Rayman Legends Retold Hands-On Preview: Revisiting a Classic More Than a Decade Later
In what’s been one of the most exciting opportunities since starting What’s It Like?, earlier this month, I was flown to Sydney by Ubisoft for a special media preview event of Rayman Legends Retold, an upcoming remaster of the beloved 2013 release. Over the course of roughly three hours, I had the opportunity to explore the latest build, play alongside fellow Australian games journalists, and learn more about the new gameplay and story elements being introduced in this reimagining of a fan favourite. The build we played was still in a pre-beta state and not representative of the final product. Even so, it was enough to get a sense of the direction the team is taking. Based on my early impressions, Rayman Legends Retold is shaping up to be something special.
As a fan of the original game, I had two major concerns heading into the preview. First, does a game that was already so highly regarded really need a remaster? Second, would the addition of new story and gameplay content risk changing the soul of what made the original so special? From the moment I started playing, those concerns quickly began to fade. Rayman Legends Retold has been rebuilt from the ground up using the Snowdrop Engine, transforming the original’s gorgeous 2D visuals into a stunning 2.5D world complete with brand-new 3D gameplay sections. The visual upgrade is quite impressive, bringing new life to environments that many fans know by heart. If you want to see more on the graphical upgrade, you can check out our graphics comparison video here. More importantly, however, the core gameplay remains almost untouched. Within minutes of jumping into the opening level, it became clear that the slick, precise platforming that made the original so beloved is still very much intact. Movement feels every bit as responsive as I remember, preserving the rhythm and flow that helped define the experience more than a decade ago. While the game has received a spectacular visual glow-up, complete with all the graphical flourishes the Snowdrop Engine is known for, it never loses sight of what made the original work in the first place. It feels familiar in all the right ways, while still managing to look like a modern release.
That’s because Rayman Legends Retold is actually being co-developed by both Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Milan, working in tandem to handle this fan favourite title. Ubisoft Montpellier is known for its work across the Rayman Series, bringing us the original Rayman games, as well as developing the original Rayman Legends, while Ubisoft Milan worked on the Mario and Rabbids series, as well as co-developing Just Dance, Assassin’s Creed projects, Tom Clancy projects, and support work on the sublime Star Wars Outlaws. Composer Christophe Héral returns with a remastered score, this time joined by legendary composer Grant Kirkhope from Rare fame, who also contributed to the Mario and Rabbids soundtracks with his signature style.
Rayman Legends Retold has an entirely revised narrative designed to better connect the adventure from beginning to end, as well as a new chapter at the end to round it out. While we weren’t shown anything from the new story chapter itself, my early concerns about the remaster were quickly put to rest. The new story and gameplay additions felt more like adding seasoning to a favourite meal, keeping the core recipe intact, while adding enough new ingredients to make the journey feel fresh. Several of these story elements appeared throughout the levels we played. They were often humorous, fit naturally within the game’s existing tone, and never felt distracting. More importantly, they helped give the adventure a stronger sense of structure, creating a more coherent journey while still preserving the charm and personality that fans remember from the original release.
Rayman Legends Retold also introduces new gameplay elements that enhance the original experience with the addition of Dragon Rides, fast-paced third-person action sequences that help bridge the journey between worlds. During the preview session, I had the opportunity to play two Dragon Ride sections, with the second appearing in the footage of this preview video. More than just a visual spectacle, these sequences add variety to the gameplay while providing a natural transition between locations. Throughout both sections, I found myself grinning from ear to ear as I dodged obstacles and guided my dragon through the environment. The experience reminded me of the classic chase sequences from Crash Bandicoot, capturing that same sense of excitement and split-second decision-making. Each Dragon Ride begins with a group of accompanying Teensies, and every collision causes you to lose one. The first hits take away the two most important Teensies, adding an extra layer of tension to the experience, giving you an incentive to aim for a no-hit run.
More than anything else, what stood out to me was just how tight the controls and platforming felt. After returning home and replaying the original game, it became clear that Ubisoft has gone to great lengths to ensure the very thing that made Rayman Legends so special remains intact in this remaster. The additional flourishes, whether through humorous cutscenes or the antics of background characters, consistently brought a smile to my face and helped make the world feel even more alive. Even in the pre-beta build I played, it was obvious that a great deal of care and attention had gone into every aspect of the experience. I particularly enjoyed the new Dragon Ride sequences, the visual overhaul, and the way the various locations now feel more connected as part of a larger adventure. I also couldn’t help but notice what sounded like a few tracks from Kirkhope woven into the soundtrack. Combined with the existing score, they gave off strong Banjo-Kazooie vibes and added another layer of charm to the experience.
While there is still plenty left to see, including the brand-new story chapter, everything I experienced left me feeling confident about the project’s direction. The platforming remains as enjoyable as ever, the new additions feel respectful of the source material, and the visual overhaul breathes new life into a world that already held a special place in many players’ memories. Rayman Legends Retold is shaping up to be a fantastic return to a beloved classic, and players won’t have to wait too much longer to experience it for themselves when it launches on October 1.
Enjoyed our Rayman Legends Retold Hands-On Preview?
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