Rayman Legends Retold is a full-scale remake of the 2013 platformer classic, developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, the original studio behind Rayman Legends. The remake features fully remastered visuals, updated character models, environments, and lighting while retaining the core 2D platforming that made the original a standout title. Yet its very existence raises an uncomfortable question: why does one of the best 2D platformers of all time need a do-over when the original remains widely available and beloved across modern platforms?
Key Takeaways
- Rayman Legends Retold is a visual and technical overhaul of the 2013 original, not a gameplay reimagining.
- The remake supports up to four-player local and online co-op, preserving the original’s multiplayer structure.
- Core mechanics—running, jumping, wall-running, and the hair-spin attack—remain unchanged from the original.
- Music-driven rhythm levels return as a signature feature of Rayman Legends Retold.
- The game is still in development with no confirmed release date announced.
What Rayman Legends Retold Actually Changes
Rayman Legends Retold does not attempt to reinvent the wheel. The hands-on demo confirms that the remake’s primary focus is visual polish and technical modernization rather than systemic overhaul. Character models look sharper, environments feel more vibrant, and lighting effects have been overhauled to take advantage of current hardware. But if you played the original Rayman Legends on a modern console or PC, the bones of the experience remain identical.
The core gameplay loop is untouched: you guide Rayman through 2D side-scrolling levels, jumping across platforms, wall-running along vertical surfaces, and deploying the signature hair-spin move to defeat enemies and break obstacles. The rhythm-based sections that made Rayman Legends distinctive—where platforming synchronizes to licensed music—are back in Rayman Legends Retold with the same structure and challenge. This is not a reimagining. It is a polish job.
Why Rayman Legends Retold Feels Like an Odd Choice
Here is where the confusion sets in. Rayman Legends was released in 2013 and has remained playable across multiple modern platforms ever since. It was critically acclaimed, commercially successful, and has aged remarkably well. The original’s art style, music, and level design have not become obsolete. Visually, yes, a remaster improves clarity and detail, but the game was never unplayable or abandoned by its audience.
The decision to remake Rayman Legends Retold suggests that Ubisoft saw an opportunity to introduce the franchise to a new generation of players while giving longtime fans a reason to revisit a beloved classic. Yet the preview does not suggest that the remake introduces major new content, expanded level libraries, or gameplay innovations that would justify its existence beyond aesthetic improvement. It is more of the same game, just shinier.
Co-Op and Multiplayer in Rayman Legends Retold
One strength that persists in Rayman Legends Retold is its co-op structure. The remake supports up to four players in local or online sessions, maintaining the original’s approach to multiplayer platforming. This is where Rayman Legends Retold distinguishes itself from single-player-focused platformers. Co-op platformers are rare, and the ability to tackle levels with friends—either on the same couch or across the internet—remains a compelling reason to engage with the game.
The hands-on demo demonstrated that the co-op sections feel responsive and well-designed, with multiple characters on screen simultaneously without performance issues. For players who experienced the original in isolation, the multiplayer aspect of Rayman Legends Retold offers a fresh way to experience familiar levels.
Is Rayman Legends Retold Worth Your Time?
The central tension is this: if you own the original Rayman Legends, do you need Rayman Legends Retold? The answer depends on what you value. If you are seeking new gameplay mechanics, expanded level design, or narrative additions, the preview suggests you will not find them. Rayman Legends Retold is a visual refresh of a game you can already play. If, however, you have never experienced Rayman Legends and want to play one of the best 2D platformers of all time with modern graphics and the option for online co-op, Rayman Legends Retold is a legitimate entry point.
The confusion around Rayman Legends Retold is not unfounded. Remakes of beloved games typically justify their existence by either modernizing outdated gameplay systems or adding substantial new content. Rayman Legends Retold does neither. It is a straight visual upgrade of a game that did not desperately need one. Yet the hands-on preview confirms that the core experience remains excellent, which means fans of 2D platforming will likely find value in revisiting it, even if the reasoning behind its existence remains opaque.
How Does Rayman Legends Retold Compare to the Original?
The original Rayman Legends released in 2013 and was immediately recognized as a high point for 2D platforming. Rayman Legends Retold does not attempt to surpass it—it simply presents it in a more visually contemporary package. The level design, music integration, character movement, and difficulty curve remain the same. What changes is presentation: sharper character models, more detailed backgrounds, improved lighting, and technical performance optimized for modern systems.
This is a conservative approach to remaking a classic. Some might argue it is the right one, since Rayman Legends was never broken. Others might question why the effort was expended at all when the original remains accessible and playable.
Does Rayman Legends Retold Add New Levels?
The hands-on preview does not indicate that Rayman Legends Retold introduces new levels or substantially expanded content beyond the original’s library. The remake appears to be a faithful recreation of the existing level design with visual enhancements. If you completed the original Rayman Legends, you will recognize the structure and layout of Rayman Legends Retold.
When Will Rayman Legends Retold Release?
No official release date has been announced for Rayman Legends Retold. The hands-on preview was based on an early demo build, and the game remains in development. Ubisoft has not provided a launch window or platform confirmation, so players will need to wait for official announcements before pre-ordering or planning their purchase.
Rayman Legends Retold exists in a strange limbo: it is a remake of a game that does not need remaking, yet it is also a chance to experience one of the finest 2D platformers ever made with a fresh coat of paint. Whether that justifies its existence depends entirely on your perspective. If you are a platforming enthusiast hungry for more of the same, Rayman Legends Retold will satisfy. If you are looking for innovation or substantial new content, you will likely feel confused about why this remake exists at all.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
