Rayman (series): Difference between revisions

==Backstory==

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.

==''[[Rayman 1|Rayman]]''==

[[Rayman 1|The original ''Rayman'']] was released in 1995. At the beginning of the 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]].

===''[[Rayman Junior]]''===

From 1996, [[Rayman]] appeared in several educational computer games designed especially for children, notably a game based on [[Rayman 1|the original ''Rayman'' game]] in which the player has to solve several reading and mathematics questions throughout modified versions of the original levels. This game had several names, and was released for the Sony PlayStation in 2000 as ''[[Rayman Junior]]'' in Europe and ''[[Rayman Junior|Rayman Brain Games]]'' in North America.

Other educational ''Rayman'' games include the following:

* ''[[Rayman Maternelle]]''

===[[Rayman (Game Boy Color)|''Rayman'' (Game Boy Color)]]===

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 2]]''==

[[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 onboard 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.

===''[[Rayman: The Animated Series]]''===

Produced in 1999, ''[[Rayman: The Animated Series]]'' was a short-lived television series with little connection to the games. In the first episode, [[Rigatoni]], the villainous boss of an intergalatic circus, captures [[Rayman]] and takes him to his circus. [[Rayman]], however, does not take this and jokes around with [[Admiral Razorbeard|Razorbeard]], who is now portrayed as [[Rigatoni]]'s servant. [[Rayman]] finds out how badly the other circus freaks are being treated and helps them escape. Angered, [[Rigatoni]] phones [[Inspector Grub]] and tells him to find [[Rayman]] and his new friends and bring them back. Meanwhile, outside the vast city of [[Aeropolis]], [[Rayman]] and the gang see an old man struggling to fix a car. The man promises he'll let them have the car if they can fix it and [[Cookie]] (one of the other fugitives) successfully manages to do so. After evading [[Inspector Grub]], they seek refuge in what seems to be the detective's house.

{{Clear}}

===''[[Rayman M]]''===

In ''[[Rayman M]]'', a multiplayer spin-off game, [[Rayman]], as well as both friends and foes from ''[[Rayman 2]]'', return for a competition. This surprising biathlon contains two parts: racing and battle, with the Sony PlayStation version only having the racing. The game includes the ability to play as several different characters, as well as changing costumes which are unlocked throughout the course of the game. A multiplayer mode is available as well as a single player mode. In the single player mode there are different challenges to complete for both the racing and battle courses.

The events of this game do not seem to be connected to those of the main series. The game was released as ''[[Rayman Arena]]'' in North America and as ''[[Rayman Rush]]'' on the Sony PlayStation.

==''[[Rayman 3]]''==

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.

[[Rayman]] and [[Globox]] chase [[André]] and [[Reflux]] to several different locations, destroying the [[Hoodlum Headquarters]], and finally arriving at [[the Tower of the Leptys]]. There they find [[Reflux]] and [[André]], now essentially fused into a single body and imbued with the godly power of [[the Leptys]]. Throughout the battle, [[Reflux]] becomes more and more powerful. He embeds [[The Sceptre of the Leptys|the Sceptre]] in his back, allowing him to draw on its power directly, and causing him to grow to gigantic size, develop wings, and spawn [[Hoodlum]]s from his back. Following his final defeat amidst the otherworldly clouds of [[the Leptys]], [[Reflux]] crystallises and shatters, revealing that [[André]] was hiding inside his back and using the power of [[The Sceptre of the Leptys|the Sceptre]] to spawn minions during the battle. [[Rayman]] uses his [[grimace]] to convert [[André]] back to a [[Red Lum]], causing all other [[Black Lum]]s to return to their original blissful state. [[Rayman]] and [[Globox]] fall back to the forest they were sleeping in at the start of the game. As [[Rayman]] attempts to get some sleep, [[Globox]] says that he misses [[André]], and asks [[Rayman]] to bring him back by scaring a [[Red Lum]]. [[Rayman]] says that he doesn't think that's a good idea, and that he wouldn't know what could scare a [[Red Lum|Lum]]. As the heroes fall asleep, the player is shown an apparent flashback in which the hands of the sleeping [[Rayman]] suddenly come to life and walk off. The hands see a [[Red Lum]] and scare it by making shadow puppets, causing to to transform into [[André]] and revealing that [[Rayman]]'s unconscious hands had set the events of the entire game in motion.

===[[Rayman 3 (Game Boy Advance)|''Rayman 3'' (Game Boy Advance)]]===

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 of ''[[Rayman 2]]'', with minor inclusions from ''[[Rayman 3]]'', and the soundtrack consists largely of remixes from ''[[Rayman 2]]''.

When [[Rayman]] eventually makes it to the [[Robo-Pirate|pirate]]'s stronghold, he is once again faced with [[Admiral Razorbeard|Razorbeard]]'s machine, the [[Grolgoth]]. Upon defeating it and [[Admiral Razorbeard|Razorbeard]], [[Globox]] is rescued and the [[Black Lum]] flies out from his mouth. [[Globox]] then goes on to tell [[Baby Globox|his children]] how he saved the world, with a little help from [[Rayman]].

===''[[Rayman: Hoodlums' Revenge]]''===

In ''[[Rayman: Hoodlums' Revenge]]'', a handheld spin-off of ''[[Rayman 3]]'', it is revealed that part of [[André]]'s spirit remained in [[Globox]]'s body when [[André]] was expelled. The spirit of [[André]] summons back the [[Hoodlum]]s to get their revenge on the world for being defeated. One of their plans is to create a clone of [[Reflux]] to kill [[Rayman]].

Eventually, [[Rayman]] defeats the [[Reflux]] clone, expelling [[André]]'s evil spirit from an unconscious [[Globox]]. [[Globox]] then wakes, returned to his normal self, and the two walk off together in the forest, [[Rayman]] stating they made a great team.

==''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]''==

===''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]''===

''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]'' was the game which came out of the two previous cancelled platformers, this time as a party game for the Nintendo Wii. The game was later ported onto several other consoles. In the game the player has to complete mini-games in order to advance through the daily games the [[Rabbid]]s force [[Rayman]] to participate in. For every day, [[Rayman]] will earn a [[plunger]], which he then uses to eventually escape through the window.

{{Clear}}

===[[Rayman Raving Rabbids (Game Boy Advance)|''Rayman Raving Rabbids'' (Game Boy Advance)]]===

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 Raving Rabbids (DS)|''Rayman Raving Rabbids'' (Nintendo DS)]]===

The [[Rayman Raving Rabbids (DS)|Nintendo DS version of ''Rayman Raving Rabbids'']] follows a similar plot to the console version. Instead of mainly consisting of mini-games, it now has the player play thorough 2D platforming stages as well. The game recycles a lot of assets from ''[[Rayman DS]]'', a Nintendo DS port of ''[[Rayman 2]]''.

==''[[Rayman Origins]]''==

''[[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.

In 2015, the ''Rayman'' series celebrated its 20th anniversary. [[Ubisoft]] released an official timeline for the series, although it does include a few minor mistakes. The most noticeable ones are that [[Globox]] would be created by the [[Teensie]]s and that ''[[Rayman Origins]]'' is the first ''Rayman'' game with a multiplayer mode, which in reality is the Dreamcast version of ''[[Rayman 2]]''. The timeline also reveals the language in ''[[Rayman 2]]'' to be called Wandaye, although it was earlier known simply as [[Raymanian]] in ''[[Rayman Revolution]]''.

<gallery>

20th Anniversary Logo.jpg|The Rayman 20th Anniversary logo using the ''[[Rayman Fiesta Run]]'' font.

</gallery>

===I ♥ Rayman Fan Video Contest===

The I ♥ Rayman Fan Video Contest, also known as I Love Rayman Fan Video Contest, was a contest held by [[Ubisoft]] in 2015.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS1sglwE8-Q</ref> A special website was opened specifically for the contest, which has since been closed, where the fans could post videos for a chance to win a VIP trip to the [[Ubisoft]] Montpellier Studio. The contest was held between October 1 until October 30th and the winner was revealed as Hannah, also known as RayGirl.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Sz6gmaa48</ref>

===Livestream===

On November 17th a special live stream was held with [[Michel Ancel]] and others from the [[Rayman]] team. During the stream they played some of [[Rayman 1|the original game]], ''[[Rayman Adventures]]'' and answered a few questions from the chat.

===Developer interviews===

Several short developer interview videos were posted, known as Dev Flash, where several of the ''[[Rayman Adventures]]'' developers talked about working with the game.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/rayman/videos/494769340724814/</ref> <ref>https://www.facebook.com/rayman/videos/474999729368442/</ref> <ref>https://www.facebook.com/rayman/videos/462534330614982/</ref>

==References==