
While it was leaked a little before the big reveal, Ubisoft surprised fans with the announcement of Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition last week, which subsequently launched the following day.
Developed by Digital Eclipse, the game is a compilation of every version of the original Rayman, even including an early SNES prototype that was never finished. It also features the studio's trademark documentary-style extra features, like interviews and rarely seen artwork.
It should've been a total slam dunk, and while it sounds like it is for the most part, nostalgic players are left wanting, and it's pretty much all to do with the music.
The game has replaced the original soundtrack with a "reimagined" version that sounds similar, but is simply not what we all grew up with, and it's irking longtime fans of the series.
The new soundtrack has caused a "Mixed" user review score on the Steam release, with many complaining that the original music is missing.
New arrangements of a game's soundtrack is nothing new in the realm of remasters and remakes, and while the new interpretations are often very good, there's no replacing the original work — if that's what you grew up with. Sometimes, the original music is included and you can swap between old and new, but that functionality is not present in the Rayman collection.
One fan posited this idea in the Ubisoft Discord, and was told the publisher would "look into" the possibility of adding the old soundtrack back in. Whether it happens or not is another matter, and at the end of the day, it may come down to who holds the rights to the music.
Anyway, fingers crossed it can be resolved in the near future. Are you playing Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition? Tell us in the comments section below.
[source thegamer.com]





Comments 11
Why go to the trouble of removing the music I don’t get it. Wouldn’t save files on some of the versions been a better idea?
I knew something was off with the music, I mean it’s been forever since I played Rayman back on PlayStation so it was hard for me to tell. But it was actually the GBC version that I knew the music was different.
Seem to recall coming across a Rayman on the GOG store where this had been previously highlighted. So not totally surprised if a little disappointed to hear the same here...but unfortunately several of the big publishers have a rather poor track record when it comes to preservation of their old games. Or in other instances (eg: Take Two), cheap to renew music licenses despite the millions falling out of their CEO's pocket in bonuses!🙄
It's a weird thing to do. The original music is iconic to those that have played it before, and it must have taken some work to make the new tracks.
That's my biggest gripe with this collection, and my main reason for skipping it.
It's a Persona 1 PSP situation. They gave the game a new soundtrack based on the current musical direction of newer games in the series (Persona 3/Rayman Origins). It's not bad, it just doesn't fit the vibe of the game.
I want the original soundtrack and the European version of PlayStation Rayman. It will be fixed.
It's got to be a rights issue. Cant imagine they would risk this sort of backlash if their hands weren't tied
I'm sure it's something to do with the rights. Rémi Gazel sadly passed away in 2019. If the music is licensed separately from the game, it's likely that Ubisoft or whoever is in charge of this port is not willing to pay for it.
At least PC users will mostly likely get a patch fairly soon.
I was hoping for a complete remaster of the originals.. my millennial eyes have moved on completely from the old style graphics.. I can’t even play Ocarina of Time (or TP/WW anymore) 😭
Was excited for the God of War 2D scroller as well until I saw the old outdated graphics.. I thought we were gonna get a Prince of Persia: Lost Crown style game and boy was I disappointed 😔
I heard a rumor a few months back that they’re working on an all new 3D AAA Rayman game so there’s still hope for the future as a Rayman fan
@WolfyTn Sorry, but that's a terrible take. Rayman has some of the best 2D graphics ever created; they're extremely artistic and gorgeous, and in my opinion timeless and not comparable to old 3D polygonal games at all.
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