Since his introduction in 1995, Rayman has become a cherished video game icon, featuring in 45 titles to date. However, he hasn’t made a significant appearance in a main series game since his cameo in Mario + Rabbids: Spark of Hope. When Ubisoft announced that Rayman would be featured in the upcoming game Captain Laserhawk: The Game, fans were excited. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm faded when it became clear that Captain Laserhawk is a new blockchain game centered around NFTs.
Captain Laserhawk does not follow the traditional format of Rayman games. In fact, Rayman has minimal involvement in the actual gameplay. The title is a top-down multiplayer shooter, but players must first acquire a Niji Warrior NFT to participate. Each player is required to purchase this NFT directly from Ubisoft, with a total of only 10,000 available and a restriction of two per account. For those looking for a touch of Rayman, a profile image can be obtained for 750 virtual coins.
This game draws inspiration from the Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix television series, which itself is based on the Blood Dragon DLC for Far Cry 3. To add to the disappointment, Rayman is not a playable character. Instead, he mainly serves as the announcer during deathmatches, leaving fans hoping for more.
If you’re unfamiliar with Captain Laserhawk, you’re not alone. Ubisoft launched the game with minimal marketing, making it difficult to find extensive information beyond a few posts on social media. Currently, the game is available for early access on PC.
While it’s nice to see a nod to Rayman, it’s rather disappointing that the iconic character has been relegated to a minor role in a blockchain title. Perhaps Ubisoft should reconsider their approach and take a cue from Regina George: NFTs should not be the focus.
