Rayman 2

''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' is a 1999 platform game developed by Ubi Pictures and published by Ubi Soft for the Nintendo 64, Windows, Dreamcast and PlayStation. The game centers on the titular character Rayman, who is tasked with saving the fantastical land of the Fairy Glade from an army of robotic pirates led by Admiral Razorbeard.

An enhanced port titled ''Rayman Revolution'' was developed by Ubi Soft Annecy for the PlayStation 2. An alternative remake known as ''Rayman 2 Forever'' was developed by Ubi Studios for the Game Boy Color. ''Rayman 2'' was critically acclaimed for its gameplay, graphics and accessibility.

Gameplay

''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' is a 3D platformer which is played from a third-person perspective and allows the player control over the camera, though in some situations this control is limited to only certain angles. At several points in the game the player loses control during cutscenes, which typically show dialogue between characters.

By collecting lums (small bodies, or shards of magical energy), the player unlocks more information about the game world and its back story, which can be read by standing still and pressing a specific button for some time. Some back story is also obtained through (optional) instructions from Murfy, a "flying encyclopaedia" who provides explanations on all kinds of gameplay elements.

In contrast to its predecessor, which was a 2D platformer, ''Rayman 2'' is a 3D platformer. The player navigates through a mostly linear sequence of levels, fighting enemy Robo-Pirates, solving puzzles and collecting ''lums''. Collecting enough lums gains the player access to new parts of the world. Part of the lums are hidden in small cages, in which other freedom fighters or Teensies are imprisoned, and can be obtained by breaking the cages.

Rayman starts the game with minimal abilities, and he can gain more abilities as the game progresses. The main weapon available in the game is Rayman's fist, with which energy orbs can be shot. Eventually, the orbs can be charged before shooting them, making them more powerful. Rayman can also enter a strafing stance which allows him to easily aim orbs whilst avoiding enemy attacks. Rayman later gains the ability to swing over large gaps using Purple Lums. Rayman is also able to use his helicopter hair to slow his descent while jumping, with some segments later in the game allowing him to fly with his hair. There are also various items Rayman can use throughout the game, such as explosive barrels he can throw, giant plums he can ride on to carry him across dangerous surfaces, and rockets he must ride on to access new areas.

In addition to the main, story-based level sequence, there are also several levels in which the player can gain bonuses in a time trial. Additionally, by collecting all lums and breaking all cages in a level, the player unlocks a bonus level in which one of Globox's children races against a robot pirate. When the player controlling the child wins the race, Rayman gains health or a powerup.

Plot

The Glade of Dreams is invaded by the Robo-Pirates, led by Admiral Razorbeard, with the intent to conquer and enslave. The crisis prompts volunteers, including Rayman and his friend Globox, to form resistance groups. Rayman and Globox confront an army of robots. Rayman battles valiantly with energy spheres, while Globox, despite his fear, aids by creating rain to rust the robots. However, a telepathic message from Ly the Fairy reveals devastating news: the pirates have destroyed the Primordial Core, scattering the world's energy, and have captured most of the warriors. This loss strips Rayman of his powers, leading to his capture. As Razorbeard gloats, Rayman urges Globox to escape and find Ly, defiantly vowing to resist.

Imprisoned aboard the pirate ship ''Buccaneer'', Rayman despairs over his lost powers until Globox delivers a Silver Lum from Ly, restoring his abilities. Rayman escapes through a pipe, but a collision with Globox sends them plummeting. Landing in the Woods of Light and separated from Globox, Rayman learns from Globox’s children that Ly has been captured. The four Teensie Kings inform him that Ly is held in the Fairy Glade’s Robo-Pirate fortress. Rayman rescues Ly, who reveals that Polokus, the world’s spirit, can restore his full powers if Rayman collects four magical masks. After Ly transfers her remaining power to him and vanishes, Rayman frees Ssssam the Swamp Snake, who reveals Globox’s recapture.

Rayman’s quest for the masks begins at the Sanctuary of Water and Ice, where he defeats the guardian Axel to claim the first mask. In Polokus’s realm, the spirit promises to awaken and aid Rayman once all masks are gathered. In the Menhir Hills, Rayman finds the warrior Clark, weakened from swallowing a Robo-Pirate. To heal him, Rayman enters the Cave of Bad Dreams, surviving pursuit by the guardian Jano. Rejecting a treasure of gold, Rayman chooses the Elixir of Life, curing Clark. In the Canopy, Rayman frees Globox, who provides another Silver Lum. Carmen the whale guides Rayman through Whale Bay to the Sanctuary of Stone and Fire, where the guardian Umber helps him secure the second mask. Rayman defeats the guardian Foutch in the Sanctuary of Rock and Lava for the third mask. In the Iron Mountains, Globox’s wife Uglette reveals Globox’s re-imprisonment on the ''Buccaneer'' and their children’s enslavement in the mines. Rayman rescues the children, one of whom found the fourth mask. With all masks united, Polokus awakens, destroying the pirates’ land fortresses but leaving the ''Buccaneer'' to Rayman.

Aboard the ship, Razorbeard acquires the Grolgoth, a formidable mecha, for a final showdown. Rayman frees the prisoners and confronts Razorbeard in the crow’s nest, where Globox is held hostage. The battle intensifies as the deck collapses, plunging Rayman toward a lava-filled furnace. Ly’s timely Silver Lum saves him, and she urges him to defeat Razorbeard. In an airborne clash, Rayman knocks the Grolgoth into the lava. Razorbeard escapes in a small craft, triggering the Grolgoth’s self-destruct, obliterating the ''Buccaneer''. Rayman’s friends, mourning his apparent death after finding only his foot, are overjoyed when he emerges, injured but alive, on a crutch.

Development

''Rayman 2'' was originally conceptualised as a sidescrolling 2D platformer, like the first game. Development on the prototype began in early 1996 with a team of six people and a budget of 10 million francs. It was slated to be released on the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Windows in the fourth quarter of that year. The prototype of ''Rayman 2'' featured some usage of prerendered bitmaps of 3D computer models, differing from the hand-drawn presentation of its predecessor. The PC was the original lead platform, but it was switched to the Nintendo 64 mid-development, necessitating reducing the quality of the textures. The Dreamcast version uses the original high-quality textures. The art design was inspired by the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Tex Avery, and was made to give the game's world a sense of mythology.

Release

''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' was first released for the Nintendo 64 in Europe on 29 October 1999, and in North America on 9 November 1999. The Nintendo 64 version is compatible with the Expansion Pak, which allows the game to be played in a higher resolution. Unlike other versions of the game, the soundtrack is played in a MIDI format.

The Windows version was released in Europe on 29 October 1999, and in North America on 4 November 1999. Compared to the Nintendo 64 version, it features more detailed graphics and a 22 kHz soundtrack.

The Dreamcast version was released in Europe on 16 March 2000, followed by North America on 21 March 2000 and Japan on 23 March 2000. It is similar to the Windows version, but certain environments and the final battle have been modified and bonus mini-games were added.

The PlayStation version, developed by Ubi Soft Shanghai, was released in Europe on 8 September 2000, and in North America on 16 September 2000. The graphics were downgraded, the game has a new layout within its levels (some hidden areas having been removed), the world map is constructed slightly differently and the game contains a bonus prototype of an early 2D version of the game.

The PlayStation 2 version, titled ''Rayman Revolution'' and developed by Ubi Soft Annecy, was a launch title for the console's European release. ''Rayman Revolution'' features improved graphics over the Windows and Dreamcast versions, as well as new and modified levels.

The Nintendo DS version, titled ''Rayman DS'' released in Europe as a launch title for the handheld on 11 March 2005, followed by North America on 28 March 2005. It is a port of the Nintendo 64 version.

The iOS version was released on 1 March 2010, and the Nintendo 3DS version, titled ''Rayman 3D'', released as a launch title for the handheld in 2011. They are ports of the Dreamcast version, albeit with the bonus mini-games removed.

Reception

''Rayman 2'' received critical acclaim upon release, with the Windows version receiving a silver sales award from Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association.

Jeff Lundrigan for ''Next Generation'' reviewed the Nintendo 64 version of the game for and stated that "with its cute character designs and slick, polished gameplay, ''Rayman 2'' is one of the few titles that can honestly claim to have something to offer any gamer of any age or skill." ''IGN'' writer Brandon Justice praised it as "the most impressive feat of game design and execution the platforming genre has ever seen" and recommend players to forget about ''Super Mario 64'', ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''Crash Bandicoot''.

Many writers of ''Game Informer'' praised the game as a "gorgeous" game in which pays homage to ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and calling it best Nintendo 64 game because of it camera and control system in which one of the writers Jay wrote how there times when the game looked brilliantly such as "helicoptering down a long chute or skiing behind a sea monster." Stuart Clarke of the Sydney Morning Herald appreciated that the graphics are "lush and beautiful" which was helped by the Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak or a "good" PC 3-D accelerator card.

He also reviewed the Dreamcast version and stated that "just go out and buy it. You won't be disappointed." The reception for ''Rayman DS'' was mixed or average, ''IGN'' writer Craig Harris citing graphical flaws and camera problems. While it did support controlling the game via the touchpad, this was regarded as both "sloppy and awkward," ''GameSpot'' writer Provo Frank criticize that it has made numerous graphical issues that often interfere with gameplay.

''Rayman 2'' is occasionally included in " greatest video games" lists by video game publications, with ''IGN'' calling it "a demonstration of what the modern platform game could be -- smart, fast and challenging." It was ranked number six on ''Nintendo Life'''s 2024 list of the best Nintendo 64 platformers which writers described it as "a very strong 3D platformer from a time when you couldn't move for them" and they indicates that the ''Rayman'' series make "the jump from 2D in a colourful adventure" that have everything the player could want from the platformer genre.

Accolades

''Rayman 2'' was nominated for personal computer action game of the year award by ''GameSpot'' in 1999. The Dreamcast version was a runner-up for ''GameSpot''s annual best platform game award. During the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated ''Rayman 2'' in the categories of "Game of the Year", "Console Game of the Year", " Console Action/Adventure", "Animation", and "Game Design". ''Rayman'' ''Revolution'' was a runner-up for ''GameSpot''s annual best platform game award.

Notes

References

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1999 video games
3D platformers
Video games about alien invasions
Cancelled Sega Saturn games
Dark fantasy video games
Dreamcast games
Game Boy Color games
Gameloft games
IOS games
Nintendo 3DS games
Nintendo 3DS eShop games
Nintendo 64 games
Nintendo DS games
PlayStation (console) games
PlayStation 2 games
PlayStation Network games
2: The Great Escape
RenderWare games
Video games about robots
Single-player video games
Video games about size change
Video games about dreams
Video games about pirates
Video games directed by Michel Ancel
Video games developed in China
Video games developed in France
Video games developed in the United Kingdom
Windows games