The release ofMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopeis drawing near, and Ubisoft has pulled back the curtain on more portions of the game. During the September 2022 Ubisoft Forward, the company unveiled several minutes of gameplay that took players through a combat demonstration and part of a boss fight. Featuring the combined forces ofSuper Marioregulars, Rabbids dressed as them, and new faces in the form of a mysterious sword-wielding Rabbid and Luma-like Sparks, this upcoming strategy RPG should prove to be as interesting as the firstMario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
However, that’s not all Ubisoft saw fit to reveal. At the end of theMario + Rabbidssegment, creative director Davide Soliani began explaining plans for the game’s post-launch support. Alongside free updates,Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopewill receive a season pass with three major installments. The third of these received a trailer all its own, and it was quickly apparent why. Rayman, one ofUbisoft’s oldest and most popular mascots, will be returning as a playable hero inSparks of Hope. This is great news, but what fans really want is for this crossover to finally give Rayman a new game all his own.
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Rayman Has a Shining Legacy
While theRaymanwell has dried up these days, the limbless hero used to be a major name in platforming. The first 2D entrywas iconic in its own right, butRaymanhad one of the most graceful transitions to 3D in the industry.Rayman 2: The Great Escape, and to a lesser extentRayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc, are beloved platformers that putRaymanon the map. The unique visuals and well-crafted mechanics came together to form a great alternative platforming series afterMario,Sonic,Crash Bandicoot, andSpyro the Dragon.
Things took a strange turn in 2006. While handhelds got a normal 2DRaymangame, the console releaseRayman Raving Rabbidswas little more than a mini-game collection. The plot involved Rayman trying to impress crazed alien bunnies to win his freedom, but in reality Rayman began fading further into the background as Ubisoft pushed more multimedia focus onto the Rabbids. Two 2DRaymangamesusing the UbiArt Framework engine,Rayman OriginsandRayman Legends, ended up being the series’ swan song in 2011 and 2013. As much as older Ubisoft fans insist they prefer Rayman over the Rabbids, it seems like the new franchise has totally supplanted the old.
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The Rayman Series Has an Uncertain Future
Apart from two mobile games and a couple of nods inSuper Smash Bros.,Raymanwas left stranded with no new games in sight. While the 2017Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battlewas an exciting crossover for some,Raymanfans saw it as a final nail for the old mascot’s prestige.The Rabbids had upstaged Raymanin one of the biggest collaborations Ubisoft has been a part of, and it seemed like the publisher wanted nothing to do with the franchise. When series creator Michel Ancel left Ubisoft in 2020, it seemedRaymanwould never be seeing the light of day again.
Fortunately, with the announcement ofMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope’s DLC, Rayman is getting another playable role, and will be acostar beside Mario himself. This is a massive shift after years of perceived neglect, but it’s difficult for fans to complain about the quirky hero getting another chance. What this DLC entails isn’t clear, but it will probably be something like the Donkey Kong expansion from the firstMario + Rabbids, giving Rayman his own miniature campaign. It’s an exciting time forRayman,Mario, andRabbidsfans alike, but this revival shouldn’t stop at a one-off cameo.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope Could Herald Rayman’s Return
WhatRaymanfans want more than anything is to see their beloved series continue. In the realm of third-party mascot platformers,Raymanhas a stellar record and was a household name for some time. While the games were naturally derivative of platformers that came before, they had unique vibes and an excellent execution. AfterRayman 3implemented well-done combat for a 3D platformer,Rayman OriginsandRayman Legendsare snappy multiplayer platformers that merge the speed of aSonicgame with the precision ofDonkey Kong Country. With a huge amount of varied levels full of secrets, these games are must-have platformers for any fan of the genre.
Even if a new title doesn’t return to the 3D roots the franchise became known for, revisiting the 2D games is more than welcome. The fact thatRaymanborrows from an abstract dream aesthetic sets it apart from the already cartoonish mascot platformer genre, and allows for near-complete artistic liberty when designing levels and music.Rayman OriginsandLegendsare twoof the precious few games to use UbiArt Framework, translating 2D artwork directly into a game like how some modern engines take 3D scans of real objects. The end result is beautiful, full of energy, and great fun for solo players or an entire family.
Regardless of which direction Ubisoft chooses to go withRayman, the demand for a new title is there. Not only is Rayman’s appearance inMario + Rabbidsa sensible addition for both sides of the crossover, it may also be testing how much hype there is forRayman. With community passion and a bit of luck, theRaymanfranchise could be brought backfrom the brink thanks to this marketing decision. As Ubisoft’s slate has become rather predictable over the past few years, a brand-newRaymangame would shake things up.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopewill release on October 20, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
