Ubisoft have
once again created a silly and fun side-scrolling platformer and is well worth
a look.
Playing any new
Rayman game will leave me with a sense of nostalgia, and the latest in the
franchise has followed the same path.
With our favourite limbless hero leading the way we are taken on
exciting and intense new levels.
Rescuing
Teensies has never felt so fast paced, even if you don’t get it right the first
time. Levels are visually stunning, and
can even be somewhat distracting, mainly during the timed and speed based areas. Because of this, it can become difficult distinguishing
between hazards and safe areas.
Each of the
world’s Rayman must rescue from nightmares have their own unique style or theme
which is carried throughout their levels, i.e.: underwater or food. Otherwise, each world follows the same basic
formula of; some platforming levels, speed levels and then a music level.
The musical
levels have been somewhat of a disappointment.
The first level available was amazing; a well-known song with a quick
beat coupled with platforming, it seemed to go hand in hand. Regrettably, the other music levels where
not-so good; poor syncing to the beat caused many a death and frustration.
Rayman
Legends boasts epic 3D boss battles, which are only 3D in comparison to the
characters, and don’t add much of anything to the game. These battles are a lot of fun though and can
even be quite difficult, but with no limit on retries and plenty of checkpoints
they are easily beatable. The difficulty
comes into play when rescuing the two princesses in each world and the online
challenge mode.
Online
challenges are quite enjoyable, with two new challenges every day (normal and
extreme) and another two that are changed weekly (again, normal and extreme)
there will be something new every time you play. These levels can feel like rehashes of
campaign missions, but with added twists and the ability to compete and compare
your score with others it is easy to see people spending copious amounts of
time vying for the top spot. At the end
of the day you are even rewarded with Lums for your effort.
Rescuing a
princess involves entering a painting, like any other level, and freeing all
three Teensies. It doesn’t sound too
hard, but some levels are pure hell.
Each jump needs to be timed perfectly and executed as one wrong move
means instant death. Checkpoints are
less liberally placed, and there are even a few levels that have to be
completed in one attempt, as there are none at all. If you have the patience this can be fun, but
repeating one level over and over can be quite frustrating for anyone else.

It is a
shame the effort that is put into saving a princess has such little
payoff. Each world’s princesses are twins,
meaning that saving the second sister, which is more difficult, is saving a
skin for the first. Even different sets
of sisters feel the same as the last, as the only difference is how they glide
or their weapons.
There are
many other unlocks in Rayman Legends to be had, including the entirety of
Rayman Origins (wow!) and creatures that gift you extra Lums once per day. Unlocks are
obtained with the use of a ‘Lucky Card’ (received after missions or world
completion) and require being scratched for the reward.
If you are
feeling like you need to save a princess or jump back into a side scroller for
some nostalgia; Rayman legends has copious amounts of unlocks, Teensies and Princesses
to save, daily rewards and, best of all, it comes with a free copy of Rayman Origins. Ubisoft have once again proven themselves
with an incredibly fun platformer that anyone can enjoy.
FINAL ROUND RATING - 8/10
- Steff Webb