Rayman Legends Retold
Preview
Welcome, old friend
by William Thompson
previewed on PC
A new era for Rayman begins with some history
Stepping back into the whimsical, hand-drawn universe of Ubisoft's beloved platforming franchise is always a treat, and recently, we at Hooked Gamers were lucky enough to be invited to an exclusive hands-on preview for the upcoming game, Rayman Legends Retold. Held at the Ubisoft offices in Sydney during an immersive three-hour session, we were introduced to several levels that showcased the enhanced visuals and added stages of this ambitious new edition. Positioned as much more than a simple remake of 2013's classic Rayman Legends, Retold also introduces a brand-new level developed specifically for this release, hinting at a comprehensive celebration of the series' enduring legacy.
Playing the game feels remarkably like meeting up with an old friend after a long time away, slipping right back into comfortable rhythms while still discovering exciting new things to talk about. From the moment we jumped back into Mystic Mesa, which serves as the updated name for the Fiesta de los Muertos world from the original game, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia took hold. Gameplay-wise, Retold stays faithful to its roots, ensuring that Rayman runs, jumps, and utilizes his iconic helicopter hover with his limbless body as he attempts to free the trapped Teensies. Most of the levels will immediately feel familiar to returning players, offering plenty of hidden secrets and collectibles tucked away within each beautifully crafted location. The time-based Invaded levels also return to Retold for those looking for some fast speed-running action.
However, Retold successfully breathes fresh life into the formula by introducing several compelling new features and mechanical twists. During our preview session, we were introduced to an expanded segment within Mystic Mesa where Rayman mounts a dragon and takes to the skies, soaring through the bustling town in sequences that transition between partial three-dimensional perspectives and a classic top-down view. This top-down perspective evokes the arcade shooter styling of vintage space shooters like Galaga as you manoeuvre up the screen, blasting fireballs at oncoming enemies and sweeping up Lums. Furthermore, Murfy returns to assist players across many of the stages, whether he is eagerly devouring obstacle courses made of cake-like substances to clear a path or manipulating environmental objects to open up new pathways, weaving a clever puzzle element back into the core platforming action.
Help is on the way
Naturally, even with Murfy's reliable assistance, platforming challenges can occasionally prove daunting, which is where the newly introduced Fairy Blessing mechanic comes into play. Offered to Rayman by Betilla the Fairy, this optional feature can be activated by struggling players to grant temporary invincibility, essentially powering you through particularly difficult sections of a stage. While seasoned veterans might debate whether such a mechanic leans toward being overpowered, it may very well have been included specifically for our preview build to keep the hands-on pacing smooth and enjoyable. Beyond the standard levels, completing each of the game's six core realms teleports players back to a vibrant central hub location where they can spend their hard-earned rewards to purchase more than seventy unique costumes, adding a delightful layer of customisation even if the outfits are purely cosmetic.
Aesthetically, the game maintains the gorgeous, fluid cartoon art style that defined its predecessor for Rayman, his companions, and their cartoonish adversaries, but the backgrounds and environments have been completely overhauled to feature far more lifelike, dynamic scenes. The auditory experience has also received a loving touch-up, particularly in the rhythm-based musical stages that require players to time their movements precisely to an infectious beat. From what we experienced during our hands-on time, established fans of the franchise will relish the opportunity to dive back into this world—especially considering that the bundle also includes Rayman Origins Enhanced. With robust four-player cooperative multiplayer support, Rayman Legends Retold shapes up to be a wonderful vehicle for family gaming nights, letting original fans share their passion with a younger generation, or simply serving as a brilliant excuse for a couch co-op session with friends.
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