Rayman Legends (PS3) Reviews

  • chargerstophchargerstoph289,250
    11 Sep 2013 11 Sep 2013
    6 2 8
    A few months ago, when I switched over from the Xbox 360 to the Playstation 3, I realized one particularly awesome thing, that I could replay Rayman Origins for trophies, on both my PS3 and my Playstation Vita. Quite easily, Rayman Origins was my most favorite game of all time, it combined awesome platforming, nostalgia, and excellent level design, added in decent amount of challenge, and created a fun, exciting game. When Rayman Legends was announced, I decided then that I would buy a Wii U exclusively to play Rayman, but, alas, things change and Rayman was released on all platforms. I did, however, hold a mild amount of trepidation, as Rayman Legends would essentially become a major port from the Wii U to the Playstation and Xbox, but I bought it anyways on the Vita and rented the game on the Playstation with high hopes.

    The story of Rayman Legends is quite simple, during an extended nap, all the areas of the Glade of Dreams get infested by nightmares, and those pesky Teensies are captured once again. Of course, Rayman and his crew must save the Teensies, and save the world. Rayman Legends is a level based game, much like Origins, this time, though, all the levels are contained in paintings, instead of a map. There are five paintings, each containing several levels along the way. Once enough Teensies are saved, additional levels are opened up, called Infected levels, which take the place of the speed challenges in Origins. These levels are short, 40-60 second runs of previously played levels and can be quite a challenge. Also, there are 5 worlds from Rayman Origins as well, each containing 5 levels from their respective areas. These maps have been updated to the new features of Legends, and also the action seems slowed down a bit from the original levels in Origins, which makes them easier and less frustrating to beat at times.

    The gameplay of Rayman Legends is virtually unchanged from Origins; there is rhythmic platforming, speed courses, and similar boss fights, which you would expect from a Rayman game. There is one new character in Legends, though, and his name is Murphy. Murphy helps you through some of the more challenging platforming in Legends, and you control his interaction with the world my pressing a single button. He moves bounce pads, walls, and floating platforms while you navigate your character through levels. At times, these sections can be difficult, especially at high speed, and he adds a fresh change to the series in the Playstation and Xbox game. He, however, is a major disappointment in the Vita game. In the sections with Murphy, you don't play as the normal character, but as him. You are the one manipulating the world and opening new avenues of movement for Rayman, which can be frustrating, especially if you're trying to complete each level 100%, because one false move and you'll pass a Teensie The problem is, since you're not in control, there's no way of returning, short of restarting checkpoints, or levels.

    As expected, the soundtrack to Rayman Legends is superb, the music matches the intensity of the gameplay, and the sound effects are good as well. Naturally, there's no voice acting in Legends, nor is there any narrative at all. Instead, you're left with a game that tells its story naturally, through gameplay that immersive. Rayman Legends also looks amazing, and it pushes what you'd expect in a game on every turn. At times, the game will flip over, and you'll be playing upside down. After finishing the main storyline, you'll replay some of the boss chases from earlier levels, but this time in an 8-bit mode which will change your perspective, from using a fish-eye lens, to turning the levels into actual 8-bit, then gradually lowering the game to a 1-bit experience to increase difficulty.

    Overall, my experience with Rayman Legends was fantastic. I often times found myself sitting in front of my Television smiling like a simpleton, enjoying a game in a way that I haven't since I was a kid playing Mario. The level designs, like I stated before, are outstanding, and the fresh ways that Ubisoft presents them are dynamic and interesting. Without a doubt, Rayman Legends has exceeded my expectations, which were already set high. In the Xbox and Playstation versions of Legends, I'd give the game a 95/100. With that being said, the Vita version doesn't fare so well, receiving an 87/100 mostly thanks to the unnecessary Murphy levels. One more thing about the Vita version, the game was shipped incomplete. Somehow the Vita version is initially missing the Invasion levels, all 28, which should be getting patched soon. While frustrating, if you're purchasing it on the Vita, there is plenty to do until the patch is released.
    Reposted from my website www.thenerdfilter.com
    5.0
    Showing all 8 comments.
    Prem-aka-PrinceJust got the game on 360, have two questions. (let's assume the PS3 and 360 versions are all intents and purposes the same)
    1) How does the completion seem? I heard the last hurdle is a doozy.
    2) Why didn't you get it on Wii U? I heard that that version is the best, even if only by a slight margin, it makes good use of the exclusive features due to being originally designed for it.
    Posted by Prem-aka-Prince on 19 Sep 13 at 16:00
    chargerstophThe completion is, in my opinion, is too big of a grind. The 1,000,000LUM takes, from what I hear, 10+ hours replaying a single level, then you still have to hit max cap on your level, which can only be accomplished by doing daily and weekly challenges. This won't be too bad, it'll just take quite a bit of time. I didn't get it on the Wii U because I haven't yet, I'll finish it on the Vita, get it on 360, then finally on the WiiU. Yeah, I'm that big of a Rayman nerd.
    Posted by chargerstoph on 19 Sep 13 at 17:00
    Prem-aka-PrinceWould it be an advantage to start it asap if there are daily and weekly challenges? Even if I don't intend to play it much?
    Posted by Prem-aka-Prince on 19 Sep 13 at 17:45
    chargerstophYes, of course, but I rent games so I can play all the weekly releases and review them, so holding onto a game for 3-4 weeks isn't an option. I would, however, have no problem paying full retail price for the game, which I did for the Vita version.
    Posted by chargerstoph on 19 Sep 13 at 19:22
    Prem-aka-PrinceOkay thanks will do :)
    Posted by Prem-aka-Prince on 19 Sep 13 at 23:13
    Linkx41I intend to pick up for both Wii U and Vita next month, your review made the decision :)
    Posted by Linkx41 on 25 Sep 13 at 01:43
    chargerstophWell, I really hope you love it as much as I do, and let me know if the Wii U version is as good as I hope it is!
    Posted by chargerstoph on 25 Sep 13 at 09:13
    Prem-aka-PrinceJudging by the critics, the Vita version seems to be the worst... so why not get just the Wii U version?
    Posted by Prem-aka-Prince on 25 Sep 13 at 14:12
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