You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
After shunting the recent efforts of Mario into a lurid green U-bend, Rayman Origins proved a tough act to follow. As a sequel Rayman Legends initially disappoints with what seems like a shift away from speedy platforming, but warms up into something wonderful after youâve played for a few hours.
Originally planned as a Wii U exclusive, Legends is keen to showcase the Gamepad functions right from the very start of the game. Murfy is a green grinning fairy that pops up in specific levels, moving objects and cutting ropes when you appropriately poke the gamepadâs touchscreen. The problem is, most people wonât own one.
On the 360 code provided for review, Murfyâs actions have been mapped to one button. Press B, and heâll activate whatever object heâs currently beside. Unfortunately, you canât control Murfyâs position: the game doesnât do a terrible job of ensuring that the green fairy is always locked on the object youâre expecting, but thereâs an overall lack of precision here that doesnât gel with the razor-sharp platforming. Anyone can activate Murfy in co-op, which immediately proves to be a bit of a nightmare. âDonât touch the B button!â
Thankfully the latter half of Legends uses Murphy in a less frustrating way, and it isnât long before the game offers up hardcore goodies: time trial trophies donât appear this time, but instead we get loads of bastard-hard speed-run missions.
As things open up, the best level designs surface. 20,000 Lums Under The Sea blends Bioshockâs vision of velvet and brass with a classic James Bond tone. The overall aesthetic in Legends however doesnât match the magic of Origins, but this isnât an overly negative point: itâs like trying to compare Disney to Pixar. Stand-out moments ensure it never feels average, and the quantity of stuff to do puts Origins to shame.
A whopping chunk of Origins is playable within the game, and your âAwesomenessâ level can be increased indefinitely by competing in weekly and daily challenges. Rayman Legends isnât perfect, but itâs still a cracking game.
Version tested: Xbox 360. Single-player finished in 15 hours. Click here to read about VideoGamer.comâs new review policy.
Rayman Legends
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Genre(s): Adventure, Platformer
