The Walk of Life

The Walk of Life is the first of two optional bonus levels in Rayman 2 in which Rayman races with Ly the Fairy through a forest, picking up Yellow Lums along the way. The aim is to not beat Ly (though it is possible), who serves only as a guide, but to get to the end before the time runs out. The available time can be extended by walking over glowing lily pads that are scattered along the path. When Rayman gets to the end, he is rewarded with maximum health. The other optional bonus level is the Walk of Power, which is a sequel to the Walk of Life.

Original version

The Walk of Life
The Walk of Life
← {{{preceded by}}}	{{{followed by}}} →
The Bayou

In the original version of the game, the Walk of Life is accessed via the Bayou and requires 60 Yellow Lums to enter. At the beginning of the Walk, there is a slope to slide down (Ly just runs down it), ending with a pit that is laced with cobwebs to bounce on. Rayman and Ly run through a waterfall and into a canyon where the walls on the other side of a set of weak wooden bridges are covered in vines. At the top, they drop down from a strong wooden plank onto another, run through a passage with a bouncing cobweb at the middle and jump from two cliffs to the ground. After another passage, there are more, smaller cliffs ending with the final cobweb, and then they make it to the end, where Ly performs a magical ritual and gives him maximum health regardless of whether he has beaten his time record.

There are no cages in this level, as it is a bonus. After visiting it once, it becomes accessible directly from the Hall of Doors, without having to enter the Bayou first.

• 
  The Spiral Door in the Hall of Doors which takes Rayman to the Walk of Life.

Dreamcast version

The Walk of Life
The Walk of Life
← {{{preceded by}}}	{{{followed by}}} →
The Bayou

This level is identical to that of the original version. Here also, the level must be accessed through the Bayou on the first visit, but later can be entered directly from the Isle of Doors.

PlayStation version

The Walk of Life
The Walk of Life
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The Bayou

In the PlayStation version, this level is linked to the Bayou in the Hall of Doors, and contains 30 Yellow Lums. 100 Yellow Lums are needed to access it, otherwise the Spiral Door leading to this world will not appear in the Hall of Doors. Much of the level design here remains the same as that in the original version, but with the following differences:

• Rayman does not slide automatically down the slope at the beginning, and there are more cobwebs to jump on.
• Where the canyon with the breakable wooden planks would be, there is now a chasm trailed with Purple Lums. This part of the level also takes to the vine wall on Rayman's left, rather than his right in the other versions.
• At the end, Ly will not perform her magical physically, neither will a Teensie appear, and Rayman will walk to the Spiral Door automatically.

PlayStation 2 version

The Time Race #1
The Time Race #1
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Ly's House

In Rayman Revolution, the Walk of Life was renamed to Racing Challenge 1 in the menu and The Time Race #1 at the start of the level, and is accessed through any of Ly's three locations - her house, her stele and her cave. It is unlocked by saving half of the 80 Familiar Spirits. Instead of picking up Yellow Lums, Rayman has to pick up 25 Red Lums. Upon completion, Rayman's lifebar is extended, provided that Rayman picked up all of the Red Lums along the way. Ly will not perform her magic physically here; nor will a Teensie appear to take Rayman away. The player is then given the choice to restart the race or to return to the stone Rayman entered from.

Trivia

• Rayman runs exactly 20% faster in this level and the Walk of Power than in any other level in the game.
• The level's name is a possible reference to the Dire Straits' single "Walk of Life".

External links

• The Walk of Life playthrough at YouTube (PC version)
• The Walk of Life playthrough at YouTube (Sega Dreamcast version)
• The Walk of Life playthrough at YouTube (Sony PlayStation version)
• Racing Challenge 1 (The Walk of Life) playthrough at YouTube (Sony PlayStation 2 version)