What Rayman Legends Retold Is and Why It Exists
Rayman Legends Retold is a remake of the 2013 platformer Rayman Legends that updates the game with modern visuals, new content, and technical enhancements while keeping its core level design and gameplay intact for contemporary platforms. Built by Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Milan, this "more than a remake" project aims to rebuild Rayman’s foundations with a large, connected world, an immersive 3D art style, and fully redone cutscenes and voice work. Ubisoft positions it as a definitive version across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, at USD 39.99 (approx. RM190). That price immediately frames the value debate: the original Rayman Legends is widely available, still attractive, and often sold at heavy discounts, so this Rayman Legends Retold review must ask whether visual and structural upgrades are enough to warrant paying again.
Visual Overhaul and Switch 2 Performance Gains
The clearest win for Rayman Legends Retold is visual. Ubisoft has rebuilt the game in the Snowdrop Engine, translating the painterly 2D style into an immersive 3D art approach without losing its lively charm. Backgrounds feel deeper, lighting is richer, and characters like Rayman, Globox, and Barbara pop with more detail. On Switch 2, Ubisoft has gone beyond a simple port. According to VGC, the Switch 2 version targets 60 frames per second, even in four‑player sessions, with 1080p output in handheld mode and 4K when docked via DLSS. Ubisoft also states that “the amount of details on PS5 is approximately the same as on Switch 2,” and that the visual quality is on par with Xbox Series S. For players who value performance and sharpness, the Switch 2 performance and other current‑gen versions deliver a noticeable technical upgrade.
New Story Content and Level Design Additions
Beyond looks, Ubisoft is using Rayman Legends Retold to expand the original adventure. The remake adds a new sixth world, the Land of the Living Dead, which introduces fresh mechanics and recontextualizes familiar platforming rhythms. This realm leans into creative level design flourishes the series is known for, with set‑pieces like dragon rides and layered combat-platforming scenarios that feel tailored to the new engine. The team is also reworking storytelling, replacing the original’s light narrative with fully redone cutscenes and a mix of new and returning voice work. Extras such as Kung Foot and an expanded soundtrack round out the package, while online four‑player co‑op joins local couch co‑op for the first time. These additions help the remake feel more than a visual pass, but they also risk coming across as incremental for players who already know every secret of the original campaign.
Who Is This Platformer Remake Really For?
This is where the platformer remake value question becomes tricky. The original Rayman Legends remains easily accessible: it runs on modern PCs, often appears in sales, and its illustrated artwork still looks strong. For existing fans, the main hooks are online co‑op, the new sixth world, and upgraded presentation. That might be enough for completionists who want the most comprehensive version, but it is less compelling for those who already own the game in a convenient format. Newcomers who never touched a 2013 release may see Retold as the cleanest entry point, especially younger players who treat older platforms and Wii U era releases as ancient history. Yet the USD 39.99 (approx. RM190) Ubisoft remake pricing sits in an awkward middle ground: more than a casual impulse purchase, less than a full‑priced blockbuster, and hard to recommend outright when the original frequently drops to a fraction of that cost.
Verdict: A Great Platformer Wrapped in an Unclear Pitch
Rayman Legends Retold is poised to reintroduce an excellent platformer with sharper graphics, steadier performance, and modest but thoughtful content additions. As a game, it benefits from time away; replaying sections shows why many rank Rayman Legends among the genre’s standouts, even if not everyone sees it as the best. As a product, though, the remake feels uncertain about its audience. Casual players can enjoy the cheaper original without losing much, while hardcore fans may debate whether online co‑op and one new world justify repurchasing at the current price. Rumors that Retold could include an enhanced Rayman Origins would significantly increase value, but Ubisoft has not confirmed that. For now, this Rayman Legends Retold review lands on a measured verdict: an impressive technical refresh that is easy to admire, harder to wholeheartedly recommend, and best suited to newcomers who skipped the original release.
