Rating of
4/5
Legends Aren't Born, They're Built
Chris Kavan - wrote on 11/14/15
The Rayman series has proven a balm for people pining for the good-old-days when 2D platforming was king. Much like Rayman Origins, Legends is a 2D platformer with vibrant graphics, fun multiplayer and difficult (but not too difficult) stages. If you have played Rayman in the past, this is more of the same (with a few twists). For anyone coming in - if you like platformers in general, this is a great series and though Ubisoft is often known for their mistakes over their success, Rayman proves that every studio gets things right once in awhile.
Presentation: The color - the music - the Teensies - the game is just a lot of fun with its cartoonish style. The game is pretty much on par with what was delivered in Rayman Origins, but if nothing is broke, don't try to fix it. Rayman does what it does well - and if it's not a revelation in graphics - it doesn't have to be. The music is just as good this time around and the level design, once again, mixes things up. There are a couple of new things to shake things up. Instead of rescuing a princess each level, now girls can join in the fun - viking, vampire, Greek goddess - each level includes a nice aside where you race to the end and, should you succeed, get a whole new character. Sure, other than the design it's the essentially the same, but it's a nice way to unlock them other than a regular boss battle.
There is also a bonus end level in each stage that combines platforming with a kind of rhythm challenge. These levels are fun, not only because much of the music is recognizable (Eye of the Tiger! Black Betty! Woo Hoo! and some original tracks that rock) but because the level design is just a lot of fun. The last stage you unlock presents these levels as 8-bit challenges - not only is the music remixed but the levels become increasingly difficult (overly-pixelated, CRT-like screens, even static that takes over the screen). For those who like a challenge (but still wants to have fun) those stages take the cake without making you want to rage-quit.
Story: Something about being asleep for too long, unleashing too many nightmares and once again having to save the Teensies (and princesses) while sending the dark Magician (who has now been split into several parts) out of this world. Eh, the story is kind of left up in the air without much extrapolation given.
Gameplay: Super fun visuals make this a 2D platformer with a lot going for it. Again, not much has changed from Origins - you pick your character, run, jump, smash and the like - friendly fire is open, you don't die so much as bubble - as long as one player remains, you can continue. The game does mix things up - water levels where you swim, boss battles, a few powerups and, should you choose, the challenge levels where you have to finish in a set amount of time (the hardest ones feature a Dark Rayman who will destroy you). These levels are the most challenging yet, overall, the game isn't nearly as aggravating as the super difficult levels in Origins. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on how much of a Masochist you are - as it stands, I though this was much more balanced (and a bit more fun) than Origins.
Replayability: Other than the challenges that pop up, once you're done, you're done. You could go back and make sure you get every trophy (for getting enough Lumens) and make sure you find all those little Teensies, but really there's not much to go back to once you beat each level.
Overall: If you like difficult (but not too difficult) platformers - it's a win. If you like previous Rayman games, it's a win. If you like fun multiplayer - it's a win. Other than a lack of proper story and lack of replayability, you should have a lot of fun with this one.
Presentation: 4/5
Story: 2/5
Gameplay: 5/5
Replayability: 3/5
Overall (not an average): 4/5
