Feature
Limbless Luminary
We visited Ubisoft Montpellier to go hands-on with Rayman Legends Retold and learn why this studio’s return to the legendary platformer series is starting with a remake
It’s not easy being a fan of Ubisoft’s various franchises. Save for Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, you aren’t guaranteed anything (and even then, it’s been nearly five years since the last Far Cry). Players are waiting for Beyond Good & Evil 2, a new game starring Sam Fisher, and a Rayman game that isn’t centered on the Rabbids or DLC. I’m sorry to say I have no news on the former two fronts, but Rayman is finally back! Well, kind of – Rayman Legends Retold sees arguably the best Rayman game remade in Ubisoft’s gorgeous Snowdrop engine (also used for The Division, Star Wars Outlaws, and more) with the addition of a new world and villain. So, while not quite a brand-new Rayman adventure, there is at least some new stuff to look forward to in this remake. And having an excuse to play through Legends again isn’t so bad either.
I spent two hours of hands-on time with Retold, playing through the first two worlds, experiencing the new dragon-riding levels alongside some new musical stages, and getting a brief look at the new-but-returning-from-Rayman-Origins Land of the Living Dead world. If my experience is any indication, it’s far from bad. It’s fantastic, actually.