ends with a boss battle which Rayman must overcome in the same way.
The game features hostile bowling pins alongside the regular realistic ones. Enemies have a varied resilience and some can attack by spitting flames or rockets, while others only exist as obstacles, replacing the stage obstructions from the first game. Rayman's health is limited to six points and is only replenished once the player reaches a boss or a new board.
Rayman has an unlimited supply of bowling balls, but the total number which he uses is tallied throughout the whole game and the final result is displayed on the title screen, thus replacing the score per frame system of the first Rayman Bowling and inciting players to be as efficient as possible for a better score.
Levels
- Board 0 (Introduction)
- Board 1 (VS. André)
- Board 2 (VS. Razorbeard)
- Board 3 (VS. Mr Dark)
Characters
- André: The rude Dark Lum Lord and the main antagonist from Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc, returning to have his revenge. He's fought in Board 1, and despite his small size, he's perfectly capable of throwing bowling balls at Rayman, also summoning bowling pins to defend himself. Being a sore loser, he swears when he's defeated and asks Rayman to leave him alone, being afraid to be turned into a Red Lum by his grimace again.
- Razorbeard: The spacefaring Robo-Pirate Admiral and the main antagonist from Rayman 2 The Great Escape, returning to fight Rayman again. He challenges Rayman in Board 2. Due to his weak stature, he's fought in a low-budget version of the Grolgoth called the "Bowlgoth" which doesn't come with an escape pod. This results in Razorbeard complaining about having to walk all the way home with his pegleg once he's defeated, grumbling angrily as he leaves. His Bowlgoth is capable of shooting bowling balls from its arms and missiles from its torso, the latter requiring to open its head and exposing itself to attacks.
- Mr Dark: The diabolical and mysterious sorcerer Rayman had defeated during his first adventure. He's the one initiating the game's story by challenging Rayman to a game of bowling with André and Razorbeard at his side, jokingly explaining that they had to challenge Rayman to bowling because the game is called "Rayman Bowling 2". He's fought in Board 3 and uses his spells to attack Rayman with flames or bowling balls which spin around himself.
- The Teller: The living embodiment of the eponymous puzzle game by Michel Ancel released in 1990, also known as Brain Blasters. He's fought after Mr Dark at the end of Board 3, attacking Rayman quickly with bowling balls and missiles, and summoning bowling pins as minions. He takes the appearance of a default puzzle piece from that game, but is first seen disguised as Mr Dark throughout most of the adventure, and claims to have been in that same disguise during Rayman 1. Jealous of Rayman's success, he waited 25 long years to exact his vengeance and to have a chance to surpass the limbless hero so he can take his place as his creator's favorite and most successful game franchise, although noticing his father abandoned his brother too. Despite this, he had no evil intentions and only wanted to be loved and get a new game, even surrendering completely after being defeated and going as far as asking Rayman to put an end to his life. Touched by Rayman's offer of peace, he accepts to wait together for their next game, and gets to be introduced to Rayman's friends.
Gallery
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Teaser image for Rayman Bowling 2 shared by Ryemanni on Twitter.
Trivia
- Mr Dark's appearance in this game is very similar to how he looked in the Game Boy Color version of the original Rayman. The way the bowling balls spin around him is also reminiscent of his shields from this game, which in turn makes it also similar to Mr Dark as he appears in Rayman Redemption.
- The music of the title screen is the bass and percussion version of the Teensie Highway theme from Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc.
- The music from the introduction board is the main theme from the original Rayman.
- Each returning villain has their battle theme from their original appearances, although André uses the Hoodboom's theme. Their boards also uses music and the victory theme from the corresponding game.
- The music of Board 1 is the "Clearleaf Forest" track from Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc.
- The music of Board 2 is the "Infiltrating the Fortress" track from Rayman 2 The Great Escape.
- The music of Board 3 is the "Call of the Mountain" track from Rayman 1.
- The boss music of The Teller is "The Final Showdown" unused track from Rayman Origins.
- The ending music is the Hoodoo's theme from Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc and is concluded by Murfy's infamous "See you in Rayman 4" line from the same game.