Twenty minutes in, I'm still grinning. It's not perfect. Rayman Legends Retold is a thorough reinterpretation of the original, with Ubisoft Milan and Montpellier putting their own spin on the 2013 platformer, and it's clear they're aiming for more than just a glossy coat of paint - the level of detail is staggering, with lush environments and cleverly redesigned challenges that will appeal to both new and veteran players.
Quick Facts — Rayman Legends Retold
| Developer | Ubisoft Milan and Montpellier |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ubisoft |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release Date | October 1 |
| Genre | Platformer |
You'll notice the 2D art is gone. It's a shame. Look — the new 3D look is pretty, though. We've spent three hours with Rayman Legends Retold, and it's clear the game's world feels more cohesive now. For instance, they've added overworld maps, which is a nice touch. The Glade of Dreams is where you'll spend most of your time, and it's a big change from the original's gallery-based level selection, which was a bit bland in comparison.
"For story and world building, we felt like there was room for tying everything together, because there's a lot in it but it's a bit all over the place—and we wanted to set the starting point for the future of Rayman."
Alessandro Arndt Mucchi, Production Director
What Rayman Legends Gains in 3D
It's a real upgrade. You'll notice it in the voice acting. They've added cutscenes to make the story more honest. The new sixth world, The Land of the Livid Dead, is key. It brings a fresh platforming mechanic to the table. Musical levels are now in 3D, with a fresh perspective that's worth mentioning - it's the real feel of fun, you'll see it in the creative ways they use the new 3D view, making for a truly unique crossover of music and gameplay.
They've added a key feature: dragon riding. It's fun. You'll get a blast out of it, especially in couch co-op with friends. And the real feel of these segments is pretty cool, offering a sort of rail shooter experience that's worth mentioning, even if it's still being worked on. For fans of Rayman Legends, the crossover of action and exploration in these segments will be a welcome surprise, particularly with the gorgeous 3D remake that's in the works, like the one we've seen in Rayman Legends Retold Hands-On. We've seen it, and it's honest to say that the health system might be a problem - Teensies get flung away with just one hit, which could be frustrating for you, if you're trying to finish it perfectly, with no hits, due to the level design and stray bullets that can easily cause damage.
Rayman's 3D Leap: Faithful or Faltering?
It's the real feel of Rayman. You'll get that in Legends Retold. The core platforming is key. We've got a game that feels responsive, for a platformer that's a must. They've preserved the original's solid foundation, with tight controls, which is worth mentioning, in this gorgeous 3D remake of Rayman Legends.
It's a bit tough. You'll hit a wall with the health system in those dragon riding bits. For perfectionists, it's gonna be a headache. We've got a few months to go, so hopefully Ubisoft fixes this. The game needs it, or 100% completion will be super frustrating. It's the one key issue with an otherwise gorgeous remake, like Rayman Legends Retold.
Rayman's 3D Rebirth: Ubisoft's Bold Gambit
It's real fun. The visuals pop in 3D. You'll notice this right away. With a fresh take, Rayman Legends Retold is the real feel of a classic, updated for you. They've made it vibrant, with enhanced narrative cohesion, which is worth mentioning, and new content that adds a key layer to the game. We've got a release date - October 1 - for PC, which is a big deal, especially for new players and veterans of the original Rayman Legends, who will appreciate the crossover of old and new elements in this gorgeous remake.
The Bad Gamer Take
Ubisoft will prioritize the development of more 3D platformers because the success of Rayman Legends Retold's 3D remake has shown a significant visual and gameplay upgrade. This shift in focus will be evident in their upcoming titles, as they aim to create more immersive and engaging experiences for players. WATCH for the new sixth world, The Land of the Livid Dead, to bring a unique and exciting platforming mechanic to the game.
It's gorgeous. Rayman Legends Retold hits PC on October 1. You'll get the real feel of a 3D remake with some key surprises, making it worth mentioning for fans of the series, as they've managed to bring new life to this classic game with honesty, offering a unique crossover of style and gameplay.
