Day 249, Game 249 - Rayman Legends

Do you remember back on Day 39 of this blog - February 8th, to be specific - where I talked about the announcement to delay Rayman Legends for the Wii U, which coincided with the sudden announcement that it would no longer be a console exclusive to Nintendo, as it would be released simultaneously on all of the other platforms as well. 

This was a big deal back then, as it was surprising to begin with that Nintendo landed such a big name game as an exclusive. Throw in the fact that the Wii U was desperate for any sort of game at the time, and it all meant that Wii U owners and Nintendo fans alike were sad. 

Not just sad, but bored. And feeling a little forgotten about and neglected. 

Well, eventually some games started to come out for the console, slowly but surely, with several more on the way. Sure, they aren't coming at record speed, but one excellent game every month or so up until next year isn't something to shake a stick at, as they say. And yes, Rayman Legends isn't an exclusive, but it's worth celebrating as a game for the Wii U. All the versions of this game are exactly the same (except the Vita version which was missing 28 levels for mysterious reasons), but the Wii U version has something that no other console can offer: the GamePad controller. 

Word around the proverbial water cooler known as the internet is that the PS3 or Xbox versions of Rayman Legends is a lot better and more fun for single players, but the Wii U offers an far more enticing and enriching experience for multiplayer gaming, because of the GamePad. The unique controller can come in handy in multiplayer games, much in the same way it was used in New Super Mario Bros. U, as an assist tool, aiding the other players along the way. 

For solo play, the game utilizes the GamePad in a very unusual way, with certain parts of specific levels forcing you to become the guide for an AI character as he runs to the end of the level, but not without help from you and your GamePad, using the touch screen to move platforms, cut ropes and eliminate enemies in the way. Personally, I had no problems using these controls, and feel like they are very intuitive and precise. The different game play style is a nice change of pace, especially when it comes after a normal platforming level that was harder than it felt like it should be. But hey, maybe touch controls on the GamePad aren't for everyone. 

Regardless of what console you play this game on, it is guarantee to impress. The game is smart, and never truly punishes you for failing. There are no lives, continues or any of the normal platforming ideas. Which is awesome, because some of the levels get really, really difficult. They are never too hard, but always feel rewarding when you complete one. 

Oh, and did I mention how amazingly beautiful and gorgeous Rayman Legends is? It might be one of the prettiest games I've seen in a long time, and the art style so whimsical and delightful, it's hard not to just stop and go sightseeing as you traverse the uber-creative levels. Seriously. Everything about this game is so over the top amazing, I can't stop playing it. It turned into one of those games that you keep saying "just one more level" after completing the last level. It's addicting in the best possible way. 

Sure, it may not have come out when it was originally scheduled to. Sure, it wasn't an exclusive like originally planned. But I truly believe that while this game would have been awesome before, these several extra months the developers had to polish up the game was more valuable than having something to play on the Wii U earlier in the year. Let's just hope this momentum carries on through the end of the year, for everyone's sake. 

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