It's been 13 years since the last mainline Rayman game, Rayman Legends, which also happens to be the best in the series in my book. So when I learned about its remake, Rayman Legends Retold, I was a little confused. The 2013 classic still plays great and looks amazing thanks to its painterly and timeless art direction. It's also still commercially available today. If Rayman Legends had suffered the blemishes of time and were no longer accessible, then a remake would be merited.

However, my sentiment faded once I saw Rayman Legends Retold in action and played it for over an hour. While, yes, it's Rayman Legends built from the ground up with a new 3D art direction, it's also a complete retelling of the original game's story (as the title implies) and packs in enough new content that puts it well beyond just your average remake. In fact, this could be the foundation for the future of the franchise.

Watch my hands-on preview below to really soak in all the major changes, from completely new cutscenes and voice acting, to a glimpse at its game overworld. Alongside the game's new cutscenes is an expanded story with a new antagonist, culminating into the addition of a sixth game world with brand-new levels and boss battle--none of which I got the chance to see, sadly. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkOiVHFsFco

The intent of this new iteration of Rayman Legends is to add an even greater sense of adventure to the game--an intent that is made clear with the game's reworked overworlds, which are filled with new secrets and collectibles. Additionally, the camera now pans and tilts as you progress through the level, adding a sense of depth that makes the world feel more alive, despite its left-to-right 2D exploration.

When stepping back and looking at what Ubisoft has accomplished with the slice of the game I saw, it felt as if it's bridging the series' 2D roots with the 3D visuals of Rayman 2 and 3. The pairing feels great and could lay the groundwork for what the next Rayman game could look and feel like.

Would I have preferred getting an all new Rayman game? Of course. However, Rayman Legends Retold may be offering the best of both worlds: a reason to replay the best Rayman in the series, as well as completely new levels with an all-new story to experience. It's an edition I'm excited to play more of when it releases October 1, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC for $40.