When Rayman: Origins hit stores in 2011 the gaming world was all over it, claiming Ubisoft's game one of the best 2D platformers ever. It was a ballsy claim indeed, but well-deserved - the sheer volume of content available in the game was astounding, and it never once dropped off in quality or lacked fresh ideas to keep the action chugging along. Rayman Legends, the follow up to Origins, hasn't quite had the same acclaim lavished upon it, and that's a crying shame. The art direction alone deserves praise, and the wonderful way in which Legends melds sound and gameplay is truly something to behold. At times - even outside the song-themed levels - it feels like you're writing your own music through the movements your character makes on-screen, something only helped by buttery-smooth gameplay. Boss battles have long been a sticky point for many a gamer, but Legends captivates you with charm during these set pieces. Even more stereotypical bosses, like fire-breathing dragons, are helped along by the colourful atmosphere and the way in which you can move the platform you're standing atop strategically, in order to aid your fight and evade attacks. It feels very dynamic, and thoroughly engaging. The newer Rayman games are perhaps one of the only side-scrolling co-op experiences to challenge the latest Super Mario Bros titles, which is seriously high praise.
