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Rayman Legends review: Smiles undeniable
Growing up with platformers on the original Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis, I didn't just have favorite games – I had favorite levels within those games. I'd grab my friends and force them to watch me play through the Quick Man stage of Mega Man 2, or the Yellow Planet of Bucky O'Hare. I was a kid, and games were all about having fun. I'm not sure at what age I lost the impetus to label a specific portion of a game my favorite, but as I called my wife into my office to watch me replay a level of Rayman Legends, I realized that, if only for a moment, I had gotten it back. Rayman Legends isn't just the finest platformer released since its predecessor, Rayman Origins, it's also one of the few games thus far to make me happy that I have a Wii U in my entertainment center. Legends doesn't worry too much about its nonsensical nature, and aside from making it clear that some evil Teensies are up to no good, the game doesn't bother with a coherent story or plot points. Instead, it focuses on its massive hand-drawn environments, branching pathways, and delightfully absurd enemies. In one stage you'll be pounding belligerent frogs into the ground and in the very next you'll come face to face with a dragon that swallows up the entire screen, and at no point will this seem crazy to you, for this is Rayman's world and having fun is the only thing that matters.
Rayman Legends demo brightens up Xbox Live, PSN August 20
Ubisoft has announced a demo for Rayman Legends will be available on Xbox 360 and PS3 starting August 20. The demo will consist of three levels and a sample of Invasion mode - tougher, remixed versions of established maps. The three playable levels include Teensies in Trouble and Toad Story, along with its Invasion mode variant, plus musical level Castle Rock. The demo also grants access to the Gallery of Heroes where you can mess about with character costumes. Rayman Legends, which takes place 100 years after the events of Rayman Origins, launches on September 3 for the Wii U, PS Vita, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. In our video preview last month, we highlighted the new stealth levels reminiscent of the Sly Cooper series and Mark of the Ninja.
Luigi's doing the rounds in Super Smash Bros, Rayman Legends
While today's Nintendo Direct didn't provide much info on Mario-themed games, it did offer a couple of plumber-themed tidbits for Super Smash Bros. and Rayman Legends. Starting with SSB, Luigi became the 14th officially confirmed character for the 3DS and Wii U brawler. The younger Mario sibling appeared in all the prior Smash Bros games, so it would have been a shock if he wasn't featured in next year's entry. Secondly, Nintendo revealed Rayman Legends will include Mario & Luigi skins on the Wii U. Rayman can don Mario's red garb, while Globox can become glamorous in green. Ubisoft's press release notes the costumes can be unlocked after 20 minutes of gameplay. The Wii U version is, for certain reasons, not the only one coming to retail shelves next month. It'll be joined there by Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and Vita siblings when the game launches in North America on September 3, and in Europe a little earlier on August 30. %Gallery-195592%
Rayman Legends also coming to PC at launch
Rayman Legends will frolic onto PCs at launch, just in case you figured Ubisoft's platformer had no more platforms to give. Originally expected as a Wii U launch game, Legends saw a few delays including one to accommodate additional arrivals on PS3 and Xbox 360. It's since added Vita and PC to its roster, the newly-announced latter courtesy of China-based Ubisoft Chengdu in collaboration with original dev Ubi Montpellier. Legends has various distinct incentives on its different platforms; for PC users pre-ordering the digital version from Ubisoft's online shop, the bonus is a free copy of the excellent Rayman Origins. Ubisoft recently revealed that Legends includes 40 graphically updated levels from predecessor Origins, but freebies aren't to be sniffed at. Legends leaps onto all five platforms on September 3 in North America, and August 30 in Europe. That's not that long to wait, but you'll still want to check out our shiny new video preview in the meantime. %Gallery-194667%
Rayman Legends Video Preview
Ubisoft has constructed a charming new gauntlet for Rayman to run through, filled with sights so vivid you nearly forget it's all a string of perilous pits and narrow escapes. In our new video discussion of Rayman Legends, we quickly cover the game's glut of content (earned after several delays), its clever incorporation of other genres, and how its fast-paced platforming is paired with the Wii U's gamepad. (Note: The Vita version also supports touchscreen co-op, but across two systems.) Rayman Legends will be available in North America on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and Wii U on September 3.
Rayman Legends bonus: 40 levels from Rayman Origins, 'Kung Foot' soccer spinoff
Ubisoft is on the cusp of titular video game perfection, having announced the inclusion of 40 levels from Rayman Origins to this year's exuberant platforming sequel, Rayman Legends. That's right, the game will have some Legends and a few Origins. Dare they throw in a smattering of ... Revelations? According to Ubisoft designer and Rayman rein-holder Michel Ancel, the bonus Rayman Origins levels are immediately accessible and optional to the completion of Rayman Legends. The selection of stages, including a few devious Tricky Treasure runs, has been graphically updated to suit the style of Legends. Ancel and the creative team are also tossing in "Kung Foot," a soccer-themed minigame that supports up to four local players (five if you're on Wii U). Controlling any of the available Rayman characters, players jump around, kick, punch and block a bouncing soccer ball wildly as they attempt to get it through the opposing goal. Kung Foot is pitched as a funny, aimless party game for friends too tired for anything serious – or, in the case of Ancel's team, for developers who just finished making Rayman Origins. It was a small in-engine game made just for the office at the time, but now it's being included with Rayman Legends. Rayman Legends is due on Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita on September 3. %Gallery-193984%
Ubisoft admits Wii U sales drove Rayman Legends delay
In the midst of the E3 madness, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot acknowledged Rayman Legends' delay was over concern of low sales on and of Nintendo's Wii U. "What happened was that we saw the Wii U was not going to sell enough of those games. The game is going to be fantastic, and we didn't want those creators to wind up in a position where even after making a fantastic game, they didn't sell well enough," Guillemot told VentureBeat. "We decided that we had to come out on enough machines that players can try it out on any one that they have, and give more time to both improve the game on the Wii U and create versions for the other consoles." Low sales of Nintendo's latest console has certainly had an impact on third-party support. EA acknowledged it needs to see stronger sales to get back involved, and although Activision has Skylanders for the platform, we're still waiting for confirmation that Call of Duty: Ghosts will make it on the platform. Although, it should be noted that historically Activision's announcements of CoD on Nintendo platforms arrive later. Nintendo is aware of its current predicament and hopes its first-party games between now and 2014 make the Wii U more attractive again.
Rayman Legends coming to PS Vita in North America Sept. 3
Ubisoft announced that its multiplayer 2D platformer Rayman Legends will arrive for the PlayStation Vita in North America on September 3. News of the Vita port's North American launch follows up on initial reports of a European release confirmed by Eurogamer Spain yesterday. The Vita edition of Rayman Legends includes five exclusive levels in which players guide series mainstay Murphy by using the portable's Rear Touch Pad. The port also boasts two exclusive Ubisoft Montpellier-designed costumes: Rayman himself can opt for a Prince of Persia-themed outfit, while his partner Globox gets a spy suit inspired by the Splinter Cell series. While the Vita version of Rayman Origins lacked a multiplayer component, Ubisoft announced that Rayman Legends will feature local co-op on Vita, allowing players from the same country to team up over a Wi-Fi connection. The game additionally includes online leaderboards and a set of online competitive challenges. Rayman Legends will premiere for the Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PS Vita in North America on September 3. All ports will launch in Europe on August 29. %Gallery-189664%
Rayman Legends visits 'Ocean World,' UK pre-order goodies revealed [update: NA too]
By now, you should realize that the latest Rayman Legends trailer needs no introduction. You should just watch it. Okay, if you really need further incentive, the spies of 4th Echelon make a cameo. Sort of. Meanwhile, Ubisoft has also announced the UK pre-order bonuses for the game, exclusive to GAME. The Wii U version will let Barbara the barbarian dress up as Aveline De Grandpré, star of Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation. The PS3 version puts Rayman in the garb of Edward Kenway, piratical protagonist of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. Finally, speaking of 4th Echelon, the Xbox 360 version gives Rayman a Sam Fisher costume. Update: It's the same deal for US pre-orders, but at GameStop. Check out the various costumes after the break. %Gallery-188307%
Rayman Legends' mariachi version of 'Eye of the Tiger'
Sure to deliver a grin, perhaps even a chortle, here is Rayman Legends' take on the get-pumped classic "Eye of the Tiger" done mariachi style in the game's "Fiesta de los Muertos" world. If you need a smile today, this is likely to deliver.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Rayman Legends Challenges, Mega Man 4
The free Rayman Legends Challenges app launches today on the Wii U eShop. Half demo and half conciliatory gesture, this exclusive app was promised after Ubisoft delayed the Wii U version to prepare a multiplatform release. The full game is due September 3.On 3DS, the collection of NES Mega Man games grows with Mega Man 4. And Color Commando launches on DSiWare, a puzzle-platformer about placing blobs of paint around a level to neutralize same-color monsters.
Rayman Legends swings into North America Sep. 3, EU Aug. 30 [update]
Rayman Legends hits North America on September 3, an Ubisoft spokesperson tells us, and August 30 in Europe. The Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U game hits its "early September" release window following its delay earlier this year.The news is joined by today's arrival of the game's precursory Online Challenges app on the Wii U eShop. The free demo includes Land of the Livid Dead, Neverending Pit, and Infinite Tower levels, as well as the GamePad-tailored Murfy's Dungeon run.The app also features daily and weekly "Extreme Challenges," unlocked by winning cups and subsequently increasing your "Awesomeness Level." Ubisoft didn't say what happens if your Awesomeness Level is already Super Duper Awesome.Update: We were earlier provided with a release date of August 27 for North America by an Ubisoft spokesperson. We were then contacted with a corrected date of September 3.
Rayman Legends Vita listed by Spanish retailer
The once Wii U exclusive Rayman Legends may be leaping, running and helicoptering to yet another platform: The PlayStation Vita. According to a listing on Spanish retailer FNAC, the gorgeous platformer is headed to Sony's handheld. It's not too big a leap to make, as Rayman's last (excellent) outing, Rayman Origins, was also available for the Vita. Gamepur notes that FNAC lists a release date of August 29, though that appears to have been removed as of this writing.The Wii U, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Rayman Legends are slated for September.
Rayman Legends delay results in 30 new levels, several new boss fights
Rayman Legends' extra time in the oven has resulted in developer Ubisoft Montpelier adding 30 extra levels and several new boss fights. "Trust me, the things we are adding aren't minor. We're not talking about adding some polish here and there, but 30 new levels and several new bosses," Senior Game Manager Michael Micholic said in an interview with Official Nintendo Magazine.Rayman Legends has been delayed twice, the most recent delay last month when it got pushed to September in favor of a simultaneous launch across Wii U, Xbox 360 and PS3. The reception of this latest delay was negative, to say the least, with even Rayman creator Michel Ancel joining in on the protest.
Rayman Legends receiving Wii U bonus mode in April
To make amends for Rayman Legends' Wii U delay, Ubisoft will release a challenge mode for free on the Nintendo eShop this April. The publisher previously promised an exclusive Wii U demo to appease the console's vocal install base.Rayman Legends was originally slated as a Wii U launch exclusive before it was delayed (twice) and planned for other consoles.[Thanks, Michael]
Rayman creator Michel Ancel appears in Legends delay protest
Rayman creator Michel Ancel and staff from Ubisoft Montpellier have shown implicit desire to have Rayman Legends released. Staffers including Ancel posted with fan Joffrey Babilotte and a banner he made, reading "Release Rayman, Support Ubisoft Montpellier" (in French). Rayman is on the banner saying "SVP" – "please." Babilotte made the sign and brought it "to the gates of Ubi Montpellier."Rayman Legends was due to be released this month on Wii U, but Ubisoft delayed the presumably finished game, to release it simultaneously with Xbox 360 and PS3 ports in September.
Ubisoft promises exclusive Wii U demo for Rayman Legends
Forget that there has been a Rayman Legends demo on the Wii U for over a month now – it's old hat. Ubisoft is planning on releasing another demo, this one exclusive to Wii U. Ubisoft announced the exclusive Wii U demo as a sort of consolation prize to upset fans complaining about the delay and multi-platform announcement."Thanks for all your feedback regarding Rayman Legends in all of its forms. We have heard you and we will continue to listen," Ubisoft wrote on its Facebook page. "We understand your frustration and that you want to get your hands on the game. We are working with the development team to provide you with a new, exclusive demo for the Wii U soon. Stay tuned for more."Rayman Legends was originally announced to be a Wii U exclusive back in August, though obviously that plan has changed. This is the second delay for Rayman Legends, which was originally penciled in for the Wii U launch.
Ubisoft clarifies Rayman Legends delay
Ubisoft says the delay to the formerly exclusive Wii U version of Rayman Legends is solely because of the multiplatform release, and nothing to do with any development issues. Speaking to Digital Spy, the publisher explicitly stated the only reason for the new September release window is the additional platforms of Xbox 360 and PS3."We usually release all of our platforms simultaneously (aside from PC)," an Ubisoft rep told Digital Spy. "We've made special exception sometimes in the past but it's definitely just on a case by case basis and not our standard practice. I know it's not an elaborate, 'convincing' answer, but it's the simple truth."In short, the game could have come out when it was originally intended to, which was February 26 in North America. Ubisoft simply chose not to do that. However, if you think Wii U owners are dismayed by the news, imagine how the developers behind the game feel.That's the message imparted to fans by someone believed to be an Ubisoft employee on Spanish forum EOL. As translated by NeoGAF, the employee, who apparently has a history of posting about his work at Ubisoft on the forum, said it was hard to swallow working so hard over six months and barely seeing family and friends, all to ensure the game came out on time, only to find out about the delay. He asked fans not to turn their backs on the game or the team behind it because "some men in ties one day took a wrong choice." His full post reads: "I completely understand you but you have to understand one thing. This is not a decision taken by the development team, this comes from really really high up, so please don't pick on the game. If you're pissed, imagine how we feel. Think on the situation, we've been making overtime with this game practically since May preparing E3, and then almost a demo per month (gamescom, Wii U presentation, shops, eShop, etc...) and at the same time trying to actually finish the game. We had a first delay because it was obvious we couldn't finish on time but we gave it all to be there on February. What face do you think we had when the week we had to close the game we're being told it's not going to be released? I couldn't believe it. For practical matters, you'll have to wait for some months for the game to be released and will most likely serve for more content to be added and do it better. For us, this means we've spent 6 months barely seeing our wives, kids, and friends for nothing because, after all, such haste wasn't needed. Believe it, it was a hell to swallow these news. Even then I'm firm in what I said back in the day, Rayman Legends is an excellent game and will still be, and the team that's making it doesn't deserve to have your back turned on them just because some men in ties one day took a wrong choice. This industry is really that shitty."
Rayman Legends delayed to September, also coming to Xbox 360 and PS3
Rayman Legends has been delayed once again, to "early September." This is annoying news for Wii U owners, who already saw it delayed out of the launch window and into February and March. But it's good news for PS3 and Xbox owners who had yet to pick up a Wii U, as the game is now planned for simultaneous release on those platforms.Ubisoft Montpellier is developing all three versions. The Wii U game includes significant touchscreen elements, including simultaneous multiplayer between the GamePad and Wii Remote. It'll be interesting to see how, or if, those elements translate to more traditional control schemes.We contacted Ubisoft regarding the Wii U delay. The publisher offered no additional comment.
Wii U's Rayman Legends out in UK on March 1 [update: Feb. 26 in North America]
Rayman Legends will be released in the UK on March 1, publisher Ubisoft announced today. No date has been provided for North America or any other territory, other than the worldwide "Q1 2013" release window given in October.There is good news for the impatient, however: UK residents desperate for floaty-limbed heroics and Lum vocals will have access to a Rayman Legends demo on the Wii U eShop starting December 13.Update: Ubisoft announced a Feb. 26 release date for North America. The demo will have the same December 13 date in that region.
