Rayman (series): Difference between revisions

The '''''Rayman'' series''' is an action platform video game series. The series was created by French games designer [[Michel Ancel]], and each instalment has been published by [[Ubisoft]]. The protagonist of the games is the heroic [[Rayman]], a character destined to combat the forces of evil and preserve the equilibrium of the universe. The games take place in a fantastical world known as [[the Glade of Dreams]], which was dreamed into existence by the god [[Polokus]] and is sustained by a mystical keystone known as [[the Heart of the World]].

In the beginning, there were only the [[Lum]]s – little beings of pure energy. They came in several coloured varieties, each with their own attributes, but the most important were the one-thousand [[Yellow Lum]]s. One day, the [[Lum]]s focused their energy into thought, and created a god named [[Polokus]] (also known as the Bubble Dreamer). [[Polokus]]'s power was such that his smallest thought or desire became reality. Through his dreams (which were composed of friendly creatures called [[Electoon]]s), he created [[the Glade of Dreams]], the world in which the ''Rayman'' series takes place.

[[The Glade of Dreams]] is a rich and magical world, featuring many diverse environments, from relatively realistic forests and mountains to surreal landscapes of music and art supplies. It has two [[Moons]] and two [[Suns]]. [[Polokus]] populated his world with [[Fairy|fairies]], [[Teensie]]s and a plethora of other fantasical creatures. The balance of [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]] is maintained by [[the Heart of the World]], a glowing core of energy composed of the original one-thousand [[Yellow Lum]]s. When [[Polokus]] had completed his world, one task remained: creating time. In order to accomplish this, [[Polokus]] sank into a deep sleep. In his dreams, he left [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]], and travelled to the place where all the gods of all the worlds meet. Together they set about dreaming up the future. Wise men say that, at the dawn of time, a war broke out between the gods for control of the one-thousand [[Yellow Lum]]s. This is commemorated by [[Globox Disc|the Game of the Gods]]. It is also told that [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]] was originally shaped like a flat disc, and only later became a spherical planet.

For a time following [[Polokus]]'s departure, [[the Glade of Dreams]] was blissful and idyllic. However, [[Polokus]]'s nightmares could also take on a life of their own. When [[Polokus]] had his [[First Bad Dream]], a monstrous being known as [[Jano]] was created. [[Jano]] launched an invasion on [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]] with his spawn, the [[Antitoon|Darktoons]], which were the antithesis of the [[Electoon]]s. In order to combat [[Jano]], [[Betilla]] the Fairy and her sisters – a group of benevolent [[nymph]]s – traveled to [[Pink Plant Woods|the Primordial Forest]] and used their magic to create [[Rayman]], a hero who could help to maintain the balance of [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]] and protect it from evil. However, the [[nymph]]s accidentally lost a sack of [[Lum]]s on their way to the ritual, and as a result, [[Rayman]] was born without limbs. In his first adventure – which is referenced but never shown – the young [[Rayman]] put an end to [[Jano]]'s invasion and restored peace to [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]].

[[Rayman 1|The original ''Rayman'']] was released in 1995. At the beginning of the [[Rayman (Atari Jaguar)|Atari Jaguar version]], [[Rayman]] is seen frolicking with a group of [[Electoon]]s while they gravitate around the [[Great Protoon]], a glowing orb of energy which seems to be [[the Heart of the World]] under another name. Later, a dark and mysterious villain known as [[Mr Dark]] appears, stealing the [[Great Protoon]] and defeating [[Betilla]] the Fairy as she tries to protect it. When the [[Great Protoon]] is removed from its rightful place, [[the Glade of Dreams]] is cast into imbalance, and nightmarish creatures like [[Antitoon]]s, [[piranha]]s, [[Livingstone]]s and [[hunter]]s begin to proliferate, capturing the scattered [[Electoon]]s and imprisoning them in [[cage]]s. [[The Magician]] calls upon [[Rayman]], asking him to free all of the [[Electoon]]s, defeat [[Mr Dark]] and restore the [[Great Protoon]] to its rightful place. [[Rayman]] receives [[the Magician]]'s call while relaxing in a hammock, giving him the thumbs-up and responding ‘No problem!’ It seems that [[Rayman]] has become lazy, confident and self-assured since defeating [[Jano]]. At this time, [[Rayman]] apparently lives in a house on a beach, though his home is never fully seen (the very first level of the game, [[Pink Plant Woods]], is named the Primordial Forest in the original French edition, suggesting that this is very close to [[Rayman]]'s birthplace). He then travels through [[the valley]]'s six different lands, rescuing [[Electoon]]s and defeating powerful bosses. Along the way, [[Rayman]] meets his creator, [[Betilla]] the Fairy, for the first time; she gives him several powers to help him on his way, and is kidnapped by [[Mr Dark]] for her efforts. [[Rayman]] eventually reaches [[Mr Dark]]'s lair in the [[Candy Château]], where the villain transforms himself into monstrous hybrids of the previous five bosses. Ultimately [[Rayman]] defeats [[Mr Dark]], rescues [[Betilla]] and returns the [[Great Protoon]] to its rightful place, restoring the balance of [[the Glade of Dreams]].

The [[Rayman (Game Boy Color)|Game Boy Color adaptation of ''Rayman'']] was released in 2000, and features a simplified version of [[Rayman 1|the original game]]'s story. In this game, the [[Ting]]s reveal themselves to be tiny [[Fairy|fairies]] encased in glassy spheres. They act as guides, helping [[Rayman]] to find his way and explaining the story to him. [[Rayman]] is told that the evil [[Mr Dark]] has kidnapped the [[Electoon|Toons]] in order to steal their magical energy for his own use, so [[Rayman]] sets out to stop him and restore peace to [[The Glade of Dreams|his world]]. The aforementioned characters are the only ones who appear in the game, which is notable for featuring a climactic battle between [[Rayman]] and [[Mr Dark]] in the [[Rocky Peaks]]; this contrasts with [[Rayman 1|the original game]], where [[Mr Dark]] shape-shifts in various hybrids of the previous bosses during the final battle.

[[Rayman]]'s next adventure, ''[[Rayman 2]]'', features a darker story and somewhat more realistic environments. Prior to the opening of the game, [[the Glade of Dreams]] is invaded by an army of [[Robo-Pirate]]s from space, led by the diabolical [[Admiral Razorbeard]]. The [[Robo-Pirate|pirates]] enslave tens of thousands of innocent creatures, imprisoning them on their colossal flying ship, the ''[[Buccaneer]]''. [[Rayman]] joins a resistance movement, and travels with his friend [[Globox]] to [[the Great Forest]], where the [[Robo-Pirate|pirates]] are massing. In the middle of a fight, [[Rayman]]'s powers suddenly disappear – he receives a telepathic message from [[Ly]] the Fairy, who tells him that the [[Robo-Pirate]]s have just smashed [[the Heart of the World]], scattering the one-thousand [[Yellow Lum]]s across [[the Glade of Dreams]], destroying the cosmic balance and stripping [[Rayman]] and [[Ly]] of their magical powers. As [[Rayman]] is captured by the [[Robo-Pirate|pirates]], he tells a frightened [[Globox]] to run and find [[Ly]] for help. [[Rayman]] is imprisoned in a jail cell on board the ''[[Buccaneer]]'', and it seems that [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]]'s last hope has been lost. However, [[Globox]] gives himself up to the [[Robo-Pirate|pirates]] in order to be reunited with [[Rayman]]. [[Globox]] gives him a [[Silver Lum]], which he received from [[Ly]] and smuggled into the ship. The [[Silver Lum]] restores [[Rayman]]'s ability to shoot with his [[magic fist]], allowing him to smash into a vent and escape. [[Globox]] accidentally knocks [[Rayman]] off the ''[[Buccaneer]]'' and they both fall to the ground.

On his journey to find [[Ly]] the Fairy, [[Rayman]] meets [[Murfy]] (a helpful [[greenbottle]]) and the [[Grand Minimus]] (the king of the [[Teensie]]s) for the first time. When [[Rayman]] finds [[Ly]], she asks him if he has heard of [[Polokus]], and he tells her that he has not. [[Ly]] informs [[Rayman]] that [[Polokus]]'s power is immense, and that he is their only hope of defeating the [[Robo-Pirate]]s, but that he has been sleeping for many years. In order to reawaken [[Polokus]] and enlist his help, [[Rayman]] must track down the [[Four Masks of Polokus]] – ancient artefacts that the god hid around [[the Glade of Dreams]], and which, when reunited, could bring him back. In order to do this, [[Rayman]] must defeat the masks' remaining Guardians, whose personalities range from reasonable to insane. Each time he finds a [[Four Masks of Polokus|Mask]], [[Rayman]] is briefly transported to [[Polokus]]'s resting place, where he meets the ancient god for the first time and gives him [[Four Masks of Polokus|his Masks]], one by one. [[Rayman]] must also collect all one-thousand [[Yellow Lum]]s scattered throughout the game to repair [[the Heart of the World]], and free dozens of friendly creatures that the pirates have imprisoned in [[cage]]s. Along the way, [[Rayman]] carries out many tasks, rescuing his friends [[Ssssam]] the Watersnake, [[Carmen]] the Whale, [[Globox]], and [[Globox]]'s [[Baby Globox|650 babies]]. At one point, while searching for an [[Elixir of Life]] to cure his friend [[Clark]] the Giant, [[Rayman]] encounters his first foe, [[Jano]], the monster whom he was created to defeat. [[Jano]] is now the Guardian of [[the Cave of Bad Dreams]], a subterranean grotto where [[Polokus]]'s nightmares are imprisoned. Although they have a protracted battle, [[Rayman]] defeats [[Jano]], who apparently comes to respect [[Rayman]] when he chooses the [[Elixir of Life]] for his friend rather than a mountain of gold. They part on good terms. Eventually, [[Rayman]] collects all [[Four Masks of Polokus|four Masks]], reawakening [[Polokus]], who uses his power to destroy almost every [[Robo-Pirate]] in [[the Glade of Dreams]]. However, [[Polokus]]'s power does not extent into the air, so he cannot take down [[Admiral Razorbeard|Razorbeard]] and his prison-ship, the ''[[Buccaneer]]''. [[Rayman]] travels to the ''[[Buccaneer]]'' to free its prisoners and defeat [[Admiral Razorbeard|Razorbeard]] himself. After a long battle, [[Admiral Razorbeard|Razorbeard]] flies away in his escape pod and blows up the ''[[Buccaneer]]'' with [[Rayman]] inside. [[Rayman]] was believed by his friends to have died in the explosion, the only thing left of him being his [[Crazy Shoe|left shoe]]. At his funeral, [[Rayman]] arrives safe and sound and is reunited with his foot. After his long and difficult adventure, he is told that the [[Robo-Pirate]]s are gone and [[the Heart of the World]] is back together. [[Rayman]] is then told to rest, as it is unknown what challenges tomorrow will bring.

At the beginning of ''[[Rayman 3]]'', [[Rayman]] and his best friend [[Globox]] are sleeping in a forest in [[the Glade of Dreams]]. Nearby, a [[Red Lum]] sees something so terrifying that it transforms into a malevolent [[Black Lum]] known as [[André]]. [[André]] converts other [[Red Lum]]s to [[Black Lum]]s simply by touching them. By stripping the wool from animals, the [[Black Lum]]s weave costumes for themselves, becoming new enemies known as [[Hoodlum]]s. [[André]] schemes to infect [[the Heart of the World]], using its energy to create an unstoppable [[Hoodlum]] army.

Eager in his intents, he storms through the doors of [[the Fairy Council]], unaware that, with the help of [[Murfy]], [[Rayman]] and [[Globox]] had already arrived there, frantically searching for him. [[Globox]], standing in a hallway, screams and accidentally swallows [[André]], where [[André]] soon decides to reside. On the advice of the [[Grand Minimus]], [[Rayman]] and [[Globox]] travel across [[the Glade of Dreams]] and visit three different [[Teensie doctor]]s, each of whom attempts to remove [[André]] from [[Globox]] and hopefully destroy the [[Black Lum]]. Along the way, the heroes have a run-in with the [[Knaaren]], a race of subterranean warriors who worship a god known as the [[Leptys]]. When [[Rayman]] defeats their champion, [[Reflux]], the [[Knaaren]] reward him: with the [[Sceptre of the Leptys]], they grant him the power to transform [[Black Lum]]s into [[Red Lum]]s with a simple [[grimace]], a power [[Rayman]] once had in [[Rayman 1|the original ''Rayman'' game]]. Then [[Rayman]] and [[Globox]] are allowed to go along their way. When they reach the third [[Teensie doctor]], he decides to join forces with the first two, and together they manage to extract [[André]]. However, [[André]] escapes, and tracks down the [[Knaaren]] warrior [[Reflux]], who was disgraced by his defeat at the hands of [[Rayman]]. [[André]] convinces [[Reflux]] to steal the [[Sceptre of the Leptys]] from [[Gumsi|his king]], granting the evil duo tremendous power, which they can use to destroy [[Rayman]].

In this [[Rayman 3 (Game Boy Advance)|handheld sidescroller]], [[Admiral Razorbeard]] strikes back at [[the Glade of Dreams]] by capturing [[Globox]], and it is up to [[Rayman]] to save his friend yet again. The events of this game may take place between those of ''[[Rayman 2]]'' and ''[[Rayman 3]]'', or may simply be considered an alternate version of ''[[Rayman 3]]''’s story. [[Globox]] swallows a [[Black Lum]], similarly to ''[[Rayman 3]]'', although it doesn't appear to be [[André]] and was apparently done to save a group of [[Teensie]]s. [[Admiral Razorbeard]] returns as the main villain, with him wanting revenge from the events of ''[[Rayman 2]]''. Throughout the course of the game [[Rayman]] will meet a bunch of characters from ''[[Rayman 2]]'', such as [[Ssssam]] and [[Ly]], who will help him out in similar ways. Most levels are based on ''[[Rayman 2]]'', with minor inclusions from ''[[Rayman 3]]'', and the soundtrack consists largely of remixes from ''[[Rayman 2]]''.

In 2006, [[Rayman Raving Rabbids (Game Boy Advance)|the Game Boy Advance version of ''Rayman Raving Rabbids'']] was released. It is not a party game, but a 2D sidescrolling platformer, very similar in gameplay to [[Rayman 3 (Game Boy Advance)|the Game Boy Advance version of ''Rayman 3'']]. The game is essentially a fusion of Phoenix Interactive's ''[[Rayman 4 (cancelled prototype)|Rayman 4]]'' project and [[Ubisoft|Ubisoft Montpellier]]'s original ''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids (cancelled prototype)|Rayman Raving Rabbids]]'' platformer. The story is closer to that of [[Rayman Raving Rabbids (cancelled prototype)|the cancelled ''Rayman Raving Rabbids'']]: [[the Glade of Dreams]] is invaded by an army of vicious [[Rabbid]]s, which are led by a colossal war machine known as the [[Rabbids' ship]], and [[Rayman]] sets out on a quest to take them down. The levels and art style, however, are closer to those of Phoenix Interactive's ''[[Rayman 4 (cancelled prototype)|Rayman 4]]'' project. Many of the game's levels are either locations from [[Rayman 1|the original ''Rayman'' game]] that Phoenix planned to revisit, or locations that were originally designed by Phoenix's concept artists. The game features familiar enemies like [[Livingstone]]s, [[Antitoon]]s, [[hunter]]s and [[piranha]]s. Along the way, numerous characters from ''[[Rayman 2]]'' and ''[[Rayman 3]]'' make cameo appearances – most notably [[Ly]] the Fairy, who plays a major role in the game. [[Rayman]] eventually destroys the [[Rabbids' ship]] and restores harmony to [[the Glade of Dreams]] once more.

''[[Rayman Origins]]'' is a 2D sidescrolling platformer sequel released in 2011. At the beginning of the game, [[Rayman]], [[Globox]], [[Polokus]] (named in the game as Bubble Dreamer) and some [[Teensie]]s are sleeping peacefully on a branch of [[the Snoring Tree]], when a nearby microphone carries the sound of their snoring all the way down to the [[Land of the Livid Dead (UbiArt games)|Land of the Livid Dead]]. An undead [[Granny]] becomes increasingly irritated by the racket, and furiously sends an army of [[Antitoon|Darktoons]], [[Psychlops]] and other nightmare creatures to invade [[the Glade of Dreams]]. The heroes are captured and imprisoned. When they break free, they find that their enemies have gone on a rampage, capturing [[Electoon]]s and locking them up in [[cage]]s. Since the [[Electoon]]s are the stuff of [[Polokus]]'s dreams, this has caused the bonds that hold [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]] together to begin fraying. The heroes set out to free the [[Electoon]]s, which gradually build bridges to new locations that they can visit, and the [[nymph]]s (including [[Betilla]] the Fairy), who are being held prisoner by [[Antitoon|Darktoons]]. Along the way, the heroes must collect [[Lum (UbiArt games)|Lums]], which they can trade to [[the Magician]] for more [[Electoon]]s.

At some point in the game, a mysterious mechanical city known as the [[Moody Clouds]] appears in the sky. In order to reach the [[Moody Clouds]] and solve its mystery, the heroes must track down and free the [[Four Kings]] of the lands, all of whom have been transformed into vicious monsters by the imbalances of [[The Glade of Dreams|the Glade]]. With the help of all the [[nymph]]s, the [[Four Kings|Kings]], the [[Dreamer's Door]] is activated, and the heroes can use it to transport themselves to the [[Moody Clouds]]. After fighting their way through the mechanical city and overcoming legions of robotic enemies, they discover who is responsible for creating this mechanical fortress and its robotic army: [[the Magician]]. Over the years since [[Rayman 1|the original ''Rayman'']], [[the Magician]] had become obsessed with [[Mr Dark]], and the walls of his headquarters are covered with posters showing pictures of the old villain (one even saying ‘♥ Mister D’). An [[Rayman Origins (early production)|early version of the game]]'s script reveals a scrapped scenario that goes into much more detail about [[the Magician]]'s motivations, in which his real name would have been Ales Mansay. In that scrapped plot, he was bullied in magic school for his poor magical abilities, and always secretly wanted to be like [[Mr Dark]]. He considered [[Polokus]] to be a childish and useless god who allows his nightmares to endanger his own people. In order to bring an end to [[Polokus]]'s chaotic reign and impose a new order of discipline and reason, [[the Magician]] built the [[Moody Clouds]], and an army of mechas with which to take over [[the Glade of Dreams]]. He planted a microphone in [[the Snoring Tree]] to start a war with the [[Livid Dead]], simply to manipulate [[Rayman]] into collecting [[Lum (UbiArt games)|Lums]] which [[the Magician]] could use to power his creations, though none of this is present in the final game. After the heroes defeat mechanical duplicates of two of the game's previous bosses, they confront [[the Magician]], who distracts and confuses them with a disco number before running away. A difficult chase sequence ensues as the [[Moody Clouds]] begins to disintegrate, with debris and machines collapsing and falling through the air. Then [[the Magician]] boards a [[Warship|flying ship]], and the heroes must chase him through the sky on the backs of their [[mosquito]] friends. Eventually the ship collides with the [[Moody Clouds]]' glowing energy core, causing a colossal explosion. The heroes land on [[the Snoring Tree]] and immediately go back to sleep. [[The Magician]]'s fate is unknown.

The game begins 100 years after ''[[Rayman Origins]]'', during which the heroes have been in deep slumber, allowing the [[Polokus|Bubble Dreamer]]'s nightmares to multiply and overwhelm [[the Glade of Dreams]]. [[Murfy]] awakens the heroes to set in motion the adventure played through in this installment. The [[Teensie]]s have once again replaced the [[Electoon]]s as the imprisoned species in [[cage]]s, which are scattered throughout every level. [[The Magician]] has also multiplied into 5 [[Dark Teensy|Dark Teensies]], during the adventure, they will summon various creatures to impede the heroes, they ultimately end up being attacked by imp-like creatures in a moon due to being defeated in turn.