Make space on that ever-expanding ‘To Buy in November’ list: Rayman Origins is not the hasty franchise extension dreaded, but instead the charming, magical quasi-Rayman game optimistic fans had hoped for.

The Rayman brand is still alive and kicking, but not in the same way that it was in 1995 when the delightful platformer Rayman was warmly received by PlayStation owners; four years later its sequel Rayman 2: The Great Escape, the pinnacle of 3D platform games (and one of my all-time favourite games), would firmly root Rayman as a beloved franchise to many. The eve of the new millennium however, was very much the honeymoon period; not to discredit the games that have come after under the Rayman name, but recapturing that romance would be too hard for even the best developers to achieve. We’ve seen Rayman spin-offs, ports and even Rayman-based educational games, but nothing has come close… until now?

“Those looking for the fully-fledged 3D experience found in Rayman 2 will perhaps be a little disappointed at first, but fear not because Origins retains all the key gameplay mechanics known and loved.”

Rayman Origins is a reboot. Not a Rabbids game nor a brain trainer or 3DS port, but a certifiable origins story that looks to wipe the main series plate clean with a fresh new tale. Both Rayman and his trusty blue companion Glover are playable characters along with two ‘Teensies’ that can provide four player drop-in, drop-out co-op play, but Origins will feature a single-player mode for those wishing to ride solo.

Those looking for the fully-fledged 3D roaming experience found in Rayman 2 will perhaps be a little disappointed at first, but fear not because Origins retains all the key gameplay mechanics known and loved. The all-too-familiar cages are back to be found and smashed, hidden in secret sections just waiting for players who search every nook and cranny of their platforming games; there’s also the ring swinging, halicopter and moving platforms brought back, with music timing your actions as you hop, skip and jump your way through the sixty levels available. Enemies are varied enough to keep you on your toes; Ubisoft’s creative side shows in the coupling of these enemies and the differing challenges they provide, with the expectedly intricate, expertly crafted worlds.

“Origins is a different breed of Rayman in some aspects, but the charming design and that brilliant core platforming gameplay returns, and it’s as much as can be hoped for.”

As this is an origins story, it goes without saying that the characters you know and love may be somewhat unfamiliar to you. There’s a slight variance in the ways the game takes you from A to B that is reflected in the characters you control: Rayman is described as ‘tenacious’ but ‘not ready’ to be the hero you see in the first Rayman games, and Origins will be the story that details his growth into the more familiar character recognisable from the 90s.

The gameplay is slick and more than co-op friendly, the aesthetics are beautifully crisp (Origins looks fantastic in HD and it runs in 1080p at an impressive 60 fps) and that simple charming Rayman humour is back in full force. Rayman Origins may not be the second honeymoon fans have been waiting and hoping for, but it looks set to be a weekend in Paris that’ll reignite love for the franchise. Origins is a different breed of Rayman in some aspects, but the charming design and that brilliant core platforming gameplay returns, and it’s as much as can be hoped for.

Rayman Origins is due out November 25 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 – as well as a Wii release, with Vita and 3DS releases planned.