Rayman Legends

Rayman Legends stands as a vibrant and critically acclaimed 2D platformer, a testament to the creativity and artistic flair of its developer, Ubisoft Montpellier. Released in 2013, it is the fifth main installment in the Rayman series and a direct sequel to the 2011 title, *Rayman Origins*. Building upon the successful formula of its predecessor, *Rayman Legends* introduces a wealth of new content, refined gameplay mechanics, and a stunning visual presentation that garnered widespread praise. The game's narrative begins with Rayman, Globox, and the Teensies taking a century-long nap. During their slumber, nightmares have infested the Glade of Dreams, capturing the Teensies and plunging the world into chaos. Awakened by their friend Murfy, the heroes embark on a quest to rescue the captive Teensies and restore peace. The story unfolds across a series of mythical and enchanting worlds, accessible through a gallery of captivating paintings. Players traverse diverse environments, from the whimsical "Teensies in Trouble" to the treacherous "20,000 Lums Under the Sea" and the festive "Fiesta de los Muertos". The gameplay in *Rayman Legends* is an evolution of the fast-paced, fluid platforming introduced in *Rayman Origins*. Up to four players can join in cooperative play, navigating through meticulously designed levels filled with secrets and collectibles. The primary objective in each stage is to free captured Teensies, which in turn unlocks new worlds and levels. The game features a roster of playable characters, including the titular Rayman, the ever-enthusiastic Globox, and a host of unlockable Teensie characters. A notable addition to the lineup is Barbara the Barbarian Princess and her relatives, who become playable after being rescued. One of the most lauded features of *Rayman Legends* is its series of musical levels. These rhythm-based stages are set to energetic covers of popular songs like "Black Betty" and "Eye of the Tiger," where players must jump, punch, and slide in sync with the music to progress. This innovative blend of platforming and rhythm gameplay creates a uniquely exhilarating experience. Another significant gameplay element is the introduction of Murfy, a greenbottle fly who assists the player in certain levels. In the Wii U, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4 versions, a second player can directly control Murfy using the respective touch screens or touchpad to manipulate the environment, cut ropes, and distract enemies. In other versions, Murfy's actions are context-sensitive and controlled by a single button press. The game is packed with a substantial amount of content, boasting over 120 levels. This includes 40 remastered levels from *Rayman Origins*, which can be unlocked by collecting Lucky Tickets. These tickets also provide opportunities to win Lums and additional Teensies. Many levels also feature challenging "Invaded" versions, which require players to complete them as quickly as possible. Daily and weekly online challenges further extend the game's longevity, allowing players to compete against each other for high scores on leaderboards. The development of *Rayman Legends* was notable for its initial exclusivity to the Nintendo Wii U. The game was designed to take advantage of the Wii U GamePad's unique features, particularly for the cooperative gameplay involving Murfy. However, due to the Wii U's commercial struggles, Ubisoft made the decision to delay the game's release and develop it for multiple platforms, including the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. This delay, while frustrating for Wii U owners at the time, allowed the development team to polish the game further and add more content. The game was later released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with enhanced graphics and reduced loading times. A "Definitive Edition" was subsequently released for the Nintendo Switch, incorporating touch screen controls for Murfy in handheld mode. Upon its release, *Rayman Legends* received widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers lauded its stunning visuals, powered by the UbiArt Framework engine, which gives the game a hand-drawn, painterly aesthetic. The level design was frequently praised for its creativity, variety, and seamless flow. The controls were noted for their responsiveness, and the soundtrack was celebrated for its energetic and catchy tunes. The sheer amount of content and the enjoyable cooperative multiplayer were also highlighted as major strengths. The game garnered high scores from numerous publications, with many critics considering it one of the best 2D platformers ever made. While it experienced a slow start in terms of sales, it eventually sold over a million copies by 2014.