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Rayman 2

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Panic in the Chamber of the Teensies and the Fairy Council: Robo-Pirates from deep in space have arrived, determined to conquer and enslave their entire world. The time for combat has come. Volunteers form small resistance groups and throw themselves into battle with the evil aggressors. Rayman and his friend Globox go to the edge of The Great Forest, where the highest number of pirates are located.

Rayman jumps from a tree and activates his helicopter for a soft landing in the middle of a thicket of bushes. "The Pirates are coming straight at us!", cries Rayman to his friend. "Get ready!"

The earth suddenly begins to tremble...Several trees collapse, creating a passageway for an army of robots. The Battle begins! Rayman leaps into action, sending metal monsters flying with his powerful energy spheres. A little later, Globox, trembling with fright, desperately tries to make the robots rust up by creating little rain storms over their heads. A robot, creaking horribly, crashes to the ground. "Not bad, Globox!" shouts Rayman with a smile. Globox tries to answer, but Rayman doesn't hear. The strained face of Ly has just appeared in his mind. "Rayman...", begins Ly, in a weary voice., "The pirates have broken the heart of the world. The energy has scattered. Other than Clark, all of our brave warriors have been captured..."

Shocked by this terrible news, Rayman is surprised by a gigantic robot who pins him between its powerful pinchers. He tries to create a new energy sphere in the palm of his hand, but to no avail. The destruction of the Primordial Core has taken away all of his powers... Desparate, he shouts to his friend... "They've got me, Globox! Save Yourself!" "But...but...what about you?!" "No time to explain! Go find Ly, she'll tell you what to do!" After a moment of hesitation, Globox dodges between the feet of the robots, and plunges into the high grass.

An evil laugh reverberates. Rayman turns and sees Razorbeard, the leader of the Pirates. "I have you, Rayman! You'll soon be my most obedient slave!..."

Rayman tries to free himself, but the iron grip of the robot tightens around him. He casts a dark look at Razorbeard and shouts defiantly : " It's not over yet, pirate! I'll find a way to escape and then I'll make you wish you'd never been born!"

—Manual, Rayman 2: The Great Escape

Rayman 2: The Great Escape is the second major game in the Rayman series. It is the first sequel to the original Rayman game, and the series's 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 was followed by ports for the Sega Dreamcast, PC, and Sony PlayStation, with each version being different in its own way due to the specifications of each console.

Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Published by Ubi Soft Entertainment
Developed by Ubi Soft Montpellier
Directed by {{{directed by}}}
Produced by Pauline Jacquey
Designed by Michel Ancel, Jean-Christophe Guyot, Serge Hascoët, Frédéric Houde, Michaël Janod, Christophe Thibaut
Programmed by Yann Le Tensorer, Olivier Didelot (engine programming)
Art by Michel Ancel (artistic director)
Jean-Christophe Alessandri, Florent Sacre, Celine Tellier, Paul Tumelaire (graphics)
Alexandra Ancel, Hubert Chevillard (graphic research)
Written by David Neiss (scenarios and dialogue)
Michel Ancel (story)
David Gassman (English-language translation)
Soundtrack by Éric Chevalier (original music)
Daniel Masson (N64 MIDI adaptation)
Release date Nintendo 64:

29th October, 1999
31st October, 1999
Windows:
31st October, 1999
14th December, 2001
Dreamcast:
29th February, 2000
2000
23rd March, 2000
PlayStation:
15th September, 2000
8th September, 2000
2000
PS3, PSP (PlayStation Network):
18th December, 2008
iOS:
1st March, 2010
Nintendo DS:
24th March, 2005

Genre 3D platformer
Gameplay mode Single player
Languages {{{languages}}}
Platforms Nintendo 64, PC, Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation, Game Boy Color, Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 3 (PSN), Sony PlayStation Portable (PSN), Apple iPhone, Apple iPod Touch, Nintendo 3DS
Ratings 7+ (PEGI), E (ESRB)
Distribution media Cartridge, CD-ROM, GD-ROM, DVD, digital download
Game engine {{{game engine}}}

Rayman 2: The Great Escape is often abbreviated as Rayman 2 or (to avoid confusion with the similarly named Rayman Revolution) R2. The 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 for the Apple iPhone (and the Apple iPod Touch). A similar version was released for the Nintendo 3DS, under the title Rayman 3D. The PC version joined Rayman Forever on the digital distribution service Good Old Games on the 27th of May, 2011.

Plot

The beginning

Set in the Glade of Dreams, Rayman 2 begins shortly after Rayman is captured by the Robo-Pirates. Details from the opening sequence and manual explain how the Glade had come under attack by the Robo-Pirates, having historically destroyed over one hundred planets prior to their invasion. They attacked with the intent of of enslaving the Glade's inhabitants, and were battled against by Rayman, Globox and other allies. After some battles, Rayman's capture occurs after the explosion of the Primordial Core. Ly the Fairy telepathically communicates with Rayman explaining the consequences of the damage, with the Core's shattering into 1000 Yellow Lums, and the capture of many fighters. Rayman's powers are also lost due to this, and he finds himself captured by the Pirates, and calls on Globox to flee and find Ly.

After the opening sequence, it is revealed that Globox was captured by the Pirates, and reunites with Rayman aboard the Buccaneer, the Pirate's Prison Ship. Having fallen to despair, Rayman's hopes are restored when Globox gives Rayman a Silver Lum given to him by Ly. The Silver Lum gives Rayman the ability to shoot with his fist, which Rayman uses to destroy a nearby vent, and escape with Globox. The two become separated after falling from the ship, and Rayman eventually finds himself in the Woods of Light.

Finding Ly

Rayman decides the best course of action is to find Ly, and travels through the Woods. He comes across Murphy, who serves as Rayman's guide throughout the game, and three Baby Globoxes. Rayman sadly informs them of his separation with Globox, much to the Babies' dismay. Rayman promises that he can find them, but stresses his need to find Ly, the Babies then inform Rayman that Ly had been taken deeper into the Woods by the Pirates. Traversing deeper, Rayman frees the Grand Minimus Teensies locked in a cage at the end of the area. After bickering amongst themselves about who among them is their King, they tell Rayman of the Pirate's locking of Ly in a stronghold within the Fairy Glade. They will allow Rayman access to the Hall of Doors (Isle of Doors in the Dreamcast and 3DS versions), for the cost of all the Yellow Lums contained within the Wood. Once collected, a Grand Minimus creates a Spiral Door, and Rayman exits the area through it.

Using the Hall, Rayman traverses to the Fairy Glade, and makes his way to the Pirate Stronghold. It is here where Rayman first encounters Robo-Pirates since his capture, and the first time a player must combat them. Eventually, Rayman finds where Ly is held, in an energy prison powered by a machine within a nearby chamber. Rayman destroys the machines, freeing Ly. Rayman tells Ly of his separation with Globox, and his loss of powers. Ly is unable to restore Rayman's powers however, due to the explosion of the Primordial Core. Ly then tells Rayman of the four Masks of Polokus, through which Polokus can be awakened, and whose power is sufficient to destroy the Pirates. Ly finally gives Rayman the power to swing on Purple Lums, allowing Rayman to progress further. Rayman then sets out to collect the masks, exiting the Glade.

The first mask

The Marshlands

Rayman next finds himself in the Marshes of Awakening, where he frees Sssssam the Watersnake. While Sssssam is unable to aid Rayman in locating the masks of Polokus, he does know where the Pirates took Globox, and aids Rayman in crossing the Marsh by allowing him to water-ski across. There is also a side-path that the player may go through, where they will encounter Jano, who is guarding a Spiral Door. At this point in time, he will refuse access to the door, as Rayman does not know where it leads, which is the requirement for passing through.

The next level is the Bayou, a similar swampy location that Rayman must traverse on foot. Admiral Razorbeard is concerned by Rayman's progress, and despatches several Warships to destroy him. Razorbeard eats a Yellow Lum, reducing the number of extant Yellow Lums from 1000 to 999. At the beginning of the level is a side-path where Rayman can find a hologram of Ly the Fairy. If he has enough Yellow Lums, she will teleport him to a side-level called the Walk of Life. Although the Bayou is beset with Robo-Pirate Warships and dangerous obstacles such as helicopter bombs, Rayman makes it through the area unscathed.

Obtaining the First Mask

Rayman approaches the entrance to the Sanctuary of Water and Ice, the location in which the first of the four Masks of Polokus is contained. He reunites with the Grand Minimus, who inform him that he will not be allowed to enter without collecting a specific amount of Lums, a requirement which is repeated in the entrances for the three other locations of the masks. Once he has enough Lums, Rayman is able to enter, and after fighting past some Robo-Pirate soldiers, and solving the puzzle to enter the Sanctuary, he finds himself inside. Within the Sanctuary, Rayman encounters the guardian of the first Mask; Axel. Using a chain of Purple Lums to swing across the battle area, and dodging icicle projectiles thrown by Axel, Rayman eventually triumphs over the guardian by causing an icicle to dislodge and impale Axel's head.

With Axel dispatched, Rayman obtains the first mask, which teleports him to the realm where Polokus slumbers. Polokus congratulates Rayman on his find, but urges him to move forward in his quest and collect the second mask. He then creates a Spiral Door to take Rayman back to the Hall of Doors, allowing Rayman to continue.

The second mask

Healing Clark

Beginning the search for the second mask, Rayman finds himself in the Menhir Hills, where he learns to tame and ride walking shells. Moving further in, Rayman meets with Clark the Giant in the Elite Troop Training Centre, who has become ill after accidentally swallowing a Robo-Pirate part during a battle. He asks Rayman to retrieve the Elixir of Life from the Cave of Bad Dreams, and stresses to Rayman that he needs to remember the name in order to enter.

Rayman then returns to the Marshes of Awakening, where Jano now allows Rayman to enter the Spiral Door. Rayman is hypnotised by Jano and then transported to the Cave of Bad Dreams, and is challenged to find the treasures within before Jano can catch him. Jano eventually meets with Rayman as he nears the treasure trove and gives chase, leading Rayman into a large corridor where he must avoid Jano's attacks and use the skulls he emits to progress through. Eventually, he makes it to the treasure, where Jano congratulates Rayman, and offers it to him. The player is then given the choice to accept or decline Jano's offer, accepting will lead to a short cutscene depicting an overweight Rayman lounging on a small island, and an alleged "end" to the game. The cutscene ends by cutting back to the choice. Declining the offer will cause Rayman to be returned to the Marshes, and Jano will reward Rayman with the Elixir of Life for making the right choice and not succumbing to greed.

Rayman then returns to the Menhir Hills, and gives the Elixir to Clark. Clark is reinvigorated, and helps Rayman progress further through the facility. Rayman then parts ways with Clark at the exit of the facility, and finally leaves the Menhir Hills via a Walking Shell.

Freeing Globox and Carmen

Rayman reunites with Globox from within the Canopy, which, true to its name, takes place within the higher levels of a deep forest. Rayman frees Globox from imprisonment by the Robo-Pirates operating within the area, and Globox aids Rayman in traversing through the area, using his rain-dance to destroy laser barriers or grow fauna that can aid Rayman in progressing. Globox also reveals that he received another Silver Lum, which gives Rayman the ability to charge his Magic Fist, greatly enhancing his offensive capabilities. After fighting past a Warship and tricking a Robo-Pirate into opening the exit by hiding within a bush, Rayman is able to leave the area. Globox remains behind, stating that his spouse, Uglette, wishes to see him.

The next level is Whale Bay, a watery location infested by Robo-Pirates and piranhas. The benevolent whale, Carmen, has been imprisoned in a laser cage by the pirates, who plan to use her blubber to oil the engines of the Buccaneer. Rayman frees her, and she releases air bubbles which allow him to accompany her underwater. Unfortunately the local piranhas want to steal the bubbles to ease their heartburn, so Rayman must frighten them off with his magic fist so that he can continue to breathe. Eventually Rayman completes his underwater passage and comes to the end of the level.

Obtaining the Second Mask

The next level is the Sanctuary of Stone and Fire, the second of the game's Sanctuaries. This is a long and labyrinthine level, filled with secret passages, wrong turns and optional areas, including an entire temple which has no discernible purpose. Rayman spends a great deal of time on plums, which can be used to cross the many lakes of lava. Eventually Rayman comes to a chamber containing a large blocky stone statue: this is Umber, the Guardian of the Sanctuary of Stone and Fire. Unlike Axel, Umber is pacifistic; he allows Rayman to stand on his head while he walks across a pool of lava, taking Rayman to the final chamber. It is shaped much the same as the chamber in which Rayman found the first Mask, with a raised platform on which sits a stone container. Rayman's symbol once again connects to the stone; it slides open, and the second Mask emerges. Rayman takes it and once again is transported to Polokus's domain. The god congratulates Rayman, takes the Mask, affixes it to his stone, and sends Rayman back to the Hall of Doors.

The third mask

Making Progress

Now making his way to the third mask, Rayman arrives at the Echoing Caves, after activating four switches in a non-linear area, he enters the caves themselves. Due to the large amounts of toxic liquid within the caves, Rayman lights kegs, and uses them to fly across the caves to solid footing. Rayman may also encounter an entryway, leading him into a secret area within the Fairy Glade, where he can break a cage that cannot be broken by normal visit. Rayman returns and finally exits the Echoing Caves, with a Warship flying in the background, preluding the events of the next area.

Admiral Razorbeard learns of Rayman's progress, and has Warships sent to stop him. Rayman encounters and must flee the Warships from within the Precipice, a mountainous region that can succumb to flooding, and can contain vast caverns within. Rayman is able to elude the Warships, and moves on to the Top of the World. The area contains a Pirate Fort, but it cannot be accessed via conventional means, as such, Rayman rides upon a rollercoaster-esque transport, dodging obstacles which are within the path of the coaster which can cause Rayman to despawn. Making it into the Fortress, Rayman fights past many Barrel Pirates, and eventually exits the area.

Obtaining the third Mask

Much like the prior masks, the third mask is contained within a Sanctuary, this one being the Sanctuary of Rock and Lava. Rayman finds himself in a marshy area, which he must traverse through in order to reach the Sanctuary itself. Within the marhy area is the entrance to the Walk of Power, a bonus level that can be accessed if the player has obtained enough Lums, much like the Walk of Life. After traversing through the marshes, Rayman finds himself within the Sanctuary itself, and progresses forward. However, the Mask isn't located within the area, and Rayman moves on to beneath the Sanctuary.

Ly meets with Rayman beneath the Sanctuary, and tells Rayman that she has gathered enough energy to grant him the Super Helicopter ability, allowing him to fly as opposed to simply gliding with his hair. She informs Rayman that traversing through the area will be difficult, and tells him to use the Super Helicopter to move through the area. Using this ability, Rayman is able to reach the end of beneath the Sanctuary, and encounters Foutch. Foutch promptly hits Rayman, causing him to lose the Super Helicopter power, and fall. Rayman finds footing within a circular pathway, and is chased by Foutch, who wishes to burn Rayman by throwing flames at him. Rayman is able to use spiderwebs to bounce high enough to reach stalactites positioned in bridges above the pathway. These stalactites will impale Foutch when shot at, allowing Rayman to triumph over the guardian. A purple lum then appears, allowing Rayman to reach the bridges, which lead to the third Mask. Rayman is transported to Polokus and gives the Mask to him, and Polokus creates a Spiral Door to allow Rayman to move on and locate the fourth and final mask.

The fourth mask

 
The Spyglass Pirate forces Clark to attack Rayman

The next level is the Tomb of the Ancients, an eerie graveyard-themed location. This area is under the rule of the Robo-Pirates, who have several important installations here and seem to be burying their dead in the area. At the beginning of the level, Rayman finds a sign saying that the pirates have captured his friend Clark here and taken him to the Technical Check-up. This level also contains a notable secret passage in which Rayman can find the 1000th Yellow Lum – the one which Admiral Razorbeard ate earlier in the game – though it is unclear how it came to be there. Another secret area, nicknamed the Tomb of the Ancients secret, shows a strange celebration taking place and allows the player to unlock several cheat codes. At the end of the level, Rayman comes to the Technical Check-up, where he finds Clark. The giant is at first delighted to see his friend, but he soon begins acting strangely. Rayman discovers that he has a mechanical device implanted in his back; he is being controlled by the Spyglass Pirate, a servant of Admiral Razorbeard. Rayman is forced to fight his friend, and eventually manages to destroy the remote-control device, freeing him from the Spyglass Pirate. Clark helps Rayman reach a Teensie cage and complete the level.

 
Polokus awakens when Rayman brings him all four Masks

Next is the Iron Mountains, a strange and eclectic level. First Rayman finds himself in a rainy swamp. Then he passes into a Robo-Pirate installation, goes through a high-tech electrical barrier with many moving parts, and emerges in a mountainous area where he must fight another Ninja Pirate – the second of only two in the entire game. He then helicopters down into a hot air balloon, which takes him to a misty, menhir-filled peak called the Gloomy Island. He makes his way past the gigantic Robot Dinosaur and enters the Reformatory for Disturbing Children, where some of the baby Globoxes are imprisoned. Eventually Rayman manages to free them, and rides a walking shell past the Robot Dinosaur and into a passage which leads to the next area – the Pirate Mines. Here Rayman meets a distraught Uglette, who informs him that the pirates have kidnapped her and Globox's babies and put them to forced labour in the mines. She says that Globox tried to stop them, but the pirates captured him too, and took him to the Buccaneer. Rayman commandeers an unmanned nearby Warship and uses it to fly around to the four mines – north, south, east and west – collecting hundreds of baby Globoxes. He brings them back to Uglette, who is overjoyed. One of the baby Globoxes reaches into him mouth and takes out a mask, which he says he found in the mines. Rayman sees it and realises that it is the fourth and final Mask of Polokus; saying goodbye to Uglette and the babies, he takes the Mask and is transported to Polokus's domain. Polokus congratulates Rayman, takes the Mask and attaches it to the remaining side of his four-sides stone column. The stone begins to spin rapidly, blurring until it is transfigured into a transparent, glowing portal. Polokus tells Rayman that, now that he has been awakened, he can destroy all of the Robo-Pirates in the Glade of Dreams, but says that he has no power in the air – Rayman himself must confront Admiral Razorbeard onboard the flying Buccaneer. Rayman steps into Polokus's portal; his health is increased to maximum, and he is transported to the Hall of Doors.

The ending

 
Rayman confronts Admiral Razorbeard and the Grolgoth atop the Crow's Nest of the Buccaneer

The next level is the Prison Ship, also known as the Buccaneer. About the same time Rayman enters this level, Admiral Razorbeard receives a very special guest: the General from Tonic Trouble, another Ubisoft game. The General is a salesman, and persuades Razorbeard to purchase the Grolgoth, a powerful robot with which Razorbeard could finally defeat Rayman. The Prison Ship itself is colossal, and Rayman must slide across its floors and tunnels while avoiding obstacles and trying not to fall. Later he gains a flying shell, which he uses to fly through complex and labyrinthine passageways. Eventually Rayman finds the room where the prisoners are located; he smashes all of the cages, and the newly-freed Teensies create Spiral Doors which can take everyone – Teensies, birds, Ludivs and baby Globoxes – to freedom.

 
Razorbeard detonates the Buccaneer

The final level of the game is the Crow's Nest. The player is taken directly to this level when they complete the Prison Ship, but it is possible to return to the Hall of Doors via the pause menu (a feature unique to this level); this enables the player to save their game and access the Crow's Nest directly from the Hall of Doors, without having to play through the Prison Ship each time they wish to access it. At the beginning of the level, the Spyglass Pirate infroms Admiral Razorbeard that Rayman has collected the four Masks of Polokus and that he is currently onboard the Buccaneer. Razorbeard is furious and tells the Spyglass Pirate that he will swim in molten lava for his failure, but orders him to prepare the Grolgoth in the meantime; Razorbeard wishes to deal with Rayman personally. In order to lure Rayman to the Crow's Nest – he ties up Globox there and prepares to kill him. Rayman arrives, and the Grolgoth (piloted by Razorbeard) attacks; Globox is knocked off the side of the ship, and Rayman is forced to fight the Grolgoth. After using his magic fist to reflect several of the Grolgoth's helicopter bombs back at it, the Grolgoth jumps at Rayman, accidentally breaking through the mesh floor. Rayman and the Grolgoth tumble down the hollow mast of the ship towards the boiling lava below; Ly the Fairy uses her magic to save Rayman and give him a flying shell with which he can fight the Grolgoth. In order to attack, Rayman must collect glowing orbs which temporarily give him the ability to shoot at the Grolgoth. After a long battle, the Grolgoth is defeated, and Razorbeard flees in an escape pod after activating the Grolgoth's self-destruct mechanism. The Buccaneer is blown to pieces with Rayman still inside.

We then see Rayman's friends – Ly the Fairy, Clark, Murfy, the Grand Minimus, Globox, Polokus, Uglette and three baby Globoxes, all gathered on Polokus's dreamlike promontory for a memorial service. They could only recover Rayman's left shoe, and they believe that Rayman died in the explosion of the Buccaneer. Suddenly a limping, one-footed Rayman emerges from the woods nearby, much to the joy of everyone present. His shoe rejoins his body and he looks up at all his friends, last of all Ly, while hugging the baby Globoxes. Fireworks are launched in celebration, and a message is displayed congratulating Rayman on his feats. The harmony of the Glade of Dreams has been restored and the Heart of the World has been pieced back together. The game ends with the message, ‘Now rest, you may have to fight again. Who knows what tomorrow will bring...’, referencing the next game, Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc. The end credits sequence shows Admiral Razorbeard's escape pod fleeing through the depths of space.

Early production

2D Game

Main article: Rayman 2 (2D prototype)

Rayman 2: The Great Escape was first developed to be a 2D sidescrolling platform game similar to the original Rayman, and was planned to be released on the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn.[1] 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-Pirates, 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.

This 2D game was cancelled in favour of the 3D version it became, though a playable prototype (version 01.12d) featuring one level is included in the PlayStation version of Rayman 2, and is unlocked if the player collects at least 720 Yellow Lums out of the version's total 800. It was recently discovered that this prototype was last worked on at May 31st 1996 and was sent to the PlayStation RayMan 2 team so that they could incorporate one of its levels into their version of the game.

3D Game

Not much is currently known about 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 also 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 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 Lums were going to have a completely different design resembling the other Lums seen in the game. [2] A video showing an earl version of the N64 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 your health. [3] Other trailers show more open levels suggesting Rayman 2 was at one point going to go in a more non-linear direction. [4]

Other elements discovered via hacking include elements of the older HUD design seen in pre-release material.

Screenshots

Textures

 
A collage of Rayman 2 artwork and screenshots used as a reference for the artistic design of Rayman Origins
 
Another representative Rayman 2 collage used as a reference for Rayman Origins

Gameplay

The gameplay in Rayman 2 is somewhat similar to that of Rayman, though this time Rayman starts with a few powers to defend himself, one of which is given to him by Globox who is introduced at the very beginning. The aim of the game is to rescue all of the Yellow Lums that have been scattered following the explosion of the Primordial Core, and the creatures that have been imprisoned in cages, while defeating any Robo-Pirates that stand in Rayman's way.

Main characters

The good guys

The bad guys

Environment

Unlike Rayman 1, Rayman 2 is not divided into certain themed worlds, but rather a trail of 20 different locations, none of which are as surreal as its predecessor's, but are still dissimilar to the real world. The levels are played in a linear fashion in a World Map known as the Hall of Doors (Isle of Doors in the Dreamcast version), with most levels following a single path (though the Cave of Bad Dreams, Walk of Life, and Walk of Power are on side-paths). The player is able to backtrack to past levels if he or she wishes, and can move on to the final stage without breaking all of the cages.

Levels

PC, Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast version

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


Manuals

Click on the thumbnails to read the manuals.

 
The English PC Manual packaged with the GoG.com version
 
The French PC Manual
 
The Swiss/Finnish PC Manual
 
The Spanish PC Manual
 
The Italian PC Manual
 
The German PC Manual
 
The Dutch PC Manual
 
The Danish/Norwegian PC Manual

Promotion

Ubisoft promoted Rayman 2 with many toys and even a cartoon. There were YoYos, cell phone covers, a PlayStation 2 remote, a version of the game with a figure, and Happy Meal toys.

Cartoon

Main article: Rayman: The Animated Series

McDonald's

Main article: Figures

Between the 17th of May and 13th of June 2000, Ubisoft joined with McDonald's to make a Happy Meal with Rayman toys. These toys were a Rayman riding a walking shell, Rayman on a plum with spinning helicopter hair, a light-up cage, a sound-making Henchman 800, a wobbling Globox and Ly the Fairy. The toys were only available in France.

Tonic Trouble

Characters from each game made cameo appearances in the other game. In Tonic Trouble, Rayman would be seen during the game's end credits. In Rayman 2, a salesman who previously appeared in the intro sequence of the PC version of Tonic Trouble sells the Grolgoth to Razorbeard late in the game. Tonic Trouble was worked on (though not designed) by Michel Ancel, used the Rayman 2 engine, originally appeared on the same platforms as Rayman 2, and was also released by Ubisoft, giving reason for the crossovers, though Tonic Trouble had not fared well critically or commercially, whereas Rayman 2 became successful in both areas.

Royal V

The musical group Royal V released an album with a bonus music dedicated to Rayman 2, under the name of "It's Good to be the King". The official videoclip features unique footage of scrapped areas of the game.

Rayman Mobile

Rayman Bowling, Rayman Golf, and Rayman Garden are spin-offs of Rayman 2 and its remakes. These games were ported by Gameloft to the N-Gage and other Samsung and Nokia phones.

In May 2010 Rayman 2 was released on the iOS platform.

Reception

Rayman 2: The Great Escape was released to critical acclaim. On Metacritic, the N64 version of the game received a score of 90%, signifying universal acclaim.[5] On GameRankings, the Dreamcast, Windows, N64 and PlayStation versions of the game were assigned scores of 92.71%, 91.27%, 88.83% and 87.23% respectively.[6]

The game has been included on several lists of the greatest games of all time. IGN rated it as the 67th-greatest game.

Platform gaming has long been known for jumping, bopping enemies, and collecting items. Rayman 2 broke no new grounds in these areas, but instead perfected them as no other game had before. Starring a character with no arms, legs or neck, Rayman 2 is a demonstration of what the modern platform game could be – smart, fast and challenging.
—IGN staff, IGN[7]

GameSpot staff member Ryan Davis wrote an article on the game for the site's 'Greatest Games of All Time' series.

The gameplay was great, but, truly, it was the presentation of Rayman 2 that brought the whole package together. This was a game created by artists, not technicians, and its use of crisp, clear, beautifully crafted textures over relatively simple 3D objects is a testament to that. This isn't to say that Rayman 2 wasn't technically impressive at the time, because its massive 3D environments proved it certainly was that, but the creators of Rayman 2 wanted to awe you with the surreal, vivid world they had created, instead of showing you some nifty technical tricks. The lush, slightly off-kilter musical score certainly helped perpetuate this dreamy reality, as did the nonsense languages that the inhabitants of The Great Escape spoke.

Rayman 2: The Great Escape is more than the sum of its parts, though its parts are admittedly a bit impressive on their own. Its European roots show through – as do Rayman creator/designer Michel Ancel's interests in Nordic and Celtic mysticism – and lend the affair a flavour that has not been replicated since. Simply put, you will not have another video game experience quite like Rayman 2: The Great Escape, which is why we chose it as one of the greatest games of all time.

For my money, 3D platforming reached its absolute apex in Rayman 2: The Great Escape. I played through The Great Escape on the PC. Then I played through Rayman 2: Revolution on the PlayStation 2. And each time my experience with Rayman 2 had been simply sublime. It's an amazingly well-crafted platformer, providing a variety of play that most modern platformers can't match. But what stays with me the most, over time, is the beautiful, surreal world that Rayman 2 takes place in. I've not had a 3D platforming experience that good, before or since.

—Ryan Gage, GameSpot[8]

Version differences

Since it's original release in 1999 Rayman 2 has received a bunch of ports to other consoles with each new port having some noticeable differences.

Nintendo 64 - This version has a lower quality MIDI soundtrack which was only present in this and the DS version. Other menu transactions are also used.

PC - This version can be run in the highest resolution than any other version Dreamcast - This version is based on the PC version with improved graphics, added mini-games which are found in a new area known as Globox Village, widescreen support and pirates that shoots bombs at you. The Hall of Doors have been replaced by The Isle of Doors. This is also the first version to have the cutscene in The Prison Ship where Rayman frees the prisoners.

PlayStation - This version is the mot downgraded version with many levels being removed or merged together with several phases being left out. It does however have some new phases in levels, new cutscenes, voice acting, a 2D prototype bonus level. The total amount of Lums has been reduced from 1000 to 800 and the 1000th Lum has been removed. Instead of freeing Lums from cages you free Murphy's and fairys.

PlayStation 2 (Rayman Revolution) - This version has mostly added new features and graphical improvements such as previously 2D textures being reworked into 3D. New hub worlds have been added replacing The Hall of Doors, levels have been reworked (most noticeable The Fairy Glade and The Echoing Caves), new missions have been added, new cutscenes are used, new bosses have been added including the 4th guardian, new music has been added and new upgrades and mini-games are available by collecting Lums and freeing Familiar Spirits (which are found in cages).

Nintendo DS (Rayman DS) - This version is a almost direct port of the N64 version having the same lower quality MIDI soundtrack and graphics. It does however have technical issues that were not present in the N64 version.

iOS - This version is based on the Dreamcast version though doesn't include the mini-games. The demo version did however have the Lift mini-game available. To compensate for the iOS devices lack of buttons it uses virtual controls instead. This version is however no longer available to download for unknown reasons.

Nintendo 3DS (Renamed Rayman 3D) - This version is similarly to the iOS version based on the Dreamcast version with the mini-games omitted. It does however add 3D support and a balanced difficulty curve. A game-breaking bug was present in this version making it impossible to obtain the 1000th Lum without glitching the game.

Trivia

  • In the German gaming magazine PC Player (issue 01/2000), Rayman 2: The Great Escape was named as "Best Platformer in 1999".
  • The Sony PlayStation European release of Rayman 2 originally came with a digital watch. In the American release it originally came with a beach ball.
  • In the Japanese localisation of the game, some characters with purple in them were changed. Rayman's body was made blue, Sssssam the watersnake turned into a kind of green, and Jano's hat was turned red. But the most bizarre change was made to Ly, whose body was changed from yellow/purple to white/pink.
  • The names of a few characters changed during design of the game: the original name of Globox was Globber, the original name of Razorbeard was Razorface, the original name of Polokus was Pollochus the Magician, the Teensies were originally named the Smalbeings, and the Robo-Pirates (called Red Rum before) were originally employed by a ‘mysterious guild’, which had decided to create an intergalactic zoo or circus featuring creatures from Rayman's world; remnants of this storyline can be found in Rayman: The Animated Series.
  • It is the most ported game from Rayman's quintology, being released for nine different platforms including Rayman 2 Forever and Rayman 3D.
  • Tim Schafer revealed that Rayman 2 was a huge influence on his game Psychonauts.[9]

External links

See also

References

  1. ↑ Unseen64.com, Rayman 2 [2D version - Unreleased], http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/11/rayman2-2d-cancelled
  2. ↑ Youtube.com, Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn_UYduONuA
  3. ↑ Youtube.com, Unused area https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCZ10RrA_5Q
  4. ↑ Youtube.com, Early trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KujjiLYaW8
  5. ↑ Metacritic.com, Rayman 2: The Great Escape for Nintendo 64 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic, http://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/rayman-2-the-great-escape
  6. ↑ GameRankings.com, Reviews and News Articles, http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?search=rayman&numrev=3&site=
  7. ↑ IGN.com IGN's Top 100 Games, http://ie.top100.ign.com/2005/061-070.html
  8. ↑ GameSpot.com, The Greatest Games of All Time, http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-24.html
  9. ↑ DoubleFineProd, Psychonauts Retrospective // The Color of the Sky in Your World Part 2, https://youtu.be/9WWSsw-16vw?t=1m25s
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