In an age where video games are becoming more gritty and realistic, hardly anyone would have guessed that what may be one of the year’s best games would be absolutely nothing like that.
Developed by revered game developer Michel Ancel’s UbiArt team, “Rayman Legends” is a vibrant splash of color and life that feels vital in today’s gaming landscape. Its fast paced platforming challenges, bizarre worlds, characters and all-too loveable sense of humor makes it a clear stand-out amongst the competition. Yet what makes it so great is just how much fun is packed into every crevice of the game.
“Rayman Legends” is the sequel to 2011’s widely acclaimed “Rayman Origins,” which attempted to revive the dormant Rayman platforming series after almost a decade (not counting the “Raving Rabbids” games, which have taken a life of their own). With its hand drawn cartoon style and wildly creative personality, “Rayman Origins” breathed new life into not just the Rayman series, but platformers in general, proving that they still had a place in today’s maturing game world.
“Origins” was a fantastic game in its own right, and on the surface, “Legends” wouldn’t seem much different. You’re still running, jumping on platforms, pummeling enemies, utilizing the same abilities, and playing many of the same characters.
Yet “Legends” is far from a carbon copy, as nearly every detail of “Origins,” from gameplay to artwork to overall scope, has been drastically refined. It trumps the original in almost every way, making it perhaps the ultimate “Rayman” experience.
One of the first things noticeable about “Legends” is its serious graphic leap. Where “Origins” looked strictly two-dimensional and cartoony, “Legends” sports a smoother, more rounded graphical presentation that blends 2D characters and levels with dramatic 3D backgrounds and environments. The game just has this brighter, more colorful radiance to it that will often leave you breathless as you run through new levels.
The story of “Legends” is not entirely nonexistent, but it barely factors into the overall experience. Basically, some evil entity has invaded the Glade of Dreams, captured a bunch of creatures called Teensies, and filled the Glade with nightmares.
Not too engaging, I know, but just like nearly every Mario game, the insanely fun gameplay makes up for the lack of story. For the most part, “Legends” operates as a platformer in the purest of the sense of the word. The objective of almost every level is simply to get to the end of the level while collecting teensies and lums (used as currency). You essentially stick with the same abilities throughout the whole game. The developers certainly tightened the screws as far as controls go. “Legends” feels far less floaty than “Origins,” but the principles are similar.
However, the way that “Legends” plays with the platforming formula is mindbending, which is perhaps its greatest upgrade. The variety of challenges packed into “Legends” is incredibly surprising. Some are just straightforward platformers, but others require you to alter the level clear paths and reveal secrets, run through levels as quickly as possible, synchronize your actions to music, and even utilize stealth. It feels like you’re never doing the same thing more than once, all without straying from the platformer mold.
Various other changes enhance the experience in subtler ways. “Legends” has a much greater focus on boss battles this time around, as each world concludes with an epic showdown with a giant enemy. There are also lucky tickets that you can win by beating levels, which allow you to win more lums, teensies, monsters that give you money, and even levels from “Origins.”
The biggest changes, however, are most apparent on the Wii U version of “Legends,” which was initially supposed to be the only version until it was delayed (and the version I played). This is due to how the Wii U’s touch screen gamepad is integrated into the experience, as it allows you to interact with each level with the character Murphy. This includes stunning enemies, clearing obstacles, turning gears and many other ways.
This might seem more like a hassle (especially when by yourself), but the gamepad mechanics, as well as the character AI, are surprisingly dependable and functional. I rarely had a problem completing tasks due to technical difficulties. Each world also varies up the tasks that need to be completed using the gamepad as well, keeping things from getting redundant throughout.
I would suggest trying this with a friend, however, because “Rayman” makes for a surprisingly fun multiplayer experience. Having one person on the Wii U gamepad while you’re running through the level can be incredibly helpful, and while having four characters on a screen at once can seem hectic, it actually helps liven up the game even more than it already was. That and the game’s forgiving nature makes dying multiple times not so strenuous when playing with others.
What makes “Rayman Legends” feel like such an achievement, however, is just the overall presentation of everything. Each level is full of quirky, humorous little details that bring about a charm and personality like no other major console game out there. It’s almost impossible not to smile while playing it.
But it takes watching the game in action to truly understand the art behind it. Being as fast-paced as it is, “Legends” might not be the most challenging platformer out there, but the way levels flow so smoothly and beautifully as you charge through them makes each world feel like a painting or an orchestra, with each detail coming together so soundly it feels profound. It’s hard not to want to stand up and yell “Bravo!” after watching Rayman platforming in full synchronization to a string quartet.
It might be tempting to pass up “Rayman Legends” this fall, what with all of the new games and consoles that will be making a huge splash, but don’t let its quirky, cartoony disposition throw you off. “Rayman Legends” is an absolute monster of a gaming experience that any casual or hardcore gamer will love, and I doubt you’d find another game that celebrates unadulterated fun the way Rayman does.
IMAGE TAKEN from bigredbarrel.com
