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Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time 3D Review for Nintendo 3DS

Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time 3D Review for Nintendo 3DS

Remedial Rabbids

Raving Rabbids is one of those franchises that seems to have overstayed its welcome. Though it started life as a charming little one-off, the series has deteriorated into a paint-by-numbers, fill-in-the-blanks, template-fueled cash grab. That may sound harsh, but it’s hard not to be disillusioned with a series that started so strong and went downhill so fast. Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time 3D isn’t the most horrible Rabbids game to ever come out. However, it is extremely derivative, covers absolutely no ground, and will feel way too familiar for most gamers to really enjoy. The game doesn’t have much of a story. An opening cutscene shows Rabbids climbing into a washing machine and being transported to a prehistoric era. No real explanation is given, and there aren’t any clever jokes or gags to accompany the action. In a series that is so well known for being over-the-top and goofy, it’s extremely disheartening that the humor has all but evaporated from this title.

Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time 3D Screenshot

However, though I was disappointed with the lack of humor or storyline, the gameplay in Travel in Time is at least functional. The game takes the form of very simplistic platforming that works like a watered-down mash-up between Donkey Kong Country and Sonic the Hedgehog. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it sure is derivative. If you want something fresh and new, Travel in Time 3D won’t be your cup of tea.

Unfortunately, the same is also true of the game’s progression. Though you go through several different periods in time, each level feels like a carbon copy of the last, just with different color schemes and block designs. The levels feature the same moving platforms, the same trampolines, and even the same puzzle format. It may be an oft-repeated phrase, but this is one case where if you’ve played one, you really have played them all. Though running and jumping is fun for a little while, by the second hour of the game you’ll be ready to put it down and never touch it again.

Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time 3D Screenshot

The only real redeeming factor between the levels is that you can change your Rabbid’s costume from level to level. Unfortunately, it’s really telling that this is the game’s most interesting feature. Unlocking new clothes and mixing up the different historical time periods on the canvas that is your Rabbid’s body is surprisingly fun, and probably the most rewarding part of the game.

Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time 3D Screenshot

If you insist on playing this game, and you don’t mind the repetition, Travel in Time 3D does a good job of giving you ample replay value. Each level has currencies that you can collect to earn points towards bonus levels, costume unlockables, and 3D figurines. These small rewards can seem a little superfluous after playing and replaying the same old platforming level over and over. But if you really love easy platforming, and have to get 100%, it does at least double the initial playthrough time of 4-5 hours, which is decent for a handheld. The game also features some post-game challenge modes, so if you really want to go back through each stage and improve your time or earn more points, you can. Though I wouldn’t recommend it, the ability to go back through and do things a little differently is a nice option.

Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time 3D Screenshot

In a game that has 3D in its title, you would expect the 3D visuals to be at least passable. However, I am sorry to report that the 3D effect is not put to very good use in Travel in Time 3D. Though hovering platforms do “pop” against the backdrop, the effect isn’t very well realized in regular play. I found myself mostly playing with the 3D functionality turned off, as it didn’t add much to the gameplay. Though there are a few “gimmick” shots that use the 3D effect interestingly, these shots are too few and far between to make this game a memorable 3D experience.

Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time 3D isn’t a bad game. However, it suffers from being almost criminally mediocre. There’s no story to speak of, the humor that the series has been known for has all but evaporated, and the game’s platforming format feels like a cheap knockoff rather than a fun experience. Though the platforming works, and there isn’t anything really broken about the game, there’s nothing here that stands out either. Sure, you could waste an afternoon playing through Travel in Time 3D, but you’d be much better off picking up a different 3DS title instead. Perhaps if there were more story, some humor, or platforming that felt fresher, this would have been a better game. But as it is, this is one that even Rabbids fans should avoid.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 2.8 Graphics
Visuals don’t vary much and generally stick to one template during each time period. 3D effects aren’t implemented very well. 3.3 Control
Controls are easy to use and if you’ve ever played a platforming game, this will feel very familiar. 2.2 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music is repetitive and sound effects are minimal. 3.0 Play Value
The game is a little bit too easy, and the level design certainly isn’t very inspired. However, there are some collection quests and challenge modes if you want to go for 100% completion with this one. 2.8 Overall Rating – Average
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 – 1.9 = Avoid 2.5 – 2.9 = Average 3.5 – 3.9 = Good 4.5 – 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 – 2.4 = Poor 3.0 – 3.4 = Fair 4.0 – 4.4 = Great 5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

  • The Rabbids are about to change the course of human history in their first platform-adventure game! Rabbids are bwaaack and this time they have an infallible plan to invade the human world: CONQUER HISTORY on the new Nintendo 3DS!
  • When the Rabbids stumble into a history museum and discover time travel through their Time Washing Machine, you can bet that human history is about to become a major mess. Get ready to explore and mess up history with the Rabbids in their first platform adventure game exclusively on 3DS!
  • Customize your Rabbid with close to forty wacky costumes, from Cowboy to Roman. Jump, kick enemies, and break blocks through colorful 3D jungles, deserts, and castles in over 60 levels. Play in 3D environments in the greatest moments of history.
  • Easy game to pick up and play for everyone! 2D/3D side-scrolling representation makes it easy to play for instant fun for kids and adults. Three unique game modes offer variety: story mode, time-attack, and challenge mode.

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