Rayman Legends Retold is an upcoming remake of the beloved 2D platformer, reimagining the classic with fresh design decisions and modernized mechanics. After an hour of hands-on time, the question is not whether this remake has merit—it clearly does—but whether one hour is enough to fully understand what developer Ubisoft has achieved.
Key Takeaways
- Rayman Legends Retold preserves the original’s core platforming while introducing meaningful new features.
- The remake respects longtime fans while making the game accessible to new players.
- One hands-on session reveals promise but leaves substantial content unexplored.
- Design changes differentiate the remake from the 2013 original without abandoning what made it special.
- The verdict after an hour: compelling enough to demand a longer playthrough.
What Makes Rayman Legends Retold Different
The original Rayman Legends launched in 2013 as a vibrant, fast-paced platformer that prioritized fluid movement and creative level design. Rayman Legends Retold takes that foundation and introduces deliberate changes that reshape how the game feels without erasing its identity. The core platforming remains intact—jumping, climbing, and wall-running are still the foundation—but the remake layers in new mechanics that force players to rethink familiar patterns.
One hour of gameplay is enough to sense the direction but not enough to evaluate the full scope of these changes. Certain levels feel noticeably different in pacing and challenge, suggesting the remake has made substantive design choices rather than cosmetic updates. The level design philosophy appears to have shifted toward rewarding exploration and experimentation, creating moments where the game feels like it is teaching you something new rather than repeating what you already know.
Rayman Legends Retold vs. the Original Game
The 2013 original remains a strong reference point for understanding what the remake is attempting. Both versions share the same core appeal: colorful worlds, tight controls, and platforming sequences that demand precision without feeling unfair. Where they diverge is in the details. The remake appears to have taken lessons from years of platformer design evolution and applied them thoughtfully.
The original Rayman Legends was already a solid game—it did not need a remake to justify its existence. That makes Rayman Legends Retold’s existence a question about ambition rather than necessity. After an hour, the answer seems to be that the remake is not trying to fix what was broken but rather to expand on what worked. Whether that distinction justifies a full replay for veterans remains unanswered, though the preview session suggests there is enough novelty to warrant curiosity.
First Impressions: Why One Hour Is Not Enough
The headline of this preview—needing to play more—is not hyperbole. Platformers reveal their design philosophy gradually, through level progression and challenge escalation. An hour captures the opening act and a glimpse of the second, but it misses the arc that determines whether a remake truly succeeds. The early levels feel polished and inviting, introducing new mechanics without overwhelming. But the real test comes later, when the game demands mastery and creative problem-solving.
What stands out in that first hour is the attention to detail. Animations feel responsive. Collision detection is reliable. The visual presentation respects the original’s charm while updating it for modern displays. These are not flashy improvements, but they are the kind of refinements that separate a competent remake from a thoughtful one. The question is whether these qualities hold up across the full game or whether they are concentrated in the opening hours to create a favorable first impression.
Should You Care About Rayman Legends Retold?
If you loved the original, Rayman Legends Retold appears to offer enough new content and design refinement to justify attention. If you never played the 2013 version, this remake serves as a solid entry point into a platformer that has aged remarkably well. The game respects your time and skill without being condescending about either.
The real question is whether the remake meaningfully improves on the original or simply updates it for modern audiences. An hour of playtime suggests the former, but only a complete playthrough will confirm it. For now, Rayman Legends Retold has earned a second look—and a significantly longer one.
What gameplay improvements stand out in Rayman Legends Retold?
The remake introduces design changes that affect level pacing and challenge structure, though the specifics require more extensive play to fully evaluate. The core platforming mechanics remain responsive and satisfying, suggesting the improvements are architectural rather than cosmetic.
How does Rayman Legends Retold compare to other modern platformers?
After an hour, the remake feels like it belongs alongside contemporary 2D platformers that prioritize precision and creativity. Whether it matches the depth of genre leaders would require a full playthrough to assess fairly.
Is Rayman Legends Retold worth playing if I already finished the original?
The design changes and new content visible in the first hour suggest returning players will find enough novelty to justify another playthrough, though the complete picture requires substantially more time with the game.
Rayman Legends Retold is a remake that understands its source material well enough to improve on it without losing what made the original special. An hour is just enough to recognize the potential—and nowhere near enough to judge whether that potential is fully realized.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
