Ubisoft is remaking the 2013 platformer Rayman Legends as Rayman Legends Retold, a project that shifts the game's iconic 2D art style to 3D animation. The remake is a collaboration between original developer Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Milan, known for the Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle series. While the prospect of a 2D-to-3D transition initially raised concerns, early impressions suggest the remake enhances rather than detracts from the original's appeal.
Rayman Legends Retold largely retains the original level design, with levels imported directly into the modern Snowdrop engine from the old UbiArt Framework. The primary focus of the remake is on enriching the connective tissue between these levels, transforming what was previously a less coherent hub world into a more vibrant and engaging space. Production director Alessandro Arndt Mucchi described the original's narrative and layout as "all over the place," noting a need to revitalize the "Glade of Dreams." The original game's story, which involves Rayman and friends thwarting an evil magician influencing the Bubble Dreamer's nightmares, was briefly told and rarely revisited. Retold aims to rectify this with new, fully-voiced cinematics.
The enhancements extend to environmental storytelling and character moments. In the original's "Toad Story" world, the boss battle against an armored toad was a concise six-second introduction followed by a fight. In Rayman Legends Retold, this world, now named "Stinkbog," features a more fleshed-out environment. Level entrances are presented as portals within a lively swamp setting, filled with ambient details like crows and expansive bamboo structures. A notable addition is a toad shown in the middle distance attempting to clean itself, a small detail that adds character to the world.
Retold also introduces new gameplay elements, such as "dragon ride" levels that blend the frantic action of titles like Starfox with the aesthetic of How to Train Your Dragon. In these sections, players guide a dragon through hazardous environments, dodging obstacles and blasting through barriers. Animation director Marco Renso explained that these segments provide "space" to give bosses more presence and allow players to feel like they are actively discovering the game's worlds from a new perspective.
During a dragon ride sequence in Stinkbog, the toad encountered earlier is shown receiving a bath from smaller toads, a moment that highlights the remake's commitment to adding life and humor to the game's interstitial moments. The scene escalates as the player's dragon disrupts the toad's peaceful bathing, leading to an extended chase sequence. This sequence involves the armored toad, now fully equipped with rocket boots, attempting to defend his territory. The action shifts between various perspectives, from side-on views to aerial chases, showcasing a dynamic and humorous confrontation. The original game's boss battles, while fun, are framed in Retold as moments where the player is an inadvertent disruptor of otherwise peaceful activities within the game's whimsical world.
Beyond environmental and narrative enhancements, Rayman Legends Retold is also adding new musical levels, further building on the original's already strong foundations. The development team has expressed that discovering these new elements and world-building touches has been a source of significant enjoyment. The remake appears poised to capture the same spirit of slapstick and silliness that defined the original, while offering a more cohesive and immersive experience for players. From initial playtime, Rayman Legends Retold seems to be a remake that improves upon its source material rather than merely relying on nostalgia. The addition of new music levels has further cemented this positive impression.