Ubisoft is betting that a 2013 platformer classic deserves a fresh coat of paint. Rayman Legends Retold applies a visual overhaul to the original game, wrapping its 2D action in a new 3D art direction while keeping the core gameplay untouched. After two hours with the remake at Ubisoft Montpellier, the result feels like playing through a Dreamworks animated film, complete with fully voiced dialogue and cutscenes that amplify the series' cartoonish humor.
To be clear: this is not a conversion to 3D platforming. Rayman still moves in two dimensions, still jumps and wall-bounces through tightly designed levels, and still feels snappy and responsive. What's changed are the worlds around him. Developers at Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Milan rebuilt the levels in the Snowdrop engine, expanding on the original visuals with layered backgrounds and foregrounds that add depth without altering the fundamental level design. Side-by-side comparisons showed identical gameplay between the original and remake, controlled with a single controller.
The gameplay loop that worked in 2013 remains intact. Running, wall-jumping, vine-swinging, and dodging hazards form the backbone of the experience. What makes it tick is the pace and momentum Rayman builds as he moves through levels. The timing feels tight, the controls responsive, and the rhythm engaging enough to pull players through dozens of levels without fatigue.
The "Invaded" levels stand out as a highlight. These time-attack variations require players to complete a level under a strict time limit to save more Teensies, the blue creatures scattered throughout. Completing one involves understanding how Rayman's momentum carries through movement, nailing jump timing, and reading attack patterns. The Enchanted Forest variant exemplifies this: a ghost shadows Rayman's every move, forcing avoidance while hostile frogs parachute in as bouncing platforms and spiky surfaces threaten from below. Each retry chips away at the mystery until the solution clicks.
Later zones introduce new mechanics to prevent repetition. The Stinkbog, a swamp area, adds an updraft mechanic that forces players to control Rayman's helicopter hair while avoiding thorny vines and enemies. More surprising are the dragon-riding sections, which shift the game into a Star Fox-style rail shooter. At first they're straightforward obstacle avoidance and fireball blasting. Then they turn into a full 2D shmup, and the shift in perspective becomes one of the remake's most engaging surprises.
Puzzle rooms scattered within levels add another layer. One example locks Rayman inside a massive rotating wheel filled with spikes. Using companion character Murphy, players must rotate the wheel, then time drops and jumps through the maze-like interior by inches. These optional challenges break up the platform-action rhythm and reward careful exploration.
The remake also adds fresh content beyond visual touches. Four new musical levels return from the original concept, using licensed song covers as the beat for timed platforming runs. Kung Foot, a 2v2 soccer minigame, now includes customizable platform layouts and selectable power-ups like zero gravity and goal shields. A sixth realm appears at the game's end with exclusive levels designed specifically for the remake.
The visual shift is the most visible change. The original game's painterly pre-rendered style held up well over time, but the new 3D presentation does more than update appearances. The dragon-riding segments feel like a theme park attraction embedded in a 2D platformer, showcasing what the new engine allows. Performance on Nintendo Switch 2 maintains 60 frames per second, a feat Ubisoft credits to optimization work and lessons learned from porting Star Wars Outlaws.
Not every element lands equally. Character designs like the Bubble Dreamer and Globox fall into corny territory. The humor relies on fart jokes and silly pop culture references that won't appeal to everyone. Yet for a lighthearted romp with solid platforming underneath, the tonal mismatch barely registers.
The larger question hanging over this release is whether a beloved classic needed reimagining. Rayman Legends Retold answers that by leaning into what makes the 2013 game work while adding enough new content and technical polish to justify a remake. Four-player co-op returns in an era when that feature has become increasingly rare in major releases. Quality-of-life improvements like a more navigable overworld smooth the experience further.
Ubisoft Montpellier created this remake while the studio also delivered Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown in 2024, a standout in modern 2D action games. This foundation suggests bigger projects could follow, and the Snowdrop engine work here may prove essential groundwork for something original down the road.
Rayman Legends Retold arrives October 1 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Author Emily Chen: "A remake that didn't need to exist ends up justifying itself through craft and content, though it's really a stepping stone toward something new."
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