Remakes are risky. Rayman Legends Retold is risky in a particular way, because the original from 2013 was already a gorgeous, nearly perfect platformer. So what’s left to improve?
I haven’t played Retold yet, so this post is based on IGN’s hands-on preview by Ryan McCaffrey, who spent about three hours with it. Here’s what stood out to me.
The Quick Version
- It looks fine, but not better than the 2D original
- It still plays great
- It adds new levels and modes
- The $40 edition includes all of Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition
The Visual Elephant in the Room
This is the awkward part. The previewer says the 2.5D remake doesn’t outshine the hand-drawn look of the original, and IGN’s Michael Higham felt the same way after the first preview. When a remake can’t beat the visuals of a game that’s 13 years old, it’s fair to wonder why it exists.
But “not better” isn’t “bad.” It looks good on its own terms, and the gameplay is where the preview gets enthusiastic. The platforming has held up very well.
What You Actually Get
Retold doesn’t just replay the classic. It mixes in:
- Musical levels where jumping and running sync to a song. The previewer played one built around the “Macarena,” which sounds ridiculous in the best way.
- New stages added to the campaign
- A reworked Kung Foot mode
- A bonus game: Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition, included with the standard edition
That last one is the real value play. Two Rayman platformers for one $40 purchase is hard to argue with.
It’s Tough, but Kind
You can take one hit before dying, so the game is strict. But it’s built to keep you from quitting. Fail repeatedly at one spot and golden hearts become available. If you’re still stuck, the Fairy Blessing puts Rayman in a protective bubble so you can drift past the obstacle. It’s a gentle safety net that doesn’t punish people who just want to see the next area.
The Levels Sound Delightful
The previewer highlighted two hubs:
- Spoiled Rotten: a world of giant vegetables, with trumpets that shrink you to ant size so you can explore the inside of a watermelon
- What the Duck: a world made of sweets and pastries, where a hungry helper named Murphy eats through the scenery. You have to dash through the gaps before the cake walls regrow
There’s also a luchador boss fight with timed attacks and big setpieces.
Who Should Care
If you’ve never played a Rayman game, this looks like an easy and affordable way in. If you’re a Switch 2 owner waiting on a new 3D Mario, it could fill the gap this fall. If you already own the original, the new content and the bonus game are the reasons to consider it.
article by paleshadowgaming
