Support NeoGAF

[El Odio]

I decided to give in and picked this up back on launch day and after getting about halfway through the game I gotta say that despite being Origins 2.0 something about this game feels much better. The levels seem better designed, the progression is much more free and the art and music both seem like a step up. I really like how lums actually matter this time around and you aren't forced as much to collect them all in order to get a gold on each level, one of my biggest annoyances with Origins. Really diggin the music stages too.

 

[Peterthumpa]

After playing all paintings on the first two levels, I must say I am disappointed by a few things in this game compared to Origins:

- Lack of a proper time trial mode on levels like the first game. This made the game SO much more fun, and gave the levels more re-playability. I really hope they add this in as DLC or a future update. The invasion levels don't cut it.
- Graphically this seems like a step down. I understand they made the jump to 3D, but the sprites in the first game looked and felt like moving paintings. The Legends characters look and move like CG characters, which takes away a bit of the charm.
- I miss the flying levels. I understand the point of the new level types (a la floating with being able to shoot your punches), but it really is not the same fun for my wife and I.
- I wish there was one more type of character model that was new besides Barbara.

Couldn't disagree more with this. The characters now are better shaded, but far, far, far from looking like CG models. I'm tempted to say that they're one of the best 2D characters around in any media, be it videogames, cartoons or anything else.

 

[John Harker]

So has the Wii U version been easier to find in stores than Blacklist? A lot of people said that their local GameStops only had one copy (if any) of the Wii U version of Splinter Cell.

Rayman is doing much better than Blacklist on Wii U from what I hear

 

[Jaded Alyx]

Rayman is doing much better than Blacklist on Wii U from what I hear

That was my assumption based on a few things.

 

[llamarawk]

Honestly, playing the "Murphy" levels as either Murphy OR Rayman isn't ideal. Those levels were made for co-op Wii U play, and both single-player solutions (computer-controlled Rayman or button-opperated Murphy) compromise the experience terribly. Played with two players (or more I guess), that What The Duck level is revelatory.

No one can be blamed for wanting to play the game single-player -- especially with no online play option. But trust me, if you have the Wii U version, you want to do everything you can to find a co-op partner and play it that way. That is the experience the game was designed for... the single-player mode is a thoughtful and largely polished rejiggering of that design, but it definitely loses something.

I've been enjoying playing Murphy as single player. Obviously, it's more fun for couch coop but i think the balance between single player and coop fun is better here than in NSMBU.

 

[Major Williams]

Couldn't disagree more with this. The characters now are better shaded, but far, far, far from looking like CG models. I'm tempted to say that they're one of the best 2D characters around in any media, be it videogames, cartoons or anything else.

The dragon boss of the first level compared to all of the bosses of Origins. It just feels cheap and looks like a PS2 character.

 

[Dorimukyasuto]

Just got my Vita copy in the mail.
About time, Amazon.

Time to play.

 

[exmachina64]

Couldn't disagree more with this. The characters now are better shaded, but far, far, far from looking like CG models. I'm tempted to say that they're one of the best 2D characters around in any media, be it videogames, cartoons or anything else.

.

 

[borghe]

I've been enjoying playing Murphy as single player. Obviously, it's more fun for couch coop but i think the balance between single player and coop fun is better here than in NSMBU.

I would say Murf co-op is comparable to NSMBU when using boost mode (i.e. one person controlling mario, second providing boost mode). But true co-op? Oh shit yeah.. Rayman wins hands down.

Kind of give and take in that regard. You can play EVERY NSMBU level in Boost co-op.. but you can only play Murf levels in Rayman Legends co-op like that.

But yeah, for just plain jane old co-op.. Rayman 100 times over.

edit - and what's this shit about graphics being lesser than Origins? what the shit???

No. Greatest hand drawn game of all time? GREATEST hand drawn game of all time.

 

[Dr.Hadji]

Beat the game. Totaled about 460 some odd Lums. Some thoughts.

- The heavy scripting of platform sequences (Music levels, chases, and normal levels) leads to some top tier gaming the first time through.
- The awesome feels from all that scripting takes a dive on repeat play-throughs of the levels.
- Swimming is some of the best out there and are the best controls in the game. Analog stick swimming severs as a perfect contrast to Mario's staccato Balloon Fight swimming.
- Only the Invaded levels have obstacles tough enough to make your swimming control shine.
-Invaded levels >>>> Rayman Time Trails. Origins levels really didn't provide for very interesting time trails, thanks mostly to previously mentioned scripting.
- Murfy's mechanics never become any more complex than what you see in the first levels. Hitting its low with guacamole platforms. Hitting its high on the last world on almost a purely wall running level (perhaps my favorite level in the game).
- Still have the best bonus stages in platforming.
- Already complained about Co-op
- In a surprising twist. I though the music implementation in normal levels to be more moving than when the music was used in the Music Rhythm stages.

Over all, I was pretty impressed. Rayman's base platfoming style isn't my favorite. But Legends seems to be about a good as you can make it for me.

 

[Tizoc]

For those that Platinum'ed Rayman Origins....see I've been trying to Platinum it, but had to make a new save since my original one got deleted somehow.
As I play the stages, I am really ticked off whenever I complete them without getting Enough Lums for the Ribbon; how would you say is Lum collecting in this game feels like? Do you find it more easier and not as irritating as in Origins?
I have actually started playing and beat the first 2 levels, which I have thoroughly enjoyed BTW.

 

[Frumix]

For those that Platinum'ed Rayman Origins....see I've been trying to Platinum it, but had to make a new save since my original one got deleted somehow.
As I play the stages, I am really ticked off whenever I complete them without getting Enough Lums for the Ribbon; how would you say is Lum collecting in this game feels like? Do you find it more easier and not as irritating as in Origins?
I have actually started playing and beat the first 2 levels, which I have thoroughly enjoyed BTW.

Reaching lum pars in Legends is MUCH easier due to their placement and Teensies just giving you free 250 lums.

 

[Dr.Hadji]

For those that Platinum'ed Rayman Origins....see I've been trying to Platinum it, but had to make a new save since my original one got deleted somehow.
As I play the stages, I am really ticked off whenever I complete them without getting Enough Lums for the Ribbon; how would you say is Lum collecting in this game feels like? Do you find it more easier and not as irritating as in Origins?
I have actually started playing and beat the first 2 levels, which I have thoroughly enjoyed BTW.

Oh its definitely easier. You can get enough Lums for your gold trophy on your first go through on levels pretty easily. Its not uncommon to finish levels with an excess of 50-100 Lums over what is needed for gold.

 

[Tizoc]

Thanks guys, that's a relief haha.
Well I'll still aim for Platinuming Rayman Origins, but I'll go about it by completing one world a day =P

 

[Lima]

Reaching lum pars in Legends is MUCH easier due to their placement and Teensies just giving you free 250 lums.

25 not 250.

 

[VanWinkle]

This game...it's just SO DARN GOOD. I love it so much.

 

[JonathanEx]

25 not 250.

I presume 250 was a figure for if you get all 10? Not that you always do, of course.

 

[Redhood]

For those that Platinum'ed Rayman Origins....see I've been trying to Platinum it, but had to make a new save since my original one got deleted somehow.
As I play the stages, I am really ticked off whenever I complete them without getting Enough Lums for the Ribbon; how would you say is Lum collecting in this game feels like? Do you find it more easier and not as irritating as in Origins?
I have actually started playing and beat the first 2 levels, which I have thoroughly enjoyed BTW.

U do not require the ribbon to platinum origins
Just complete the medals aka 300 lums and speed trophies

 

[Tizoc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grLjeSPn7x4
I can't get enough of Castle Rock, what do the 'words' they say sound to you guys?

 

[Lima]

I presume 250 was a figure for if you get all 10? Not that you always do, of course.

Ah okay yeah. 25 per Tensie, 250 if you get them all in the stage (which you have to do anyway) so yeah you would be correct. Sorry my mistake.

 

[Tizoc]

U do not require the ribbon to platinum origins
Just complete the medals aka 300 lums and speed trophies

You just blew my fucking mind and saved me a lot of time, all this means now is the Time Trials. Thanks a lot mate!

 

[RaikuHebi]

Haha, yeah, no repeated consoles! Not much of a choice in that, though. Hah. Thanks.

I still play them, too. I started replaying them over the last few months. They still hold up so darn well...and Rayman 1 is still one of the hardest games I've ever played...and I love it. Though I never have finished it, despite owning three versions (PS1, PC, PSN)..

Rayman was my 2nd ever console game after Crash Bandicoot. I'm exactly like you on the completion front, as you say so very, very hard. One day maybe. It's the damn lives and continues system that gets ya! Might have to resort to save states on an emulator.

I've never played 2 or 3, though I understand they were right up there in quality so they're on my "to-play" list for sure.

In a surprising twist. I though the music implementation in normal levels to be more moving than when the music was used in the Music Rhythm stages.

Most definitely, some of the songs are so beautiful they tug at my heartstrings, just like Origins. It's what you expect from MGS or Uncharted, but a pleasant surprise in a platformer.

 

[JonCha]

Tried 1080p on my PC, but the game goes suuuuuper slow. Music outpacing movement for cutscenes, that kinda thing.

Any way I can get it work or have I just got to stay with 720p?

 

[JacksUsername]

Despite trying to hold off, I caved and picked this up on the Wii U today, which means I'll most likely pass on Donkey Kong when it comes out. So far, I feel like I made a good choice. Really enjoying it and the Murphy levels aren't bothering me as much as I thought they might. For some reason when I played the demo or challenge app, I never got quite got the hang of it, especially the parts where you had to twist the GamePad, but for whatever reason, when I was playing today, it just clicked and I was having a ball. After watching the Quick Look on Giant Bomb, I'm glad I went with Wii U since pressing B to trigger the Murphy interactivity looks like it slows things down even more.

 

[Papercuts]

20,000 lums under the sea was an amazing world. Damn.

 

[TripOpt55]

20,000 lums under the sea was an amazing world. Damn.

So cool. I'd play a stealth-action platformer starring Ursula! The music in this world was really awesome too.

 

[KDash31987]

You're gonna have a great time since you already have an appreciation for the Murphy levels. They are some of the best designed uses of the Gamepad I have seen yet, and show what clever designers can do to make asymmetrical multiplayer something truly special. I freaking love this game, and hope that we see more stuff like this out of anyone at this point.

I already knew I would. Hah. As soon as I played the demo on that GameStop kiosk almost a year ago, it all just instantly clicked with me. The Wii U, and the game. I knew I'd love both, and I do.
I just played it for a little while before dinner, and I had a great time. I couldn't get my brother to join me, though. Heh. But, yeah, this is a great game to show off what's different with the Wii U compared to other consoles.

Rayman was my 2nd ever console game after Crash Bandicoot. I'm exactly like you on the completion front, as you say so very, very hard. One day maybe. It's the damn lives and continues system that gets ya! Might have to resort to save states on an emulator.

I've never played 2 or 3, though I understand they were right up there in quality so they're on my "to-play" list for sure.

Definitely play them. They're great.

Anyway, there's a 99 lives cheat you can do in the original. You basically need it to stand any chance of beating the game at all, unless you're incredibly good at it. It's the only reason I ever got any far in the game...and I've had to use it twice already! And that's only recently, after years of experience with the game.

Here it is, by the way:

With the the game paused, hold in the following order L2, R1, L1, R2 and release in the order L1, L2, R2, R1. Then press and release Circle. Then hold in the following order Left, Circle, Square, Triangle and release in the order Left, Triangle, Square, Circle. Your lives should increase to 99 and health to full.

Pause the game, then press and hold L2, R1, L1 and R2 in that order. Then release them in the order L1, L2, R2, R1. Then press and release triangle, then press and hold right, circle, square, x in that order, then release in the order right, x, square, circle. The game will unpause and you'll have 99 lives and full health.

 

[TheFLYINGManga_Ka]

Got it! Loving it! Should I play my Origins copy first before diving in (and not looking back) with Legends?

 

[NIN90]

The Living Dead levels just being the musical levels with slight alterations is kind of a bitch move.

 

[Tanner1495]

Picking up this game when I go pick up GTA V in 11 days, probably a bad decision but I can not resist Rayman

 

[Spades]

I have the 360 and Wii U version - which does GAF recommend I play?

 

[TentPole]

I have the 360 and Wii U version - which does GAF recommend I play?

I am playing on Wii U and adore the Murphy levels. They provide fantastic diversity and I am super glad I got one of the touchscreen versions. That being said I think more people seem to be complaining about them.

 

[Grisby]

Well, I unlocked the Living Dead world and I'm working my way though the Origins stuff. The Invaded levels are where it's at man. A lot of Legends definitely feels easier than Origins but I'm still having so much fun.

Ancel's been 2 for 2 on this.

20,000 lums under the sea was an amazing world. Damn.

Yeah, and it was even neater because I've been playing a lot of Blacklist lately.

 

[rockmanjoe]

LMFAO that level with the Ocean's Twelve reference, even the music matches. Of all movie references I didn't expect that one!

The T2 reference was funny and out of nowhere too.

LOVE this game.

 

[TripOpt55]

I beat it tonight, but have a ton left to do. I loved it and like it a bit more than Origins I'd say right now (this could change... maybe I have a bit of the new game buzz going). I do think it could have been more challenging. Its rather easy to get 600 lums and all the teensies on your first try in a lot of them. And the lack of Time Trials for levels is a little lame. Having to go back to levels to get the best lum count and do time trials made it feel like you were really mastering levels in Origins which I liked. The Invaded levels are cool though and the challenges are a lot of fun too. The Living Dead Party is kind of disappointing. I wish we got a true next rendition of Land of the Livid Dead from Origins. And I guess I would have liked less Murphy levels and more regular Rayman ones, but I will say some of the Murphy ones were really cool, so I can't complain too much.

I loved pretty much everything else. The platforming is still great. The graphics are beautiful. The music, the level themes, the new music levels, the new characters. My favorite of the princesses were probably Ursula, Olympia and Barbara. Such cool looking characters. My runner-up for GotY for the moment. Excited to keep digging in this week. Still got a lot of stuff to finish. I only have 400-some teensies so far.

 

[MegaKungFuRadio]

I was pretty excited when I found out what all the levels in the final painting where until I got to the third level and was forced to stare at static. Still, this may be my game of the year so far...

 

[PaulloDEC]

I was pretty excited when I found out what all the levels in the final painting where until I got to the third level and was forced to stare at static. Still, this may be my game of the year so far...

No kidding. The fish-eye lens on Castle Rock I could handle, but having the picture breaking into static every few seconds was messing with my eyes. I guess the idea is to force you to play on rhythm and memory alone, but damn, pretty harsh.

 

[MegaKungFuRadio]

No kidding. The fish-eye lens on Castle Rock I could handle, but having the picture breaking into static every few seconds was messing with my eyes. I guess the idea is to force you to play on rhythm and memory alone, but damn, pretty harsh.

Yeah, I can get behind the concept of highlighting the rhythm aspect of those levels, but the execution is downright unpleasant.

 

[Lijik]

I was pretty excited when I found out what all the levels in the final painting where until I got to the third level and was forced to stare at static. Still, this may be my game of the year so far...

I liked that one because it was really easy to play to the rhythm and the static quickly becomes a jump cue.
The ones where they make it all garbled and pixelly are the fucking worst

 

[JonathanEx]

The trick is that the static only hits fully at the moment you need to be doing something. So yeah it's a pain in the arse and you need to think ahead more, but when it clicks, it clicks well.

 

[PaulloDEC]

I liked that one because it was really easy to play to the rhythm and the static quickly becomes a jump cue.
The ones where they make it all garbled and pixelly are the fucking worst

Crap, haven't even got to those yet. I'm getting the feeling that 100% on this game just ain't gonna happen for me.

 

[Yoshi]

I have the 360 and Wii U version - which does GAF recommend I play?

I am happy I did it this way: Complete Wii U version, then just play the Murfy levels on 360 (and some additional levels so that all of them unlock). First play everything the way it's meant, then play what's left out of the Wii U version. Of and remember to play coop on Wii U, too!

 

[DICKS AHOY]

Just 100%'d this game this morning, after powering through it while working through a ton of IRL shit.

While I'm not sure how I'd rank against Origins since they both do things blatantly better than the other, it was still an absolutely brilliant experience. Really looking forward to getting a chance to get some 5-player action going on soon, I noticed with the demo a few people who found Origins too hard felt the Murfy gameplay made the game way more accessible for them.

Also while I got it on Wii U anyways (though I'm tempted to get the Vita version when I pick up one up), I'm glad it went multiplatform. Let's more people enjoy the game and stuff like the redrawn Origins stages and especially the Invasion stages which came about after the delay really give Legends that extra edge. Only thing I really object to at this point is how it was delayed behind Ancel and the dev team's backs, but hopefully this game sells a lot better to make that a mute point.

Spoiler

Could really go for a proper 3D Rayman 4 by Ancel soon though...

 

[Tizoc]

Beat the 2nd world and am having a blast.
Apparently PS3 has sold 30,000 copies at least combined (digita+retail), but hopefully more people will have bought it come X-mas =p

I missed a Queen in one the floating castle stage, so will save her, and finish up the 3rd world..

 

[the_batman]

i thought people were exaggerating when they complained about the final world's levels.. jesus who thought that would be a good idea? it's not even fun. if there were checkpoints it would at least be tolerable.

 

[RaikuHebi]

The final world is very Kojima-esque isn't it.

 

[timetokill]

I don't understand why people are so disappointed in this game. I did the 1st world levels yesterday with my girlfriend with me controlling Murfy on the Wii U Gamepad when necessary and we had a lot of fun. Was funny to see her die because of some mistake i did while cutting ropes or moving spiky platforms at the wrong time. Lots of laughs. This game was made to be played with others, so i guess most of the people who are disappointed are playing alone.

Pretty much. If you have somebody else to play with there's absolutely no question the Wii U is the way to go. It's clear it was the experience the game was designed for.

Here's a post from Mike ("Gabe") on Penny Arcade about it:

I’ve been playing a ton of Rayman Legends on the Wii U for the last two days. This game is fucking incredible. The way it uses the Wii U gamepad is nothing short of genius. I’ve been playing it with my wife, me taking on the platforming while she handles the touch controls on the gamepad. If you played the demo you know that the person on the gamepad can do cool stuff like cut ropes to lower platforms or stamp out fireballs before they reach you.

I had no idea just how many incredible mechanics they put on the gamepad though. We just played a series of levels that had her carving out paths and tunnels “Where’s My Water” style that I then had to run through. She had to divert a pool of lava with one tunnel while carving out a path for me to get past it. A later level has a lantern that casts light all around the level. If I’m hit by the light I get zapped with a laser. She has to pick up the lantern with the stylus and move the lantern around as I run and jump through the level. I’ve honestly never played anything like this. The way it forces you to work together is fucking inspired.

If you play it on another system I’m sure it’s a cool game but when you play it on the Wii U you get something truly new and incredibly special.

Rayman Legends is a reason to get a Wii U.

 

[Wok]

I liked that one because it was really easy to play to the rhythm and the static quickly becomes a jump cue.

The static screen often comes after I jump, so it is not a cue, it is more a little annoyance.

The ones where they make it all garbled and pixelly are the fucking worst

Just an illustration of your comment:

I have a screenshot of every visual effect on the last level.

 

[iMerc]

fantastic game. playing through this and SC:Blacklist atm.
do we have sales figures yet?
be interesting to see which system this sold the most on.

 

[Irminsul]

Just an illustration of your comment:

I have a screenshot of every visual effect on the last level.

Da fuck... I already thought "what can be so bad about a little bit of pixelation?"

That looks horrible.