What Rayman Legends Retold Is Trying To Be
Rayman Legends Retold is a platformer remake of Ubisoft Montpellier’s 2013 Rayman Legends that aims to rebuild the series for modern players through upgraded visuals, structural changes, and new content layered on top of the original’s acclaimed level design. Announced as part of Ubisoft’s broader strategic reset, the project is positioned as “more than a remake,” with Ubisoft Montpellier collaborating with Ubisoft Milan on what the publisher calls a rebuilding of Rayman’s foundations. That ambition rests on four pillars: a large, more connected world to encourage exploration, an “immersive” 3D art style powered by the Snowdrop engine, redone cutscenes with new and returning voice work, and a mix of gameplay additions, including an entirely new sixth world and online four-player co-op. On paper, it is both a celebration of a classic platformer and a soft relaunch of a mascot that has gone quiet for years.
Visual Modernization Versus a Still-Gorgeous Original
Hands-on sessions with Rayman Legends Retold highlight a clear strength: visual modernization that respects the spirit of the original. Characters, environments, and effects gain sharper detail and richer lighting thanks to Snowdrop, while the connected overworld creates a stronger sense of journey between stages. Yet that improvement is layered on a game that many argue does not urgently need a facelift. The illustrated 2D art of the 2013 release still looks charming on modern screens, and quick comparisons show that the original “still looks great” and still plays smoothly on current hardware. This puts the remake in a strange place among classic game modernization efforts: it looks better, but not in the transformative way of a full rebuild like some horror remakes. For returning fans who already own Rayman Legends, the visual leap alone may feel more like a luxury upgrade than a necessity.
New Worlds, Dragon Rides, and Design Philosophy
Where Rayman Legends Retold makes its clearest case is in the new content that builds on the original game’s playful design philosophy. Early previews spotlight an added sixth world, the Land of the Living Dead, which introduces fresh mechanics alongside more elaborate setpieces, including sequences where players ride dragons through lush, hazard-filled environments. These additions sit beside the returning musical and rhythm-driven levels that defined Rayman Legends’ reputation among platformer fans. The goal appears to be evolution, not reinvention: more toys to play with inside a familiar ruleset. Online four-player co-op complements the series’ focus on chaotic, cooperative fun, extending what was previously restricted to couch play. For anyone who loved the original’s mix of tight platforming and inventive stage concepts, the new world and systemic tweaks aim to feel like an expansion pack built directly into the campaign rather than a detached bonus mode.
A USD 39.99 Question: Who Is This Remake For?
The clearest friction point around Rayman Legends Retold is not the quality of the platformer remake, but its value proposition and audience. Ubisoft is pricing the game at USD 39.99 (approx. RM190), which is lower than a typical big-budget new release yet far higher than frequent discounts on the original Rayman Legends, which can drop to around a fraction of that cost on digital storefronts. For newcomers, that raises a practical choice: pay for the polished remake or buy the still-handsome original for far less. For long-time fans, online co-op and the sixth world are meaningful perks, but may not justify paying again for a game they already own. Rumours that Legends Retold could include an enhanced Rayman Origins would improve the bundle, but even that would group together games that remain widely accessible and visually strong on current platforms.
A Polished Platformer With an Unclear Place in the Market
After a couple of hours with a work-in-progress build, impressions settle on a paradox: Rayman Legends Retold feels confident as a game yet uncertain as a product. The platforming remains sharp, the art direction benefits from modern tools, and the new content reflects a clear respect for Rayman’s strengths. At the same time, the remake enters a market already full of inexpensive ways to play Rayman Legends and a broader wave of revivals that often fill more obvious gaps, such as inaccessible hardware or outdated visuals. Ubisoft appears to be using this release to grow Rayman’s audience and reintroduce the character to players who ignored the 2013 release. Whether that plan works will depend less on how good this remake is—and it seems good—and more on whether players see Rayman Legends Retold as the best way to experience a platformer classic.
