Twenty minutes in, you're still smiling. Not bad. Loïc Gounon's reasoning behind the remake of Rayman Legends seems sound, but it's the "why now" that really gets me - why revisit a game that's still relatively modern, and what does that say about the state of the series as a whole, with the remake set to release on October 1 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X?
Quick Facts — Rayman Legends Retold
| Developer | Ubisoft Milan and Montpellier studios |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ubisoft |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X |
| Release Date | October 1 |
| Genre | Platformer |
Gounon asked,
what can we do to make it good?It's a tough question. The answer was Rayman Legends. You'll find it's the fifth game in the series. It's got a lot to offer, with the richest world, the widest set of characters, and a more modern take on the platformer genre, which is what they've been going for. Legends is key, as it lets them fix weaker points, like navigation, and that disjointed ending, while building on its strengths, making it a great choice for a remake, with Rayman Origins (2011) being a good start, but Legends is where it's at, for fans and new players alike, we've seen this with the series before.
Rayman 4's Absence Still Baffles
They went with Rayman Legends. It's a key choice. The original Rayman team is gone, with some folks now working on Beyond Good and Evil 2. Origins already had the real feel, so it didn't need a remake. You'll notice Legends has a lot to offer, with a big roster and world, making it perfect for Ubisoft's goal of setting a high-quality benchmark for the franchise. We've seen this before, in a way, where a crossover project helps a new team learn the IP, and it's worth mentioning that Legends is a great fit for this, with its unique style and gameplay. It's a good move, for sure, and Ubisoft's honesty about their goals is refreshing, showing they're in this for the long haul, with a focus on quality and the real feel of the game.
They're onto something. You'll see this with Rayman Legends Retold too. It's a key move, we've seen it before. Ubisoft is doing a remake. Gounon notes it's like what Capcom does. They make remakes before new titles. Nintendo does team swaps. The new team gets the real feel of the series. It's worth mentioning, this helps them before they make original games.
Rayman’s Radical Visual Retellings
Rayman Legends Retold is more than a facelift. It's new. The game gets a new world. You'll see 3D Dragon Ride levels that explain how Rayman travels between worlds. It's key for the story. The original ending was disjointed. Now, we've got a new final world to fix that. The 3D art direction is like an animated movie. Grant Kirkhope is composing the soundtrack, which is worth mentioning. It adds a fresh sound to the game, making it feel like a modern classic with the real feel of Ubisoft's crossover with great music, for fans of the series, it's a big deal, we've been waiting for this remake since the original Rayman Legends in 2013.
It's fresh. Gounon looks at Super Mario Bros. Wonder for ideas. The old days were cool. We've seen this with Rayman 2, Jak and Daxter, and Mario 64 back in the early PS2 era. You'll notice they've mixed things up, blending the real feel of old platformers with new stuff, and it's key for Rayman to be a leader in platformers, which is worth mentioning, with the goal of making it a top choice for gamers, and we've got a crossover of styles that makes the series interesting, for fans of the genre, it's a good thing.
Rayman Legends' $40 Remake Dilemma
Rayman Legends Retold is coming. It's on October 1. You'll get a fresh spin on a classic. Ubisoft fixed the issues. They've added new stuff. It's got a 3D makeover. This remake is key. For fans, old and new, Rayman Legends Retold will offer a fun platforming experience with the real feel of the original, and it's got honesty in its approach, showing we've got a crossover of old and new elements, making it worth mentioning, as Ubisoft is taking a bold step with this relaunch, we've seen this before, it's not always easy, they've done it with Rayman Legends Retold.
The Bad Gamer Take
Ubisoft will prioritize refining the navigation and ending of Rayman Legends Retold because these weaknesses were notable in the original game. This decision will ultimately make the remake a more polished experience for both new and veteran players. Watch the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Rayman Legends Retold to see how Ubisoft Milan and Montpellier studios balance faithfulness to the original with modern improvements.
Get it here: You'll find Rayman Legends Retold on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. It's out October 1.
Key Takeaways
- Rayman Legends Retold launches on October 1 for Switch 2, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X.
- Chosen for its modernity, completeness, and weaker points to address, enhancing the player experience with a new world and 3D levels.
- Features a new world, 3D Dragon Ride levels, a new final world, 3D art, and music by Grant Kirkhope, significantly improving navigation and storytelling.
- Strategy inspired by Capcom and Nintendo's approaches to remakes and team development, ensuring a high-quality relaunch.
