Rayman 2 (early production)

This article is about the early production of the 3D build of the game. For the original 2D prototype, see Rayman 2 (cancelled prototype).

Rayman 2 underwent a bunch of changes during its development, most which have been found through hacking and from old trailers.

Cut levels

Judging by the content of the PC version, the cutscene in the Prison Ship where Rayman frees the prisoners, which first appeared in the Dreamcast version, was originally meant to appear in the PC and Nintendo 64 versions.

In 2018 it was discovered that the PlayStation version contains a reference to a level by the name the Walk of Bravery, which was meant to appear between the Echoing Caves and the Precipice.

The PC version also has leftovers from several unused levels, being the following:

Learn_20
Whale_20
Astro_20
Wipe_10
morbide_tst

There was also originally meant to be a connection between the Fairy Glade and the Echoing Caves in the Hall of Doors ^[1].

Early names

Below is a list of all of the currently known early names for levels, locations and characters.

The Technical Check-up - originally the Emission Control station
Polokus - originally Polochus
The Marshes of Awakening - originally the Marshes of the Awakening and the Marshlands of Awakening
The Fairy Glade - originally the Fairy's Glade (the early name is used in Rayman Revolution)
The Canopy - originally the Wilderness
The Sanctuary of Stone and Fire - originally the Sanctuary of Lava and Fire
The Precipice - originally the Great Rift
The Top of the World - originally the Roof of the World
The Sanctuary of Rock and Lava - originally the Sanctuary of Rock and Stone and the Sanctuary of Earth and Stone
Beneath the Sanctuary of Rock and Lava - originally beneath the Sanctuary of Earth and Stone

Miscellaneous

The cheat code "GETELIX" is mentioned along with the other known cheat codes in the PC version, but it appears to be unused. It was most likely meant to give the player the Elixir of Life before entering the Cave of Bad Dreams.

Unused textures

Many textures which were later used in the PlayStation version can also be found in the files for the PC version suggestion they were originally meant to be included there as well. These include the textures for Antitoons and the stone with Ly's face. Textures from the Dreamcast version were found as well, such as the textures for Eig. Some leftovers, such as controller icons, where found from the Nintendo 64 version.

HUD

Oddly enough this doesn't appear in the Fairy Glade during the baby Globox dialogue.
Due to Jano not having a health bar, this isn't shown during the battle against him.
An unused icon.
An unused camera icon.
An unused camera icon.
A beta health icon.
A beta breath icon.
An unused energy icon.
An unused fist icon.
An unused clock icon.
An unused icon.
An unused icon.
An unused icon.

Objects

An idle Red Sphere, as it could have appeared, in the Cave of Bad Dreams.
The base for a Red Sphere, as it could have appeared, in the Cave of Bad Dreams.

Metallic Ssssam

Ssssam was originally meant to be metallic.

An early, more metallic version of Ssssam.
The unused textures applied on a 3D mesh. The model itself is an unofficial recreation.

Font

The old font is present in the demo files.

Loading screens and artwork

Titled "VigLoadMisc01"
Titled "VigLoadMisc02"
Titled "VigLoadMisc03"
Titled "VigLoadMisc04"
Titled "VigLoadMisc05"
Titled "VigLoadMisc06"
Rayman is oddly enough present on the image.
An old look of Rayman.

Concept Art

Storyboard for opening cinematic.
Rayman saves Clark in the Menhir Hills.
The Menhir Hills' ending.
Rayman's final encounter with Razorbeard.
Other mounts where considered before walking shells were implemented.
An unused scenario that was conceptionalised for gameplay.
The same concept with off angle and readable text, click for translation.

Demo

There were two different demos made for Rayman 2, both of them including two parts from the Fairy Glade.

The pause menu in the demo.

Demo 1

Demo 2

Although the demos are very similar and include the same levels, there are some minor differences.

Differences from Rayman 2

Rayman falls into the level after the Robo-Pirate animation in the first demo, instead of afterwards like in the final version.
The total amount of cages show 0 in the first demo, instead of 7 like in the final version. Cages can however still be broken and will result in it showing 1/0 etc.
The heads-up display can't by triggered to show by pressing "J".
The transparency doesn't work on all textures.
Rayman starts with the upgraded fist from the Canopy.
The Hall of Doors uses the French name "Mapmonde".

Beta dialogue

The following text was found in the PC version's files. The text from the demo mostly includes minor differences, such as misspellings and incorrect grammar. Only the text that differs is shown here.

Introduction

The following text was found in the demo. The main difference here is the mentioning of Robo-Rats.

Since they captured you, Nothing can stop them. They've taken everything And enslaved our people. Their Robo-Rats sniff out the hidden for capture. In the chaos, they exploded the Primordial Energy Core. The Energy broke into 1000 magical fragments called lums. We grow weaker. Soon, it will be too late... You must escape, Rayman You are our only hope!
The Buccaneer, prison ship of the pirates, commanded by the admiral RazorBeard. Slaves now on board 5000. Wake up Rayman, I have sent you help...

The Woods of Light

The following text was meant to appear during the intro when the pirates dragged Globox into Rayman's cell. Most of it was found in the demo, though the second line (No! Not the whip!) can't be found in the final game as well. It was most likely not used to keep the game at a low age rating.

Have mercy...
No! Not the whip!

This following text was found in the demo.

A silver lums! Incredible! I can feel her energy coming into me... Now I can shoot with my fist again

This following text was found in the demo and was meant to be spoken by Murfy after Rayman escaped.

Howdy, rayman! glad to see that you escaped!

plan saved Rayman! But... Where's Daddy?
Erm, you see... we've got separated... Not there Daddy Globox? Boohooooo! We want our Daddy! Now don't worry kiddies! I'll bring your dad back! But first I've got to find LY. She often comes here. Have you seen her around? Some nasty pirates took LY over there! Hummm... I gotta help her!

The pirates have taken Ly to the Fairy's Glade. They've locked her in one of their castles.

The Fairy Glade

Oh, Rayman, I was afraid Globox didn't make it.

And the energy has become very difficult to reunite.

He's the Spirit of the World. His power is limitless.

The Marshes of Awakening

But I did see Globox get arrested by 2 Pirates.

So go away! Come back when you have the name.

I have hidden a precious treasure inside here. You can have it for yourself, If you are faster than me. I'll give a head start, But don't delay! If I catch you, I'll show you no mercy...

The Walk of Life

To increase your chances Here's some vital energy

The Cave of Bad Dreams

I want the treasure!
No treasure for me!
THE DREAM TEAM

In the demo files, the same text appears, but with a different third option.

I want the treasure!
No treasure for me!
I wanna set my buddies free !

The demo version also includes a new line spoken by Jano after Rayman made the decision not to take the gold.

You didn't fall into the trap.

The Precipice

Meanwhile... :The pirate prison ship. Slaves now on 33 524
What is it ?
Your ferocity...he...he... already has 2 Masks
You idiotic fool ! Go and find him ! Don't come back without his corpse!

The Walk of Power

I think you deserve a much tougher Shootout

The Tomb of the Ancients

Somewhere in the sky... The pirate prison ship. Slaves now on board 45 263
Now what ?
Nuh.. nothing serious.. he just found the Third Mask
What ?!
But that's not Possible ! ! ! If he finds that fourth one, I'll be coming for you...

The Iron Mountains

Good luck, Rayman !
See you soon Uglette!

Note how Polokus doesn't mention him not being able to use his powers above the ground.

At last the Final Mask... Bravo Rayman! You've succeed in awakening me ! Now I can send you to The Pirate prison ship. Now go and fight your Final battle...

The Prison Ship

This cutscene was later used in the Dreamcast, PlayStation and PlayStation 2 versions with the PlayStation 2 one being slightly altered. This suggests that it was originally meant to be included in the PC version as well. The text can be found in the final version of the game.

Help! Please!
Back off kiddies. Yahoooo! Yipeeee! Yahooo! Yipeeee! Yipeeee! Yahoooo! Kudos for Rayman! Hurrah! Yipeee! Yahooo! Get out of the prisonship, kids! I still have to find Globox.

The Crow's Nest

Come in, you useless worm! Ray... Rayman has found the final mask. He's just been spotted on board the ship.
You've failed me again... I did warn you, didn't I
Target Acquisition!
Leave my friend alone!
Oh, I'll leave you both alone...for all eternity! Huh?

The following text can be found in the final version of the game and was most likely mean to be spoken by Rayman's friends during the boss fight against Razorbeard.

we're all with you!
one last effort, and the pirates will only be a bad memory!
go for it, rayman! you can do it!
don't listen to him! he's nothing but a dirty liar!!
take him out and we'll finally be free!
we're all with you, little buddy!
win, and i'll melt my gold to make a statue of you.
i've taught you well. don't let me down!
you are the greatest hero i have ever known!
we'll be dancing to bring you luck!

The following text can be found in the final version of the game and was most likely mean to be spoken by Razorbeard during the boss fight against him.

take that!
i'm not afraid of you!
i'll feed your remains to the piranhas!!
go ahead and relax! you're about to die!
i'll show you what i'm made of!!
look how easily we tame these savage beasts!
i'll decorate your gravestone myself!
ha! globox was a better fighter than you!
did you remember to say goodbye to ly?
you're going to pay for what you've done!!

Here are some minor differences in what Razorbeard says. This was found in the demo files.

Lava bath is served, rayman! Have fun!
Eat this! Hahaha!!!
Come here and Fight!
you won't escape!
You are so ridiculous!

Note how there's no mentioning of Polokus here.

The slaves have broken their chains and escaped. On the planet, our people have eliminated the last pirates. Destroy Razorbeard, and our victory will be complete!

The Council Chamber of the Teensies

So, did you guys figure it out? Are you the real king?
Uh...More or less. We're a Bit better organised now.

The Knowledge of the World

ingenuous
neophyte
enlightened
wise
omniscient

Ly

fight hard! Freedom depends on your fists!

Pirate signs

The following text can be found in the files of the final game. It is unknown where they were going to appear, though the second one was most likely meant to appear in the Fairy Glade.

piranha farm Property of admiral razorbeard!
public notice! witch Ly, presently languishing in the stronghold, will be made to walk the plank at dusk. reservations are advised.
beyond this point lies a vast unexplored wasteland.

Debug

Err. No Level played

This text can be seen on an unused Spiral Door which can be made to appear before the Woods of Light through hacking.

Surprise !
Le Monde des Pirates

These levels, which were not included in the final game, are mentioned in the demo files. Morbide is the file name for the Tomb of the Ancients.

Learn_20
Whale_20
Astro_20
morbide_tst

The following text, found in the demo, suggest that key mapping was originally going to be possible in the PC version.

SETUP KEYBOARD
SETUP JOYSTICK

Names

The demo files include different names for several locations. Some of these can be seen in early strategy guides.

The Sanctuary of Lava and FIRE (The Sanctuary of Stone and Fire).

The Sanctuary of rock and Stone (The Sanctuary of Rock and Lava).

Beneath the sanctuary of rock and stone (Beneath the Sanctuary of Rock and Lava).

Emission Control station (Technical Check-Up).

Foutch is oddly enough referred to as the guardian of the Sanctuary of Stone and Fire and Umber as the guardian of the Sanctuary of Rock and Lava.

AXEL: Guardian of the sanctuary of water and ice
FOUTCH: Guardian of the sanctuary of lava and fire
UMBER: Guardian of the sanctuary of rock and stone

Unknown

This was most likely meant to take place in the Crow's Nest. It was found in the demo files.

In RazorBeard's personal cabin.
You'll pay for this! No! You can't come in here!

It is unknown where this was meant to be shown, though it was most likely in either the Woods of Light or the Fairy Glade. It was found in the demo files.

Quickly, Rayman! we want our papa!

Artwork

A bunch of screenshots and artwork have been found from early versions of Rayman 2.

Magazine scans

References

↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJQcHip4tDE Rayman 2: Mysteries of the Hall of Doors at YouTube

External links

[1] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJQcHip4tDE Rayman 2: Mysteries of the Hall of Doors at YouTube

[1]

Rayman series
Main series	Rayman (Atari Jaguar) • 2: The Great Escape • 3: Hoodlum Havoc • Origins • Legends
	Remakes/ports	2 (PlayStation) • Revolution • Advance • Ultimate • DS • Rayman (DSi) • 2 (iOS) • 3D • 3 HD • Classic
	Game packs	Gold • Forever • Collector • 100 Levels • Funpack • Compilation • 3-Pack • 1 & 2 Double Pack • 10th Anniversary • Collectors Edition • Collection • Rayman and Rabbids Family Pack • Origins & Legends Double Pack
	Early production	Rayman • Rayman 2 • Rayman 3 • Rayman Origins • Rayman Legends
	Cancelled	Rayman (SNES) • Rayman 2 (2D) • Rayman 2000 • Rayman Adventures • Rayman 4 • Raving Rabbids • Rayman Éducation
Portable	Handheld	Rayman • 2 Forever • Rayman 3 • Hoodlums' Revenge • Raving Rabbids (GBA) • Raving Rabbids (DS) • Raving Rabbids 2 • Raving Rabbids TV Party
Portable	Mobile	Garden • Golf • Bowling • Rayman 3 • Raving Rabbids • Kart • Raving Rabbids TV Party • Jungle Run • Fiesta Run • Adventures
Spin-offs	Designer • By his Fans • 60 Levels • Rayman M • Arena • Rush • 3 Print Studio • Raving Rabbids Activity Centre • Legends Beatbox
	Educational	Junior • English with Rayman • Activity Centre • Dictées • CP • Maternelle • Premiers Clics
	Flash	Globber • Rayman vs Cullcut • Globox 2001 • Pirate Shoot • Slap, Flap and Go
	Rabbids	Raving Rabbids • Raving Rabbids 2 • TV Party
Related	The Animated Series • Tonic Trouble • Beyond Good and Evil • Academy of Champions: Football