With the upcoming Wii U's game library expanding more and more as time passes, I doubt any game on the system could hold a candle to the excitement of Rayman Legends. A direct sequel to one of the best platformers of 2011, with new mechanics and updated graphics? How could this game not be one of the most celebrated games of the year?
Much too easily. Rayman Legends, like every game sequel, will have to aim above and beyond what Rayman Origins created. There are several things that Rayman Legends must have to beat its predecessor, and several more that I would personally like to see after my experience with the title. Will these goals be met? Only Ubisoft has the answer.
I'd also like to warn you that the article does contain spoilers for Rayman Origins.
Make the title count! Rayman Origins, for what it's worth, didn't really explain a lot about the series. A little about the Bubble Dreamer, and how Rayman came out the way he was, but that's it! No explanation on the fairies, or the kings, or Mr. Dark, or what happened to the denizens of the Land of the Livid Dead. Rayman Legends has to make up for this. Look at the title. The world "legend" isn't one to be treated lightly. The plot can't just be relaxing under a tree, but a journey of how Rayman and company became these idolized heroes of the Glade of Dreams.
Keep the abilities from Origins. I truly enjoyed seeing Betilla and her sisters in Rayman Origins, both as characters and as ability-givers. However, I don't want Rayman Legends to be something of a Metroid game, with Rayman starting without the ability to attack, hover, etc. Instead, have the sisters upgrade those abilities for certain levels, or give new abilities entirely.
Ix-nay on the Ig-pay Atin-lay. I'm probably alone on this one, but I disliked how almost every non-playable character in the game spoke Pig Latin. To this day, my favorite language the characters spoke is the Banjo-Kazooie-like jibberish in Rayman 2. A small complaint, but still one I'd like to see changed.
Explain Barbara. There's a difference between getting a new character and wanting to play as her. While Barbara certainly looks like a fit for the game with her unique design and attack (the only character to use a weapon!), if she joins for no reason, she's just filler. While better than a Teensie, I'd like to learn about her. Is she Betilla's sister, a wandering warrior, what?
Bring back Mr. Dark. The Magician was, to be frank, a rather dull way to end the exciting Rayman Origins, seeming to be more of a parody of the reveal than an actual one. Of course, given the game's whimsy attitude, this could be foreseen. So what's next? Bringing in his idol, Mr. Dark! The head honcho from the original was tossed to the side in other titles, so this is a perfect time to bring him back from his vacation.
Increase world variety. While Rayman Origins held a mighty ten worlds (not counting the Land of the Livid Dead), the ideas of a forest, music, food, and water world were repeated, leaving only six different world themes. Legends has the power and the team that could spawn an array of new ideas for worlds, or they could build on ideas that were used for only one or two levels.
Keep those chase levels! By far my favorite part of Rayman Origins were the chase levels, where Rayman runs after a self-aware treasure chest in order to obtain a special item. I don't know how these could be integrated, but they had better stay in.
But lower the amount of Moskito levels. I like Moskito as much as the next guy, but he appeared a little too much, in my opinion. One level per world, with appearances in bonus levels, seems a bit overkill. Legends should be a platformer first, with elements like a shooter safe for a bonus game or a handful of levels.
And fix those boss levels! Again, this just might be me, but the bosses had a habit of killing Rayman when he shouldn't have, or hitting the weak point without having the boss take damage. I know there will be bosses, but they shouldn't be detrimental to my experience with the game.
Make Murfy optional. I played through all of Rayman Origins by my lonesome, so if Murfy creating Lums, making a platform, or tickling a boss is necessary to beat the game, I don't want to have to scramble for the Gamepad while using another controller at the same time. Either Murfy should be for players with little experience, or he should have his own levels like Moskito.
Same with the figurines. Rabbids and Ezio may be fun, but they shouldn't be essential. They should be equivalent to downloadable content, to an extent; that is to say, not necessary, but they'll definitely enhance the game experience.
Be better than the enemy. New Super Mario Bros. U is another multiplayer Wii U platformer with Gamepad-only options. The similarities will most likely be drawn by more than one source when the games are brought out. If Rayman and company can beat Mario where it counts the most (being gameplay, originality, and the usage of the Wii U's graphical capabilities and Gamepad), it will be a success unlike any other.
Of course, these are simply ideas, and even if they're pulled off, the game still has to play and look great. Only time will tell if Rayman Legends will live up to its name, but it's safe to say that no matter how it plays out, Wii U owners won't be disappointed with the games they have at their disposal.