There are also several times where either clairvoyance or trial-and-error are needed to predict a sudden trap - and you can always spot these moments because a checkpoint has been cheekily placed before each one. Once again, each stage is littered with Lums to collect, Teensies to rescue, and secret doors to uncover with a sharp eye and well-timed jumps.Īt times, the need for precision can lead to awkwardness, as even the slightest undesired nudge of the analog stick can make the difference between a character sprinting up a wall gracefully and running dumbfounded on the spot. When you hit the zone and make a perfect run through a level, the results are exhilarating and the visuals take on something akin to poetry. Perhaps moreso than last time, precision is everything, as just one ill-timed jump can cause players to miss a secret or meet an untimely end. The platforming action remains largely unchanged from Origins, with up to four players able to jump, punch, glide and stomp their way through intricately designed levels. The world is being swallowed by nightmares, and it’s up to Rayman - along with Globox and a growing army of playable allies - to save the day. This time around, the Teensies are held captive thanks to the machinations of five nefarious traitors, the Dark Teensies. Rayman Legends has a slight story hinged around its rambunctious world, but it’s disposable at best. Rayman Legends (PC, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Wii U) Even so, the pedigree of its predecessor and a brilliant demo has been enough to assure all but the most insecure that Legends is serious business.Īnd rest assured, my friends, for Legends is absolutely that. Rayman Legends, originally a Wii U exclusive, has suffered a slight dent in its reputation thanks to Ubisoft’s decision to delay the game in the name of a multiplatform release.
A masterclass in platform game design, wrapped in a beautiful artistic style and incredible soundtrack, Origins was proof that the mascot platformer can not only still work, but can boast all the showmanship of a big-budget, Hollywood-flavored, graphically intensive shooter.
Rayman Origins was an undeniable treasure when it was released in 2011.