Rayman 2: Difference between revisions

| published by = [[Ubisoft|Ubi Soft Entertainment]]

| developed by = [[Ubisoft|Ubi Soft Montpellier]]<br>[[Ubisoft|Ubisoft Shanghai]] ([[Rayman 2 (PlayStation)|PlayStation]])

| soundtrack by = [[Éric Chevalier]] <small>(original music)</small> <br> Daniel Masson <small>(N64 MIDI adaptation)</small>

[[File:European Union.png|16px]] 22nd October, 1999<br>

[[File:United States of America(USA).png|16px]] 31st October, 1999<br>

[[File:European Union.png|16px]] 29th October, 1999<br>

[[File:United States of America(USA).png|16px]] 31st October, 1999<br>

[[File:South Korea.png|16px]] November, 1999<ref>''PC Power Zine'' issue 52 (November 1999), [[:File:PC Power Zine Issue 52 (November 1999).jpg]]</ref><ref>''PC Power Zine'' issue 54 (January 2000), [[:File:PC Power Zine Issue 54 (January 2000).jpg]]</ref><br>

[[File:China.png|16px]] November, 1999<ref>家用电脑与游戏机 #63 (November 1999), https://archive.org/details/jiayou-magazine/1999/%E5%AE%B6%E7%94%A8%E7%94%B5%E8%84%91%E4%B8%8E%E6%B8%B8%E6%88%8F%E6%9C%BA%20Vol.063%201999.11</ref><br>

[[File:United States of America(USA).png|16px]] 29th February, 2000<br>

[[File:European Union.png|16px]] 23rd March, 2000<br>

[[File:Japan.png|16px]] 23rd March, 2000<ref>''Dreamcast Magazine'' (Japan) issue 63 (March 2000)</ref><br>

[[File:European Union.png|16px]] 7th September, 2000<br>

[[File:United States of America(USA).png|16px]] 15th September, 2000<br>

[[File:Australia.png|16px]] September, 2000<ref>''Australian Station'' issue 16, page 58, https://archive.org/details/australian-station-16-october-2000/page/58/mode/1up</ref><br>

[[File:European Union.png|16px]] 14th December, 2000<br>

[[File:United States of America(USA).png|16px]] 30th January, 2001<br>

[[File:European Union.png|16px]] 11th March, 2005<br>

[[File:United States of America(USA).png|16px]] 24th March, 2005<br>

[[File:United States of America(USA).png|16px]] 18th December, 2008<br>

[[File:European Union.png|16px]] 28th July, 2010<br>

[[File:Globe.png|16px|Worldwide]] 1st March, 2010<br>

[[File:European Union.png|16px]] 25th March, 2011<br>

[[File:United States of America(USA).png|16px]] 25th March, 2011<br>

| platforms = Nintendo 64, PC, Sega Dreamcast, [[Rayman 2 (PlayStation)|Sony PlayStation]], [[Rayman Revolution|Sony PlayStation 2]], [[Rayman DS|Nintendo DS]], [[Rayman 2 (iOS)|Apple iOS]], Sony PlayStation Portable (PlayStation Network), Sony PlayStation 3 (PlayStation Network), Sony PlayStation Vita (PlayStation Network), [[Rayman 3D|Nintendo 3DS]]

| distribution media = Cartridge, CD-ROM, GD-ROM, DVD, digital download

'''''Rayman 2: The Great Escape''''' is the second major game in the [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' series]]. It is the first sequel to [[Rayman 1|the original ''Rayman'' game]], and the series' first 3D game. ''Rayman 2'' introduced many brand-new major characters, though it featured almost none from its predecessor. ''Rayman 2'' was first released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64 and PC. It was followed by ports for the Sega Dreamcast and Sony PlayStation in 2000. Each version is different in its own way due to the specifications of each platform.

''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' is often abbreviated as '''''Rayman 2''''' or (to avoid confusion with the similarly named ''[[Rayman Revolution]]'') '''''R2'''''. The [[Rayman 2 (PlayStation)|Sony PlayStation version]] of ''Rayman 2'' was later released as a PSOne Classic on the North American PlayStation Network, on December 18, 2008. On March 1, 2010 and March 25, 2011, two versions based on the Dreamcast incarnation of the game were released; one for the [[Rayman 2 (iOS)|iOS]] devices, and a similar version for the Nintendo 3DS, under the title ''[[Rayman 3D]]''. The PC version joined ''[[Rayman Forever]]'' on the digital distribution service [http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/rayman_2_the_great_escape Good Old Games] on the 27th of May, 2011.

In most versions, excluding those based off the PC and Nintendo 64, a cutscene will play once the level is completed for the first time. It shows [[Rayman]] freeing the captives within [[the Prison Ship]], who are then urged to leave, while [[Rayman]] makes his final approach to [[Razorbeard]] himself.

''Rayman 2'' was first developed to be a 2D sidescrolling platform game similar to [[Rayman 1|the original ''Rayman'' game]], and was planned to be released on the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn.<ref>Unseen64.com, ''Rayman 2 [2D version - Unreleased]'', http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/11/rayman2-2d-cancelled</ref> Screenshots, videos and interviews indicate that the game would still involve an invasion of robots from space. The game featured enemies similar to the [[Robo-Pirate]]s, and it also featured background platforming - using a device similar to a shower head and a toilet flush, [[Rayman]] could teleport from the foreground to the background (and vice-versa). One video in particular also featured [[Betilla]] the Fairy, and showed her imprisoned in a cell.

Not much is currently known about [[Rayman 2 (early production)|the development of the 3D game]] that eventually became the final ''Rayman 2'', however, from pre-release screenshots and footage, it is clear that level designs underwent significant evolution, and the HUD was at one point drastically different to the HUD seen in the final game. Recent texture hacking led to the discovery of more pre-release elements, textures for a third red coloured [[Magic Sphere]] and its pyramid base were located, it is unknown why these textures went unused and where the objects they represented were meant to be placed. Despite not being used in the game itself, they can be made to replace the other used colourations via texture hacking.

A lot of changes have also been seen in early trailer and interviews for the game. At one point [[Purple Lum]]s were going to have a completely different design resembling the other [[Lum]]s seen in the game.<ref>YouTube.com, Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn_UYduONuA</ref> A video showing an early version of the Nintendo 64 version reveals an unused area most likely located in [[the Prison Ship]]. It closely resembles the alternative path that can be taken in the same level to fill up [[Rayman]]'s health.<ref>YouTube.com, Unused area https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCZ10RrA_5Q</ref> Other trailers show more open levels suggesting ''Rayman 2'' was at one point going to go in a more non-linear direction.<ref>YouTube.com, Early trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KujjiLYaW8</ref>

Only the PC, Nintendo 64, and Dreamcast versions (including their derivatives like the [[Rayman DS|DS]]/[[Rayman 3D|3DS]] and [[Rayman 2 (iOS)|iOS]] ports) feature a consistent level set. The [[Rayman 2 (PlayStation)|PlayStation version]] cuts down the number of levels and shortens existing ones, while [[Rayman Revolution|the PlayStation 2 version]] expands existing levels and even adds new ones. This list does not include [[Rayman 2 Forever|the Game Boy Color version]], which is a completely separate game.

The Nintendo 64 version, along with the PC version, is the original version of the game. The Nintendo 64 version features a different soundtrack in MIDI format, which was later reused in [[Rayman DS|the Nintendo DS port]]. Several of the menu transitions are exclusive to this version.

===Windows PC===

[[File:Rayman 2 - Box Art.png|thumb|right|150px|The Windows PC cover.]]

The PC version retains the same level structure from the Nintendo 64 version with higher resolution graphics and a higher framerate.

This version was later re-released on GOG<ref>Rayman 2 on GOG https://www.gog.com/game/rayman_2_the_great_escape</ref> and Uplay.<ref>Rayman 2 on Uplay http://store.ubi.com/eu/rayman-2--the-great-escape/57062ec088a7e316728b465a.html</ref>

===Sega Dreamcast===

[[File:Rayman 2 Dreamcast.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The Sega Dreamcast cover.]]

The Sega Dreamcast version retains the high quality textures from the PC version, while slightly improving some. A new area has been added in [[the Woods of Light]] called [[Globox Village]], where the player can access new minigames by collecting [[Glob Crystal|Globox Crystals]]. This is the first version of ''Rayman 2'' to allow for widescreen and the only version where the aspect ratio can manually be changed. [[The Hall of Doors]] has been replaced by [[the Isle of Doors]]. Several more [[Robo-Pirate]]s have been added as well as a new type that shoots bombs. This is also the first version to have the cutscene in [[the Prison Ship]] where [[Rayman]] frees the prisoners, which was cut from the original versions due to time constraints.

===[[Rayman 2 (PlayStation)|Sony PlayStation]]===

[[File:Rayman 2 PS1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The Sony PlayStation cover (PAL).]]

The [[Rayman 2 (PlayStation)|Sony PlayStation version]] removes and changes a bunch of levels, while merging others, and reduces the total amount of [[Yellow Lum]]s from 1000 to 800. Some levels do, however, have several new areas and some cutscenes have been changed as well. This is the first version to have full voice acting. Many graphical changes are present, most notably in [[the Hall of Doors]]. A new bonus level can be unlocked that lets the player try a stage from [[Rayman 2 (cancelled prototype)|the 2D prototype]]. Instead of [[Lum]]s being imprisoned in [[cage]]s, there are now [[Ludiv]]s, [[Greenbottle]]s and [[Minisaurus]].

This version was later re-released on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita.

 

===Sony PlayStation 2 (titled ''[[Rayman Revolution]]'')===

[[File:RRev PS2EUcov.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The Sony PlayStation 2 cover (PAL).]]

The Sony PlayStation 2 version, titled ''[[Rayman Revolution]]'' in Europe and ''[[Rayman Revolution|Rayman 2 Revolution]]'' in North America, is the port with the most added content. New [[The Front|hub worlds]] have been added, replacing [[the Hall of Doors]], levels have been expanded, most notably [[the Fairy Glade]] and [[the Echoing Caves]], new cutscenes and dialogue are present, and new bosses have been added, including [[Grolem 13|a fourth guardian]]. New music has been added in the new areas and for [[Robo-Pirate]] battles, and new upgrades and minigames can be obtained by collecting [[Yellow Lum]]s and by freeing [[Familiar Spirit]]s from [[cage]]s. A lot of graphical improvements are present with a bunch of previously 2D assets having been reworked into 3D models. This is also the second version to feature full voice-acting. The original [[Raymanian]] voices can, however, still be chosen, with new sounds added.

===[[Rayman 2 (iOS)|Apple iOS]]===

[[File:Raymanios2.jpeg|thumb|right|150px|The Apple iOS icon.]]

The [[Rayman 2 (iOS)|Apple iOS version]] is a direct port of the Dreamcast version, with the minigames as well as [[Globox Village]] being omitted. The [[Lift|Lift mini-game]] was, however, present in the free [[List of Rayman demos|demo]]. This version has since been removed from the App Store and can no longer be obtained legally if it was not purchased before being removed.

The Nintendo 3DS version, titled ''[[Rayman 3D]]'', is a direct port of the Dreamcast version, with, similarly to [[Rayman 2 (iOS)|the Apple iOS version]], the minigames as well as [[Globox Village]] removed. Several graphical and sound glitches are present as well as a game breaking bug preventing the player from obtaining the [[1000th Yellow Lum]] as intended. A balanced difficulty curve has been added, having several obstacles being removed if the player misses too many [[Yellow Lum]]s.

R2PTPCManual thumb.png|The Portuguese PC manual|link=https://raymanpc.com/wiki/script-en/images/7/7d/R2PortuguesePCManual.pdf

RaymanLy001.jpg

* The Sony PlayStation European release of ''Rayman 2'' originally came with a digital watch. In the North American release it originally came with a beach ball.

*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsIk8u15VvVTzresRmZpJSCDFZmsgVKSj ''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' playthrough at YouTube (PC version)]

*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsIk8u15VvVSygL2Cmc1VexurGyKITLm2 ''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' playthrough at YouTube (Sega Dreamcast version)]

*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsIk8u15VvVRRKSj2IEGUhRCgG-QjY0h7 ''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' playthrough at YouTube (Sony PlayStation version)]