Rayman 2

[JamesDNaux]

On the subject of remaking Rayman 2, something I've always wanted out of either a remake or another 3D game in general would be both Rayman using his fist and the energy shots. Basically take the combat of Rayman 2 and 3 and put them together, using the PS control scheme as an example, Square would punch (working exactly as it did in Rayman 3), and Circle would be used for shots when an enemy is just out of range for even Rayman's fists. Years ago, I bout Rayman Revolution due to some confusion, I think it read on the back of the box that Rayman actually punched in the game, so at the time I figured it did exactly what I imagined.

It would be cool to see them try to tie in the universe a bit more, have some references to other games and even entirely new areas with the more out-there themes of the series. One thing Rayman 2 lacks is the wackier areas like Band Land or the like, maybe they could incorporate aspects of those themes in with the general themes of Rayman 2, like instead of just the blatant "instrument themed area," they could have structures resembling giant instruments naturally incorporated in the environment, like Bongo Hills in the PC version of Rayman 1. Origins did that really well with Desert of Dijiridoos, it really seems like a run down Band Land that went from a lush green environment to a desert over the course of time.

I'd definitely like them to stick with the hub world idea from Revolution, with the Hall of Doors maybe being a menu shortcut for quick level access. I'm not sure what else I'd like to see in a remake outside of maybe the extra temple some are throwing around already, Revolution had the right idea with Grolem 13, but the idea could definitely be expanded upon, maybe with another free-flying area to fit the airy theme. But alas, it's all just hopes and dreams.

[Adsolution]

On the subject of remaking Rayman 2, something I've always wanted out of either a remake or another 3D game in general would be both Rayman using his fist and the energy shots. Basically take the combat of Rayman 2 and 3 and put them together, using the PS control scheme as an example, Square would punch (working exactly as it did in Rayman 3), and Circle would be used for shots when an enemy is just out of range for even Rayman's fists.

This is actually almost exactly how the combat in Revenge of the Dark works (even the control scheme), except the fist won't function exactly like it does in Rayman 3; personally, I'm not a fan of the idea of sequels in a series like Rayman (where each entry is so different) just straight-up reusing mechanics, unless they're tightly wound like Origins and Legends.

[Master]

Indeed, combining Rayman 2 and 3's combat is something that has been mentioned by members before. It's always been something I've wanted to see in action, though perhaps also with some of the UbiArt concepts also.

As for expanding the lore, at this point, I'm not really sure how you could reconcile the differences between the titles. Rayman 1, 3D and UbiArt all feel rather distinct, and despite attempts to try to tie things up (especially during Origins' early production), having a consistent canon doesn't seem to be of major importance anymore. As such, personally I feel that if they do try to go down the lore heavy route again, I'd rather they try to stick with the 3D universe, as I feel it's better suited, and has the most fleshed out incarnation of the Rayman Universe.

[JamesDNaux]

This is actually almost exactly how the combat in Revenge of the Dark works (even the control scheme), except the fist won't function exactly like it does in Rayman 3; personally, I'm not a fan of the idea of sequels in a series like Rayman (where each entry is so different) just straight-up reusing mechanics, unless they're tightly wound like Origins and Legends.

I think it's a matter of circumstance, honestly. The first game's combat was something really unique, and I feel like the leap to 3D along with hardware limitations is what caused the shift in combat mechanics, I recall some beta footage where Rayman's energy shots actually resembled fists. Rayman 3 was a different beast entirely, not being handled by Ancel, but the team did a wonderful job translating the punching mechanics of the first game into a 3D environment. I'm not really sure what happened with Origins/Legends, I guess Ancel decided that a more streamlined, speedrunning sort of platformer was the way to go.

It's probably why the games are so drastically different in tone as well, they wanted to try something different in 3D, then another team entirely handled the third game, and with Origins they tried making something cohesive and followed through on that with Legends. I can see where you're coming from, though.

Though I'm definitely interested in what you said about your combat, do you have any footage of it? I remember seeing your project ages ago and it was amazing then, glad to hear it's still in production.

Indeed, combining Rayman 2 and 3's combat is something that has been mentioned by members before. It's always been something I've wanted to see in action, though perhaps also with some of the UbiArt concepts also.

As for expanding the lore, at this point, I'm not really sure how you could reconcile the differences between the titles. Rayman 1, 3D and UbiArt all feel rather distinct, and despite attempts to try to tie things up (especially during Origins' early production), having a consistent canon doesn't seem to be of major importance anymore. As such, personally I feel that if they do try to go down the lore heavy route again, I'd rather they try to stick with the 3D universe, as I feel it's better suited, and has the most fleshed out incarnation of the Rayman Universe.

I feel like they tried to wash that away a bit with Origins/Legends, having everything being dreams crafted by Polokus means they can always do something new without having to stick to anything previously established. I'd just personally like another trip down the Rayman 2 route, a big cohesive story and plenty of lore.

And not necessarily tying the games together, but at least having some more reoccurring elements. I can dig the world being entirely different each time, but what ever happened to all the characters in Rayman 2, or even Betilla and the Nymphs in Legends?

[RayCarrot]

I just created a RayWiki page for the early production of Rayman 2 in 3D, similarly to the Rayman 3 one: https://raymanpc.com/wiki/en/Rayman_2_( ... roduction)
Please let me know if I missed anything important.

[Ambidextroid]

I just created a RayWiki page for the early production of Rayman 2 in 3D, similarly to the Rayman 3 one: https://raymanpc.com/wiki/en/Rayman_2_( ... roduction)
Please let me know if I missed anything important.

Nice!
The last bracket isn't uncluded in your link by the way, you should put url tags around it

[RayCarrot]

I just created a RayWiki page for the early production of Rayman 2 in 3D, similarly to the Rayman 3 one: https://raymanpc.com/wiki/en/Rayman_2_( ... roduction)
Please let me know if I missed anything important.

Nice!
The last bracket isn't uncluded in your link by the way, you should put url tags around it

Oh, thanks. Fixed now.

[Adsolution]

I made a thing in about ten hours today:
download virus wav

[Haruka]

Downloading .

[Shrooblord]

Rayman 2. Rayman Goddamn 2.

(...)

Regardless, without Rayman 2, I never would've gotten into the franchise, and for that reason, as well as all those listed above, it's one of my favorite games of all time.

I feel like you and I are probably soulmates.

And God what I wouldn't give for a fully-orchestrated rendition of the game's soundtrack to go with it. I love how pervasive Chevalier managed to make that main leitmotif across the soundtrack as a whole. It's honestly incredible.

Exhibit B.

The idea behind him had some merit though: instead of having the last mask just handed to you in an anticlimactic way, they have you battle another boss, which is good.

I don't know: I find the idea of you getting the Fourth Mask not because you are some superhero Rambo character who beats up Guardians and receives their rightful claim as "the One to Beat Up All", but rather because you are a compassionate friend to the Globox family and save their children from a horrible lifetime imprisonment in The Mines quite appealing.

The completion of your quest as the hero rests not solely on your abilities to deal out lean, mean fighting machine moves to terrifyingly monstrous mystical Keepers of the World and conquer them by force, but also on your merits as the saviour of the common folk, the friend, the one who will go out of his way to save the tiny lives of the many children of Globox's family, even though his "greater quest" of standing up to Razorbeard and ending the Robo-Pirate dominion looms right up before him.

You should be rewarded for that character trait, and you are.

It reminds me of the story of Jason of the Argonauts helping an old woman cross the muddy river, though he had to carry her on his back through the rushing waters all the way across to the other side, when no other person would, when everyone else waived their chance to help out a poor old woman in need. And as he did, he was rewarded: for the woman turned out to be the High Goddess Hera in disguise, and she blessed him for his character.

In addition, having a Baby Globox find that most powerful of mystical artefacts "just lying somewhere" drives a far more interesting plot point than having a Fourth Guardian, in my opinion. Why was that Mask there? What happened to its Guardian? Where exactly did the Baby Globox find it: was it within some snaking labyrinthian passageway in the heart of the mountains, deep, deep in the Mines? These questions make for a more interesting story, and leave things up to the imagination to be divined with fantasy, as opposed to having the generic "yeah you've learned now that you need to beat a boss to get a Mask so here, we'll give you what you expect; fight this boss now, then you'll get your Mask already". It's a surprising twist and I like that (even if it would at some point turn out it was just a cop-out because they lacked the time or creative effort to come up with a better place Rayman would find that Mask... that it leaves things up to the imagination is what makes it the more interesting choice to me).

Actually, now that I think about it, this all doesn't make sense story-wise. The guardians and masks were created by Polokus, and they all serve him, and we know that Polokus is as powerless "as a newborn" in the sky, so a sanctuary and guardian in the sky that controls the weather (which is part of the sky rather than the earth) shouldn't exist. So original Rayman 2 makes more sense.

That's a very good point I had not thought to consider, actually.

I made a thing in about ten hours today:
download virus wav

Aw, man, that's really sweet! Great work.

Still though, it feels like it would've been a game with a completely different atmosphere if this was what they'd gone with for the PC version and the other installations, too. I'm glad those scores ended up being what they are today... I probably would've had a vastly different musical style, myself, if all installations' music would've been composed like the N64 version!

[Bradandez]

I made a thing in about ten hours today:
download virus wav

Wow, you actually made Rayman 2's music enjoyable. Good work.

[deton24]

Orchestral soundtrack... Do I know?
Here is an attempt to do so
https://youtu.be/42SdEMKMgwI
(Posted previously somewhere)
And still, original ones have something timeless for me.

[RibShark]

This manual is kinda weird. It's for the PC version, but it mentions Ludivs and Denys, and also talks about Ly communicating via the Stones of Thought. I guess they mixed up the PS1 and PC versions somehow?

[Master]

Ooh, thanks for using a linked quote, Shroob. I just realised they change colour when you hover over them.

As for that mix-up, that is rather peculiar indeed. Perhaps they took a PS1 manual and modified it, rather than taking the original manual and cutting it down to fit the jewel case? Would be rather handy to have a PS1 manual for comparison's sake.

[SpyroGuy]

♩ On the first day of Christmas
Polokus gave to me
A Revolution re-release ♩

(or maybe not) xD

[Master]

Eh, after being spoiled by what they're doing to Crash, I kinda want to see that sort of remake done to the 3D games, though without the realistic furriness.

[gamerz31w]

I remember in 1999 when I was 5 years old I my mum bought me Rayman 2 PC version when I had problem with menhir hills with running missle now I know it must be exhausted of chasing rayman somewhere in 2005/2006 I decided to buy Rayman 15th Anniversary with Rayman 2,Rayman 3,Rayman M and Rayman Studio because on my Windows XP Rayman 2 PC instalation keeps freeze in each opening autorun.exe

[deton24]

I remember when I was 5, and I only had demo with buggy graphic drivers, and Fairy Glade was all white -.- and 15 FPS. Intel 166 MMX.
Then my friend borrowed me original, beautiful Polish version, and correct drivers, and I remember my first gameplay of Cave of Bad Dreams to this day.
Gloomy... cloudy... early morning. AND this freaky music!
I didn't know how to chose dialog that I don't want treasure, and I stucked there for at least few months without knowing what to do next...

And also, in Rayman 3 I stucked for two or three years because I didn't know English then, and it was written to use specific key simultaneously with arrows and shot. And I was running like an idiot around this freaking platform to rise it up... grrrr

[raymanHUN]

The Rayman 3 one was the same for me, didn't know how to lift up the platform where you have to shoot right and left, with the glass thing in front of you. All because I didn't know english :'( Since then I finished the game, but I could've finished it so much sooner

[deton24]

I sympathising with you... and then, after lifting, this Murphy dialogue "~Sorry for this ~ form of entertainment

I thought: How did you know that bustards..
(2 or 3 years later)