Rayman Legends

Okay, so I may have gushed a lot over Rayman Origins, but this? Nah, this is what deserves the gushing, although I would mainly be repeating myself, so I'll try to keep it brief.

Much of the gameplay is what has already been seen in Origins, but the controls are so much better. Not once did I find myself stuck on a wall like I did in Origins, or struggling to just nudge Rayman off a ledge, And someone clearly thought the same thing as me about the inherent rhythm of the last game, because it is back in spades here. The level design is constantly some of the best I've ever seen in a 2D platformer, yet so much more varied than anything seen in Origins. And whoever came up with those musical stages is simply an utter genius.

Story again is really not a focus of this game, but again, what's here is still really funny and endearingly quirky. And the graphics...oh my, the graphics. I don't know how to describe them, but wow. Gorgeous, in a word. There's remastered levels from Origins here, a new local multiplayer mode that is tons of dumb fun, daily and weekly challenges, and all in all, this game is virtually perfect to me.

If there's one little thing I could complain about, it's that I don't find the music all that memorable, especially not when compared to Origins. Even that I'm hesitant to criticise though, because you have no idea how much I played Origins as a child, so that soundtrack is forever embedded in my brain.

But like Origins, this game is criminally slept on, so y'all should get on that right now. Like, now now.

Rayman legends is characteristic of that old-school innocent style a game so simplistic and it just makes you feel happy playing it. Some of the levels are pure insanity and there were countless nooks and crannies to explore I spent so much time trying to 100% this game and I savored every minute of it fantastic energetic music makes gameplay so engaging. The controls are easy to understand and may take a bit of time to get used to but once you do they feel so clean. An amazing game that I feel doesn't get enough love.

The game is really a huge contradiction for me. I haven't seen soo much variety in a game before. Every level is unique and refreshingly different. The worlds are bright, complex, colourful and the music only elevates the game to a different level altogether. All this really can give Mario a run for its money but the game is so frustratingly difficult that even a minuscule mistake such as not curving the left joystick of PS4 remote enough will cause you to play the same level over and over and over!

You life power is almost non-existent. As soon as as your character dies, you have to repeat the level from the beginning or if you are lucky enough, then from the seemingly scarce last-checkpoint. In Mario, at-least you have 3 goes before he hits the dust. In Rayman, you are lucky to have the heart which gives you just one extra hit before your character dies.

The levels, even though they are brilliant and different, if you hit the jump button a minute fraction quicker, this will cost your dearly. Added to this, you cannot long-jump and shoot at the same time making the already difficult game-play ever harder. And the timed-levels, unless you are a wiz, you will end up playing them about 100 times to successfully rescue all the 3 creatures stuck to ticking rockets.

Wish there was an easy mode so we can really enjoy the video game without getting mad at the game and the PS4 remote. Unfortunately, there isn't such an option so you will have to brave through your own tolerance levels if you decide to give this game a go. I mean, I played the final dragon level a 100 times before I could complete it. I don't think I have ever done this in any game before, no matter how difficult the boss battles are.

So, end verdict, even though this game has brilliance level designs and uniqueness, I would recommend everyone to give this a miss, that is unless you want to sit through hours of frustration and sore thumbs and wrists.

'Rayman Legends (2013)' is a 2D platformer featuring Ubisoft's long-standing, limbless hero. It has a wonderfully bright, hand-drawn aesthetic and is suitable for all ages. The gameplay is deceptively simple but incredibly satisfying. It flows together nicely and, especially in the musical levels, gives you a feeling of free-flowing empowerment. There's a lot to do here, with 'daily challenges' providing value far after you've finished the main campaign. That campaign is comprised of several distinct worlds, each of which bring their own enemies, mechanics and locations. Some levels are fairly challenging, too. Just because it looks friendly doesn't mean it isn't serious. It's a hugely enjoyable and charming experience throughout. It's the sort of platformer they don't really make any more. 8/10

I grew up with platforming video games but over the years the magic seemed to take a backseat to gimmicks and graphics, Rayman Legends embraces what came before it and makes for an almost nostalgic journey.

Though Rayman has been around few a fair while and has had a number of games under his belt I've never enjoyed one. I don't know what it was whether it be the character, the universe or the floaty hands combat but I never appreciated it and subsequently never really gave later titles much of a chance. Thanks to the excellent Raving Rabbids however he stayed on my radar and when Rayman Legends came around I gave it a go.

Reminding me of classic 2D platforming titles the game truly has it all. Vast amounts of content from the levels to the characters to the side objectives, it's a game that should you aim for 100% will keep you occupied for likely months.

Furthermore the difficulty is perfectly balanced, it's accessible yet spikes near the end when you're trying to finish all the additional content.

To top it off the game has an array of musical interlude levels and they are perfectly crafted, catchy, near rhythm game territory and I found them the highlight of all the hours I put into this excellent title.

For fans of old school platform this is essential gaming.

The Good:

Vast amounts of content

Very well balanced

Musical levels

The Bad:

Still not keen on the character

Some frustrating elements