Rayman Legends

[sergiomonty]

To be fair... there is one, and let's be honest... it's way better than the crappy fanfiction-like plotline that Rayman Origins proposed. The story is simple, but functional, and the characters have even more personality than before.

I find it telling that the developers quietly chose not to bring Gabrielle Shrager back for Rayman Legends.

While I appreciate the enthusiasm of Gabrielle about bringing a truly complex story to the Rayman Origins, I think it didn't fit with the Nickelodeon-like presentation with 100% slapstick and zero dialogues that Origins offered. I don't even know if it was her or Michel's idea to turn the Magician into a bad guy, but despite the fact that he sort of works as a bad guy and he does actually have a true motivation, I think the final execution was total apeshit.

Rayman Legends works because it steps on familiar grounds. It's pretty much like Rayman 2 just by the fact that the story is incredibly basic: you save the Glade and beat the crap out of a bad guy (who happens to be The Magician) and that's it. No weird backstories, no betrayals, no turn of events. But it's also like Rayman 2 because of one reason: the characters have simple but charming personalities. This is the cutest version of Murfy I've ever seen, this is the best Polokus, and this is a better Rayman that that one shown in Origins (In the boss battle against El Chili, he actually seems to wonder what's going on instead of just standing there with a dumb smile).

[spiraldoor]

While I appreciate the enthusiasm of Gabrielle about bringing a truly complex story to the Rayman Origins, I think it didn't fit with the Nickelodeon-like presentation with 100% slapstick and zero dialogues that Origins offered. I don't even know if it was her or Michel's idea to turn the Magician into a bad guy, but despite the fact that he sort of works as a bad guy and he does actually have a true motivation, I think the final execution was total apeshit.

Oh yeah, definitely. It's clear that there was a lot of conflict during the development of Origins. I mean, in one of the early interviews they stated that the game would be a prequel explaining he origins of Mr Dark. There's a whole bunch of holdovers from that era – the anachronistically youthful and immature characters for one. I get the impression that they ditched all the dialogue that was meant to accompany the "reveal" very late in development, and I doubt very much that this was a unanimous decision by the developers.

Rayman Legends works because it steps on familiar grounds. It's pretty much like Rayman 2 just by the fact that the story is incredibly basic: you save the Glade and beat the crap out of a bad guy (who happens to be The Magician) and that's it. No weird backstories, no betrayals, no turn of events. But it's also like Rayman 2 because of one reason: the characters have simple but charming personalities. This is the cutest version of Murfy I've ever seen, this is the best Polokus, and this is a better Rayman that that one shown in Origins (In the boss battle against El Chili, he actually seems to wonder what's going on instead of just standing there with a dumb smile).

Yes, the character work looks a little stronger than last time. Bubble Dreamer and Murfy seem to have more defined personalities than they did in Origins, though I would have preferred the mystic Polokus of Rayman 2 and the cheeky meta-Murfy of Rayman 3 (the only character who actually worked in that game). I'm leaning towards Shrager conceiving the Magician's backstory and betrayal because there's really nothing like that in the other games.

[Haruka]

While I appreciate the enthusiasm of Gabrielle about bringing a truly complex story to the Rayman Origins, I think it didn't fit with the Nickelodeon-like presentation with 100% slapstick and zero dialogues that Origins offered. I don't even know if it was her or Michel's idea to turn the Magician into a bad guy, but despite the fact that he sort of works as a bad guy and he does actually have a true motivation, I think the final execution was total apeshit.

Oh yeah, definitely. It's clear that there was a lot of conflict during the development of Origins. I mean, in one of the early interviews they stated that the game would be a prequel explaining he origins of Mr Dark. There's a whole bunch of holdovers from that era – the anachronistically youthful and immature characters for one. I get the impression that they ditched all the dialogue that was meant to accompany the "reveal" very late in development, and I doubt very much that this was a unanimous decision by the developers.

Rayman Legends works because it steps on familiar grounds. It's pretty much like Rayman 2 just by the fact that the story is incredibly basic: you save the Glade and beat the crap out of a bad guy (who happens to be The Magician) and that's it. No weird backstories, no betrayals, no turn of events. But it's also like Rayman 2 because of one reason: the characters have simple but charming personalities. This is the cutest version of Murfy I've ever seen, this is the best Polokus, and this is a better Rayman that that one shown in Origins (In the boss battle against El Chili, he actually seems to wonder what's going on instead of just standing there with a dumb smile).

Yes, the character work looks a little stronger than last time. Bubble Dreamer and Murfy seem to have more defined personalities than they did in Origins, though I would have preferred the mystic Polokus of Rayman 2 and the cheeky meta-Murfy of Rayman 3 (the only character who actually worked in that game). I'm leaning towards Shrager conceiving the Magician's backstory and betrayal because there's really nothing like that in the other games.

I agree with everything said in here. It is curious how we don't hear about Shragger for Rayman Legends, I think this fact by itself already says a lot. The final product is also very different from what it was "promised" back in 2010, so there were lots of changements and probably a lot of arguing. RO worked for the non-Rayman fans or to people that never appreciated the franchise before, it is an interesting fact. The ending of RO felt quite unrewarding for me, even after beating Big Mama. I think they could have done much, but much better.

There's also no doubt that the characters personalities are more bold in RL. Polokus is one of the best examples. But like Spiral, I still prefer the R2 Polokus and R3 Murfy character portraits. I however am fine with the idea of Polokus being able to do shapeshifting and Murfy being somehow a coward in Rayman Legends but simultaneously acting like a sidekick.

[sergiomonty]

I think the idea of Polokus as a shapeshifter was dropped long ago.

[Adsolution]

I would have preferred the mystic Polokus of Rayman 2 and the cheeky meta-Murfy of Rayman 3 (the only character who actually worked in that game).

Hm, I'm glad I'm not the only one around here who thought Murfy was great and easily the best character in Rayman 3.

[Haruka]

You weren't, Ad. I think it was the only character that was inside the parameters.

@Sergio I don't think Polokus had short arms and amphibian legs in R2...

[Bionichute]

I think the idea of Polokus as a shapeshifter was dropped long ago.

I think it's kind of in the background, implied but not really shown, and explains why this Polokus looks nothing like R2 Polokus. Why wouldn't he be able to shapeshift anyway? Zeus could do it, and the Christian God appeared as a burning bush once, so why wouldn't the god of The Glade be able to?

While I do like Murfy's R3 personality, I also like his new cute one too, and for Polokus, well, I really like his new kindly old man feel better. He really didn't do anything until the very end of R2, but here he sends Murfy to wake up Rayman, instigating him to save the world again, and gives out helpful tips for new players. I also really like his voice in the intro, it fits him.

[spiraldoor]

The Bubble Dreamer was supposed to manifest in various incarnations that the heroes would encounter throughout Origins. One of them was a tree, one of them was a rock, one of them was a samurai-looking guy. It was a wonderful idea. Shame they replaced it with... whatever the hell they replaced it with. Nymphs or something. Origins has faded in my memory.

The concept art of the Bubble Dreamer's various forms should really be on the wiki, but I can't find it at the moment.

[Haruka]

There aren't pictures of Polokus' alternate forms? I can upload these.

[Bionichute]

There aren't pictures of Polokus' alternate forms? I can upload these.

I'm pretty sure there's only pics of his tree and rock forms. Let me find them...







They're using this one for his pose in Legends. Funny that.

[Haruka]

I was about to point that about the last pic. I don't know if people noticed that RL's Polokus is recycled from the RO concept art.

By the way, the uploading in RayWiki is glitching up:

Code: Select all

     Could not open lock file for "mwstore://local-backend/local-public/8/80".
    Could not open lock file for "mwstore://local-backend/local-public/8/80/BubbleRock.jpg". 

[spiraldoor]

Yeah, I think the picture where he's sitting on the perch (similar to his final appearance in Origins) is the one we identified as a samurai for some reason. Haven't seen it in ages. I think the accompanying article (which confirmed that he's Polokus under another name, and said the game would explain Mr Dark's origins) included more details.

Edit: I found it.

http://i.imgur.com/Ertlt2t.jpg

[OCG]

Thanks for finding it. Anyone has translated text?

[Haruka]

In 2011, yes.

[OCG]

I barely had internet in 2011
And sadly I was not part of this wonderful community. Any archive saved with translation?

[Rulez]

Lol just check back in the Rayman Origins thread or use the search bar bro

[Rayfist]

I would have preferred the mystic Polokus of Rayman 2 and the cheeky meta-Murfy of Rayman 3 (the only character who actually worked in that game).

Hm, I'm glad I'm not the only one around here who thought Murfy was great and easily the best character in Rayman 3.

Sergio disagrees there :p

[OCG]

I like Bubble Dreamer in RL a little better I must admit, but I like him in R2 as well.

[TeensieKing]

I would have preferred the mystic Polokus of Rayman 2 and the cheeky meta-Murfy of Rayman 3 (the only character who actually worked in that game).

Hm, I'm glad I'm not the only one around here who thought Murfy was great and easily the best character in Rayman 3.

I agree, I think Murfy is the only character that's actually a bit funny in that game

[sergiomonty]

I would have preferred the mystic Polokus of Rayman 2 and the cheeky meta-Murfy of Rayman 3 (the only character who actually worked in that game).

Hm, I'm glad I'm not the only one around here who thought Murfy was great and easily the best character in Rayman 3.

Sergio disagrees there :p

You know me :'D

I think "Murphy" is a pretty weak attempt to turn the Rayman universe into a saturday sitcom. He's an attempt to turn an innocent and beautiful world into a cheap comedy show for adults. His lines are fun?... Sure, but...only the first 3 times you hear them. When you keep replaying and replaying just to earn the best score, you can see the problem with him: He gets old pretty fast, and in my opinion, he becomes probably one of the most annoying characters in the Rayman universe.

I love fourth wall jokes, but when it comes to Rayman's strange and unique world, it feels awkward, and even more when a character like Murfy keeps reminding you, in a very sarcastic way, over and over, that you're just a guy in a couch playing a videogame... and not the hero of the Glade.

When Ancel said he would have made Rayman 3 very different, I think Murfy forms part of all of the problems that he found in the game. Now that I see his current vision of the character, I see that he actually tried to create what today is an innocent, enthusiastic and helpful friend for Rayman... not an asshole who talks to a manual.