Rayman Legends Retold is an unexpected reboot. This ground-up reimagining of the original Rayman Legends takes the platformer DNA of its predecessor and reworks its visuals entirely, for another bite at a familiar apple.
Rayman Legends remains a very good Rayman game, with a flashy 2D style that brims with personality. Retold reworks this with more dynamic, layered 3D visuals, adding depth to its world and characters.
Those familiar with the original may find the changes odd or surprising, but it’s not necessarily worse for being different. Here, you’ll find the same moreish, bouncy platformer gameplay, with new visual touches, and an array of added levels.
This is simply a chance to revisit the world of Rayman, play around with its brightest ideas, and allow newer players into the fold. It has been over a decade since the last original Rayman game (discounting the Mario + Rabbids franchise).
There’s an entire generation of gamers out there who might not even know who Rayman is, or the importance of his legacy as one of the first big icons of gaming.
Rayman Legends Untold hands-on – quick links
Rayman Legends Untold presents new visual flourishes
Where its predecessor was crafted with a colourful, illustrative touch, Rayman Legends Untold presents an entirely 3D world with plenty popping on screen. Rather than roaming through what feels like a storybook world, Untold is more of a dark fantasy film, complete with horrifying, slimy monsters that come alive as you attempt to pass.
There are new textures to familiar creatures, with skeletons, goblins, and disembodied clawed arms creeping and oozing through this world. It has the impact of making the game’s many levels feel a bit more mature, even with the bright humour retained.
The new 3D style also has the benefit of making certain challenges clearer, with the layers between the foreground and background more easily parsed. It does add a certain busyness and excitement to scenes, but not so much that the game is overwhelming.
It’s simply louder and bouncier than its predecessor, with more encouragement to really lock in, and prepare to complete every challenge.
Those unfamiliar will love the cool, breezy platformer action
What’s also worth noting is there’ll be a generation of game players who’ll enjoy this action-platformer without reference to its origins. With more than a decade past since the original Rayman Legends, there’ll plenty of newer gaming fans who’ve likely never played this game, or any other Rayman game before.
That approach lets Rayman Legends Retold shine as a fresher experience, with a novelty that returning players won’t get. Having zero knowledge means you can appreciate Untold for what it is: a strong platformer with the right balance of challenge, and plenty of opportunities for exploration and challenging yourself.
There’s a reason why Rayman Legends has endured throughout the years. It has a timeless and bright-eyed approach to adventure-platforming, with a streamlined traversal system, creative worlds, and an endearing cast to hold it together.
Untold maintains this core throughout its many lush levels.
Sure, you now get more layers to its many floral terrains. Water rushing past is dramatic and dynamic. Enemies have more little pustules, and gangly, hairy arms. These details simply paint a lusher picture of a world worth exploring, filled with all sorts of collectibles to find, and challenging levels to conquer.
The Rayman world is unique. It leans a bit into fantasy, and a bit into horror, with its maturity and tone inviting players of all ages to take something from it. Retold invites a new audience to experience everything the original game offered, with new twists, and some new arrivals.
New levels may further convince returning players
For those less sure of what Rayman Legends Retold offers them, it’s worth noting this reimagining includes new connective levels that add a fresh touch, as well as its visual overhaul.
Between realms, you’ll be using friendly dragons to cross lava mountains, lazy rivers, and castles, using fire-breathing (and farting) mechanics to avoid obstacles and save all your Teensie friends. These new levels are short but very sweet, and help to buoy Retold as a new chapter of a familiar story.
No doubt, there will be some Rayman fans who begrudge this game as a Rayman remake that treads familiar ground, rather than pushing the franchise forward. But if it’s understood for what it is – a stepping stone for less familiar players – then it’s likely Retold will be better appreciated.
Should this game reach its intended audience, it could very well push Rayman back to prominence, giving the gaming star a new lease on life, and a new chance to reclaim his throne.
So far, Rayman Legends Retold is shaping up to be an excellent new starting point for the Rayman franchise, and there are high hopes for what it may do for the hero in future.
