Ubisoft Revives the Glade of Dreams with ‘Rayman Legends Retold’
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A Return to the Golden Age of Platforming
Ubisoft has officially announced Rayman Legends Retold, a comprehensive reimagining of the 2013 fan-favorite platformer. While the original Rayman Legends was praised for its fluid movement and breathtaking art style, Retold aims to modernize the experience for a new generation of hardware, targeting PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and—most notably—the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.
The move signals a strategic shift for Ubisoft, which has spent the better part of a decade focusing on open-world live services. By revisiting the Glade of Dreams, the publisher is leaning back into the tight, handcrafted level design that defined the series’ peak. The core appeal remains the same: high-speed, side-scrolling action that supports up to four players in local couch co-op, a feature that remains a rarity in the modern AAA landscape.
Beyond a Simple Remaster: New Content and Narrative Twists
Ubisoft is positioning Retold as more than just a resolution bump. The game introduces a narrative expansion, centering on a shadowy villain spreading corruption through the Glade of Dreams and a new antagonist emerging from the underworld. To support this expanded story, the game includes voiced cinematics, giving the characters more personality than the largely pantomime interactions of the original.
From a gameplay perspective, the most significant addition is a mysterious sixth realm, adding fresh environments to the existing world map. For those who enjoyed the rhythm-based levels of the first game—widely considered some of the best in the genre—Ubisoft is adding four new musical stages. These levels require players to synchronize their movements with the soundtrack, turning a platforming challenge into a rhythmic dance.
The Auditory Overhaul: Kirkhope and Hral
Perhaps the most intriguing detail for industry insiders is the soundtrack. While the original score was beloved, Rayman Legends Retold features an expanded soundtrack composed by Christophe Hral and the legendary Grant Kirkhope. Kirkhope, known for his seminal work on Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye 007, brings a distinct whimsicality that fits the surrealist aesthetic of Rayman’s world. The new score blends original themes with fresh compositions, ensuring the audio experience matches the updated visual fidelity.
Competitive Edge and Technical Specs
The game also doubles down on its competitive elements. The fan-favorite ‘Kung Foot’ mini-game returns with a complete overhaul of its control scheme and the addition of customizable rules and power-ups. This focus on ‘frantic competition’ suggests Ubisoft wants to maintain the game’s longevity through social play, encouraging players to compete for Lums and knock opponents off platforms in a chaotic scramble for dominance.
While specific performance targets haven’t been detailed, the inclusion of the “Nintendo Switch 2” in the platform list is a massive signal for the industry. It suggests that the game will leverage the upgraded hardware of Nintendo’s next console to maintain a consistent 60fps experience, avoiding the frame drops that occasionally plagued the original Switch port of Rayman Legends.
With a target audience of 10+ and a focus on ‘pure platforming joy,’ Rayman Legends Retold looks to be a corrective measure for a company often criticized for over-complicating its titles. By stripping away the bloat and focusing on polished, beat-driven action, Ubisoft is betting that a return to basics is exactly what the market wants.
