Developer/Distributor: Ubisoft Released: August 2013

Played on: Wii U (also available on PC, PS3, Vita, 360, PS4, Xbone)

Rayman likes stealing all the 2D platforming titles. While Sonic the Hedgehog has spent 23 years trying to be the King of Speed but forgetting to make that fun – Rayman has delivered on that potential. As Mario’s 2D outings become increasingly homogeneous – Rayman levels remain fresh and inventive. As Donkey Kong becomes renowned for his extremely pretty games – Rayman drops some hand-painted beauty that glows on-screen. Rayman Legends is the most accomplished in the series yet with dozens of fast paced and tightly constructed levels in a gorgeous looking package that is full of surprises.

The premise is familiar, Rayman needs to rescue 10 captured princesses from some baddies while collecting hundreds of cute little fireflies (lums) and unlocking a bunch of other playable characters. This is achieved, of course, by completing a bunch of platforming levels. Rayman might not control as tightly or precisely as Mario, but Legends’ levels are perfectly designed for its running/punching/gliding protagonist. Levels are generously checkpointed and death is frequent, but restarts are instantaneous and lives are infinite. This means Legends’ levels can be challenging without ever becoming overly frustrating, and regular deaths are often met with laughter rather than frustration. It’s just all too adorable.

The gameplay suits powering through levels, except when seeking out the occasional secret room, and repeated level playthroughs are mostly just to collect more lums. While I find myself attempting to 100% most Mario games, I find the collectibles in Rayman a more frustrating undertaking as the game is best played at a strapping pace. In this way, I certainly don’t get as much replay out of Rayman games, but the first playthrough is always a genuine joy.

Rayman Legends’ regular platforming levels are mixed up with some old and new elements that mostly work, adding to the already generous variety of the platforming levels. Completed levels can be “invaded”, challenging the player to a speed-run of the level.

You want me to fight THAT thing??

Boss battles are epic. Between encounters with huge monsters that test your recently honed control skills, or battles that take place across entire levels while piloting aircraft, there are no shortage of “Oh, crap!” moments.

A new element with more mixed results are the “Murfy” levels, where Rayman is turned into a chicken and so Murfy, a frog-fly creature, must help Globox, Rayman’s clumsy bestie, make it through levels full of traps and nasty witches. In these sequences the player takes hold of the Wii U stylus and swipes across the tablet screen to make Murfy activate levers, cut ropes, and incapacitate enemies as Globox clumsily drags his chubby blue body to the right of the screen. At times these levels are fun, a change of pace and a whole new challenge making you anticipate dangers well ahead of time. At other times these levels can get tiresome, especially as the touch screen can feel inaccurate and lacks the responsiveness we’ve been used to from the game thus far. A worthy addition to the game if the levels were skippable, but sadly they are not.

Rayman Legends’ highlight is without a doubt the absolutely thrilling music levels. Familiar tracks like “Black Betty” and a mariachi-style “Eye of the Tiger” have been re-recorded by the Rayman orchestra of goons, and you are pit in an endless-running level where you need to jump and punch in time with the music. It sounds simple and familiar, but is a completely hilarious, satisfying and toe-tappingly fun experience. While I rarely replay the platforming levels, I came back and replayed every one of these music levels, even if I’d perfected them. The perfect blend of audio/visual aesthetics and kinetic gameplay. Electric!

With over 120 levels, 40 from previous title Rayman Origins, Rayman Legends is the best value title in the series yet and certainly an excellent starting point for the curious. You can also play locally with 4 other people, however I lack interested friends, so only played alone. Not sure how well it would play co-operatively, I suspect chaotically!

Is Rayman the contemporary 2D platforming king? Mario should definitely be paying attention!

Verdict: Rayman Legends delivers joyous platforming goodness for the masses. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and new players will be hooked.

Should Bradley play this: Yeah, sure. It’s not really his sort of game, so maybe add it to the Steam wishlist and wait for a sale. But if he’s got a platforming itch he wants to scratch on the PC, this will do the trick!