u/jackchickengravy

Rayman 2 is one of my favorite games of all time. Was one of the first video games I ever played as a child on the Nintendo 64. In the years since, I've played the DS version, the PSX version, the 3DS version, and even Rayman 3 on GBA, which as we know is more or less a 2D version of Rayman 2.

The PS2 version always eluded me until now, and I've found it to be an excellent way to replay a game I'm super familiar with.

First, I am a fan of the hub world, the front, as I think that it helps Rayman's world feel more "lived in". Gameplay wise, it is padded compared to the original Hall of Doors (and Island of Doors), and a few segments are tedious (I'm looking at you, Space Invaders inspired section). However, I think that one of the strongest aspects of Rayman 2 is the world it is set in; it is one of the first video game worlds I ever fell in love with, due to it's magical fairy tale-like setting and lovable characters.

The front not only makes the world and all the levels feel more connected, but it also adds to the story by giving more context for each level Rayman visits. For example, in the original game, Rayman is wandering through the Iron Mountains until he stumbles onto the Pirate Mines where the Globox kids are imprisoned, while here, there is some build up to it.

On top of this, since I played Rayman 2 to death, I found all the small changes to each level, as well as the rearranging of certain segments, to make this play through refreshing. It has kept me on my toes, as opposed to replaying the original game and knowing everything off the back of my hand.

Does this make the PS2 version the best version? Not necessarily. As mentioned before, as much as I love the Front for its atmosphere, it does pad the game out a bit. A few new segments are a bit tedious, and I'm not entirely sold on the game making many of Rayman's default abilities upgrades you need to buy, like the ability to have your shots ricochet.

Still, if you are a fan of Rayman 2 and haven't tried the PS2 version yet, it's worth a look, especially if you are a fan of the game's world and tone. It helps make up for the rest of the series not following a similar path.