Rayman Legends was one of the first things I ever wrote a review for. It was the first video game I reviewed, back when I wrote fifty gazillion page reviews for my school newspaper. It was a very positive review (I think I ended up giving it a nine out of ten) but since replaying the game, my opinion has changed. I no longer think Rayman Legends is a very good game. I think Rayman Legends is a meticulous masterpiece, the perfectionist's platforming dream and a stunning artistic achievement.
My favourite video game genre is the platformer. I love games of most genres, but the platformer was where I truly developed my attachment to gaming. For the most part, my platforming experience was limited to Mario games, especially the New Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Galaxy series. Naturally, I delved back in time and played the classics (my favourite of which being Super Mario Bros. 3) as well as branched out into other franchises, such as Sonic and Donkey Kong. Eventually, however, I came across Rayman. Compelled mostly by the gorgeous art style, I bought Rayman Legends for my Wii U.
Rayman Legends is one of those games that puts in 110% for everything. The art design is clean, consistent and pretty to look at, but is also packed full of unrivalled personality and wit. Combined with the self-aware writing and vibrant sound effects, Rayman Legends' presentation just bathes the player in creativity. The music reflects and bolsters every one of these qualities. Eclectic, epic and occasionally hilariously sarcastic, the game's soundtrack is almost a character in itself.
I don't know where to begin with the gameplay. The controls are so slick it's as if they predicted every move the player was going to make before they were born. Every level is painstakingly crafted so that - with the right skills - the player can fly through it with ceaselessly satisfying fluidity. Enemies and obstacles are flung at the player in precisely the right way to test their abilities without testing their patience. The difficulty level is finely tuned to offer an exhilarating and fair challenge that lavishly rewards the player.
Rayman Legends is just brimming with extra content, too. Diverse collectibles are crammed into every corner, offering an extra challenge for seasoned players and promising an extensive range of unlockable content. Dozens of characters and costumes with their own unique charm, 40 remastered levels from the previous game Rayman Origins and a kung fu/football mashup minigame named 'Kung Foot' are just a handful of what's on offer. The most sublime parts of Rayman Legends are the music levels. Unlocked after beating the boss in each world, these levels test the player's precision platforming skills to the rhythm of classic rock tunes such as Black Betty and Eye of the Tiger.
Rayman Legends is ludicrously good. The attention to detail in both the presentation and the gameplay is remarkable and the sheer amount of content ensures an enduring lasting appeal. New ideas and creative designs are constantly supplied to the player and the level designs are irresistibly challenging. Rayman Legends is the best 2D platformer since 1990's Super Mario World, and there's a strong argument for it being the best 2D platformer ever.
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