Nov 6, 2013 By Jeremy Farbman 3 min read

Ubisoft’s highly anticipated game Rayman Legends has finally hit the store shelves. With all the hype surrounding it, was it worth the wait? Well … yes.

Like Origins before it, Rayman Legends is a really, really good platformer. The controls and level design are impeccable. Secrets and goodies are hidden everywhere, and characters feel speedy and aerodynamic. From the beginning of the game, all moves are unlocked, so the challenge comes from mastering them and using these skills against the surrounding level. These levels are fun, creative and varied, from a dungeon in a dark forest to a world filled with food and luchadors. Each brings a new gimmick or element into the game, keeping it fresh.

The biggest addition is being able to play as Murfy, a green fairy that can interact with the environment, helping the players.

But, to get the maximum enjoyment out of these segments, a set of specific players need to be present. The four normal characters should have a close to equal skill level. Since they play the same role, they need to have the same ability throughout. Murfy, on the other hand, is best controlled by a younger or less experienced person. Being Murfy is not a difficult task and is only really fun if the player meets those criteria. Although Murfy is not required in most levels, there are occasions where he is needed to continue. This means that someone in the group has to be Murfy, taking away from the fun that he or she can have.

In single player, the main character is controlled by the computer, taking away most of the challenge and ruining the pace of the game, when flow is the emphasis of the game. However, provided that skill is evenly distributed, the players will have a blast.

Legends is a game that wants the player to keep coming back. Daily and weekly challenges have the potential to provide content for eternity. A soccer mini-game is surprisingly simple, yet fun. Unlockable characters, while strictly cosmetic, give more incentive to fully explore the game. But, by far, the most challenging mode is the “invaded” levels that appear periodically. These bite-sized levels are a mix of two themes found throughout the game, and challenge the player to find the perfect timing in order to beat it as quickly as possible.

Rayman Legends is a nearly flawless game that follows through on all its promises and then some. As the name implies, it is legendary. It can be found on nearly every platform, so there is no excuse not to try out this masterpiece.

Jeremy Farbman is a freshman at Mt. Lebanon High School.